Certificate

course
Alcoholism –
issues and
problems in
recovery for
women
Problems faced in recovery???

What are they ?

Are there problems faced by those in recovery?

 Recovery
Recovery is not only about giving up the
substance

4 levels of recovery

1. Physical

2. Psychological

3. Behavioural

4. Social
 Physical problems
Acute withdrawals

Cravings

Coexisting physical illness/pain may feel worse during

recovery.

Problems with sex.

Problems with sleep.

Refusal to take medication.

Or taking medication that will lead to a relapse.

Neglecting personal hygiene.

Problems with fertility.

 Psychological problems
Post acute withdrawals

Dry drunk syndrome

Depression.

Co- existing psychological disorders.

Self stigma.

Low self esteem.

Lack of coping strategies.

Suicidal ideation.

Dealing with broken relationships.

Denial.
 Social problems
Stigma/labeling.

Non acceptance from the family.

The new label may hinder the social growth of the

individual.

Finding a new social group.

Lack of opportunities.

Being perceived as loose, cheap, and weak.

Social isolation.

Returning to the same environment.

No support for their children.

 Financial problems

Lack of money.

Denial of insurance.

Paying debts.

Looking for a new job/or finding oneself

without a job.

Being denied credit.

Financial aid maybe taken away.

 Problems with therapy
Adhering to a schedule.
• Not being able to find meaning in therapy.
• Not finding a suitable support group.
• No time for adhering to therapy schedules.
• Dealing with traumatic memories.
• Bad experiences with previous therapy may make
the individual vary of a new therapeutic programs.
• Coping with domestic responsibilities might leave
little room for therapy.
• Not being able to find support from the family.
 Dry drunk syndrome
• The phrase "dry drunk" has two significant words
for the alcoholic. "Dry" refers to the abstinence
from drinking, whereas "drunk" signifies a deeply
pathological condition resulting from the use of
alcohol in the past. Taken together these words
suggest intoxication without alcohol. Since
intoxication comes from the Greek word for
poison, "dry drunk" implies a state of mind and a
mode of behavior that are poisonous to the
alcoholic's well being.
• Stinking thinking
Characteristics of dry drunk syndrome grandiosity,
judgmentalism, intolerance ,impulsivity, and
indecisiveness taken separately or together can lead to
the following

• Mood swings, .

• Unable to demonstrate emotions freely, naturally and

without constraint.

• Introspection

• Detachment.

• Self-absorption
• The inability to appreciate or enjoy themselves - nothing
satisfies.

• ) Evidence of disorganization, is easily distracted, complains

of boredom, and nothing seems to fit.

• A nostalgia sets in, a kind of wistful yearning for something

of the past, such as freedom from care associated (falsely)
with drinking, bars, drinking associates, and friends; the
music, blue lights, and tinkle of the ice cubes in a glass in the
neighborhood saloon.

• There can be a kind of romanticism, which includes

unrealistic valuations of lifestyles and character traits which
can be and usually are objectively dangerous to one's
sobriety.

• Escapism. Fantasizing, daydreaming, and wishful thinking

 Other characteristics

• Elevated stress levels

• Denial reactivation.
• Bahaviour changes.
• Social breakdown.
• Loss of structure
• Loss of judgment.
• Loss of control.
 http://twelvestepfacilitation.com/category/women/

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