Terms like neurotransmitters, the ideas of dopamine circuits, and the mesolimbic pathway can sound overwhelming. Simply put, addictive substances cause dopamine to flood the reward pathway creating surges of pleasure or “dopamine rushes,” ten times more powerful than any naturally occurring reward. These good feelings make you want to use your drug more, leading to addiction. At the same time, the ongoing surge of dopamine changes how the brain is wired, making it more difficult to stop using substances. When you try to quit your substance use, you struggle because of the ill feelings of withdrawal experienced in the absence of the dopamine surge.

As we dig deeper into the dopamine pathway and how it relates to substance use, remember that you are not alone in your journey to stop abusing drugs or alcohol. Despite the dopamine surge, you can quit your substance use and start a new life of greater productivity, happiness, and wellness. The key is seeking help from qualified professionals who understand the science of addiction and how to overcome it safely. You can find these professionals at Liberty Bay Recovery Center in Portland, Maine. The good news is that the brain is a miraculous organ; without the effects of drugs and alcohol, it can rewire itself and return to a healthy balance.

Drugs and the Dopamine Pathway

Each drug works differently in the brain and body. But all commonly abused substances affect the mesolimbic dopamine pathway, or reward circuit, by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. Drugs and alcohol are not the only substances leading to dopamine surges along this circuit. The same effects occur for all addictive substances and compulsions, such as:

• Heroin
• Cocaine
• Methamphetamine
• Opioids
• Alcohol
• Tobacco
• Eating Disorders
• Gambling
• Compulsive Exercise
• Sex Addiction

The mesolimbic dopamine pathway controls motivated behaviors and drives continued drug use even when you know it is bad for you. Scientists only discovered this critical connection between substance abuse and the brain within the last 50 years. They labeled the section of the brain affected by drugs and alcohol as the brain reward region in humans and other animals.

You continue using drugs or drinking because your brain rewards you. The dopamine pathway carries the reward signals with each use, such as feeling warm, calm, energized, satisfied, social, or otherwise pleased. However, when you do not use substances, you experience unpleasant feelings that drive you into drug-seeking behaviors. This is much like the cycle of eating food, feeling satisfied, then feeling hungry for more.

Although it sounds like science fiction, the reward circuit and its stimulation by drugs and alcohol are visible in imaging studies. Scientists describe it as being like a traffic hub with many signals. The circuitry is the dopamine pathway, and the signals are the dopamine surges influenced by the substances you take. This pathway is embedded in the part of your brain that sits atop the brainstem. This is the midbrain, a section developed about 500 million years ago in vertebrates. From the midbrain, the circuitry travels toward the front of the brain.

How an Addicted Brain Works

Drugs, alcohol, or other addictive behaviors cause dopamine surges along the mesolimbic pathway, driving a desire to continue the feeling. But what does addiction do to the brain?

Physical and Chemical Changes

According to scientists, addiction physically changes and rewires the brain, particularly along the dopamine pathway. Although addiction is now commonly called substance use disorder (SUD), it is defined as a chronic brain disease. It is not a matter of self-control or making up your mind. However, like other chronic diseases, such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes, addiction can be treated with the help of professionals.

Prolonged substance abuse can have additional adverse effects on the brain. Memory, concentration, and the ability to learn are all impacted by substance abuse. In addition, you make bad decisions and exercise poor judgment because of physical and chemical changes in your brain. Even when you want to quit, breaking the drug-seeking and using cycle can seem impossible.

Tolerance

Each use causes the brain to associate the dopamine rush with the substance. Eventually, this association will override the brain’s natural ability to feel pleasure. As the substance takes control of the brain, the reward center becomes overstimulated, and the pathways are overwhelmed. Making it difficult for the brain to handle the floods of dopamine. As a result, the brain desensitizes, and the effect of the substance decreases. This tolerance makes getting high harder and harder.

