Alcohol is the most commonly abused mind-altering substance in the United States, partly because of how widely accepted the use of it is. Out of the 23 million Americans who have a substance use disorder, 15 million of them are addicted to alcohol. Unfortunately, it is estimated that only eight percent of those with alcohol use disorder get treatment. For many, admitting that they cannot control how much they drink makes them feel like a failure, especially because there are so many people in the country who are able to drink responsibly. Others are so deeply convinced that they are not addicted to alcohol that they do not even consider getting help. Other obstacles that those addicted to alcohol might face when it comes to getting professional treatment can include being unable to afford the level of care they need, feeling unable to take time off of work or from caring for their families to get help, or simply being so consumed with their drinking that the idea of getting help is overwhelming and even frightening.
Regardless of what holds someone who is addicted to alcohol back from getting treatment, the truth is that the longer one abuses this substance, the more likely he or she is to experience several destructive consequences in his or her life, possibly including death. And while the very thought of going to rehab can be enough to keep someone trapped in their dangerous drinking patterns, the only thing that one should be fearful of is what can happen if their use continues.
DANGERS OF ALCOHOL ADDICTION
Alcohol, like most other substances, is not something that should be consumed on a regular basis and/or in excessive amounts, as it can cause serious health problems. When someone is addicted to alcohol, however, the desire to keep using quickly becomes more powerful than the fear of what physical or mental impacts might develop. This is why several people struggle with health issues as a result of their use. Specifically, those who are addicted to alcohol can experience the following dangerous health consequences if they allow their drinking to persist:
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Fatty liver disease (steatosis)
- Cancer in the throat, mouth, larynx, breast, liver, colon, or esophagus
- Cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle)
- Stroke
- Memory loss
- Cognitive problems
- Diminished gray matter in the brain (responsible for memory, emotions, speech, self-control, and muscle control)
- High blood pressure
- Irregular heartbeat
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Sleep problems
- Mood swings
- Problems concentrating
Someone continuing to abuse alcohol also puts him or herself at risk for overdose. Today, overdose is one of the biggest killers in the country, with 72,000 people dying from drug and alcohol overdoses in 2017 alone. And while it is common for someone to pass out or vomit as a result of drinking, these signs should never be ignored or laughed off, as they also serve as some of the leading symptoms of alcohol overdose. People who overdose on alcohol not only experience vomiting and episodes of passing out, but they can also develop more symptoms as their blood alcohol level can continue to rise even if they are no longer drinking. These symptoms can include low body temperature, confusion, blue-tinted skin, and/or seizures.
If someone is experiencing symptoms such as these, it is imperative to get emergency medical care as quickly as possible to prevent permanent damage and/or death.
SYMPTOMS OF ALCOHOL ADDICTION
Outside of not drinking at all, the best way to prevent any of the dangers listed above is to be aware of what the most common symptoms of alcohol addiction are. Both users and their families should know what constitutes alcohol use disorder and what does not in order to help determine if reaching out for professional help is necessary.
Each person addicted to alcohol is going to have his or her own experience with the disease of addiction. The symptoms that one might display will be directly correlated to factors such as how much he or she is drinking, how often the drinking is occurring, and if alcohol is being abused at the same time as other addictive substances. However, when an addiction to a substance like alcohol is occurring, there are also several commonly-shared symptoms that can develop in all of those who drink. They include the following:
- Using greater amounts of alcohol over time in order to achieve desired effects (known as tolerance)
- Feeling psychologically unable to stop using alcohol
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when alcohol cannot be consumed in its usual amount or at all
- Continuing to drink despite suffering one or more negative life consequences
- Abusing alcohol in dangerous situations, such as while driving or at work
- Experiencing increased conflict with friends, family, and loved ones
- Being demoted or fired from a job, suspended or expelled from school, and/or kicked out of the house
- Developing physical health problems associated with alcohol abuse but continuing to drink anyway
- Being secretive and/or dishonest regarding whereabouts and behaviors
- Losing interest in previously enjoyed activities or hobbies
Someone who is abusing alcohol does not need to have all of these symptoms in order to get professional addiction treatment. Even just one of these symptoms is enough for a person to reach out for help.
ALCOHOL REHAB FLORIDA CAN HELP
Alcohol addiction is a disease that affects every aspect of a person’s life, from their physical well-being and psychological stability to their general outlook on life. Just as no two people are alike, no two addictions are the same, either. That’s why a cookie-cutter approach to addiction treatment is usually highly ineffective.
