Alcohol addiction, also known as alcoholism or alcohol use disorder (AUD), is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) as a chronic brain disorder. Alcohol use disorder is a complex disease involving physical and psychological changes that occur with consistent alcohol abuse. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism explains that “alcohol use disorder is a medical condition characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences.” Individuals that are addicted to alcohol will prioritize satisfying alcohol cravings above all else, which can wreak havoc in all facets of one’s life, including causing physical complications, relationship fractures, financial strain, legal problems, and more. Recovery from alcohol use disorder requires professional treatment.
Where To Turn
There are a variety of treatment options for an individual struggling with alcoholism. The first step to overcoming alcohol addiction is to undergo detox. Detox is the process that cleanses one’s body of all foreign substances. Due to some of the more severe withdrawal symptoms that commonly present when detoxing from alcohol abuse, it is advised to undergo a medically supervised detox to ensure one’s safety throughout the process. Typically, after an individual has successfully completed detox, they will continue the recovery process by attending a formal substance abuse and/ or addiction treatment program. Below are some suggestions that may help you find an alcohol rehab program that best suits your nuanced recovery needs:
- Tap into your network: word of mouth can be an excellent resource, ask friends, family, your primary care doctor, or even a hospital if they can offer any recommendations for a reputable alcohol rehab clinic.
- Search the Internet: An Internet search can provide you with certain websites that have compiled lists of accredited substance abuse and/ or addiction treatment programs, such as Psychology Today.
- Pick the program format that is best for you: rehab programs can be structured as either inpatient treatment facilities or outpatient treatment clinics. Individuals that are unable to reside away from home for the duration of the treatment program will benefit from outpatient treatment, conversely people that are able to reside away from home for treatment may benefit from inpatient treatment.
A quality treatment program will be acutely aware of the fact that everyone recovering from alcoholism deeply benefits from a customized and tailored treatment plan, which will be carefully developed for each participant. An alcohol addiction treatment plan may include different types of therapeutic modalities, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), expressive arts therapy (e.g., play therapy, art therapy, music therapy, drama therapy, sand therapy, etc.), interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), and more. Some may benefit from integrating certain medications into one’s treatment plan. For example, Vivitrol (generically known as naltrexone) is a prescription medicine that was originally approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2006 to be used for the treatment of alcohol dependence. Treatment plans could also include refining one’s daily habits (e.g., practicing mindfulness techniques, exercising regularly, developing healthy sleeping habits, eating nutritiously, etc.) to further improve one’s overall health and wellbeing.
For Information and Support
If you are concerned for yourself or a loved one regarding substance abuse and/ or addiction, we recommend reaching out for help as soon as possible. If left untreated, substance abuse can result in long lasting and potentially life-threatening consequences. Keep in mind: you are not alone! There is an entire network of professionals that are available to help and support you and your loved one throughout the recovery process. The earlier you seek support, the sooner your loved one can return to a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life.
Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions regarding our specific program at Haven House Addiction Treatment and/ or general substance abuse and/ or addiction treatment related information. Our highly trained staff is readily available to discuss how we might best be able to help you and your loved one. We can be reached by phone at 424-258-6792. You are also welcomed to contact anytime us via email at admissions@hhtxc.com.
