If so, you may wonder how long the alcohol rehab program will take. Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to this question because the amount of time you spend in rehab depends on various factors. For example, the duration will depend on your state when you enroll in the program and how your doctor or therapist has designed the program. It will also depend on whether you are admitted to an inpatient or outpatient program. Whichever program you choose, the first step is likely to be detoxification.

Alcohol Rehab: Detoxification

As you continue drinking alcohol, your body gets a buildup of toxins. Detoxification refers to the process of eliminating these toxins from your body. This process will allow your mind and body to heal from the effects of alcohol without suffering too much from life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.

Because detoxing from alcohol can potentially be fatal, it is essential to be supervised by a medical professional such as a member of our team at Liberty Bay Recovery Center. The detoxification process and how long it takes vary from person to person. It will depend on how long you have used alcohol and whether you are also using other drugs. You will experience various psychological, emotional, and physical symptoms during detox. Once the process ends, you may enter the post-acute withdrawal phase, where your cravings and physical symptoms will subside. However, you will still have emotional and psychological issues lasting for weeks or months after detoxification.

Each detox case is unique. The detox process may only take a few days for some people, while others may require weeks or months. If you have been excessively drinking alcohol for many years, your detox period will likely be longer than it would for a person who has been drinking for only a few years. On average, the initial detox from alcohol lasts between 7 to 10 days. Sometimes, people may experience detox symptoms for up to 14 days. However, even after the initial detox symptoms have cleared, psychological and physical issues can linger for months.

Can You Detox on Your Own?

Some people prefer detoxing at home for fear of embarrassment, shame, or stigma. However, detoxing at home can be unproductive and dangerous. Detoxification, just like other treatments, needs the support of professionals. Also, detoxification may have serious side effects, like psychosis or seizures. This is why you should be in an environment where medical experts can supervise you.

How to Detox Safely

The safest way to detox is in a medically supervised setting. Medical detox programs provide the support, safety, and comfort you need. In a medical facility, you can get emergency help if you experience life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. Additionally, if you have any underlying medical conditions, your doctor will be on hand to take care of them. Your detox process will also be personalized to help you get the best results.

Alcohol Rehab: Inpatient Rehab

There are many types of inpatient alcohol rehab programs. You can opt for either long-term rehab or traditional inpatient rehab. Your circumstances and diagnosis determine how long you will be in treatment.

Long-Term Inpatient Alcohol Rehab

Long-term alcohol rehab may take anywhere between three and 12 months. You will live in the treatment facility with other drug users to help one another in your recovery journey. These programs may include family or individual counseling and group therapy. The doctors may also organize for you to join support groups.

Traditional Inpatient Alcohol Rehab

Traditional rehabilitation for alcoholics requires at least 28 days. This mode of treatment can be recommended if you are a moderate drinker. The rehab program may include counseling sessions and group therapies involving your family. The rehab may sometimes last up to three months, depending on your situation. Traditional inpatient alcohol rehab generally takes three months to complete.

While in the rehab facility,  you will have to abide by certain rules and regulations. These rules vary from facility to facility and are tailored to ensure the patients get the best results. In addition, during your stay in the rehab, you will meet other addicts with whom you will be encouraged to form groups to participate in therapies together.

Some rehabs offer daily group therapies. There may also be individual therapies to address unique personal needs. Your days will be filled with activities to distract you from thinking about alcohol. Most of these activities include psychotherapies, 12-step meetings, and educational sessions to equip you with skills to maintain sobriety.

Can You Be Forced to Enroll in Inpatient Alcohol Rehab?

A parent or guardian can admit someone younger than 18 to rehab for alcohol without their consent. However, most states do not allow forcible rehab for adults. The main exception being a court sentence for an alcohol-related crime. However, your loved ones may feel inpatient alcohol rehab is the best option to save your life. In some states, loved ones can petition the court to have you involuntarily admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation program. The court will assess the situation and decide. Involuntary commitment to an inpatient alcohol rehab is often referred to as “sectioning.” Sectioning is often a last hope option for alcoholics who need urgent intervention.

Alcohol Rehab: Outpatient Programs

Outpatient alcohol rehab is a multistage program that does not require you to live at the treatment facility. The length of outpatient alcohol rehab programs will depend on your state and the facility that offers this service. On average, an outpatient alcohol rehab program takes about three months. There are three types of outpatient treatments for alcoholics: intensive outpatient treatment, and partial hospitalization.

Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOP)

Intensive treatment is necessary if you struggle with alcohol use and cannot stop drinking by using your willpower. You will live in your home as you receive this treatment but will spend long hours at the facility. In most cases, IOP treatment can take three months.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

Partial hospitalization requires more commitment than OP and IOP. It is recommended for heavy drinkers who need more care in a home setting. With this program, you will have to attend group meetings for five or seven days every week, and each session will last for between seven and eight hours. You can opt for this method if you require more support and intensive therapy. Your doctor can prescribe this treatment mode if you have a severe substance use disorder (SUD) or other underlying medical conditions. If you are unsure which type of outpatient treatment is best for you, leave this decision to your doctor, and stick to your doctor’s advice.

Advantages of Outpatient Alcohol Rehab

Outpatient alcohol treatment has many benefits. This treatment mode will ensure you have all the resources, tools, and skills you need to maintain sobriety. In addition, choosing a facility with a smaller group is advisable so you can receive more individualized attention and care. Other benefits of outpatient alcohol treatment include:

• Engagement in evidence-based therapies, including eye movement reprocessing and desensitization, motivational interviewing, dialectical behavior therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
• The treatment focuses on relapse prevention. You will be taught the techniques to help identify and prevent situations (triggers) that can cause relapse.
• You will be taught life skills, including personalized vocational training and educational placement.

Alcohol Rehab: Aftercare

Once you complete your treatment, some facilities may allow you to join an alumni program as part of an ongoing aftercare plan.

How Long Does Aftercare Take?

Detox is only the first step in the treatment process. However, once you are successfully and safely detoxified, you must restructure your life to help build a solid foundation for your recovery. Aftercare programs can ensure that you maintain your sobriety for many years. Addiction treatment is an ongoing process that can extend for a lifetime. Once you graduate from a rehab facility, it may seem more straightforward to say no to drugs and alcohol, but as time goes by, you may relapse. This is what an aftercare program helps you avoid.

Aftercare is part of alcohol treatment and is a plan to support you and help you to avoid relapsing. Aftercare has no fixed duration because it is regarded as a new lifestyle. For example, some recovered alcoholics join support groups, like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), which considers membership permanent. Once you become a member of AA, there is no turning back.

What Constitutes a Good Aftercare Program?

For an aftercare program to be effective, it must have several activities and resources to keep the recovered alcoholic busy. The activities vary according to an individual’s needs though some activities are done in groups, like AA meetings. Common aspects of aftercare programs include:

• Establishing a support system after you’ve completer alcohol addiction treatment
• Sponsors, a mentor, or a guide who has been in recovery and worked through the steps.
• Presence or recovery sessions such as AA’s 12-step meetings
• Alumni groups with people who attended the same rehab facility
• Group or individual therapy
• Checking in with your case manager or counselor
• Training for life skills like gaining financial freedom.

Counseling sessions, whether individual or group, are a crucial component of any aftercare program. Individual therapy sessions can help you work on what you missed during your rehab program. Your doctor will design a personalized program that meets your unique needs during such therapy.

On the other hand, a group therapy session is vital for helping you to work with others who also want to maintain their sobriety since working together as peers can help you fight cravings that can lead to relapses. Additionally, group sessions mean you will have a new group of friends to keep you away from your drinking buddies.

Recovery depends on your commitment to the treatment process. At Liberty Bay Recovery, our team will be happy to answer your questions or help you start on the path to a happier, healthier life of sobriety.

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When Does Your Drinking Become an Issue?

For moderate drinkers, one or two drinks a day will suffice (a drink refers to 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1.5 oz of spirits). Moreover, they rarely exceed their limits even if they attend a party where drinks are freely available. This is not the case with an addict, who would want to drink until the alcohol supply is depleted or until they are thrown out of the party.

