Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Oftentimes, people want to cut down on their alcohol intake but feel trapped in the cycle due to withdrawal symptoms combined with alcohol cravings. Alcohol use disorder is a serious addiction requiring official substance abuse treatment at an alcohol rehab Lantana center specialized for alcohol addiction. It requires the presence of alcohol counselors to guide the individual in treating alcoholism as well as doctors and nurses on-site to provide medical advice. To stop drinking on your own is not only difficult but can also be dangerous for your health. The best thing to do in this situation would be to seek one of the detox programs Florida has to offer, programs that would guide you through the evidence-based stages of the treatment process, ensuring treatment success.

a happy person rehabbed after alcohol addiction Lantana

Archstone Behavioral Health can help you lead a happy, alcohol-free life!

What are Alcohol Use Disorders?

According to the American Psychological Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed., Alcohol Use Disorder is categorized into three different severity levels depending on how many symptoms the person has. Alcohol abuse includes symptoms such as:

  • Someone drinking alcohol more than intended
  • Unsuccessful attempts to stop use
  • Cravings for alcohol use
  • Choosing alcohol over fulfilling responsibilities at work, school, or home
  • Increased tolerance for alcohol
  • Withdrawal if someone does not consume alcohol for a period of time
  • Continuing to drink alcohol, knowing it makes someone’s physical or mental health worse
  • Alcohol misuse despite interpersonal problems such as fights with family members

These symptoms are used in a treatment facility to determine if someone meets the criteria for alcohol treatment. It requires a mental health professional to officially diagnose Alcohol Use Disorder.

The Effects of Alcohol On Your Body

Alcohol interferes with our bodies in numerous negative ways. While some studies have tried to show that drinking alcohol in moderation is perfectly safe, the truth is that the only safe amount of alcohol is zero. That being said, according to dietary guidelines for Americans, drinking in moderation (2 drinks or less for men or 1 drink for women, per day) significantly reduces the chances of negative consequences. Here’s what can happen to various parts of your body if you drink too much:

  • Brain – Alcohol affects the way your brain operates and it will interfere with its communication pathways. This leads to a change in mood and behavior, making it harder to think clearly. It also has the effect of reducing the body’s overall coordination.
  • Heart – Excessive drinking can cause all sorts of heart issues, such as arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, strokes, and high blood pressure.
  • Liver – Alcohol takes a heavy toll on the liver and it may cause numerous problems such as fibrosis, cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis, and steatosis.
  • Pancreas – Drinking alcohol makes the pancreas produce several toxic substances that may lead to developing a dangerous inflammation as well as swelling of the blood vessels inside the pancreas (commonly known as pancreatitis).
  • Immune system – Alcohol weakens the immune system over time. The more you drink, the heavier the effect. This means that your body will become much more susceptible to diseases, including pneumonia and tuberculosis.

Lastly, alcohol will increase the person’s risk of developing cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, there is a strong scientific consensus that drinking too much alcohol can lead to developing several types of cancer. Basically, the more alcohol a person consumes, the greater the risk of developing head, neck, esophageal, liver, breast, and colorectal cancer. Choosing to attend an alcohol rehab Lantana will help minimize, if not remove, all of the associated risks.

Risk factors

Not everyone forms an alcohol use disorder or alcohol addiction in the same manner. There are certain risk factors that may increase the chance of developing the condition, such as:

  • Having a close relative with the alcohol use disorder
  • Heavy drinking over a long period of time
  • Pre-existing mental conditions such as depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia
  • Stress, particularly ongoing stress
  • Binge drinking
  • Alcohol-sensitive genes

hands holding shots are not a part of alcohol detox Florida

When it comes to alcohol, it is much better not to take any risks.

Do note that it is quite possible for a person not to develop alcohol addiction even if all the risk factors are present. However, even the presence of one risk factor greatly increases the chance of forming an alcohol addiction which can only be fully cured with alcohol rehab.

Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Addiction and Withdrawal

The first sign that someone may be struggling with alcohol addiction can be found in their nutritional habits. As the addiction progresses, the person suffering from alcoholism may take on a gaunt appearance, suffer hair loss, and may develop dark circles under their eyes. All of these symptoms are directly related to malnutrition and, in some cases, thiamine (B1) deficiency. Incidentally, this is why most alcohol withdrawal medication includes thiamine in some shape or form. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome treatments will carefully monitor both your body and your mind as you progress through alcohol withdrawal.

Psychological signs of alcohol addiction and withdrawal include memory lapses, lack of good judgment, and trouble sleeping. Furthermore, people that suffer from alcohol addiction are much more likely to develop anxiety and depression. Other cognitive problems may include a shorter attention span and trouble with motor coordination. Lastly, alcohol addiction may cause hepatic encephalopathy and may even be fatal. That is why enrolling in an alcohol rehab Lantana program is far more preferable than trying to manage your alcohol withdrawal on your own.

Behavioral signs of alcohol addiction

Most of the time it is rather simple to recognize behavioral signs of alcohol addiction. The person suffering from it usually becomes very secretive about what they are doing, as they do not want to listen to someone telling them that they need to stop. Furthermore, they will also try to conceal alcohol around the house or workplace, and may develop a fear of “running out”. Alcohol addicts have a tendency of creating “stashes” so they always have a ready supply of alcohol when they need it.

Another very common behavioral sign of alcohol addiction is a diminished level of hygiene and lack of interest in own personal appearance. Most of the time, people that are addicted to alcohol will seem like they haven’t showered or shaved for a long period of time. They may also start wearing the same clothes for a prolonged time, further adding to the disheveled image. As you may imagine, alcohol addiction also leads to various relationship issues.

And that is not all, there are many signs that may indicate that a person is struggling with alcohol addiction. Here are a couple more of them:

  • Taking loans “needlessly”
  • Legal troubles
  • Financial issues
  • Overreacting to criticism toward alcoholism
  • Stealing
  • Being intoxicated at social events

Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are not the same for everyone. They can range from mild to serious, depending on how much the person drank, and for how long they were doing it. Basically what happens is that your central nervous system adapts to having alcohol inside the body and once the alcohol is “out”, there is a re-adjustment period more commonly known as alcohol withdrawal.

a circuit board

Your central nervous system “rewires” itself to account for alcohol.

The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal have their own timeline, with more serious symptoms appearing over time. Most people, even those suffering from alcohol addiction, will only experience the first “set” of symptoms. If you happen to experience more than that, it is in your best interest to visit an alcohol addiction treatment Florida facility straight away.

The first set of symptoms appears around six hours after the person stops drinking. They may include:

  • Sweating
  • Nausea
  • Headaches
  • Anxiety
  • Vomiting
  • Shaky hands
  • Insomnia

Do notice that these are the symptoms caused by “regular” alcohol withdrawal. A person suffering from alcohol addiction has a high chance of developing other, more serious, symptoms such as hallucinations and seizures. These often occur after 12-48 hours have passed and may be very difficult to deal with, especially for the first time. But that is not all, there is a third set of symptoms that is even worse. Sometime between 48 and 72 hours after the last drink, a person may start experiencing “Delirium tremens” (DT). DT may cause extreme delusions as well as very vivid hallucinations. Luckily, DT is not all that common, as only around 5% of people who suffer from alcohol addiction experience it. Other symptoms at this stage include fever, heavy sweating, racing heart, confusion, and high blood pressure.

When is The Best Time To Seek for Professional?

It can be very difficult to realize that you have a problem with alcohol addiction. Most of the time, people that develop the issue are incapable of being objective and admitting that they have a problem. Seeking treatment while you do not believe treatment is necessary is usually not going to be extremely effective. That is why the first step toward curing your alcohol addiction is to realize that you, indeed, have a problem. Enrolling in one of the alcohol withdrawal syndrome treatments is going to be much more effective when you understand that it is necessary. Being forced into treatment can produce good results at times but it is always better to undergo alcohol rehab willingly.

