Taking Care of an Ill Loved One

Does Your Spouse Need To Give Up Alcohol? Get Started With Basic Recovery Options

Have you noticed that your spouse has a drinking problem, and it's time for them to get clean? If so, you can enroll them in different programs to help them get sober, and to help them start living a lifestyle that both of you can be proud of. Here are a few things that you'll want to look into so your spouse can put down the bottle and start living their life.

Physical Examination

Alcohol can cause a lot of health problems and risks, and you need to make sure your spouse's health isn't in jeopardy because of drinking too much. When your spouse goes in for an examination, ask for the following:

  • Blood pressure reading
  • Cholesterol screening
  • Oral cancer screening
  • Full blood work
  • BMI reading

With this information the doctor can tell if any of the organs are failing or starting to deteriorate, they can see if the mouth or throat has been compromised because of the alcohol, and if your spouse is at the risk of a heart attack or stroke. The doctor may insist on prescription medications, a special diet, further testing or other treatments.

Alcohol Detox Program

Find an outpatient or inpatient alcohol detox program that is supervised by an addiction specialist and medical professional. Your spouse may need to do an inpatient treatment while going through withdrawals and the other stages of detox, but should be able to continue with outpatient options and therapy after the detox program is complete. Symptoms and time required for the treatment will vary between patients, and will be influenced by how strong the alcohol addiction was.

Exercise Program

Adding an exercise program into your spouse's life is going to help them build physical strength, improve their heart health, lose weight, and can release endorphins to help improve mood while going through such a transitionary time. There are many benefits of exercise, and it's something that the two of you can do together and a way for you to support them.

Going through withdrawals and alcohol detox is something that will affect everyone that is living in the household, and you'll want to make sure that you are ready to be as supportive and helpful as needed to get your spouse through this difficult time. With these three types of beginning support, you should be able to help your spouse start the road to overcoming addiction to alcohol, although further rehabilitation may also be needed. 


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