The key to achieving long-lasting recovery is receiving a personalized treatment plan that focuses on every aspect of one’s mind, body, and spirit. At our alcohol rehab in Florida, we design a custom treatment plan that addresses your specific needs, challenges, goals, and interests. Your uniquely tailored treatment plan will help you get sober, learn how to prevent use in the future and build a strong foundation to base your life-long recovery on. As your needs change, your plan can be altered to grow along with you.
While your path towards recovery is unique, the process you go through during alcohol rehab includes standard steps: detox, repair, tools, and growth. These steps are a natural progression from detox to life outside of rehab. At our alcohol rehab in Florida, we employ different treatment modalities into each client’s plan so that they can go through these steps and achieve deep healing and develop strong sobriety that will keep them living happy, healthy lives.
DETOX
When a person stops drinking, his or her body begins to go into withdrawal. The symptoms that he or she experiences during withdrawal will vary based on many different factors, such as how much he or she was drinking, how often he or she drinks, and how long he or she has been drinking. All of these factors affect how one’s body will respond to detox. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are known to be very painful and those who make independent attempts to stop drinking often find themselves drinking once again when the withdrawal symptoms become too intense. However, help is available 24/7 at our alcohol rehab in Florida. You do not need to go through withdrawal symptoms alone.
The withdrawal symptoms that clients can experience when detoxing at our alcohol rehab in Florida can vary from minor discomforts like headaches and nausea to life-threating complications, such as hallucinations, seizures, and heart failure. Alcohol is one of the very few substances that people can die from when they suddenly stop using it, which is why detoxing in a professional setting is vital to one’s health and wellbeing. When a person stops drinking without professional detox help, he or she puts him or herself at risk for serious health complications that could lead to death, like seizures and heart failure (as previously mentioned). It is never recommended for someone who is addicted to alcohol to try to detox on his or her own because of how deadly it can be. At our alcohol rehab in Florida, however, clients will receive all the care and support needed to safely detox from this substance.
When a person has professional detox specialists at their side as they go through the process of detox, his or her withdrawal is not only safe, but it is typically much more comfortable. At our alcohol rehab in Florida, our empathetic detox specialists support each client with nutritious meals that restore their body, FDA-approved medication that can lessen physical withdrawal symptoms and curb overpowering cravings for continued use, and the guidance needed to see their detox straight through to the end. While a client’s detox may be uncomfortable at times, we can ensure everyone who comes to us for professional addiction treatment that they will be made as comfortable as possible for the duration of their time spent in detox.
As touched on previously, many people who try to detox alone often succumb to reusing just to get relief from withdrawal symptoms. Without professional support like the kind we offer at our alcohol rehab in Florida, it is much easier to give up than to finish detoxing. When our clients have our empathetic detox professionals at their side and constantly cheering them on, however, they can face the challenges detox may bring and come out stronger on the other side. Clients who persevere through this trying first step of treatment tend to be healthier and in a better place to begin treatment. With a clear head, clients can begin the true work of healing.
REPAIR
When a client finishes detox, he or she can then transition into the repair phase. Through this phase, clients will focus on healing every aspect of themselves, including mind, body, and spirit. The first step to take is for the clients to take a look at where they are and compare that to where they want to be. During this step, we’ll take the time to discuss the challenges all clients have been facing and we will work to uncover any underlying mental and behavioral health issues that may be present in an effort to ensure that clients are receiving the most thorough, beneficial care possible.
When clients are struggling with depression or anxiety, for example, they may also use alcohol to dampen their feelings of upset. This relief is only temporary. As the body builds a tolerance, a person requires more alcohol to mask depression or anxiety. Without realizing it, an addiction can develop, which can be very hard to treat and recover from without the right amount of support and expertise.
Other times, alcoholism causes mental or behavioral health issues. When a person is not taking care of him or herself, he or she is susceptible to issues such as depression and anxiety. Countless clients enter into alcohol rehab Florida with a preexisting mental health condition. Just as many find out that they are not only addicted to alcohol but that their use has been masking a mental health condition such as depression or anxiety. Those who have a substance use disorder occurring alongside a mental illness can benefit from the integrated interventions that the team at our alcohol rehab Florida can provide. With nearly 50% of all those with a substance use disorder also having a mental health condition, treating these issues simultaneously at our alcohol rehab Florida is our very first approach to care.
Help is available 24/7 at our alcohol rehab Florida. Call us for a free personal consultation. We can help to establish a customized treatment plan for each and every client so that recovery is a possibility.
Each clients’ alcohol rehab recovery plan will include many different treatment modalities, from evidence-based, traditional treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy to today’s therapies based on modern addiction science. The client’s treatment plan may include progressive therapies that help him or her heal and provide him or her with the strategies needed to maintain sobriety for the long term.