Because of tolerance and reduced dopamine sensitivity, feeling natural pleasure becomes more difficult without substances. As a result, you feel more compelled to get high again to feel happy or satisfied. But because of tolerance in the brain, you need higher and higher doses. Drug cravings also begin. This is why people use the drug more often or in more significant amounts than ever. It is the slippery slope to serious addiction.

Making the Recovery Journey Easier

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), more is known about how drugs affect the brain than any other brain science. This advanced knowledge benefits anyone seeking addiction recovery. For example, medical detox centers like Liberty Bay Recovery Center use evidence-based methods to make withdrawal easier for clients ending their substance abuse. These methods help the brain heal and restore healthy balance along the dopamine pathway.

This does not mean that addiction recovery is easy. Some neurological changes last longer than others. One such change is an ongoing vulnerability to addictive substances through relapse. That vulnerability proves why rehab treatment is so critical after detox.

Because medical detox centers understand withdrawal better than ever, this process is more comfortable than in decades past. Detox centers provide what the brain and body need to ease the transition from physical dependence to sobriety. This support includes personal comforts, security, nutritious meals, hydration, supervision, therapy, and medications. Of course, precise methods vary from one detox center to the next. But medical detox is the safest pathway for clients seeking to end their drug or alcohol abuse.

Alcohol Withdrawal

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms treated in medical detox include:

• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Sleeplessness
• Restlessness
• Nightmares
• Sweating
• Fast heart rate
• High blood pressure
• Nausea or vomiting
• Hand tremors
• Delirium Tremens
• Seizures
• Hallucinations

Some alcohol withdrawal symptoms, such as delirium tremens, and seizures, require immediate medical attention. Being in a medical detox center provides access to licensed healthcare professionals, making it a much safer environment than non-medical detox or at-home “cold turkey” withdrawal.

Drug-Specific Withdrawal

Withdrawal symptoms vary depending on the drug or drugs being used and other factors. Common symptoms treated as part of drug detox in a medical detox center include:

• Insomnia
• Mood swings
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Aches and pains
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Hot and cold flashes
• Fever and chills
• Runny nose
• Teary eyes
• Hallucinations
• Paranoia
• Confusion
• Tremors

As with alcohol withdrawal, some of these symptoms can require immediate medical attention. Emergency healthcare is accessible in a medical detox center.

Re-Establishing Homeostasis in the Brain after Addiction

Addiction recovery involves re-establishing homeostasis, or healthy balance, within the brain and its dopamine pathway. While this process begins with detox, achieving this will take far longer than seven to 14 days. While detox helps the brain start healing physically, there are also emotional and cognitive effects of long-term substance abuse. These effects are treated in a rehab program.

Drug and Alcohol Treatment Programs

Types of rehab programs include:

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

Addiction Treatment Therapies

In rehab treatment, recovering clients have access to an array of therapies, like:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Individual and Group Therapy
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Addiction Education
• Seeking Safety
• Trauma Therapy
• Relapse Prevention

Behavioral and trauma therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and contingency management prove especially helpful for recovery from substance use disorders. Each therapy type helps return homeostasis to the brain’s dopamine pathway.

Heal Your Brain and Put Addiction Behind You

The brain and its dopamine pathways play a crucial role in addiction. Still, despite your substance use disorder being a chronic disease, you can put your addiction behind you through effective treatment programs, such as medical detox and rehab. The brain is our most amazing organ and is unmatched in its ability to return to a healthy balance. You can start achieving that healthy balance by making your first call to a medical detox center or rehab program.

The post How Dopamine Relates to Addiction appeared first on Liberty Bay Recovery Center.

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.

The post How Long is Alcohol Rehab? appeared first on Liberty Bay Recovery Center.

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.

The post Medication-Assisted Treatment for Alcohol 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.

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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.

The post Creating a Plan for a Sober St. Patrick’s Day appeared first on Liberty Bay Recovery Center.

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.

The post What Is Alcohol-Induced Dementia? appeared first on Liberty Bay Recovery Center.