The problem with alcohol is that you can start drinking moderately but eventually progress to becoming an alcoholic. When you become an alcoholic, your life will revolve around drinking. You are said to have alcohol dependence at that stage and will start abusing alcohol.

Alcohol abuse is an uncontrollable drinking pattern resulting in adverse and recurrent consequences. As an added risk, you may fail to honor your school, family, or work obligations. Eventually, you may start having alcohol-related conflicts and legal problems like drunk driving, theft, or involving yourself in unnecessary fights. Your relationships may also break down, and you may end up in jail.

Alcohol dependence means you have lost control of your drinking. Alcohol addiction means you cannot stop drinking when drinks are still available. You may try stopping, but you find yourself slipping back. Worse still, you may struggle to talk, walk, or eat without a drink. In addition, you will become shaky and sweaty in the morning before drinking and, in some cases, may suffer from hallucinations and delirium tremens (DTs) when you try to withdraw from drinking.

Medication-Assisted Treatment for Alcohol

If you are an alcoholic, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is one of the best ways to solve your problem and break your drinking patterns. Medication-assisted treatment uses a combination of physical therapy and medications. It is a safe and effective way to help you stop drinking and start working to improve your health.

The medications used to treat SUD will affect your brain and restore the chemicals disrupted by alcohol. MAT will clear your body of all alcohol-related chemicals and help you achieve sobriety. The program can also help you maintain recovery and prevent future risks like overuse of alcohol or even death. MAT can not only help alcohol abusers but also treat disorders resulting from nicotine or opioid use.

The main aim of MAT is to limit cravings and reduce withdrawal symptoms related to alcohol. Withdrawal symptoms are the main reasons that people relapse. So, by addressing them through MAT, you will regain your control over alcohol and eventually stop drinking. As a result, your cravings will decrease, and you will finally live an alcohol-free life.

MAT does not mean substituting alcohol with another drug. The treatment only corrects your body’s chemical imbalances to restore it to a healthy state. A qualified medical practitioner must oversee the treatment so you do not become addicted to the drugs. MAT heavily relies on medications combined with professional therapy sessions. With both behavioral therapies and counseling, medication-assisted treatment will address your well-being and health.

As you continue drinking, you will develop an alcohol tolerance, requiring more alcohol to achieve the same effect. Moreover, the more dependent you are on alcohol, your withdrawal symptoms will be more severe. These symptoms may include convulsions, hallucinations, tremors, irritability, restlessness, sweating, and nausea.

Although excessive alcohol consumption gets public attention and concern, even moderate or mild alcohol-related problems can cause severe damage to an individual’s life, community, and immediate family.

Data from the NIAAA (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) shows that 6.2% of U.S. adults aged 18 and older have an alcohol use disorder. This is a considerable number by all standards. For instance, in one governmental survey, it was found that 20% of U.S. citizens aged between 12 and 20 years are users of alcohol, about 40% of young adults aged between 18 and 25 years are binge drinkers, and about 10% are heavy drinkers.

What Medicines Are Used in Medication-Assisted Treatment for Alcohol?

Seeking medical intervention for alcohol addiction is crucial because quitting without medical help can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms like seizures and delirium tremens. Without medication-assisted treatment, some symptoms can be fatal. MAT will ease these symptoms so you can stop drinking safely.

Withdrawal from alcohol use is life-threatening, anxiety-ridden, and excruciating. Therefore, the withdrawal process must be gradual and supervised by an experienced doctor. The FDA approves four medications for the treatment of alcoholism. It is worth mentioning that these medications do not treat alcoholism instantly but will help you gradually withdraw until you recover.

Benzodiazepines (Librium and Valium)

Librium (chlordiazepoxide), Valium (diazepam), and other long-acting benzodiazepines are used to detox alcohol addicts since these medications act on the same brain receptors as alcohol. These drugs can be prescribed immediately if the doctor realizes you are in danger of alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

The doctor will taper them off gradually as your condition improves and you leave the dangerous stage. This can take about five days from the time you had your last drink. However, the time taken to escape the danger zone varies from person to person. People may stay longer on benzodiazepines, whereas others can be switched to other FDA-approved alternatives.

Naltrexone (Revia and Vivitrol)

Naltrexone is a popular drug for opioid addicts but is also effective for alcohol abusers. The drug blocks the brain’s opioid receptors, thus decreasing drug cravings and preventing the person from getting high when they use alcohol or opioids. Initially, this drug was only used to treat opioid addicts, but it was later discovered that naltrexone could also be used to treat alcoholics.

To date, many doctors do not understand the mechanism of its action, but they believe the brain responds to opioids the same way it responds to alcohol. This means naltrexone can suppress the pleasurable and euphoric effects that alcohol brings.

If you are on naltrexone, you will not feel high even if you drink alcohol. Naltrexone does not eliminate withdrawal symptoms, meaning you must undergo detox before naltrexone is administered. The doctor will determine the stage where you will be fit enough to start using naltrexone.

Acamprosate (Campral)

Acamprosate reduces alcohol-related cravings and alleviates withdrawal symptoms. Doctors in the U.S. like to prescribe it for the treatment of alcoholism. This drug will reduce the dependence of your brain on alcohol and restore your brain’s functionality and chemistry. Acamprosate interacts with brain neurotransmitters to help normalize and modulate the brain’s activity, which excessive alcohol consumption has thrown into disarray.

Immediately after you stop consuming alcohol, your brain will start functioning differently, triggering withdrawal symptoms in your body. This is the process that acamprosate will control so that you can get relief. This drug is usually administered after detoxification. It is commonly prescribed alongside other medications like disulfiram and naltrexone.

Disulfiram

Disulfiram is another popular medication for the treatment of alcohol dependence. When you use this drug, you will have a strong, unpleasant hangover-like experience when you drink alcohol. The undesirable effects include sweating, weakness, chest pain, vomiting, nausea, headache, and facial flushing.

These symptoms will begin after 10 minutes of consuming alcohol and can last up to 60 minutes. Disulfiram is not meant to treat SUD but to deter you from drinking. That is why it is a good option for you when you still have alcohol cravings.

Causes of Alcohol Use Disorders

Alcoholism has many causes, with social, psychological, physiological, and genetic factors playing the most significant roles. These factors affect people differently. For example, certain alcoholics’ disorders are caused by psychological factors like low self-esteem and impulsiveness. For some drinkers, alcohol provides them with a way to cope with emotional problems.

Still, a group of people drinks because of environmental and social factors like the need to fit in (peer pressure) and the ease of access to alcohol. For example, people who grow up in areas where alcohol is readily available are likely to start drinking at a tender age. Other causes of alcohol use disorders are sexual abuse, physical abuse, and poverty.

Genetic factors have also been found to make some people highly likely to become alcoholics, although this happens only to a small percentage. For example, some children born to alcoholic parents may lead alcohol-free lives, and those born to sober parents can become alcoholics.

Once you start drinking excessively, the problem will perpetuate itself. Excess alcohol will cause changes in your body that make you feel comfortable only after drinking. As a result, you may sometimes find yourself drinking to avoid suffering from alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

How Will Substance Use Disorders Affect You?

Some research has found that using alcohol in small quantities has some health benefits, like positive cardiovascular effects. On the other hand, excessive drinking has been found to have adverse health effects. Heavy alcohol consumption has both short-term and long-term effects.

The short-term effects include blackouts, hangovers, and memory loss. On the other hand, heavy alcohol consumption’s long-term effects may include liver cirrhosis, severe cognitive impairment, brain damage, cancer, heart problems, and stomach ailments.

Alcoholism also increases an individual’s chances of committing suicide or dying from homicide, accidents, and fights. Interestingly, men are more likely to develop alcoholism than women, but women suffer more from alcoholism than men.