Through this multi-disciplinary approach to recovery, our alcohol rehab Florida can address every aspect of one’s addiction so that he or she can start to heal all areas of his or her life. Clients will have the opportunity to uncover the deeply buried issues that led to or agitated the addiction. When they are provided the opportunity to address these issues, clients can develop the skills they need to overcome the challenges that those issues have presented them with.
At our alcohol rehab Florida, each client’s treatment plan will evolve right along with him or her, especially considering that a large amount of growth typically occurs while one is in treatment. As the client travels along their path to recovery, we will monitor his or her progress so that we can continually adjust the treatment plan to support him or her.
TOOLS
While clients will be able to focus fully on their addiction at our alcohol rehab Florida, once they leave our treatment center, they will face everyday challenges at home. The key is not to let these challenges become triggers that lead to drinking again.
During the tools phase, clients develop the skills necessary to deal with life stressors. Alcohol is a legal substance that individuals will be around again at some point, whether at a company event or a family gathering. Therefore, they need to be strong and have tools that enable them to choose sobriety and life over alcohol.
Clients will discover a range of ways to maintain their strength in the face of temptation. Relaxation techniques help clients re-center when feeling stressed and bring them back to their strong point. Clients also develop tools that keep them alert for hunger, anger, loneliness, and tiredness (H.A.L.T) — all triggers that can weaken their resolve. In addition to techniques, clients will also find that support groups can help them stay on the road to recovery. By being accountable to others in the same situation, clients have added incentive to make the right choices. These tools will serve as their lifeline when their sobriety feels shaky.
Boredom can also lead to drinking again. Since most clients spent their free time drinking, they may be apprehensive about how they will spend their time once sober. Our alcohol rehab Florida will help clients develop important techniques to maintain their sobriety while also exploring new ways to spend their time.
At 12 Keys in Florida, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to rediscover a pastime you once loved, such as art or horseback riding. You’ll also discover new ways to experience life, such as standup paddle boarding, deep-sea fishing, and kayaking. Our treatment will give you a new outlook on life and a reignited passion for living. You’ll find that sober living is more fun, exciting and rewarding than your days spent drinking.
While tools and hobbies are key to maintaining long-term sobriety, clients cannot walk this journey alone. All those in recovery need the support of loved ones as well. At our alcohol rehab Florida, clients have the opportunity to participate in family therapy, which will allow them to heal bonds that their addiction broke. During family therapy, a client’s loved ones can learn more about the science of addiction so they can better understand the client’s journey. When they have a better understanding of what their loved one is facing, they can provide the kind of support that they need.
GROWTH
As each client’s time spent at our alcohol rehab Florida comes to a close, it opens a new chapter for them: transitioning to their everyday lives. Before clients leave the safe space of our alcohol treatment facility, they will work with their therapists to develop an aftercare plan and a roadmap for their long-term sobriety.
Each client’s aftercare plan will identify their support system, how they will respond to triggers, their goals for life and the ongoing treatment they will receive. By having a customized aftercare plan, clients can rest assured that they will not become complacent in their sobriety. They will have benchmarks they can use to see how they are achieving new goals in sober living.
Help is available 24/7. Call us for a free personal consultation. Just as your recovery plan evolves as you progress through treatment, so will your aftercare plan. You’ll work with your therapist to adjust your plan as needed when life changes occur and you face new challenges. Our goal of alcohol rehab Florida is to make your journey toward recovery as seamless as possible by removing obstacles which otherwise might stand in your way. All expenses related to your treatment at our alcohol rehab Florida are considered a cost of doing business. Prescriptions, all meals, activities, and most incidentals, including the gym, are also covered. To find out more about what to expect at our facility, call us right now.
A RELAXED, COMPASSIONATE ENVIRONMENT
Unlike other alcohol addiction rehab centers that strictly monitor clients in unpleasant clinical settings, the real recovery approach to care employs individualized treatment, empathy, fun activities, and an enjoyable environment. Our rehab for alcoholism offers more one-on-one counseling sessions than other alcohol abuse rehab centers. And because our property only accepts a limited number of clients at a time, you or your loved one will never have to worry about getting lost in the shuffle.
Holistic alcohol rehab centers treat the entire client; they don’t just provide an education on the negative effects of alcoholism. Following a medically managed withdrawal or detox from alcohol, our clients begin a rigorous but thoughtful therapeutic journey designed to inspire self-reflection as well as better coping skills. Contact us and discover what sets us apart from other alcoholism rehabs. Our personalized approach, compassionate staff, and superior amenities make our program the perfect place to recover from a life-threatening addiction to alcohol.
CALL OUR ALCOHOL REHAB TODAY
If you are addicted to alcohol and are ready to stop drinking for good, do not wait one second longer. Call us right now to get started on the road to recovery.