ALCOHOL TREATMENT PROGRAMS
ALCOHOL TREATMENT PROGRAMS THAT MEET YOUR UNIQUE NEEDS
With alcohol being a common element in most parties and a must at most social gatherings, it’s no wonder that many Americans either struggle with alcoholism or are deeply affected by its effects through a relative or loved one. Alcoholism is a pervasive illness, eating deep into a person’s life and livelihood, often affecting their mind as well as their body.
At Prosperity Haven, our alcohol treatment programs employ a variety of different methods depending on the circumstances and factors surrounding an individual’s addiction. We believe that rather than there being one way, addiction treatment requires a multi-modal approach that considers a person’s lifestyle, relationships, history, and more.
Treating an alcohol addiction begins with the detoxification process and the withdrawal phase. Unlike many other drugs, withdrawal from alcohol can be very dangerous. Because of the way the body responds to heavy alcohol use, quitting can lead to a series of symptoms including potential seizures and heart issues. Medically-supervised withdrawal is important for very heavy drinkers, to ensure that they safely live through the withdrawal period. It is ill-advised to go through detoxification or withdrawal without professional help.
After withdrawal, treatment can go one of several different ways, depending on a patient’s circumstances and their response to certain approaches. At Prosperity Haven, our alcohol treatment programs place a premium on developing recovery plans that correspond to each individual patient.
SIGNS OF ALCOHOLISM
Because alcohol use is nearly ubiquitous, it can be difficult to separate a dangerous drinking habit from casual use at first glance. Alcoholism is not a caricature and can manifest in different ways. Effectively recognizing alcoholism requires an understanding of the key differences between addiction and drug use, and where the line between the two blurs completely. Here are a few signs of alcohol addiction:
Losing all interest in old hobbies.
Frequent tardiness, ignoring responsibilities.
Struggling to maintain composure at work or at home.
Drinking more frequently than usual, especially after work/after a stressful situation.
Engaging in needlessly risky behavior, being unpredictable.
Frequent blackouts and gaps in memory.
Cognitive decline, issues with problem solving and critical thinking, slurred speech, diminished intelligence.
Loss of control over drinking, more frequently turning a drink into several, regular binge drinking.
If you feel that you or a loved one is struggling with an alcohol addiction, we at Prosperity Haven can help. We understand that addiction is a difficult disease to deal with, and that treating an addiction requires compassion, patience, and expert care. Our process is made to fit a patient’s needs, with a variety of flexible plans and treatments.
CAUSES OF ALCOHOLISM
An estimated 86 percent of Americans aged 18 or older have drank alcohol at some point in their lives, making it one of the most common addictive drug in the country. However, not every drinker is an addict. Alcohol addiction develops for several reasons, not the least of which is a genetic predisposition towards alcoholism. This means that several Americans are genetically more likely to develop a chemical dependence on alcohol if they consume it regularly, compared to most Americans. If you have a family history of alcoholism, it is wise to control your intake or abstain completely.
However, there’s more to it than blood. A variety of factors increase a person’s likelihood of developing an addiction to alcohol, including a sudden surge in consumption, using alcohol as a coping mechanism, relying on alcohol in social situations, experiencing a significant amount of stress for prolonged periods of time, enduring a traumatic experience, childhood trauma, codependent mental health issues (such as anxiety and depression), and much more.
Rather than looking for a single cause, we at Prosperity Haven help our clients examine all the factors that may have contributed to their addiction, working with them to address these issues to help prepare them for long-term recovery and lasting sobriety.
OUR TREATMENT PROGRAMS & PROCESS
The first step in treating alcohol addiction is abstinence, and medically-supervised detoxification. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be very unpleasant, and in extreme cases, a person may struggle with a collection of symptoms known as delirium tremens (DTs), with symptoms ranging from shaking and shivering to confusion, psychosis, and seizures.
After a successful and safe withdrawal, the recovery process begins. Because alcohol is an addictive drug, it’s common for recovering addicts to experience cravings and be tempted to drink. Residential treatment can help provide recovering addicts a safe haven to be away from tempting places to drink and maintain their total focus on recovery and making the right changes. Therapies that can help a person recover from alcohol addiction include:
- Group treatment
- Process therapy
- Family therapy
- Individual therapy (talk therapy)
- Lectures on addiction
- Physical therapy
- Therapeutic activities (including outdoor activities and hiking)
- Art therapy
- Music therapy
- And more
At Prosperity Haven, our alcohol treatment programs can help you or a loved one manage and overcome addiction. The road to recovery is long, but an approach built around care and compassion together with the knowledge and expertise afforded by modern addiction medicine can help a person prepare themselves for the challenges that lay ahead.
AFTER TREATMENT
Inpatient programs are often a continuation on previous recovery programs, but they are far from the end. There is always more to do to further your recovery, including exploring the importance of spirituality in recovery, and further investing in your passions and interests as a way to keep yourself occupied and manage your stress and cravings. It is also advised to continue to visit group meetings, keep in touch with other sober and recovering addicts, and work with community programs dedicated to helping local addicts get the help they need. Surrounding yourself in recovery programs is a best way to maintain your sobriety in the first year, to prevent losing sight or interest in the recovery process.