Alcohol has been found to negatively affect mental health because it acts directly on the brain. Alcoholism and alcohol abuse can worsen anxiety and depression and create these conditions if they never existed.

Often alcoholics do not only hurt themselves. You will also hurt your children and spouse. You can expose them to family violence, deprivation of a good life, and, in the worst-case scenario, physical or sexual abuse. In addition, when your children see you in your drunken state, they can develop serious psychological problems.

Children who cannot face you when drunk may attempt to run away from home. Then there is the problem of stealing. Most broke alcoholics still sell household items to get money for a bottle or two. This can plunge your family into poverty. Alcohol also leads to job loss, which can hurt all your dependents. Furthermore, drinking while pregnant can damage your fetus. You may also cause the same family problems caused by men.

When Should You Seek Help?

The problem with alcoholism is that it develops gradually, so it is a big challenge to know when to seek help. Another problem is that most alcoholics live in denial. They cannot believe they are alcoholics. Most alcoholics only seek help when they have hit rock bottom.

The first step in seeking help is acknowledging your drinking problem. There are many questions you can ask to gauge your condition. You can be on the lookout for the effects discussed above to indicate whether you have slipped into alcoholism.

For instance, do you find it easy to stop drinking? Have you ever sworn you would never drink again, only to find yourself drunk the next day? Have you missed classes or work because of alcohol? Have you begged for alcohol? Do you have an alcohol-related medical condition?

Such questions can help guide you in deciding to start seeking help. But please do not wait until it is too late. Alcohol addiction can be fatal. Instead, consider visiting a professional rehabilitation facility such as Liberty Bay Recovery Center for medication-assisted treatment.

Do You Need Other Treatments With Medication-Assisted Treatment?

MAT is a comprehensive treatment option that combines different therapies and medications. However, you can combine it with other treatment options, which your doctor should approve. For example, you can take other drugs for other mental health problems like anxiety and depression. You can also join support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous.

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The Role Food Plays in Our Health

Food plays a significant role in our physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Think of your body as a high-performance engine; using substandard fuel in a luxury vehicle would inevitably result in engine malfunctions and breakdowns. Likewise, when given substandard building blocks to work with, your body responds by creating mental and physical dysfunction that may make overcoming addictions and unhealthy habits more difficult.

Nutrition plays a vital role in recovery from drug and alcohol use. Essential vitamins, minerals, and enzymes in nutritious foods can reduce withdrawal symptoms and give your body what it needs to heal. So why is nutrition important to recovery, and what should you eat as you embark on your healing journey? Read on to discover why it all matters.

Malnutrition Caused by Substance Abuse

Any form of substance abuse can cause malnutrition. People in the throes of addiction care less about how they are fueling their bodies than about getting the next fix. A person may skip meals or forget to eat due to a preoccupation with their addiction. Over time, this failure to fuel results in a loss of critical nutritional building blocks that will eventually show as signs of malnutrition. Classic signs of malnutrition include:

• Reduced Appetite
• Weakness
• Chills
• Poor Cognitive Memory
• Slow Wound Healing
• Weakened Immunity

The recovery process does little to erase the effects of malnutrition. On the contrary, detoxing can make things temporarily worse for people experiencing exaggerated withdrawal symptoms that make it difficult to continue.

The Struggle to Rewire the Brain

Substance abuse takes over the mind, with substances triggering the brain’s reward center. As someone uses their chosen substance, the reward center is flooded with “feel good” chemicals, repeatedly causing one to seek out that same feeling.

With every subsequent high, the need for more substance to feel the same effect grows greater, and this is where the roots of addiction take hold in the brain. Since the human body is so adaptable to stimuli, the brain requires more significant amounts of the substance to create the same amount of “feel good” substances that keep a person coming back for more.

Feeding the Brain During Recovery

Unhealthy foods also stimulate parts of the brain, releasing chemicals that temporarily help us feel good. Processed foods high in preservatives, sugar, and fat contribute to the same type of brain chemistry in people struggling with addiction. Feeding the brain the right food during recovery is essential to success and long-term health. Changing your diet by incorporating healthy foods that promote healing will significantly and positively impact recovery.

Foods to Eat During Detox

Recovery is a whole-body endeavor; making deliberate and positive diet and lifestyle changes makes it easier for the mind and body to heal. When the body is nourished with adequate vitamins, minerals, and enzymes, cravings for unhealthy foods and patterns are significantly reduced. The body embarks on its natural healing process, provided you continue properly nourishing it. Below we identify some of the best foods to incorporate into your diet for optimal health and healing.

Fresh or Frozen Berries

Fresh or frozen berries enhance any snack with a boost of healthy, natural sugar to help you fight unhealthy cravings. In addition, berries are rich in vitamins C, A, and B and antioxidants that promote cellular health and renewal—snack on delicious berries alone or in combination with yogurt or nuts for a satisfying snack.

Whole Grains

Whole grains are an essential part of any healthy diet. The body craves fiber-rich foods, and fiber helps to eliminate toxins and harmful free radicals that can damage organs and tissues as they circulate. Foods rich in whole grains also help to facilitate a slower release of sugars, keeping blood sugar levels stable and helping to prevent mood swings and irritability, which are common during detox.

Garden Greens

Garden fresh greens are among the most nutritious foods consumed on this planet. Greens are excellent for adding a boost of vitamin B and binding to heavy metals and toxins to flush them out of the body. Greens also provide you with antioxidant protection as your body continues to heal. In addition, they support optimal brain function during recovery. Look for leafy greens such as spinach, arugula, chard, and kale to incorporate into meals to reduce cravings for unhealthy food and drink.

Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper helps to regulate the metabolism and fight cravings for unhealthy foods. It can also help to reduce flu-like symptoms and nausea, which are common in the initial stages of detoxification. Adding a pinch into a cup of tea or favorite foods can boost immunity, easing detoxification symptoms.

Nuts and Seeds

Dopamine is one of those “feel-good chemicals” that is present and circulating in a healthy brain. Unfortunately, brains subjected to unhealthy patterns of addiction are severely depleted in dopamine, so finding foods that naturally raise and release this chemical back into the brain will improve the detoxification experience. For example, nuts and seeds naturally raise dopamine levels, which can help reduce cravings for alcohol and other substances that produce the same feeling. Nuts and seeds such as almonds, walnuts, and flax seeds are also excellent sources of fiber and antioxidants that help naturally balance dopamine levels in the brain.

Fatty Fish

Fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel are excellent sources of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, contributing to mood and brain health. In addition, these fish are incredibly high in protein, which helps you to recover from the adverse effects of alcohol and drugs on the body and brain. Consuming quality protein is also an excellent way to trigger that satiated feeling, making it easier to resist the temptation of unhealthy foods and other substances.

Foods High in Zinc

Zinc is a powerhouse mineral, providing excellent healing capabilities for the body and mind. Foods high in zinc include:

• Fresh Seafood
• Red Meat
• Vegetables
• Legumes
• Nuts and Seeds
• Fruit
• Whole Grains
• Full-Fat Dairy

Choosing foods from this list will boost immunity, promote cellular health and renewal, and give you the building blocks needed for proper nutritional recovery.

Bananas

Bananas help to raise dopamine levels in the brain and fight off cravings for processed sugar and sweets. High in potassium, bananas aid in protecting the heart and cardiovascular system from oxidative stress and damage. Even one banana a day is said to significantly reduce the effects of substance abuse on the heart and promote natural healing.

Whole Wheat Bread

Making the switch from white to whole wheat bread has many health benefits. Whole wheat contains a great deal of fiber and magnesium, which can improve gut health. Magnesium has also been shown to protect muscle and nervous system health, two systems that will be called upon to perform as you go through detox and withdrawal.

Iron-Rich Foods

Iron is a critical mineral that our bodies need but cannot produce. Essential to red blood cell production, this element carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. It also aids in improving neurological functioning, balancing hormones, and boosting energy. Foods that are rich in iron include:

• Beef
• Dark Poultry Meat
• Shellfish
• Liver
• Tuna
• Eggs
• Spinach
• Swiss Chard
• Beetroot
• Tofu
• Soy Products

Just a few servings of iron-rich foods weekly will boost energy, safeguard immunity, and increase oxygen levels in the body, contributing to better overall health.

