Road to Alcoholism Recovery: Read About National Recovery Month in September
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National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month is in its 22nd year and is celebrated every September. This month is about celebrating the recovery of many people from alcohol and drug addictions.
“Recovery Month spreads the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, that prevention works, treatment is effective and people can and do recover,” states the National Recovery Month website.
The website features stories from many people who are in recovery and have been successful with treatment, including Betty Currier. On the website, she stated that she has been in successful recovery since Jan. 6, 1976, despite being controlled by alcohol for more than 20 years.
“My commitment and life purpose will always be to demonstrate the reality of recovery for those affected by substance use and mental disorders and to help change public perceptions and embrace recovery," Currier said on the website.
In order to embrace recovery, it’s important to start with the basics. There are different types of substance-related disorders, including alcoholism. Alcoholism is a term that mainly refers to the mental disorder alcohol dependence. Alcohol abuse is a separate disorder, according to an article on the National Center for Biotechnology Information’s website.
Alcoholism, or alcohol dependence is defined as a physical addiction to alcohol, and sufferers continue “to drink, despite problems with physical health, mental health, and social, family, or job responsibilities,” according to the website.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders defines alcohol dependence as a physiological dependence that is “indicated by evidence of tolerance or symptoms of withdrawal.”
Withdrawal relating to alcohol dependence is referred to as “withdrawal symptoms that develop 4-12 hours or so after the reduction of intake following prolonged, heavy, alcohol ingestion.”
Many people use the term withdrawal freely, but for those who have gone through it, they know how painful it can be.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
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