Alcoholism Treatment - What is the Best Option?

To find the best treatment for alcoholism you first need to understand the condition of alcohol use disorder (AUD) thoroughly. Although there are many treatment options to help you recover from alcoholism, you need to find one that is safe and effective “for you.”

What is Alcoholism?

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition which is present when the individual drinking habits cause distress or harm. Alcohol addiction can range from mild to severe based on many factors. These can include drinking excessively, to not being able to cut down and everything in between.
When people that suffer from alcoholism try to cut down, they often feel withdrawal symptoms.
Some common alcohol withdrawal symptoms are:
• insomnia
• shakiness
• irritability
• anxiety
• depression
• restlessness
• nausea and seizures.

If you have any of these symptoms, you should discuss your drinking habits with a knowledgeable physician. One that can guide you safely towards an alcohol treatment center that will work for you. The more symptoms you feel, the more urgent is the need for professional help. A doctor can perform a comprehensive assessment of your medical history and withdrawal symptoms in order to guide you properly. If you are not sure you are suffering from alcoholism and would like an online evaluation of your condition, go to RethinkingDrinking.niaaa.nih.gov. Although seeking a private consultation with a doctor is also the best treatment option, you can also start with an online assessment.

Types of Treatment for Alcoholism

First and foremost, you need to remember that alcoholism is a medical condition that affects many different organs and bodily functions. A medical condition needs to be treated by doctors, especially one that disrupts how the brain communicates with the rest of the body (pathways). These interferences directly affect someone’s mood and behavior, making it difficult to think clearly or behave normally. Continuous drinking also causes direct damage to essential organs such as the heart, liver, and pancreas.

Common Health Risks related to Alcohol Addiction are:
• Cardiomyopathy
• Irregular heartbeat
• Stroke
• High blood pressure
• Fatty liver
• Hepatitis
• Fibrosis
• Cirrhosis
• Pancreatitis

As shown above, alcoholism is a medical condition with serious health risks. Detoxification in a medical environment is always the best and safest treatment option.

Choosing a Treatment Center

Choosing to get help for alcoholism is one of the most significant decisions one can make in their lifetime. Before selecting a treatment near you or one that a friend heard about, you should understand the different services each program offers. For instance, is the program focusing on “addiction” or the individual? Are there pre-set treatment protocols regardless of the patients’ unique needs? How much medical assistance is immediately available?
Let’s start from the beginning.

Speak With an Addiction Specialist

Contact us to learn more about what alcoholism treatment options are available, and which one is the right one for you.
(310) 246-1323

Alcohol Detox

Detoxification is the initial, most dangerous and essential step in treating alcoholism. Although detox can be very difficult, there is no recovery without it. For this and other safety reasons, the acute alcohol detox phase should occur under full medical care.

It is also important to remember, that various factors such as medical history, drinking habits, and other present substances can play a role in the success of alcohol detox. Treatment should start with a comprehensive physical assessment, in order to decide which is the safest detox protocol to follow. Additionally, being in a hospital allows for supervision of not just one doctor, but a medical team that can further assist with different symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Also, in a hospital, a medical team can control vitals and higher doses of medications to help ease the discomfort. Knowing that a group of health professionals is taking care of your health, allows you to focus on recovery quickly.

Recovery Treatment

Once the acute withdrawal is behind you, a transitional phase starts. After detox, you will be able to move forward with other forms of treatment and therapy. Having adequate and around the clock, professional support throughout this phase is critical to sustaining sobriety. Overcoming alcoholism is not just a physical process, but an emotional one: one that requires patience, compassion and guidance.

At Domus Retreat, people have the peace of their private rooms and a team of fully supportive and caring staff. Also, a combination of therapeutic services is available, while the doctor prescribes supportive medications for further comfort. Therapy is individualized and so is every step of the Waismann Method treatment for alcohol dependence. Domus may also help alcohol user learn how to overcome triggers, the importance of healthy habits and what to do in the event of a relapse.

Treating alcoholism is the best and wisest investment you can make. It will not only make your life much better but also the lives of those around you. Take the first step today.

Speak With an Addiction Specialist

Contact us to learn more about what alcoholism treatment options are available, and which one is the right one for you.
(310) 246-1323

How to Identify an Alcohol Use Disorder?

Before seeking an alcohol treatment program, one must recognize there is an issue. Furthermore, the desire to quit drinking and the will to live life on life’s terms must be present. Acceptance of having a drinking problem and needing professional help is usually one of the biggest challenges for someone abusing alcohol. Roughly 95% of people struggling with alcohol abuse in the USA, do not feel they need professional help for their condition. First because of the shame and secondly because of the inability to process information accurately.

How to Help Someone with an Alcohol Addiction?

Discussion about treatment and support options are usually much more successful when it comes from a place of love and compassion. Furthermore, extensive knowledge of alcoholism and available treatment options are crucial in order to convince a loved one to get help.

Individualized patient treatment, old male consulting young female

Here are some warning signs of alcoholism:
• Binge drinking
• Radical mood changes
• Excuses for poor performance at work or school
• Neglecting responsibilities
• Denial of excessive drinking
• Aggressiveness
• Decreased interest in gatherings that exclude alcohol
• Defensiveness

When alcoholism is left untreated, it can trigger a wide range of additional problems. From health, financial and relationship issues to professional ones. Don’t wait anymore, contact an alcohol treatment expert now for the best detox program available. The Waismann and Domus Team are here to put together a comprehensive recovery plan that will provide the best chance for long lasting sobriety.

The three phases of alcoholism treatment

Detoxification

Alcohol detox involves eliminating the substance from your body altogether. The most intense and physically risky withdrawal symptoms generally surface within the first 24 to 48 hours after your last drink. It is crucial to have a specialized physician that will be able to give you medications to help alleviate some of the discomforts while keeping you medically stable.

Recovery

After a medical detox, you will begin a regulation phase. In this phase, the body gradually acclimates to the absence of alcohol. Also, emotionally you might feel raw, or hypersensitive to any stressors so it’s important to spend a few days in a safe environment while giving yourself time to ease back into the swing of things.

Individual Therapeutic Support

domus retreat bedroom

Having a psychotherapist helping you handle urges and identifying triggers can be one of the most essential supports necessary to maintain sobriety. A good therapist can also teach you new coping skills for everyday situations. Given these points, there are no exact answers, but there are available options and finding the right one for you can make all the difference in the world.