4 Ways Of Knowing It's Time To Go To Rehab

Robin Williams's Rehab

Robin William's death at the age of 63 gives us pause: In a 2006 interview with Barbara Walters, Williams talked at some length about his decision to enter rehab after a 20-year period, explaining that friends and loved-ones around him had been begging him to return, in spite of his belief that he was handling life just fine. And according to a recent report from Williams's publicist, he had planned to enter rehab to bring more intentional focus on his sobriety, but some close to the actor believed that given the intensity of his depression it may have been too late. Underlying his addiction was an abysmal depression by which he was often swallowed that ultimately led to his mournful suicide. 

Addiction is serious: it impacts sufferers' health, and the well-being of those around them. One of the deadly elements of addiction is its subtlety: many people who suffer from addiction are unaware that they in fact have one. It often takes the urgings of people to bring them around to the realization, whether through intense processes such as an intervention, or, for those like Williams who had walked the trail of recovery before, the begging and stirring of loved ones. 

Along with addiction, there are serious health risks for those who engage in heavy alcohol and drug consumption.

Health Effects of Alcohol

There are numerous studies being done about the effects of alcohol abuse. It is known as a high-risk factor for disease and disability, in spite of its surging popularity, than factors such as cholesterol, body mass index, low fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity or illicit drug use.

Stroke

Binge drinking is defined by the consumption of more than 5 standard drinks at one time, and is known for greatly increasing the risk of stroke.

Cancer

Drinking more than one or two standard drinks per day can greatly increase the risk of many types of cancer, including breast cancer for women.

High Blood Pressure

Consuming more than two standard drinks per day increases the risk of high blood pressure, which can lead to heart attack and stroke. 

Alcohol consumption also has impacts on the premiums you will pay when taking out life insurance, particularly when one's consumption poses significant health risks, such as those listed above.

Health effects of Drug Use

Short-term Effects

• Increase heart rate
• Rapid or shallow breathing
• High blood pressure
• Sweating or dehydration
• Paranoia and anxiety
• Mood swings
• Rage and violence

Long-term Effects

• Depression
• Damage to brain cells
• Risk of Hepatitis A and C, and HIV
• Impotence
• Hallucinations
• Lack of motivation

How You Know You Need Rehab

Addiction is subtle, and often lies beyond the sufferer's recognition--it's called "denial". It is often the case that loved ones and friends provide the spurring and motivation for one to seek rehabilitation from an addiction. Throughout the process of rehab, many addicts come to know what they had been suffering from, what had led to the addiction, and the various things that trigger it. 

Here are some hints for knowing when it's time to go:

• Asking yourself the question: If you wonder if you need to go, then you probably do. The voice inside could be that voice of reason that saves your life.

• Strife to friends and loved-ones: In the case of Williams's return to rehab in 2006, his friends and family were the ones who motivated him to go. If those closest to you are suggestion you should go, or they're having an intervention for you, then you should follow their urging and go to rehab. Even if you can't see it, they can.

• Run-ins with the law: If your drug/alcohol consumption is causing problems with the law, then you need to think about rehab. 

• Rock-bottom: It's often the case that people need to hit rock-bottom before entering rehab--that moment in time when they realize that they either check in to rehab or die. If you are there, you can choose life. You can get better.