Alcohol Addiction Treatment in Memphis

What Is Alcohol Addiction?

Alcohol addiction is a substance use disorder caused by chronic alcohol abuse. Chronic alcohol abuse causes changes to a person’s brain chemistry. These changes cause individuals to begin depending on alcohol in order to function “normally.” This, in turn, causes people to be willing to do just about anything to continue drinking alcohol.

Research indicates that everything from socioeconomic status to race, sex, and genetics can predispose a person to alcoholism. Psychological and behavioral health factors may also subject an individual to alcohol addiction.

Causes of Alcohol Addiction

Various risk factors may cause someone to start abusing alcohol. Often, this process happens gradually, and the person may not even realize they have a problem until they try to cut back or stop drinking only to find that they are unable to do so.

Some risk factors for alcohol addiction and alcoholism include:

• Binge drinking
• Having a parent or other family member that suffers from alcohol addiction
• Mental health disorders, such as schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression
• Having more than 15 and 12 drinks weekly for males and females, respectively

In some cases, mental health and social issues such as stress, low self-esteem, and peer pressure can cause a person to start abusing alcohol. Recognizing the early signs of alcoholism is often a challenge because of how common it is in many cultures, including the United States, where consuming large quantities of alcohol while socializing is considered “normal.”

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Alcoholism?

Like other substance use disorders, alcoholism affects each individual differently. As such, the signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse and alcoholism differ from person to person. That being said, there are some commonalities.

Some common signs and symptoms of alcohol addiction include:

• Increased irritability
• Hiding alcohol or lying about drinking
• Poor memory or coordination
• Consistently consuming alcohol
• Poor personal hygiene
• Inability to control anger
• Trouble at work or school
• Drinking alcohol at odd times and places
• Strained relationships with others due to alcohol use
• Increased frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption
• Lack of interest in things that one was formerly interested in
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not consuming alcohol
• Repeated, unsuccessful attempts to cut back or stop drinking
• Using alcohol to self-medicate or control mental health symptoms
• Needing more alcohol to achieve the same effects (increased tolerance)

If you have noticed any signs of alcohol abuse or alcoholism in yourself or a loved one, now is the time to consider seeking help. The longer alcohol abuse and addiction goes on, the more difficult recovery becomes. Regardless of the severity of the issue, know that healing is possible—and Grace Land Recovery can help.

If you or a loved one suffers from addiction, Grace Land Recovery is here to help. Contact us to get started on your journey today.

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

One clear sign that someone is on the way to developing an alcohol addiction is dependency. Alcohol dependence is marked by the experience of withdrawal symptoms anytime a person cuts back on drinking or stops consuming alcohol altogether. For example, people who suffer from alcohol dependency will feel tired, anxious, and nauseous when they are not drinking.

Once an individual has stopped drinking altogether, withdrawal symptoms may last from six hours to several days. Common alcohol withdrawal symptoms include increased blood pressure, nightmares, tremors, irritability, sweating, and insomnia.

Note that there are mild alcohol withdrawal symptoms that can continue for weeks. Delirium tremens are among the most severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms. People that suffer from delirium tremens experience tactile hallucinations, seizures, extreme agitation, and other serious symptoms. This is considered a medical emergency, and one should seek medical attention right away if any signs or symptoms of delirium tremens are present.

The Effects of Alcohol on Your Brain & Body

Alcoholism may lead to loss of coordination and memory. Prolonged consumption of alcohol will interfere with the cerebral cortex, limbic system, and cerebellum. The result is an impaired signaling pathway in the brain, which can lead to an array of cognitive and behavioral problems.

Chronic alcoholism can cause a person to develop pancreatic cancer, hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, fibrosis, stroke, and cardiomyopathy in the cardiovascular system, among other serious illnesses and conditions. It is best for those who suffer from alcoholism to seek professional help right away.

Due to the negative effects of chronic alcohol abuse on the brain, it becomes increasingly difficult to figure out how to beat alcoholism or how to help an alcoholic as time goes on and the abuse continues. Overcoming alcoholism can also be more challenging when a person consumes higher quantities of alcohol more frequently.

Thankfully, there are options for those struggling with all forms of alcohol abuse and addition. Whether you are having trouble limiting your intake of alcohol or your loved one is severely addicted to alcohol, Grace Land Recovery is here to help. Our Memphis alcohol addiction treatment program is based on a whole-person approach that promotes healing from the inside out. We don’t just focus on addiction; we also treat underlying trauma, co-occurring mental and behavioral health disorders, and other issues that drive or exist alongside addiction.

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Alcohol Treatment

It’s nearly impossible to overcome any addiction without attending professional treatment at an addiction treatment center. Depending on the individual, inpatient rehab may be the best choice. Residential treatment allows individuals to have access to 24-hour care and support as they navigate the recovery process.

In other cases, outpatient treatment may be the best option for the individual. In contrast to residential treatment, outpatient treatment does not require you to live fulltime at an addiction treatment center. Instead, you attend varying levels of treatment during the day and return to the comfort of your own home at night. This option is best for those who have sufficient at-home support to maintain sobriety during the evenings and at night.

A great alternative to inpatient treatment is partial hospitalization. Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) are a type of outpatient addiction treatment for individuals with moderate to severe substance use disorders. PHP treatment requires patients to attend alcohol and drug rehab for approximately five to eight hours a day, five to seven days a week.

