Alcoholism is a progressive disease that can worsen over time. Left untreated, an alcohol abuse problem can become life-threatening. Physical symptoms that begin with hangovers and blackouts progress to a daily craving for alcohol and physical withdrawal when attempting to abstain from drinking. Alcoholism wreaks havoc on the life of the drinker as well as on the lives of family and friends. Unemployment, divorce, arrest and incarceration are some the problems faced by people who are addicted to alcohol. In the final stages of the disease, alcoholics may experience homelessness, liver disease and an early death. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), about 100,000 people in the U.S. die each year due to alcohol-related causes.
alcohol rehab treatment has been completed, there should be follow-on aftercare that will help the recovering alcoholic deal with challenges encountered in the outside world. These challenges include seeing friends who are associated with drinking, dealing with the stresses of day-to-day living and avoiding the type of boredom that can lead to drinking. Aftercare support and counseling is often a key component in avoiding relapse for individuals who have completed alcohol rehab programs.