Water

Water is a life force of energy for your body. It facilitates thousands of cellular operations, keeps blood flowing smoothly, and helps to eliminate toxins efficiently from all organs and systems. Without it, you feel sluggish, tired, and sick. Staying hydrated during and after detox gives you an advantage over those who don’t prioritize proper water intake. Aim for at least half your body weight in ounces daily and more if you are in the throes of uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Detoxing with adequate amounts of water in your system will reduce the time you have to go through these symptoms, and you’ll feel better sooner.

You Are a Top Priority

Focus on self-care and better health as you seek to break free from habits and patterns that no longer serve you. Making yourself a top priority will help you achieve a better quality of life. Liberty Bay Recovery Center has a team of addiction specialists and medical professionals ready to serve you and provide you with what you need to get and stay sober. We offer inpatient and outpatient programs, therapeutic services, and medically supervised detox to support your recovery journey. You deserve to create the life that you’ve always wanted, which you can do now with your health and wellness as a top priority. Contact us today to get started on a better path to health and healing.

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In these challenging times, most people experience stress. The difference is in how we cope with trauma and triggers. Some of us can find balance, while others compound their problems through unhealthy coping mechanisms. One of the most significant issues in the United States is the number of people using drugs or alcohol to self-medicate. In Portland, Maine, you have a place to turn to when struggling with mental health problems and substance use disorder. Liberty Bay Recovery Center provides several programs designed to get to the root of substance use disorders and get you on the path to sobriety.

Fear Responses and How They Affect Our Mental Health

Fear is at the base of many mental health issues, including PTSD. Fear and anxiety can be related to past events in our lives and triggered by similar circumstances, or they can stem from an inability to achieve balance when dealing with everyday events.

When we experience fear or anxiety, we begin to feel overwhelmed and unable to move forward freely. Sometimes, we try to escape our problems, even briefly, by turning to drugs and alcohol to relax or numb our emotions.

Just as our problems are unique, how we react to stress and traumatic events is also. Psychologists term these coping mechanisms the fight, flight or freeze response.

Often, how we respond is linked to our natural personalities and combined with learned behaviors. For example, we see how our parents and other influential figures in our lives deal with problems, and we tend to react the same way.

Fighting Your Way Through Trauma

When feeling afraid or anxious, some of us are natural fighters. When we’re in danger or feeling attacked, we might respond by confronting the problem or antagonist. The trigger can threaten our safety or a perceived slight, such as an offensive comment. However, in the fight response, the reaction is often hostility, anger, or abuse.

The pent-up hostility and anger lead to additional stress without a healthier way of coping with triggers. Eventually, it can negatively affect your mental and physical health.

Deer in the Headlights Syndrome

Have you ever been so scared or surprised by events that you froze? You feel like the proverbial deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car on a highway at night. You know you’re in danger, but you’re unable to react.

This is known as the freeze response to fear, and it’s very common. It happens when you experience a shock to your system that is so great that your mind cannot understand it and tells your body what to do to avoid the threat. Because of this emotional and physical paralysis, our anxiety is compounded by feelings of hopelessness and inadequacy.

Fleeing From Stress

A natural response to danger or discomfort is to run away from it. This is the flight response, and it echoes how humans have dealt with danger since the dawn of our existence.

The events in our lives don’t necessarily need to be massive to send us into a downward spiral of anxiety, despair, shame, or guilt. Even one traumatic event can set the stage for continued fear-based responses in the future. In addition, a lifetime of negative events and environments, consistent patterns of unhealthy choices, or being shown ineffective coping skills can set us up for learned patterns of unhealthy reactions to trauma and stress.

Stress, Trauma, and Substance Use Disorder

How do you manage stress? For many of us, career, school, or relationship problems manifest as physical and emotional issues, such as sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, and anxiety. Sometimes, we take a drink, pop a pill, or smoke a joint to deal with emotional pain.

For some, the first instinct after a traumatic event is to have a drink. We begin to feel relaxed afterward, and we might believe that we can better cope with whatever is happening around us. This practice is often mirrored in literature and film, and it teaches us to escape physical or emotional pain by self-medicating with drugs or alcohol.

Such self-medicating can lead to a vicious cycle of dealing with outside stressors by artificial means. Rather than developing the tools to manage negative life experiences, we mask our pain and anxiety with intoxicants. Doing this worsens additional problems unless we receive help, guidance, and support to resolve the underlying issues.

According to information presented by the National Library of Medicine, the rates of SUDs among historically traumatized populations, such as those living in urban centers, correlated directly with the levels of trauma suffered, whether through witnessing events like violent crime or personally experiencing them as victims.

Many study participants were victims of childhood sex abuse, domestic abuse, and other violent crimes. Of the participants in the studies:

• 8% used marijuana
• 39% used alcohol
• 1% used some form of cocaine
• 2% used heroin or other opiates

The results were even more far-reaching in a report compiled by the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.

The ISTSS found that:

• Between one-tenth and one-third of those recovering from an illness, accident, or violent crime reported excessive alcohol use. The greater their physical pain, the more likely they were to self-medicate.
• Up to 80% of veterans seeking treatment for PTSD also meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder (AUD).
• Victims of sexual assault reported higher incidences of substance use disorder than those who have not experienced such attacks. This statistic was equally true for men and women represented in the report.
• Children and adolescents who have experienced sexual or physical abuse are four times more likely than their peers to develop SUDs.

Moreover, people diagnosed with PTSD are 14 times more likely to be diagnosed with alcohol or substance use disorder. Approximately 20% of those diagnosed with anxiety and/or depression also fit the criteria for AUD/SUD.

Although anyone can experience alcohol and substance use disorders, these statistics don’t mean everyone enduring prolonged stress, or trauma will develop a substance use disorder. It also depends on your background, conditioning, and the amount of support and stability in your life.

Signs of Stress/Trauma-Related Mental Health Disorders

We all have some stress in our lives. It doesn’t need to be a significant life event that brings it on, and it’s not always negative. Planning a wedding or the birth of a child are joyful events that are notoriously stressful. Having a high-pressure career can lead to a chronic state of tension. How can you tell when normal stress levels have transitioned into a full-blown mood disorder?

Johns Hopkins Medical Center lists the symptoms of mood disorders as follows:

• Persistent feelings of helplessness or hopelessness
• Ongoing feelings of anxiety or sadness
• Low self-esteem or feeling unworthy
• Excessive feelings of shame or guilt
• No interest in activities or things that once brought joy
• Decreased energy
• Sleep disturbances or insomnia
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss or gain
• Anger and irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
• Repeated thoughts of self-harm or suicide

Although chronic stress, anxiety, and depression are prevalent in our society, and many of those coping with these disorders also struggle with substance use, one of the most tenacious culprits is PTSD. This condition can be complex and long-term, often at the root of anxiety and depression.

According to the Mayo Clinic, signs of PTSD include:

• Sudden bursts of anger or irritability
• Problems sleeping, including nightmares
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feelings of emotional numbness
• Avoiding people, places, and activities
• Reliving the trauma or having flashbacks to traumatic events

Attempts to numb the emotional pain of these symptoms often lead to using drugs or alcohol. In addition, repeated use of intoxicating substances can lead to dependence and addiction.

Dependence means that your brain and body have become accustomed to the effects of your substance of choice and need more with each use to continue achieving the desired feeling.