One benefit of outpatient rehab, such as partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient treatment, is that it allows patients to leave the treatment facility after they have completed therapy or any other time they are not actively being treated. This means that individuals who take part in outpatient alcohol treatment can tend to their everyday responsibilities while simultaneously receiving the high level of care and support they need.

How Our Alcohol Addiction Treatment Program Works

Here at Grace Land Recovery, our professional rehab specialists develop specialized and individualized treatment plans for patients based on their unique needs. Our treatment plans are comprehensive and can work to assist you on your journey to overcoming alcoholism.

Prior to attending treatment for alcoholism, you will undergo a full physical assessment. Our physicians will work to detect any underlying physical health issues, such as liver failure. If necessary, we may recommend clinical detox, which allows individuals to stop using alcohol in a safe, supervised environment. Detox can also help ease some of the discomfort associated with alcohol withdrawal.

Additionally, you should undergo a mental health assessment before we begin treatment. This allows us to identify any co-occurring mental or behavioral health disorders you may be struggling with. A dual diagnosis, meaning a diagnosis of a mental/behavioral health disorder and a substance use disorder, will prompt our team to tailor our treatment recommendations to meet your specific needs.

Here at Grace Land Recovery, we offer various alcohol and drug abuse treatments with various different approaches. For effective recovery—and to minimize the chances of relapse—we also provide an individualized combination of these approaches to our patients. Not all alcohol abuse treatment methods are useful for every patient. The standard treatment plan for substance addiction involves a blend of outpatient and inpatient rehab programs, medication, individual and group therapies, and counseling.

What Is Alcohol Detox?

Detoxification, or detox, is the process of ridding the body of all unwanted substances. When detoxing from alcohol, it’s best to taper one’s consumption rather than stop altogether. “Tapering” is the process of gradually lessening the amount of alcohol consumed until the individual no longer consumes any alcohol. The purpose of tapering is to avoid shocking the body while detoxing. Suddenly stopping all alcohol consumption is not recommended for those with moderate to severe alcohol addiction, as this can have numerous negative effects.

People who are detoxing from alcohol will likely experience moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms. If your withdrawal symptoms are severe during alcohol detox, the medical staff at our professional detox facility can provide appropriate medications to ease these symptoms.

What Is Outpatient Alcohol Treatment?

Outpatient alcohol treatment can vary greatly in the amount of time and dedication required. Most outpatient alcohol rehab programs last for a few weeks.

At Grace Land Recovery, we offer several types of outpatient treatment for those struggling with alcohol abuse and alcoholism:

• Partial Hospitalization: As previously mentioned, partial hospitalization is a form of outpatient alcohol treatment that requires patients to attend rehab for around five to eight hours a day, five to seven days a week.
• Intensive Outpatient Program: Another form of outpatient alcohol treatment offered at Grace Land Recovery is our intensive outpatient program (IOP). IOPs require patients to attend rehab for at least a few hours a day, several times a week.
• Standard Outpatient Treatment: Finally, standard outpatient program (OP) treatment requires that patients attend rehab for approximately a couple of hours a day, once or twice a week.

Generally speaking, the greater the time commitment, the more intensive the treatment program. At Grace Land Recovery, we offer a variety of treatment options for those struggling with all types of substance use disorders, including mild, moderate, or severe alcohol addiction.

Benefits of Memphis Alcohol Addiction Treatment

For individuals struggling with alcoholism, alcohol addiction treatment at an alcohol rehab center can be highly beneficial. Not only does seeking treatment provide medical and psychological support, but it also helps break the cycle of substance abuse that is often associated with addiction.

Through individualized treatment plans, professionals create strategies tailored to each person's specific needs to help them stay sober in the long-term. Additionally, group therapy sessions promote accountability and encourage people to work together as they navigate through difficult times during recovery.

The following are several benefits of alcohol addiction treatment:

• Professional medical care and assessment
• 24/7 support from addiction treatment specialists
• A safe, supportive environment to begin recovery
• Individual and group counseling sessions with experienced clinicians
• Evidence based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Medication management for co-occurring mental illnesses
• Education about alcohol use disorder, wellness strategies, and relapse prevention skills
• Holistic therapy practices to address the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of addiction recovery
• Aftercare planning for ongoing sobriety

Personalized Alcohol Addiction Treatment Plans

At Grace Land Recovery, we understand that every individual struggling with alcohol addiction has unique needs. That's why we offer personalized alcohol addiction treatment plans tailored to each client's specific situation. Our team of skilled professionals will work with you to develop a treatment plan that addresses your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Benefits of our personalized alcohol addiction treatment plans include:

• Customized care to meet your specific needs
• A holistic approach to address all aspects of addiction
• Therapeutic interventions to promote lasting recovery
• Supportive environment to foster healing and growth
• Individualized counseling and therapy sessions

Contact Grace Land Recovery today to learn more about our personalized alcohol addiction treatment programs.

Achieve Sobriety at Grace Land Recovery

Here at Grace Land Recovery, we prioritize the needs of each of our patients. To help ensure all of our patients’ needs are met, we offer various evidence-based rehab programs and addiction therapies. We also make sure that all of our treatment plans are specialized by substance and individualized for each patient.

To learn more about our facility and the therapy, rehab programs, and alcohol addiction treatments services we offer in Memphis, contact us today at (901) 519-2655. We’re here to help you achieve sobriety and improve your life.