Therefore, the best time to seek professional help is when you realize that you have an alcohol addiction problem. Professional medical staff will be able to help you create a customized treatment plan, one that will be in line with your issues and capabilities.

How Do I Know if I Have a Problem?

Although it is best to seek advice from a certified addiction professional, which can be found at various alcohol treatment centers, there are some cases in which individuals are unsure if they have a problem or do not know if they should even bother seeking professional treatment advice. They might notice they have some small alcohol problems or have even tried Alcoholics Anonymous, however, think that seeking treatment would be too dramatic or unnecessary. In order to initially screen individuals for potential alcohol abuse and alcoholism, treatment professionals will often use the CAGE Assessment. “CAGE” stands for each of the four, simple questions the person is asked.

  1. Have you ever felt you needed to cut down on your drinking?
  2. Have you ever been annoyed by others criticizing your drinking behavior?
  3. Have you ever felt guilty about your drinking?
  4. Have you ever used alcohol as an eye-opener in the morning, such as to steady your nerves or to help with a hangover?

girl on the beach holding a chair during an alcohol addiction treatment in Lantana

Unsure whether you have a problem? Take the CAGE Assessment!

If you took this assessment with a clinician and answered yes to two or more of these questions, this would be considered clinically significant. If you know that the answer to two or more of these questions for you is yes, please seek further assessment for alcohol addiction with a treatment provider.

Who should take this program?

To put it simply, anyone who is struggling with alcohol addiction can benefit from rehab. However, there are some clear signs that rehab may be necessary, such as:

  • Using alcohol to self-medicate a mental health issue
  • Developing a lack of interest and motivation for spending time with others
  • Stealing to obtain funds for alcohol
  • Struggling with withdrawal symptoms
  • Developing health problems that are directly related to alcohol use
  • Placing alcohol as a priority over relationships, school, or work

As mentioned previously, it is best that the person suffering from alcohol addiction voluntarily enrolls in the program. The reality, however, is that many people that absolutely need the program will never want to undergo it on their own. The best way to “force” someone into one of the alcohol rehab Lantana programs, for example, is to first get an official diagnosis of alcohol addiction. Diagnosing alcohol addiction is pretty much the same as diagnosing any other illness. You visit a doctor.

Archstone Alcohol Addiction Treatment Programs

At Archstone Behavioral Health, we focus on making sure that you enjoy your time at treatment as much as you can. We design our treatment programs for each patient individually and we accept and value each patient for who they are. You are more than a simple patient at Archstone, you become a part of our small family and a valued member of the community.

barbecue in the alcohol addiction treatment center in Lantana

Archstone programs often involve barbecues!

As for the therapy itself, our therapists pride themselves on the ability to really listen to you and not talk at you. We are all about processing your story and finding the best way to help you rather than simply telling you what to do.

Aside from those already mentioned, here are our programs that can help you with your alcohol addiction:

The best way to determine which program is ideal for you or your loved one is to directly contact Archstone Behavioral Health. Our professional medical staff will help you choose the best treatment option.

Healing from Alcoholism is Easier With the Right Therapist or Group

People suffering from alcohol dependency often feel isolated and abandoned. Losing yourself to alcoholism means losing the people who matter to you most. Our close-knit community at Archstone will welcome you with open arms. No matter what catastrophes you have suffered as a result of alcoholism, our team of masters-level clinicians, therapists, and community organizers are here to offer the support you need. Contact us to learn more about the following programs:

a support group in alcohol addiction treatment Lantana

Support groups are one of the best methods of managing alcohol addiction.

