Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is one of the most common forms of substance abuse in the United States. While excessive drinking can lead to physiological, interpersonal and lifestyle problems, rehabilitation for alcoholism can help individuals change their habits, break the cycle of addiction, and reclaim their lives.
What Is Alcohol Use Disorder?
Alcohol use disorder is a serious medical condition in which the individual is unable to control their alcohol consumption. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, almost 29 million people nationwide live with this disease, making it among the most prevalent mental health issues.
While those who drink casually or only in social situations can adjust their intake, especially when they experience undesired effects from drinking, those living with alcohol use disorder often find it challenging to control their alcohol intake despite negative consequences.
The Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder
The warning signs and symptoms of AUD include:
- Neglecting work, school, home and family responsibilities
- Using alcohol to reduce stress, calm nerves or fight depression
- Drinking alcohol to gain courage when engaging in risky behaviors
- Spending less time with friends and family, and opting to drink instead
- Experiencing painful withdrawal symptoms if they stop drinking
- Developing a high tolerance for alcohol
The Short-Term and Long-Term Dangers of Alcohol Use Disorder
Excessive alcohol use can lead to a variety of undesirable short-term effects, including:
- Inability to communicate; slurred speech
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Drowsiness
- Stomach pain
- Trouble breathing
- Decreased perception and ability to walk
- Headaches
- Impaired judgment
- Unconsciousness or blacking out
- Anemia
- Coma
Over time, excessive alcohol use can cause significant damage and more serious side effects, including:
- Increased aggression and violence
- Alcohol poisoning
- On-the-job injuries
- Nerve damage
- Liver damage
- Inability to perform sexually
- Malnutrition
- High blood pressure
- Ulcers
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Brain damage
- Cancer
Medications for Alcohol Withdrawal and AUD
Some of the most common medications used for alcohol withdrawal and alcohol use disorder are:
- Benzodiazepines: These sedative medications can help reduce anxiety, panic, and seizures that often occur during withdrawal. Some common benzodiazepines prescribed for alcohol withdrawal are Librium and Valium.
- Anticonvulsants: This medication reduces the risk of seizures during alcohol withdrawal. Trileptal and Depakene are often prescribed.
- Barbiturates: Can sometimes be used in cases where the individual has built up a resistance to benzodiazepines.
- Antabuse: Antabuse, also known as disulfiram, is a type of medication that makes the individual feel incredibly sick if they consume alcohol. This can help deter relapse.
How to Choose the Right Treatment Option for Alcohol Addiction
Choosing the right rehab program is critical to your treatment. Each patient is unique in their background, needs and preferences. You need to find the right program that meets all your specific requirements.
Here are some of the things you should consider before you choose a facility:
- Withdrawal medication. If you would like to consider medication management, ensure your facility offers this option.
- Therapy. You’ll want to verify that your facility offers clinical therapy for drinking addiction. Counseling is a vital step in achieving sobriety.
- Inpatient vs. Outpatient. Do you prefer an inpatient or outpatient program? Choose a facility that does both, so you can change your mind if you want to.
- Insurance. You may want to verify whether the rehab center accepts your insurance.
Our compassionate and judgment-free environment has helped many overcome their addictions. Learn more about our FHE’s Alcohol Addiction Treatment Program.
Overview of FHE ealth’s Alcohol Dependency Treatment Options
FHE Health takes a dynamic approach to addiction treatment, creating tailored treatment plans based on clients’ needs, goals, and budgetary considerations.
Detoxification
Alcohol abuse treatment begins with detoxification, a process that flushes alcohol out of the individual’s system. Licensed health care specialists provide around-the-clock monitoring and support, including administering medications to promote a safe and comfortable detox.
The first few days of withdrawal are critical. During this high-risk period, medical supervision is crucial in the management of serious and potentially life-threatening symptoms.
Residential Treatment
After detox therapy, clients may choose to enter residential treatment. Depending on the individual’s needs, this inpatient alcohol rehab program lasts anywhere from a few weeks to several months. During this treatment phase, clients live in our rehabilitation facility, which provides consistent support and ongoing treatment.
Our residential program features several therapy modalities, counseling services and self-paced work to help clients learn healthy coping skills and build new habits. It provides a stable foundation for rebuilding after addiction by removing everyday stresses and negative influences that could trigger relapse. An alcohol rehab center ensures a supportive space for patients to improve their health and work on healthy habit formation.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment offers clients flexibility, allowing them to remain in their home environment while receiving intensive treatment. During this time, individuals live at home and attend work or school while attending therapy sessions and completing homework.
Depending on their needs and goals, some individuals enter into outpatient treatment following detox from alcohol, while others transition to this program after residential treatment. Our outpatient alcohol addiction treatment plans are customized to help patients based on their individual needs.
Recovery from AUD is a lifelong journey; rehab is only the first step. After leaving inpatient or outpatient care, it’s important to establish a maintenance plan that prevents the risk of relapse. Support groups and 12-step programs are effective for reinforcing lessons learned in rehab by providing a peer group of people in a similar situation.
Alcohol Addiction Treatment at FHE Health in 5 Steps
Here’s what the steps to getting addiction treatment at FHE Health may look like:
- Contact us. Taking the first step to ask for help takes courage. Reach out, and we’ll get you started on the road to sobriety.
- Insurance and Admissions. We’ve enrolled hundreds of patients. Our friendly admission staff will help you navigate the insurance and admission paperwork so enrollment is straightforward.
- Personalized Assessment. At FHE Health, we believe that every patient deserves a personalized treatment plan. We’ll discuss your needs with you and work with you to identify the treatment program that’s best suited to you.
- Comprehensive Treatment. Your treatment program will include medication management (if necessary), therapy, and introduction to support systems.
- Ongoing Support. Recovery is a lifelong journey. Leaving our facility doesn’t end your support. We’re here to help and can continue to offer services, such as outpatient therapy, for as long as it’s needed.
Why Choose FHE Health for Alcohol Addiction Treatment
FHE Health is a top provider of alcohol addiction treatment. We offer:
- Over 25 years of experience in helping patients
- Evidence-based clinical practices
- Addiction and mental health treatment for co-occurring disorders
- Medication management
- Comprehensive wellness program
- On-site psychiatric care
- Inpatient and outpatient care
- Family support
Recovering After Alcohol Use Disorder
Understanding that you or your loved one needs alcohol addiction treatment is the first step in moving forward. At FHE Health, we work closely with you to ensure you have every opportunity possible to achieve these goals. We believe in creating a compassionate and judgment-free environment for wellness and sober living.
As our clients progress through our alcohol treatment program in Florida, we provide the tools and informational resources they need to overcome addiction.
Contact us today to learn more about our alcohol use disorder treatment plan.
Alcohol Addiction Treatment Program FAQs