Symptoms of Substance Use Disorder

Whether the substance of choice is alcohol, prescription or illegal drugs, or some combination, the symptoms of substance use disorder in any form are quite similar. However, it is important to note that these symptoms can be subtle and easy to hide. Symptoms of addiction or substance misuse include:

• Preoccupation with using or finding drugs/alcohol
• Inability to control, cut down, or stop substance use
• Feelings of panic when alcohol/drugs are unavailable
• Secretive behavior and irritability when questioned about the use
• Making risky decisions while under the influence of alcohol/drugs
• Continued use despite negative consequences
• Entering dangerous situations to obtain drugs/alcohol

There are also many unhealthy behaviors that may indicate a person is struggling with substance use. Distinguishing the behavioral signs of addiction from less server issues can be difficult. Possible behavioral signs of alcohol and drug dependency can include:

• Increased absences and tardiness, declining performance, and unusual disinterest at work or school
• Disregard for personal hygiene and appearance, losing or gaining weight rapidly, decreased energy or motivation
• Avoiding, becoming secretive with, and other drastic changes in relationships with family and friends
• Sudden and unexplained financial problems or asking for money without providing an explanation
• Uncharacteristic arrests and unexpected legal problems

If you recognize these symptoms and behaviors in yourself or a loved one and want to learn more. Contact us today. Our knowledgeable and compassionate Addiction and Recovery Representatives can answer any questions and help you understand substance use disorder better.

Treating SUD and Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders

At Liberty Bay Recovery Center, we are equipped to help you or your loved one cope with substance use and mental health disorders. Our comfortable setting, compassionate staff, and various programs provide the guidance, support, and real-world skills to manage whatever life throws your way.

Recovery Treatment Programs

We offer several options for drug/alcohol rehabilitation, including:

• • Medical Detox
  • Residential and Inpatient Rehab
  • Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
  • Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

Alcohol and Drug Detox/Withdrawal

The road to recovery process begins with detox and withdrawal, which can be managed with medications to ease the pain of withdrawal.

The side effects of detox, aka withdrawal symptoms, can vary depending on the type of substances used, but they generally include:

• • Insomnia
  • Mood Swings
  • Irritability
  • Intense drug or alcohol cravings
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Body aches and pain

Therapeutic Options

Each of our treatment programs includes individual and group therapy. Designed to uncover and address the root causes of addiction and any co-occurring conditions related to or worsened by substance use. Our addiction therapy services include Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Dual Diagnosis Treatment, Trauma Therapy, and Medication Management.

Group therapy offers peer-to-peer support and accountability. Clients can also learn new coping skills and tools to help them manage stress or trauma in the future. Medical detox is a technique that uses approved medications to ease the pain of withdrawal and prevent cravings that can lead to relapse.

Supplemental Therapies

Because holistic approaches to wellness support long-term recovery, we offer a range of supplementary therapies. Such as yoga classes and art therapy.

These practices will help you find peace and balance while you’re in the program and help you maintain balance and deal with stress when you return to the outside world.

Nutritional support in the form of healthful meals and snacks will provide a structured daily routine. This offers a way of returning to healthy habits like eating well while regaining strength.

Help Is Close at Hand

When you can cope with stress and trauma in a balanced, holistic way, you’ll unshackle yourself from self-harming behaviors. At Liberty Bay Recovery Center, we invite you to experience the power of freedom.

Contact us to learn more about our programs or arrange treatment.

The post Stress Responses: Fight, Flight, or Freeze appeared first on Liberty Bay Recovery Center.

When you enter our alcohol detox program, we customize a treatment plan that focuses on your individual needs. We realize each client has their own unique reasons for using alcohol and that no one-size-fits-all approach to treatment will be effective.

Learn more about how our alcohol treatment programs can help you or a loved one overcome alcohol use. Contact the addiction treatment professionals at Liberty Bay Recovery at (855) 607-8758 today.

Why You Should Not Attempt Alcohol Detox at Home

When you reach out for help with alcohol addiction, it is not a sign of weakness. It takes a lot of courage to admit that you can’t do this on your own. But if you’re thinking about trying alcohol detox at home, take time to learn about the risks involved.

Depending on the amount of alcohol you use and how long you’ve used it, withdrawal symptoms can range from mild or moderate to severe and dangerous. They may simply cause you to seek more alcohol, or they could cause serious harm to your physical and mental health.

Without someone by your side to monitor and treat the symptoms, you could be placing your life in danger. Here’s what you need to know about the risks of alcohol detox at home.

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

The purpose of detox is to allow your body to adjust to the absence of alcohol gradually. You’ll experience many alcohol withdrawal symptoms that will challenge your fortitude during the process.

Mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms include:

• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Tremors
• Cravings
• Hallucinations
• Nausea and vomiting
• Changes in blood pressure
• Increased heart rate

More severe withdrawal symptoms can include:

• Fever
• Confusion
• Seizures
• Delirium tremens (DTs)
• Stroke
• Heart attack

Most of the severe symptoms are impossible for a person to manage independently. The result can be relapse, coma, or death. However, if you undergo withdrawal in a detox facility, professional addiction specialists and medical personnel are there to provide 24/7 supervision to ensure your safety.

Why It’s Hard to Overcome Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction is a combination of physical, emotional, mental, and environmental factors that lead a person to drink. Detox resolves the physical aspect of the addiction. However, it is not a cure for the disorder.

Studies show that most people with substance use disorders also suffer from another mental health disorder, such as:

• Depression
• OCD
• PTSD
• ADHD
• Bipolar disorder
• Anxiety disorders
• Schizophrenia

Some individuals with AUD have a family history of alcohol abuse. Or, they may live in a household where alcohol is openly and frequently used.

In some cases of alcohol addiction, people were exposed to alcohol abuse in early childhood. As a result, they began drinking at a young age.

Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder at Liberty Bay Recovery

Before a person can successfully overcome alcoholism, professionals must address the underlying emotional and mental factors. Our rehabilitation programs include counseling and other therapeutic modalities that target the underlying causes of alcohol use.

We seek to help clients identify and understand the deep-rooted reasons for their alcohol addiction. Through our comprehensive program, clients learn effective coping methods, better communication skills, and essential life skills vital to maintaining sobriety.

If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol addiction, take the first step toward recovery today. Contact us at Liberty Bay Recovery at (855) 607-8758 to learn more about our services and get started on your recovery journey.

The post Risks of Alcohol Detox at Home appeared first on Liberty Bay Recovery Center.

The abuse of alcohol is an issue with a serious impact on more than just the afflicted individual. When you’re struggling with alcohol addiction, your family members struggle, too. Learning about the various ways that the abuse of alcohol may affect a family can help you to recognize the signs of alcoholism and how this situation is harming your loved ones. You can also learn ways in which your family can act as a system of support and encouragement.

How Alcoholism Affects Relationships

Alcoholism has the ability to damage relationships. Loved ones may feel belittled or attacked as a result of your alcohol use. Going to rehab is one way to start repairing damaged family relationships. Counselors can teach clients strategies to aid in asking for forgiveness and bettering relationships. Also, clients learn how to acknowledge that some relationships may be permanently over and accept that reality.

Romantic Relationships

In the most serious of situations, alcoholism can lead to physical or emotional abuse of a romantic partner. Individuals might steal from their partners or be unfaithful. Even without serious issues like that, you might feel as though your partner is not as involved in the relationship as you are due to his or her alcohol abuse. When people are constantly drinking, they may lack the ability to properly manage money or to contribute to household maintenance.

Relationships With Children

Parents who are struggling with alcoholism may cause serious harm when it comes to their children. Some parents commit acts of child abuse. Some parents neglect their children. Other cases exist where parents are absent for important events, such as sporting events, recitals, and graduations, because they are intoxicated. If you’re struggling with alcohol addiction, you might find it difficult to play games with your children or to help them with their homework.

Relationships With Parents

You might also be the parent of an adolescent who abuses alcohol. Your efforts to intervene and help your child might have led to disagreements and distance. Considering treatment programs that are specifically designed for teenagers can help your son or daughter feel more comfortable.

How Abusing Alcohol Impairs Relationships

Strong relationships have a number of characteristics in common. The abuse of alcohol can harm these critical foundations of relationships.

Trust

If you abuse alcohol, you may have violated the trust of your loved ones in several ways. For example, you might have lied to cover up your addiction. You might have made promises that your alcoholism prevented you from keeping. Getting treatment can teach you strategies for rebuilding that trust.

