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Alcohol abuse is one of the main
causes of health problems within the family and
in society in the world at present.
We all know that drinking in excess
is bad, but not very often do we consider our
own personal situation in relation to alcohol.
We tend to consider our own alcohol
consumption as "moderate", without knowing
the scientific criteria of what the true definition
of "moderation" really is. And to think
our own dringking is "normal" whilst
often ignoring the signs and symptoms of what
is addictive behaviour.
For some people alcohol is little
by little becoming something more and more important
in their life, and the alcohol begins to dictate
the drinker's actions and thoughts, and makes
the drinker's character increasingly negative
in behaviour. When this happens, and the person
continues drinking it is then possible to speak
of "dependency", "addiction"
or "alcoholism".
The relatives or friends of the
problem drinker usually at first do not realise
the influence of the drinking and so do not try
to press him or her into acknowledging that they
have a drink problem. This allows the problem
drinker to continue to abuse alcohol.
At other times it is the drinker
themselves that tries to reduce or abstain from
alcohol.
The problem comes when it is clear
that he or she is unable to control their alcohol
consumption.
- When he or she drinks more
than they intend to
- When he or she declares solemnly
that "I can leave it when I want"
- When they feel guilt or remorse
at having drunk to excess
- When family or social relations
deteriorate
- When a person continues drinking
although the negative consequences are becoming
more evident every time.
The dependency on alcohol
is not a disease that is solved by taking a certain
medicine or by having an operation.
Would that it were so!
In order that for a person
to be able to overcome their dependency on alcohol
it is necessary that they learn to face the situations
of daily life without drinking.... and without
the person feeling a social outcast.
Once the alcohol becomes
a problem for a person or a family, the best thing
is to put themselves into the hands of specialists.
To try to solve it with good
words, pressure, threats or hoping that time will
solve it, simply leads to delay and to aggravating
the case, increasing the frustration of the drinker
and the family.
The only positive pressure
that may successfully be exerted is when the problem
drinker seeks the help of a specialized and competent
therapist.
In 1984, the team of professionals
leaded by Bernardo Ruiz, Clinical Psychologist,
started The Victoria Program with
very positive results that have received several
national and international recognitions.
Learning how to overcome
negative emotional situations, i.e. anxiety, depression,
etc, learning how to reject invitations from other
people, learning how to organise free time and
learning how to be prepared to overcome any risky
situations that could lead to a relapse. These
are the fundamental pieces of an effective Treatment
that allows the person to stay without drinking
and living better.
Our Therapy has unique characteristics.
Not only by its methods but also by the results
obtained.
Our Programme adapts to the
necessities of all the people for whom alcohol
is causing problems, dealing with them with due
discretion, professionalism and human warmth,
looking for individual solutions for each personal
situation.
Finally, the comment of most
clients when finishing the Programme: "If
I had known that this Programme was available
I would have come several years before". |