Don’t Show Up Too Early

A key strategy for enjoying a sober holiday is not showing up to the Thanksgiving festivities too early. You’ll find that the earlier you show up, the more likely it is that someone will try to put a drink in your hand. Instead of running that risk, simply plan on showing up right on time.

Bring a Non-Alcoholic Drink as a Gift

Many people believe that showing up to a holiday gathering empty-handed is in bad taste. When you’re looking forward to a sober holiday, why not make that gift part of your efforts? Consider bringing a non-alcoholic drink with you to share with guests. It should be something you love that others might find they prefer as well. The following are a few ideas to get you inspired:

• Ginger-cranberry sparkler
• Apple cider
• Non-alcoholic eggnog
• Fruit punch

Remember, there are many recipes for non-alcoholic beverage options with a sophisticated twist, such as mimosa mocktails and “champagne” mocktails.

Carry a Drink Around

If you aren’t excited about the idea of explaining your sobriety to everyone at Thanksgiving, carrying around a glass during the festivities is a good strategy. Having a full glass in hand tends to deflect questions while also helping you stay on track with your sober goals. Having something to sip on can also calm your nerves if a gathering without alcohol is a new experience.

Be Honest with Your Host

While you don’t have to let everyone know you aren’t drinking this year, giving your Thanksgiving host a heads up can be helpful. This provides them with some time to come up with beverage alternatives and keeps feelings from being offended. Also, just knowing your host is aware of what you’re trying to achieve can help you stick to your non-alcoholic parameters.

Phone a Friend

Setting up a support system before enjoying a sober holiday isn’t planning for failure; it’s preparing for success. To that end, be sure you have at least one sober friend lined up that you can call if you feel tempted to drink during the festivities. Together, you can remind yourself of your goals and why a sober holiday is worth the effort.

Plan a Reward for Yourself

Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee that a sober holiday is going to be easy. That said, putting a reward or two in place for yourself for sticking to your plans can make it much more enjoyable. Having something to look forward to is motivational in many ways. Consider following up your alcohol-free holiday gathering by treating yourself to a massage, a baked good, or even a movie. Whatever makes you happy, use that as your focal point for getting through the day.

Liberty Bay Recovery Can Help You Enjoy a Sober Holiday

If you or a loved one has an alcohol or substance use disorder and needs help staying sober, contact our team of dedicated mental health professionals at Liberty Bay Recovery today by calling (855) 607-8758 or filling out our online form. We look forward to helping you find and maintain long-term recovery.

The post Tips to Avoid Drinking on Thanksgiving appeared first on Liberty Bay Recovery Center.

These behaviors can also lead to an alcohol use disorder if excessive drinking is left unchecked. We offer an alcohol rehab program to help patients get back on track with healthy living. Call Liberty Bay Recovery today at (855) 607-8758 to learn more.

Binge Drinking Habits Among Young Adults

Among many social circles, it’s generally accepted that alcohol and young adults simply go hand-in-hand. Unfortunately, this type of acceptance has led to a rise in binge drinking behaviors within this age group.

Binge drinking is the process of ingesting excessive amounts of alcohol over a short time to achieve intoxication quickly. It’s an activity that comes with a vast number of health and safety risks. Well into an individual’s 20s, the brain continues to develop. Participating in binge drinking can stunt that development and cause cognitive issues later in life. It also leads to the likelihood of a binge drinker developing an alcohol use disorder over time.

Effects of Binge Drinking on Young Adults

While younger people may recover from hangovers more quickly than older people, hangovers affect people at every age. Some of the most common effects of binge drinking can include but aren’t limited to:

• Severe headaches
• Hangovers
• Shakiness
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Binge drinking can also lead to a repression of the respiratory system. At its worst, this can lead to a person to stop breathing altogether.

Additional Risks Associated with Excessive Drinking

Whether young adults use alcohol in social situations or independently, there are both short and long-term risks to be looked at. Any time alcohol is involved in a social situation outside of the home, and there’s an increased risk for a young adult to be tempted to get behind the wheel of a vehicle.

