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Article: Social support can aid treatment outcome

Often a person enters into an alcohol detox clinic with many mixed emotions.  They may feel fear at the unknown, anxiety of being without alcohol, and hopefully pride that they have taken a positive step to recovery.  However, it cannot be denied that deciding to enter into a detox program can hardly be an easy decision to make, and in many cases is not one made alone.  It is often down to the support and care given by those close to a sufferer, that give them the strength to enter into a program, and this support and care can be paramount to an individual’s success in treatment.

Many studies have supported the idea that people who have better social support while the undergo treatment, tend to do much better.  Having the reassurance that people still care for you despite tour addiction can be a huge motivator, and knowing that they will be there to help you cope with starting fresh may supply the extra strength when you are feeling low (Abbott, Quinn & Knox, 1995).

It is one of the reasons why many detox and treatment centres use group work to help a client through their addiction, as this social support even from relative strangers can be hugely powerful, and often this power is amplified when the support comes from someone close to you.  It is also evident by the fact that in many cases those without social support are in fact more likely to become addicted to drugs or alcohol, but those who seek out social support are increasingly likely to have better treatment outcomes (Rhoads, 1983).  Such research really does demonstrate the power of social support and what a difference it can make to an individual with an alcohol abuse problem.

Abbott, P. J., Quinn, D.  & Knox, L.  (1995).  Ambulatory Medical Detoxification for Alcohol.  Vol. 21, No. 4 , Pages 549-563.  doi/abs/10.3109/00952999509002715

Rhoads, D. L.  (1983).  A Longitudinal Study of Life Stress and Social Support among Drug Abusers.  Substance Use and Misuse, Vol. 18, No. 2 , Pages 195-222.  doii/abs/10.3109/10826088309027352

DryOutNow.com provides highly practical help for people with alcohol problems, their friends and relatives. DryOutNow.com also provides free resources for healthcare professionals such as medical information and alcohol treatment guidelines.

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