Taking Back Your Life from Alcoholism Starts at Archstone Behavioral Health

If alcohol dependency has taken away your freedom to live the life you want, Archstone Behavioral Health can provide the support, resources, and network to help you rebuild what you’ve lost. We understand that attending treatment for alcoholism is inconvenient; people have lives to lead and responsibilities to uphold. But in our experience, alcoholism prohibits people from living the lives they imagine. No matter what you’ve suffered, we want you to know that hope is within your reach.

What Does Alcohol Detox in Florida Cover?

Alcohol detox in Florida is the first step of alcohol withdrawal syndrome treatments. During this program, your body will be completely “flushed” from alcohol. The program usually lasts around 1-2 weeks but may take longer depending on the severity of the addiction.

Going through alcohol detox as a part of one of our alcohol rehab Lantana programs, for example, inevitably means that you will have to deal with withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, nausea, sweating, and headaches. In more serious cases, a patient may experience disorientation, seizures, tremors, and extreme hallucinations. In the rarest of cases, patients may experience delirium tremens. Having a professional medical team on standby is, therefore, in your best interest.

Detox timeline

The first six to twelve hours of alcohol detox involve mild symptoms such as headaches, anxiety, and irritability. As the patient approaches the end of the first day of rehab, the symptoms increase in severity. Most people experience some disorientation, light seizures, as well as hand tremors.

The second day is where the “worst” symptoms appear. Depending on the severity of the alcohol addiction, patients may experience hallucinations and panic attacks. After the second day, all until the end of the first week, the symptoms will “come and go”. This period is the most intensive-care part of the treatment, as life-threatening symptoms may occur.

After a week in rehab, most of the withdrawal symptoms will be gone and most of those that remain can be treated with medication.

clock and plant on the table in alcohol addiction treatment center in Lantana

Alcohol detox usually lasts 1-2 weeks but the time may vary from person to person.

Withdrawal medication

Choosing to treat your alcohol addiction in one of the alcohol addiction treatment Florida has numerous benefits. But the main benefit is that you will have access to a variety of safe medications that will help you reduce the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Used properly, these medications will keep your body in balance and lower the risk of any serious complications.

While attending detox as part of alcohol rehab, the professional staff will administer the medication, monitor its effects, and change the medications if/when needed. The most common medications used include benzodiazepines, naltrexone, Acamprosate, and Disulfiram. Other medications may be administered as necessary.

Enter the Care of Trusted Addiction Medicine Specialists

If you find it difficult to trust people, there is most likely a reason. We want you to know that overcoming alcoholism is within your reach. And we would be proud to accompany you on this journey. We offer the following mental health and addiction treatment options:

Mind & Body Balance -Types of Treatments

There are two components to treating alcohol addiction: Talk therapy and medications. All programs that aim to cure alcohol addiction incorporate both. Talk therapy serves to help patients create and develop coping skills and strategies while medications help with avoiding relapse and managing withdrawal symptoms.

There are also four levels of care for alcohol treatment: Outpatient, intensive outpatient or partial hospitalization, inpatient, and residential. All programs feature a certain level of care, as well as the different ratios of talk therapy and medications. For example, the alumni program focuses mostly on talk therapy, through peer support, while the MAT program has a higher medication usage.

Archstone Behavioral Health Offers an All-Encompassing Addiction Treatment

The recovery process for alcohol abuse, just like drug abuse, can be a long and difficult process. This is why our addiction treatment centers are here to help. We treat our patients at Archstone Behavioral Health as unique individuals; no person is the same and therefore requires different types of treatment methods. To treat alcohol abuse properly, an individual must be explained the various treatment options and be given the opportunity to discuss what they think will work best for them– with the input of trained professionals who specialized in addiction and working with Alcohol Use Disorder.

The treatment plan created collaboratively by the patient, specific treatment provider, and the family, if desired to include them, might include individual alcohol counseling such as through talk therapy, group therapy, or the use of behavioral therapies, for example. Outpatient rehab is available, however, if the person has moderate withdrawal symptoms or greater, the medical professionals on-site may recommend alcohol rehab or residential treatment on-site initially.

