Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Do you find yourself obsessing over alcohol or prioritizing your drinking over everything else in your life? If so, then you may have an alcohol use disorder. Like other drug addictions, alcoholism does not happen from one day to the next, and it is not always obvious in the beginning. While a person may seem as if they are in full control, they will eventually find themselves unable to quit as their drinking increases. At this point, finding treatment is necessary. If you have a drinking problem or know someone who does, our alcohol rehabs can help.
Why Is Alcohol Addictive?
Alcohol addiction arises from its effects on the brain’s reward system and its capacity to cause physical and psychological dependency. When consumed, alcohol stimulates the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, which creates a rewarding experience and heightens the desire for more alcohol. Over time, the brain adapts to alcohol's presence, leading to increased tolerance and the need for larger doses to achieve the same effects. This adaptation also affects various brain functions, including inhibition of the central nervous system, resulting in temporary sedation and relief from stress and anxiety.
Chronic alcohol use disrupts brain communication pathways, leading to confusion, instability, and coordination issues, which can increase the risk of head injuries. Additionally, alcohol can alter mood, causing irritability or aggression. Long-term consumption may cause brain cell shrinkage, resulting in cognitive impairments and deficiencies in individuals who were previously functioning normally.
Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Addiction
No two people with alcohol use disorder are the same. While the criteria for or the signs of alcohol abuse are similar, the condition manifests itself differently in everyone. Alcoholism often progresses through several stages, providing a framework for understanding alcohol dependence:
- Experimental Stage: Often occurring in youth or early adulthood, this stage involves intermittent and social drinking driven by curiosity. Many people can limit their use and may not progress further.
- Social Stage: Drinking becomes more frequent and associated with social events and relaxation. Most people can moderate their drinking, though some may begin consuming more or engaging in riskier behaviors.
- Problematic Stage: Alcohol use becomes more prominent as a coping mechanism for stress or emotional issues. Tolerance develops, requiring higher doses for the same effect. Negative consequences, such as interpersonal conflicts and poor performance, may start to appear.
- Dependence Stage: Alcohol takes a central role in life, with physical and psychological dependence forming. Withdrawal symptoms occur when not drinking, and control over alcohol use is lost. Responsibilities and relationships suffer, often accompanied by denial about the severity of the problem.
Some typical signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse include:
- Mediocre performance at school, work, and other responsibilities
- Relationship problems
- Continued alcohol consumption despite negative impacts on relationships, health, career, or finances
- Engaging in risky behavior after drinking
- Increasing tolerance, and needing more alcohol for the same effects
- Stealing or lying to obtain alcohol
- Yellowing eyes
- Excessive drinking on a regular basis
- Drinking at inappropriate times
- Experiencing frequent “blackouts”
- Neglecting responsibilities at work, school, or home
- Sudden financial problems
- Alcohol withdrawal symptoms
- Drinking for most of the day
- Being unable to quit
- Drinking alone
If you notice that a loved one is exhibiting any of these signs, or if you find yourself matching these criteria in any way, then you may need help from our alcohol addiction treatment center. However, it is also important to note that not all people with alcohol abuse problems struggle to keep up with their responsibilities in the beginning.
People with alcoholism who can keep up with their hygiene, careers, relationships, and other responsibilities are known as high-functioning alcoholics. These individuals may go a while without showing obvious signs of their drinking problem. Even so, high-functioning alcoholics eventually hit a breaking point where they can no longer hide their condition nor keep it from affecting other areas of their lives.
How Long Is Alcohol Rehab?
Alcohol rehab programs may range in duration depending on the intensity of care the individual needs. Usually, however, alcohol rehab lasts for 30 days, 60 days, or 90 days. Because there’s no one-size-fits-all treatment for alcoholism, clients must have multiple programs to choose from.
There are also various levels of care for alcohol rehab including a medically monitored detox, residential, partial hospitalization, and telehealth intensive outpatient, each of which lasts for different periods.
