Alcoholism is characterized by an inability to control or stop drinking due to physical and psychological dependency. When an individual suffers from alcoholism, every facet of their life is negatively affected. Most people who struggle with alcoholism require professional treatment to get their drinking under control.
According to The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, “14.5 million (nearly 15 million) people ages 12 and older (5.3 percent of this age group) had AUD.”[1]
Alcoholism is a chronic and progressive disease that causes adverse physical, psychological, social, and financial effects. Recovering from this condition requires personal dedication and professional, evidence-based treatment. The World Health Organization has reported that 3 million individuals die each year of alcohol-related causes worldwide. This accounts for 5.3% of all deaths per year.[2] Keeping this in mind, it’s easy to see how damaging alcoholism can become when left untreated.
Alcohol rehab programs in New Jersey can help those struggling with alcoholism achieve life-long recovery.
When is Alcohol Rehab Necessary?
Alcohol rehab is intended for individuals who suffer from alcoholism. While some individuals may believe rehab is for severe cases of addiction, it is always best to treat this condition sooner rather than later. There is never a wrong time to seek treatment for alcohol abuse.
The signs that someone needs help with an alcohol problem include:
- Frequently drinking large amounts of alcohol
- Experiencing mood swings
- Declining in academic and career performance
- Making excuses for neglecting responsibilities
- Denying their problem with alcohol
- Hiding the amount of alcohol they consume
- Decreased interest in hobbies
- Isolating from family and friends
- Legal or financial trouble due to alcohol use
Professional treatment is needed as soon as an individual makes the transition from drinking for pleasure to drinking as a necessity. The reason that many individuals do not attend alcoholism treatment until their problem is severe is usually due to denial or fear. When an individual cannot accept that they have a problem with alcohol, they will not seek out professional help.
Oftentimes, this leads the family members of alcoholics to make hard decisions to keep their loved ones safe and healthy. This may include performing an intervention to convince them to attend alcohol rehab in New Jersey.
What to Expect at an Alcohol Rehab in New Jersey
When an individual decides to seek help for alcoholism, the idea of getting sober can be intimidating and nerve-wracking. Entering an alcohol rehab program without knowledge of what to expect makes this decision so much more frightening. Alcohol rehab programs typically consist of medically-assisted detox, individualized therapy, and aftercare planning services.
Medication-Assisted Detox
The first step of recovery from alcoholism is detox. Detox or detoxification is the act of eliminating harmful substances from the body. During alcohol detox, individuals will experience symptoms of withdrawal. These symptoms can become extremely painful and possibly life-threatening. As a result, it’s never safe to detox from alcohol without medical guidance.
The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include:
- Headaches
- Mood changes and anxiety
- Tremors
- Insomnia or extreme fatigue
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain
- Increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, and heart palpitations
- Hyperthermia
- Rapid and unsteady breathing
- Delirium Tremens (DTs)
- Seizures
Medication-assisted detox involves the use of FDA-approved medications to soothe symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Oftentimes, benzodiazepines are used to soothe the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and prevent individuals from experiencing seizures. Other medications and treatments may be used to soothe other symptoms of alcohol withdrawal during detox.
Behavioral Therapies
Once an individual completes detox, the next step is to recover from the psychological causes and effects of alcoholism. Behavioral therapies have been found extremely effective for the treatment of substance use disorders. This is because they help individuals replace negative patterns of thought with positive ones, teach them healthy coping mechanisms, and provide them with a space to heal from past traumas.
Common behavioral therapies used in alcohol use disorder treatment include:[3]
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Contingency Management (CM)
- Motivational Interviewing ((MI)
- The Matrix Model
- Family Behavior Therapy
- Group Counseling
Each of these therapies should be individually tailored to meet the unique needs of the client.
Many clients suffer from co-occurring mental health conditions. Behavioral therapies can use a dual diagnosis approach to help clients recover from both alcoholism and additional mental health conditions simultaneously.
Aftercare Services
Because alcoholism is a chronic and progressive disease, recovery does not end when an individual graduates from alcohol rehab. Individuals must continue practicing recovery maintenance techniques to stay sober. Thankfully, alcohol rehab programs in New Jersey consider this by providing extensive aftercare services.
Aftercare services help clients transition from sobriety within a facility to sobriety in the real world. These services may include sober living programs, relapse prevention planning, continued therapy, alumni support groups, 12-step support meetings, vocational counseling, and much more.
Find an Alcohol Rehab Center in New Jersey Today
Individuals who suffer from an alcohol use disorder require professional treatment to fully recover. New Jersey alcohol rehab programs like Moving Mountains Recovery offer a full continuum of care. From detox to aftercare services, we are prepared to provide you or your loved one with everything you need to succeed in recovery. Contact us today to get started.
References:
- https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/alcohol-facts-and-statistics
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/alcohol
- https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/evidence-based-approaches-to-drug-addiction-treatment/behavioral-therapies
