Whether an individual has developed a moderate alcohol use disorder (AUD) or has descended into heavy and chronic alcoholism, it’s imperative that they seek professional help. The impacts of excessive alcohol use often go beyond just the individual’s personal well-being, serving as a detriment to the relationships they have with friends, their productivity at work, or their familial responsibilities.
Of course, the personal health of individuals with an AUD will also likely suffer due to excessive alcohol consumption if it does not cease. Over time, heavy drinking can wreak havoc on multiple vital organs, such as the liver, the brain, the heart, and the kidneys. Due to both the social and physical damage an alcohol addiction can cause, individuals struggling to stop drinking should consider seeking professional help immediately.
What is Alcohol Rehab?
Alcohol rehabilitation is when an individual is formally admitted into a residential facility for assistance with overcoming their AUD. Usually, an assessment is given that first helps gauge the severity of an individual’s drinking. Based on the results of this initial assessment, an effective treatment plan can then be crafted. For those struggling with heavier alcohol addictions, residential facilities offer around-the-clock medical support and an individually furnished room to each patient. Patients may stay in a facility like this for a set time period under medical supervision.
Individuals will typically remain in a rehab facility until they show marked improvement, have a necessary support network in place to help them stay sober once they leave, and are ultimately in a better place both physically and mentally. A team of medical professionals will be there each step of the way to empower the individual on their recovery journey and ensure they’re detoxifying healthily.
If an individual’s level of alcohol consumption is determined to be severe, they may also require a more carefully planned detoxification strategy. This is because they could be at risk of experiencing uncomfortable or even dangerous withdrawal symptoms while trying to break free of their alcohol addiction.
Detoxification
In the context of AUD, detoxification describes the process in which an individual’s body is slowly brought back to its normal alcohol-free state. A person with AUD is safely taken off of the alcohol in a medically managed setting where withdrawal symptoms are both anticipated and treated proactively. Medical professionals and addictive disorder experts may prescribe certain temporary medications during detoxification that help quell withdrawal symptoms and keep the individual as comfortable as possible. They will also constantly monitor the person’s vital signs to ensure that a medical emergency doesn’t arise.
Among the most severe (and sometimes life-threatening) withdrawal symptoms of extreme alcohol use is delirium tremens (DT). This condition occurs when the central nervous system is unable to adjust to a sudden reduction in alcohol that it’s become traditionally accustomed to. As a result, unpleasant side effects like sweating, shakiness, nausea, and even hallucinations may occur. DT is a serious condition that requires prompt medical attention to manage.
Group or Family Therapy
Once an individual has made it through the first portion of their AUD rehabilitation (or their entire detoxification process), building a support network to help them stay sober is crucial. Throughout recovery, building supportive relationships with others who are also going through recovery from alcohol addiction fosters a sense of companionship and accountability for all involved. Continuing to maintain these relationships even afterward helps individuals with addictive disorders remain sober and venture together into wellness.
In addition to individual therapy, two different types of therapy are common in the latter stages of an individual’s rehab process: Group therapy and family therapy. In group therapy settings, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or other types of meetings, people with AUD come together to form a strong peer support network, getting involved in each others’ lives in a positive way.
Family therapy is an alternate option that allows an individual to be around those they’re related to and strengthen relationships through the power of conversation. Bonding with loved ones and remaining available is key to an individual feeling truly cared for and supported toward the tail end of their rehabilitation.
It’s important to note that for both types of therapy options, while wide-ranging feelings, emotions, and thoughts may be shared, both should always be strictly judgment-free zones. Individuals in attendance should feel supported and encouraged and not shamed for their struggles with alcohol or other substances. Being shown love and empathy helps a recovering individual stay on the path to sobriety and feel as if they’re solidifying important relationships to them along the way. Now that the standard options of alcohol rehabilitation are outlined, it’s important to know where to begin if you or a loved one is in need of assistance.
Where to Get Help for Alcohol Use Disorder
If you or someone you care about are struggling with AUD, know that you aren’t alone and that help does exist. Effective treatment programs and skilled addictive disorder professionals are here to offer you assistance at Alvarado Parkway Institute. We specialize in treating many kinds of addictive disorders, as well as other mental health disorders, that may or may not influence a person’s substance use.
In some cases, underlying disorders related to anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder can also be present. That’s why we take a “whole” approach to care, understanding the relationships different conditions can have on one another. Whether through medications, therapies, or other types of proven methods to treat an individual, we prioritize giving the best care possible. Our fully licensed professionals conduct a full examination of each individual patient’s needs, concerns, and conditions to tailor a comprehensive recovery plan that will work for them.
Through compassion and a rich scientific understanding of the causes and symptoms of various mental health disorders, we provide excellent treatment to residents of San Diego. Contact us today if you are searching for help with alcohol addiction.