Our Alcohol Treatment Programs
At our northeast treatment centers, we know that the alcohol addiction recovery process is different for everyone. That is why we offer basic treatment necessities – such as alcohol detox and inpatient treatment – and additional therapy programs to assist patients in psychological recovery from addiction.
Below are the numerous levels of care offered at our alcohol rehab to ensure clients are being treated for their physical and psychological symptoms:
Medically Monitored Detox
The first step of our alcohol treatment is medically monitored detox. Medical detox refers to the process in which patients are weaned off alcohol under the supervision of medical personnel. Alcohol is one of the toughest and most dangerous substances to withdraw from, especially without medical assistance.
Some patients require medically monitored detox before moving onto any therapeutic form of care to help them safely recover from withdrawals. Withdrawal symptoms, especially those of alcohol, can be highly uncomfortable and even life-threatening in severe cases. Seizures (delirium tremens) are among the most dangerous withdrawals clients may experience during detox, which is why at-home attempts are not recommended. To ensure that our patients remain safe and healthy during this process, patients in our medical alcohol detox are offered 24-hour care along with medication (as needed) to treat their withdrawal symptoms.
Inpatient Treatment
Following medical detox, patients in our inpatient alcohol rehab eventually move on to their formal addiction treatment programs. Our rehab offers residential treatment, during which patients live at the facility for the duration of their programs. Oftentimes, our patients’ conditions are severe and require 24-hour care.
Residential alcohol treatment is a wonderful way to separate patients from distractions and triggers in their home environments and help them focus on their recovery. Common triggers and distractions may include old drinking buddies, unsupportive family members, and stressful home environments.
As part of our alcohol rehab, patients may also participate in various therapy programs including:
- 12 Step Program
- Art Therapy
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy
- Faith-Based Program
- Biofeedback Therapy
- Motivation Interviewing
- And more
These are supplemental programs that are designed to focus on the mental and behavioral factors that have contributed to clients’ alcohol use disorders, such as mental illness, stress, the loss of a loved one, and others.
Alcohol PHP Rehab
Our Partial Hospitalization Program at Clearbrook Pennsylvania provides a structured environment for individuals who require more intensive support than standard outpatient programs but do not need 24-hour supervision. This comprehensive program typically runs 4 to 6 hours a day, 3 to 5 days a week, allowing participants to return home each evening. Our dedicated team of nurses, social workers, therapists, and psychiatrists conducts thorough clinical assessments to create personalized treatment plans. We aim to help individuals better understand their substance use and co-occurring challenges, empowering them to adopt healthier lifestyles and regain control of their lives.
Telehealth IOP
Clearbrook’s Telehealth Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) offers alcohol addiction services through remote communication technologies like videoconferencing and phone calls. This approach enables individuals to access evidence-based care from the comfort of their homes, eliminating the need for in-person visits. The program includes individual and group therapy and medication management, available in real-time. Telehealth treatment is particularly beneficial for those with limited access to in-person care, such as individuals in remote locations or with mobility challenges. It provides a wide range of interventions, including counseling and support groups, all delivered through secure and confidential online platforms. This makes it an ideal option for those who value privacy in their treatment journey.
Ongoing Support & Aftercare Services
Because recovery is a lifelong commitment, we also offer aftercare services to patients who have completed their programs. In our alumni program, patients can interact with other members of the recovery community and learn from our leaders in group meetings. Because our alumni recovery sessions are arranged in group settings, patients can relate to others who are also going through similar experiences, encouraging them to share their struggles and achievements openly.
How to Get Started
If you're finding it difficult to manage your drinking habits, don't wait to seek help. Taking action now can make all the difference in your journey to recovery. Reach out to us today at (800) 582-6241 to learn more about our comprehensive alcohol addiction treatment programs. Our dedicated team is here to support you every step of the way, helping you achieve lasting sobriety and a healthier future.
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