Reliability

Loved ones might also not be able to depend on you. Your partner might have relied on you to pick the kids up from their after-school activities. However, now your loved one may worry that you will drive drunk with the children in the car.

Comfortability

Healthy familial relationships typically involve a high degree of comfortability. In other words, you should feel relaxed and safe in your home. Living with an alcoholic, however, can feel unsafe and uncomfortable. Your loved ones may avoid coming home until after you have gone to sleep in order to avoid confrontations and unpleasant conversations.

Health

Caring about one another’s health, in both the physical and mental sense, is an important part of familial relationships. When your relatives see that you’re addicted to alcohol, they may feel helpless. Some of your loved ones may even blame themselves for your abuse of alcohol.

Safety

Constant drinking can cause people to behave recklessly. Your relatives might be worried about you and themselves. For example, when you drink, you might forget to turn the stove off or leave candles burning, thereby putting the home at risk of a fire.

Effects Outside the Home

Abusing alcohol can seriously affect the lives of your family members at home. These effects can also spill into your loved ones’ lives outside the home.

At School

Alcoholism can have serious effects on children when they are at school. Youngsters may feel a great deal of anxiety about having to return to an alcoholic household at the end of the day. Children may be unable to concentrate on their schoolwork and end up failing classes. Kids feeling embarrassed about their home situations may not invite their friends over or might even stop trying to socialize at all.

At Work

Your partner may feel stressed at work with constant thoughts about your alcoholism. Since you are struggling with alcoholism, your partner might have the sole responsibility of making an income for the family, and this can lead to further anxiety. This stress could lead to your partner making mistakes or even getting into confrontations at work.

Social Situations

The stress of living with an alcoholic can also harm your loved ones’ social lives. Your family members may be constantly worried about what you’re doing at home and unable to enjoy time with friends or at events as a result. Your partner might feel pressured to make excuses for your whereabouts when they are out with mutual friends.

Opportunities

Your alcoholism could also interfere with your loved ones’ ability to pursue new opportunities. If you constantly forget to show up for appointments and events due to drinking, you might miss an appointment to talk with a bank representative about a loan for a new house or the chance to speak with a university admissions officer at your teenager’s college fair.

Hope for the Future

Alcoholism in a household can also drain hope for the future. Your kids might dream of going to college, or your partner might want to buy a bigger house together. However, family members might see your alcoholism as a roadblock to achieving these goals. For example, your teenagers might feel that they have to stay in the house to take care of you instead of going away to college.

Separation

Alcoholism can also lead to the end of the family unit that you currently know. Your partner might ask for a separation or divorce because of how much the relationship has deteriorated. You also could lose custody of your children if officials deem your home to be an unsafe environment.

Medical Issues and Death

Years of alcoholism can take a toll on your body. Physical health issues might force your partner or children to prematurely become caregivers for you. Also, a traffic accident or alcohol overdose could lead to your death and leave your family with grief and pain.

How Families Can Help With Recovery

Understanding how alcoholism can affect your family is important. However, there is good news. Loved ones can also play a critical role in your recovery. In addition to helping you to recognize the need for treatment, your family members can help you pick the right treatment program.

Intervening

While an intervention might feel uncomfortable, the experience can be lifesaving. An intervention provides relatives with an opportunity to tell you how much they care about you. Also, your loved ones can express the specific reasons why they feel that you are in need of help. Hearing this information is likely to be difficult, but honesty can be the catalyst you need to enroll in a rehab program.

Selecting the Right Treatment Option

Even if you are acutely aware that treatment is necessary, you might not know where to start in terms of finding a program. Ask your loved ones to help you explore the various options. Ultimately, you must be the one to pick the program that is right for your needs, but family members can assist by providing their perspectives.

Medically Supervised Withdrawal

One option you can explore with your loved ones is medically supervised withdrawal, also known as medically supervised detox. Withdrawing from alcohol can be difficult, and you might experience serious side effects. Going through withdrawal at a treatment center lets you complete this challenging process in safety and with supervision by healthcare professionals.

Inpatient Treatment

Your family can also provide critical support for you if you enroll in an inpatient treatment program. Entering an inpatient program means that you’ll need to live away from home for a period of time. Assurance from your family members that they will take care of the kids, pets, and other household responsibilities can be exactly what you need to focus on your recovery.

Outpatient Treatment

You might also choose an outpatient treatment program, which means that you’ll continue to live in your home and interact with your household members on a daily basis. You’ll need the patience and understanding of your family members in order to succeed. You might have to miss certain functions or events in order to get treatment. And any enabling behavior at home must stop.

Providing Continued Support

Regardless of which treatment you choose, the support of your family members can help you to get through. For example, you might communicate with your relatives regularly from your inpatient program. This type of emotional support can be powerful in recovery.

Selecting the Right Center

Working with your family to choose a center that respects and values your needs as an individual is pivotal. Liberty Bay Recovery Center offers both detox and rehab programs.

Detox

Liberty Bay offers a supervised detox program. If you experience common withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety, nausea, or insomnia, you can receive support from our team. Staff members can also help you to connect with your family during this time. Having multiple levels of support can help to prevent a relapse. Keep in mind that if a relapse does occur, you can connect with the team members at Liberty Bay for assistance.

Rehab

Liberty Bay provides a comprehensive program in terms of alcohol rehab. In other words, after you go through the supervised withdrawal program, you can start a rehab program. Then, when the rehab program is complete, you can enter into aftercare. From the time you start the program until after it’s finished, you’ll have support from our team members.

Benefits of Treatment at Liberty Bay

At our treatment facility, you’ll get individualized care that’s tailored to your needs. We understand that no two clients are exactly alike.

Also, the program will focus on addressing the root causes of your alcoholism. At home, you may choose to share this information with your family. Explaining to your loved ones the reasons why you drink can help them to have a better understanding of you and your needs. Additionally, your loved ones can help you in resist temptation and avoid triggers.

At Liberty Bay, we use a combination of different approaches to help you to succeed. For example, you’ll participate in individual counseling. In these sessions, you can learn about strategies for mending relationships with your relatives and maintaining healthier connections with the important people in your life going forward.

Another strategy is group therapy. You might feel hesitant to share your story with other clients, but think about how much strength and comfort you can draw from this powerful experience. Also, talking about your struggles and triumphs with a group can help you to develop communication skills for more effectively sharing information with your family.
Our team members at Liberty Bay are dedicated to helping clients like you recover and have healthier relationships with loved ones.

The abuse of alcohol can have many consequences for yourself and your relationships with loved ones. However, you’re making the right move by thinking about getting treatment. Many people have sought help from us and have bettered their lives and relationships as a result. Take the next step by speaking with a Liberty Bay team member today.

The post How Alcohol Abuse Affects Families appeared first on Liberty Bay Recovery Center.

Even though alcohol abuse and dependence may seem to be the same, there are some subtle differences. The psychiatric community now views both abuse and dependence as part of the condition known as alcohol use disorder (AUD).

What Behavior Is Considered Abusing Alcohol?

Abusing alcohol means that you consume alcohol too frequently, drink too much at one time, or both. These factors are subjective in nature. In other words, “too frequent” or “too much” varies from one person to another.

Signs of Abusing Alcohol

What distinguishes abusing alcohol from social drinking is the effects that it has on certain areas of your life. If your consumption results in problems on the job, strained relationships, or inability to meet your financial obligations, you may be abusing alcohol. You may also have a small degree of dependence on alcohol that is either emotional or physical.

The fifth edition of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published in 2013, combined the concepts of abuse and dependence into the newly named and defined alcohol use disorder (AUD).