We also offer other programs for other addictions, such as:

You can also take advantage of our opioid detox center Florida program to get treatment for any other opioids.

Beyond Initial Addiction Treatment

It is important during this recovery process, whether inpatient or outpatient, that the individual learns proper coping skills to manage daily life so that when the treatment center is no longer as involved, the patient has been empowered by the skills they have learned and feel confident in managing their alcohol addiction at home. Oftentimes, those in alcohol rehab will return home only to return to the same destructive habits. This is why it is vital that services slowly taper along our continuum of care offered at Archstone Behavioral Health.

Although someone attends recovery, this does not mean that their journey of treating alcoholism is over– for the individual or for the family. Addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disease, and just like keeping up with a regimen for physical health such as not eating junk food and exercising regularly, someone who has a history of any sort of substance abuse must be aware that ongoing treatment will be necessary in some sort of way in order to maintain progress. With the help of supportive family members and Archstone Behavioral Health, patients here will be set up for success not only in the short term but also in the long term.

Finding Help Begins at Archstone Behavioral Health

Reaching out for help is your first step in recovering from addiction. Substance use disorder doesn’t happen overnight; recovery also takes time. Give your brain and body time to heal. Reaching out for help is the only way for many people to regain control of their lives. Contact Archstone Behavioral Health in Lantana, FL, today at [Direct] to find out more about whether our alcohol rehab and alcohol addiction treatment programs are right for you or your loved one.

FAQ

How long have you been operating?

Archstone Behavioral Health has been in continuous operation since 2001. We are proud to be one of Florida’s longest-running treatment providers!

Is Archstone Behavioral Health accredited?

Archstone Behavioral Health is licensed by the state of Florida but is capable of treating patients all across the world. We also have a Joint Commission Accreditation, a voluntary accreditation considered to be a gold standard among numerous healthcare organizations, hospitals, and treatment providers across the country.

What levels of care can I expect?

There will be no unnecessary hassles when you choose Archstone Behavioral Health as your treatment provider. Our full continuum of care program means that the patients are staying with us for the duration of the treatment. This means no referrals and no transportation between several centers.

What do I need to bring with me when attending the program?

Depending on the duration of your stay, you might want to bring some or all of the following:

  • Personal identification (passport, state ID, driver’s license)
  • Health insurance card
  • Emergency contact information for at least two people, including phone numbers, email addresses, and names
  • Comfortable shoes
  • Sandals
  • Two pairs of sensible workout clothes
  • Products necessary for basic personal hygiene (toothbrush, shaving supplies, soap, shampoo, etc.)
  • Cigarettes or vaping products if you require them. Note that all the products must be unopened upon arrival.

cigarettes for use in alcohol rehab

Cigarettes are allowed at Archstone but the packaging must be unopened.

Lastly, any medication that you bring with you needs to be in its original prescription bottle and handed to our medical staff upon arrival. These medications will be then distributed as needed.

What should I not bring to alcohol rehab?

The items that you may not want to bring with you to treatment include:

  • Any valuables (jewelry, expensive electronics, etc.). Archstone Behavioral Health takes no responsibility for stolen items so it is best not to take anything overly valuable with you.
  • Cameras or video recorders
  • Any items that contain alcohol
  • Guns, weapons, or any sharp objects
  • Overly revealing clothing, as well as any clothing with explicit photos or messages. We reserve the right to request that a particular piece of clothing not be worn if it interferes with your or other patient’s treatment.

How long will my treatment last?

The duration of your stay at Archstone will largely depend on your individual health needs. Our clinical staff will determine the length based on a variety of factors. Your treatment may last from seven days to three months or more.

What happens after treatment?

Upon completing treatment, each patient gets a personalized discharge plan. This plan will include any information that you might require for relapse prevention, private therapy, sober living, support groups, aftercare, and any other required services.

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