Drugs and alcohol are extremely difficult substances to manage, even if used in a legal and responsible manner. For some, casual drinking is nothing more than that. Over half of the population aged 18 and older reported having a drink within the last month. The concerning part is the portion that engages in binge drinking, and it’s no small number. Over one in every four Americans aged 18 or older stated they’ve had at least one night of binge drinking in the previous month.
One of the reasons alcohol abuse is so rampant is that the substance is completely legal to obtain once you turn 21. Even before then, it’s socially accepted in most places for underage drinking to happen at parties or under the supervision of adults. Alcohol abuse can start early which is why education on alcohol is so important for children before an addiction begins forming.
What Alcohol Abuse Treatment Looks Like
At America’s Rehab Campus, we don’t consider an alcohol addiction treatment program to be a success unless the patient has been set up for lifelong sobriety. Alcohol abuse can be one of the most dangerous substance abuse situations both due to the chance of fatal overdose as well as the dependencies created between alcohol and the brain.
To address these dependencies, alcohol rehab begins with a medically assisted detox. Detox, or detoxification, is the process of removing alcohol from your body in order for your internal systems to begin operating on their own again. As alcohol is abused, your central nervous system adjusts how it functions to accommodate the presence of alcohol. After alcohol is removed, it kicks into a sort of overdrive attempting to resume normal operation. What comes next are withdrawal symptoms.
The most common alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:
- Irritability
- Stress and anxiety
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever and sweating
- Delirium tremens
For those who have abused alcohol heavily for a long period of time, these withdrawal symptoms can become fatal if not met with proper medication. Medication-assisted treatment, otherwise known as MAT, is a proven and commonly used approach to cases of severe addiction and dependence. Acamprosate, Naltrexone and Disulfiram are all used to reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms and make the process as comfortable as possible.
Treatment Encompasses Physical, Psychological and Spiritual Needs
Part of treatment at America’s Rehab Campus is the use of cognitive and rational emotive forms of behavioral therapy, CBT and REBT respectively. In order to truly overcome addiction, one must work through the trauma or triggers that are bringing about cravings and impulses. We also work with multiple providers such as MetLife, Cigna and Aetna insurance.
Dual-diagnosis treatment is also important as addiction often comes alongside mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD and mood disorders. Tackling both substance abuse and mental health concerns together stops one from fueling the other, a vicious cycle many addicted people struggle with. Promoting long-term sobriety is only possible when every aspect of addiction is addressed in a compassionate and professional manner.
Are you or a loved one in need of alcohol rehab treatment? If so, it’s good to understand your options. These break down into three categories.
Inpatient Treatment – Patients are supervised and supported 24/7. Typically used for those needing a safe environment away from negative influences.
Partial Hospitalization – An intense program with five to six sessions a week with each session lasting six hours but does not require staying at the center.
Outpatient Treatment – Ideal for those who have a support system at home and need to maintain their work or school responsibilities while seeking treatment.
Each treatment program can be tailored to your exact needs. Please don’t hesitate to contact our team with any questions or concerns you may have regarding alcohol abuse and treatment.