The manual presents 11 symptoms of AUD and categorizes the disorder as mild, moderate, or severe depending on how many of them an individual has experienced over the past year. A diagnosis of AUD requires at least two. The symptoms include:

• Having times when you ended up drinking more, or longer, than you intended
• Wanting more than once to cut down or stop drinking, or tried to, but couldn’t
• Finding that drinking — or being sick from drinking — often interfered with home, family, work, or school responsibilities
• More than once, while or after drinking, getting into situations that increased your chances of getting hurt (such as driving, swimming, using machinery, walking in a dangerous area, or having unsafe sex)
• Continuing to drink even though it led to depression, anxiety, or a memory blackout
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms or sensing things that weren’t there as the effects of alcohol were wearing off

How Common Is Alcohol Use Disorder?

Binge drinking, heavy alcohol use, and high-intensity drinking are the three most common types of AUD. According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 25.8% of adults reported binge drinking in the past month. Additionally, 6.3% of adults reported heavy alcohol use within a 30-day period.

There is also an emerging trend among adults who consume alcohol. Known as high-intensity drinking, the practice involves consuming two to three times as much alcohol as what is considered binge drinking. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines binge drinking as imbibing enough alcohol to raise your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08% or above.

Does Abuse of Alcohol Require Treatment?

Even though a person may not be chemically dependent on alcohol, there are still underlying issues that contribute to abusing alcohol through binge drinking, heavy alcohol use, and high-intensity drinking. A person may have an untreated mental health condition, such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD. In some cases, individuals who abuse alcohol simply don’t have the appropriate coping skills to deal with normal stress or peer pressure.

Is Abusing Alcohol Dangerous?

The NIAAA reports that, compared to people who do not binge drink, those who engage in high-intensity drinking are 70 to 93 times more likely to make alcohol-related emergency room visits, depending on the amount of alcohol consumed. A person may suffer from alcohol poisoning or injuries that happened as a result of drinking. From a long-term perspective, abusing alcohol damages vital organs in the body, such as the liver, kidneys, heart, and brain. Many people who abuse alcohol eventually become dependent.

Is Alcohol Addiction the Same as Alcohol Dependence?

Addiction and dependence are terms used to describe substance use disorders including AUDs. In general, addiction is considered drug or alcohol use that changes one’s behavior. These changes are typically caused by the effects of long-term alcohol use in the brain. Dependence, on the other hand, describes the body’s actual reliance on alcohol to function properly. For example, a person who is dependent on alcohol may experience vomiting and nausea if they don’t drink for a certain length of time.

Signs of Alcohol Use Disorder

The DSM-5’s definition of AUD helps clinicians and counselors diagnose someone, but friends and family members often need more concrete criteria. Some of the more common signs of alcohol use disorder are:

• Cravings
• Negative mood changes when a person doesn’t consume alcohol, such as being irritable or anxious
• Inability to control alcohol consumption
• Drinking more alcohol or more often than planned
• Being in dangerous situations as a result of alcohol consumption
• Tremors, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, fever, and other physical symptoms
• Blood in vomit or stools
• Profuse perspiration
• Abnormal lab values, especially those related to kidney and liver function
• Seizures
• Hallucinations
• Needing to drink in order to feel physically or emotionally “normal”

Does an AUD Require Treatment?

Treatment is recommended for an alcohol use disorder due to the emotional and physical complexities of the condition. The clinicians and counselors at Liberty Bay Recovery Center can help you through the detox process. We will also work with you to determine the underlying motivation behind your alcohol consumption and find healthier ways to cope.

Can You Overdose on Alcohol?

Alcohol consumption can be fatal. Long-term or heavy use damages key organs in your body. Additionally, alcohol causes serious impairment that may put you in high-risk situations. Alcohol poisoning is also a possibility. This happens when you drink a large amount of alcohol in a short time. The alcohol may decrease your breathing, temperature, and heart rate. People may also choke on their vomit. All these situations require emergency medical attention. In severe cases, alcohol poisoning can cause coma and even death.

According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, over 140,500 Americans die each year from the effects of alcohol, and one in 10 people over 12 has an AUD.

What Causes Alcohol Use Disorder?

The science of treatment for substance use disorders, including alcohol, has evolved significantly in the last decade. We now understand that abusing alcohol or being dependent is typically rooted in an underlying mental health condition, such as trauma, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or stress. Treatment protocols now use a dual diagnosis model, meaning that counselors work with clients to address their alcohol use along with their mental health conditions. This is a proven approach that results in higher rates of long-term recovery and sobriety.

Should You Get Help for Your Alcohol Use?

Seeking treatment for your alcohol use is a deeply personal choice, and we applaud you for seeking guidance. Most likely, you feel that alcohol has become a significant part of your life, and drinking is no longer fun. As challenging as this may be, feeling like this is one of the best signs that it’s time to get help.

The team at Liberty Bay Recovery Center will walk with you on the journey to recovery and sobriety. We understand the path that lay ahead of you because many of us are recovering addicts ourselves. This is why we strive to provide every one of our clients with a safe and compassionate place to heal and recover from the effects of drugs and alcohol.

What Happens During Treatment for AUD?

We take you through a multi-step process. First, you go through a medically supervised detox to eliminate the alcohol from your body. Our doctors, nurses, and counselors monitor your progress to make detox as comfortable as possible. Once your body is free of alcohol, we meet with you to define a treatment plan that reflects your personal goals. The last step is individual and group counseling.

Guide to Withdrawal from Alcohol

Detox is a process that often prevents people from addressing their alcohol use disorder. If you are dependent on alcohol, you may have already experienced some of the symptoms. When you choose treatment at Liberty Bay Recovery Center, withdrawing from alcohol is a different experience. You will have symptoms for the first 48 to 72 hours. Our doctors and counselors are standing by to alleviate any discomfort and make sure that you successfully complete detox. Some of the most common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal are:

• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Trouble sleeping and having bad dreams
• High blood pressure
• High heart rate
• Feeling confused, anxious, angry, sad, or depressed
• Shame and guilt
• Irritability
• Shaking and tremors

Counseling Support for Alcohol Use Disorders

Liberty Bay Recovery Center offers individual and group counseling using the most advanced mental health models, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dual diagnosis therapy, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and trauma treatment. You can access these services on an inpatient or outpatient basis, depending on your needs and your progress toward recovery.

Treatment Options

We understand that recovery from an AUD means that your life may be put on pause. To best accommodate your unique needs, we offer three distinctive treatment options for our clients. Inpatient rehab and partial hospitalization are recommended for our clients who will benefit from spending 30 to 45 days in treatment and away from the influences of the outside world. We also offer a full-day intensive outpatient program for clients who need some additional support after inpatient care. The day includes meals.

Once you feel more confident in your journey to recovery, we may recommend our outpatient rehab program. Here you can interact with some of your peers for up to 15 hours per week. Your counselor works with you to determine the treatment protocol that best meets your needs and goals.

Life After Treatment for an Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol has become a disruptive factor in your life, but there is hope. Your time at Liberty Bay Recovery Center not only eliminates the chemical of alcohol from your body but also prepares you for a healthy, positive future. You learn new coping skills, and you also develop a new, healthier support system. When life becomes challenging, you will be able to use your new tools to overcome the difficulties. Our team is also available to guide you as you reconnect with work, school, family, and friends.

About Liberty Bay Recovery Center

Liberty Bay Recovery Center is more than a treatment center. We offer a safe, nonjudgmental home for our clients while they heal and work toward recovery. Our team is experienced with drug and alcohol use disorders. When you choose us for your recovery journey, we will treat you with compassion, understanding, and respect.

The post Alcohol Abuse vs. Dependence appeared first on Liberty Bay Recovery Center.

Women are binge drinking and developing alcohol use disorders more than ever. Previously, alcohol abuse affected three men for every woman. But studies say that today, the ratio is closer to 1:1. 

Alcoholism can lead to a host of health consequences if left untreated.  A comprehensive approach to treatment is needed to address the psychological and physiological aspects of the disorder effectively. 

Women who are seeking lasting recovery from alcohol abuse are encouraged to contact the women’s rehab center at Liberty Bay Recovery today at (855) 607-8758. 

Are the Effects of Alcohol Abuse Different for Women?