Young adults under the influence of alcohol are more likely to take risks on the road. This could be a choice to drive while intoxicated or the impulsive decision to get into a vehicle operated by a drunk driver. In this scenario, the risk is imminent for both drivers, passengers, and others on the road. Other risks more likely to be taken by young adults using alcohol can include:

• Fights
• Swimming while intoxicated
• Self-harm
• Mixing alcohol with other drugs

The likelihood of participating in unsafe sex is also heightened when young adults use alcohol excessively.

The Importance of Teaching Responsible Drinking Habits

One of the best ways for young adults to understand healthy drinking habits is to see them modeled by someone they admire or respect. In many cases, this is a parent or a mentor. Talking openly about drinking patterns and habits is vital to developing a healthy relationship with alcohol. Those who consume alcohol should be privy to information about the risks related to binge drinking.

If young adults can’t abstain from drinking alcohol, there needs to be a plan in place to safely get out of a situation when it’s gone too far. This might be a friend or family member lined up to call. It could also be a clear-cut transportation plan for leaving a gathering with alcohol if a pick-up can’t be arranged in time.

Find an Alcohol Rehab Program at Liberty Bay Recovery Today

If you or a young adult you love is grappling with alcohol or substance use disorder (SUD), team up with professionals who care. Contact our team of dedicated mental health professionals at Liberty Bay Recovery today by calling us at (855) 607-8758 or filling out our online form.

The post Relationship Between Alcohol and Young Adults appeared first on Liberty Bay Recovery Center.

Ways to Help You Quit Drinking

Quitting drinking takes a lot of courage, and it can be a long, and sometimes lonely, path. It doesn’t matter how far down the rabbit hole you’ve gone. There is always help. Here are a few tips to help you quit drinking:

Remove Peer Pressure

Partying with your friends may be fun at first, but the hangover the next day is not something to look forward to. Calling in late to work, missing appointments, and feeling miserable is part of the party-life. Tell your friends you’d like to go to a movie or stay at home and read a book instead.

Stay Busy

Find alternative ways to spend your time. Going to the same bar and doing the same thing gets boring. Explore an old hobby or create one you’ve never tried before. Play board games with friends, find a sport or go hiking.

Remove Alcohol from the Home

The quickest and easiest way to quit drinking is by limiting your access to it. Maybe you’ve stopped the weekend partying, but those couple of extra beers in the refrigerator is a temptation you don’t need.

Create a Goal to Stop Drinking

Set a date to stop and log how much you drink every day. That will show you how much you drink and help you reach your goal by minimizing your daily alcohol intake.

Reach Out for Help

This may be the hardest tip on this list, but it is the most effective. Reach out to friends, family, and your doctor for support. If you can’t find the help you need, contact a recovery center. They offer hope to those coping with substance use disorder. They offer the experience and compassion you need to take the final steps toward recovery.

Benefits of Quitting Alcohol

The benefits of quitting alcohol are two-fold一your mental acuity increases, and you regain physical control over your life. Although alcohol may help you relax and give you the ability to talk more freely to those around you, the effects are temporary. However, the benefits of quitting are everlasting. Here are a few of the benefits of quitting drinking:

• Improved heart health
• Decreased risk of cancer
• Possible weight loss
• You will feel better mentally and physically
• Stabile mood control
• A better definition of who you are
• You will sleep better

Quitting alcohol is a win-win situation. The quicker you get help, the faster you can heal. Take control of a more positive you and remove the guilt associated with drinking.

Discover the Power of Freedom at Liberty Bay

If you feel like you’ve tried everything else, we invite you to Liberty bay. Our Portland detox is not the last step; it is the beginning. It is time to receive the hope you need, the healing you deserve, at a place you can call home. We offer a caring and compassionate staff who listens and has experience helping people on their journeys to full recovery. Contact one of our discreet professionals at Liberty Bay Recovery Center by calling (855) 607-8758 or using the online form.

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