Women are drinking more these days for many reasons. It is thought that women have increased their alcohol use to help them cope with the stress and uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. 

As everything about their daily lives changed dramatically, some women sought easy ways to deal with the disruption created by lockdowns. Alcohol became their number one choice.

The increase in alcohol use among women is concerning because women are at higher risk than men for alcohol-related health consequences. Researchers have learned more about the impact of alcohol abuse on women, and their findings are notable. Keep reading for more information about alcoholism and women.

Women Have Higher BAC

Gender-related differences in brain chemistry and metabolism contribute to the adverse effects of alcoholism on women. When most women drink alcohol, they experience intoxication more quickly than men. Women have less water in their bodies than men, so they retain a higher concentration of alcohol in their tissues and blood. 

Women Develop Addiction Quicker

Women are more vulnerable to alcohol addiction than men for several reasons. Their physiology, hormone levels, neurobiology, and genetics are contributing factors. 

Risks of Health Issues Are Greater for Women

Some of the devastating health problems that make alcohol riskier for women are described in more detail below. 

Brain Damage

Why are women more vulnerable to alcohol-related brain damage than men? Because the brain region that controls memory and learning is smaller in women. Alcohol shrinks this area, causing cognitive decline more quickly in women.

Breast Cancer 

Breast cancer is another effect of alcoholism and women. This risk is attributed to how alcohol increases estrogen and other female hormones. These hormones are often associated with different types of cancer.

Heart Disease

The risk of heart disease is about the same for men and women despite women having a 60% lower history of alcohol use than men.

Liver Disease

Liver disease develops in women over a shorter period, even when consuming less alcohol than men. This problem is linked to increased estrogen levels caused by alcohol use.

Help for Women and Alcoholism at Liberty Bay Recovery 

At Liberty Bay Recovery, we understand the profound and unique effects of alcohol abuse on women’s and men’s health and life. We have created treatment programs that address specific issues and ensure that each client gets the level of care they need. 

With the right combination of counseling, skills training, motivational activities, and therapeutic sessions, our clients can find their way to lasting recovery. We offer a comprehensive approach to treatment that our former clients praise. Their positive testimonials are proof that you’ve come to the right place. 

If you would like to know more about how we can help you overcome an alcohol addiction, contact us at (855) 607-8758 today. You can reach your recovery goals with help from the skilled, compassionate team at Liberty Bay Recovery, 

The post How Alcoholism Can Impact Women appeared first on Liberty Bay Recovery Center.

Beginning a Sober St. Patrick’s Day Tradition

Suppose you are currently beating your alcohol addiction or have completed an alcohol rehab program and are proudly sober. In that case, St. Patrick’s Day and the cultural expectations around celebrating this day can undermine your success.

St. Patrick’s Day does not have to be a day or weekend of drinking. There are many ways to participate in the festivities around this holiday without succumbing to the temptation to drink or binge on alcohol. Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day sober is possible if you focus on some of the other aspects of this holiday, including:

• Enjoying the St. Patrick’s Day parade
• Celebrating Irish culture with Irish music or dance
• Participating in a healthy challenge on St. Patrick’s Day instead, such as a themed 5K walk or race
• Volunteering for a service or event

Creating a Plan to Stay Sober

The key to having a sober St. Patrick’s Day is creating a plan in advance.

Many people ignore the reality of alcohol addiction on St. Patrick’s Day with bars and festivals. The holiday doesn’t have to be a time to overindulge in alcohol. If you are recently sober or struggling to stay sober, the first step in your plan is to recognize that St. Patrick’s Day is often an active day for bars, restaurants, and other alcohol retailers. Socially, St. Patrick’s Day often creates a desire to go and be part of the fun.

As you create a plan for a sober St. Patrick’s Day, there are alternative options you can consider:

• Reach out to your support groups, sobriety partners, and therapists, letting them know that you need help finding ways to stay sober as St. Patrick’s Day approaches
• Create a plan for your time, finding positive or healthy ways to spend the day, including volunteering, service options, or working extra shifts for your co-workers
• Be a change agent and have a sober-only party for St. Patrick’s Day with friends and family who support your journey.

Struggling With Staying Sober on St. Patrick’s Day

As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, you may still be in the grip of alcohol addiction, or you may find your sobriety faltering or difficult to maintain. It is never too late to ask for help to beat your alcohol addiction. At Liberty Bay, we use the therapeutic community model. This model offers you clear and safe boundaries to explore your triggers and history around your addiction with the support of professional therapists and other clients within the community. Our therapists understand the reality and the daily challenges of staying sober.

If you are struggling to maintain your sobriety after beating your addiction and you need help to create a plan for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day sober, call Liberty Bay Recovery, a Portland, ME, intensive outpatient program at (855) 607-8758. At Liberty Bay Recovery, our therapeutic community and aftercare for graduates give you the support you need to stay sober. You can speak to one of our caring recovery professionals today.

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Recovery from alcohol addiction is possible. If you or a loved one needs alcohol addiction treatment, contact Liberty Bay Recovery Center at (855) 607-8758. We offer full-spectrum detox and recovery services for those struggling with substance use.

The Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Abuse

It may seem obvious that alcohol can have strong effects on your brain. After all, alcohol is notorious for making people feel more sociable and less coordinated. However, the long-term results of alcohol abuse prove much more damaging than researchers initially believed. Some of the most extreme consequences of alcohol abuse include:

• Memory loss
• Psychosis
• Liver disease
• Poor cognitive performance
• Mood disorders
• Nervous system deficits

These are just a few of the problems that alcohol abuse can cause later in life. For some, these conditions may have already struck. It is never too late to begin recovering.

What Is Alcohol-Induced Dementia?

Many people know that drinking excessive amounts of alcohol in one sitting can cause memory loss. This is commonly referred to as a blackout, wherein the drinker cannot remember major events and details the next day. Beyond blackouts, alcohol abuse can cause serious long-term memory problems.

Symptoms

Alcohol-induced dementia is a form of brain damage that mimics Alzheimer’s symptoms. Chronic alcohol use damages your brain over time and inhibits your ability to remain aware and alert. This leads to degenerative symptoms that impair daily functioning. Some of the symptoms of alcohol-induced dementia include:

• Being easily distracted
• Being unable to remain on-task
• Errors in critical thinking and judgment
• Problems with setting and keeping goals
• Lack of motivation to do necessary tasks

These symptoms can be similar to Alzheimer’s disease, but with a key difference. Alcohol-induced dementia worsens with increasing alcohol consumption and chronic alcohol abuse. Other symptoms of alcohol-induced dementia include emotional outbursts, lack of empathy, poor coordination, depression, irritability, and apathy.

Treatment

Unlike Alzheimer’s or age-related dementia, alcohol-induced dementia can improve over time. The condition will stop progressing with proper treatment. The treatment for alcohol-induced dementia is often found in addiction recovery centers.

Worsening brain damage is not inevitable with alcohol-induced dementia. If the person seeks treatment for alcohol addiction and no longer consumes it, the brain damage will stop progressing. This gives alcohol-induced dementia a much better prognosis than Alzheimer’s and dementia. Over time, your brain may heal the damage caused by alcohol abuse, and in some cases, your symptoms may stop entirely. To heal in this manner, recovery from alcohol abuse is essential.

Rehabilitation Is Possible

Alcohol addiction does not have to be a part of your life forever. With Liberty Bay’s caring, compassionate team, you can embark on your recovery journey. We have a dedicated team of mental health professionals to help you detox safely and begin the appropriate therapies.

Liberty Bay Recovery Center in Portland, Maine, is a warm, welcoming environment where we encourage you to put yourself first. You can recover from alcohol addiction and achieve the goals you set for yourself. If you or a loved one needs alcohol addiction treatment, call Liberty Bay Recovery center at (855) 607-8758 today or use the convenient online form. We will address your mental health as a whole, finding solutions that you can apply to your life. You are more than your struggles with alcohol, and we make sure you feel that by the time you leave our care.

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