Are You Struggling With Alcoholism?
Millions of Americans are affected by problem drinking. If you’re concerned that you’re drinking more often than you have in the past, or if you’re drinking more at one time than you have before, there’s a chance that you may be affected by alcohol abuse. People start drinking for many reasons: due to anxiety or depression, personal struggles or loss, or even the isolating effects and uncertainty of living with COVID-19 stress and quarantining. If you’re worried that you have a problem with alcohol, you have options. Topsail Addiction Treatment Center has solutions for residents of Norwood, MA.
Understanding the Effects of Alcoholism
According to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over 30 million Americans experience some type of alcohol abuse, including regular binge drinking (defined as more than 5 drinks in a sitting), daily drinking, or both. Despite the high number of people who may be struggling with alcohol abuse, many people don’t have a clear understanding of what alcoholism looks like.
Problem drinking can affect all areas of your life, from work to relationships to your enjoyment of hobbies and pastimes. Whether it’s drinking instead of fulfilling your responsibilities or being unable to participate in your favorite activities due to hangovers or after-effects from drinking, many people may have a problem with alcohol abuse without hitting a true rock bottom.
Addiction Can Be Dangerous
Addiction to alcohol or drugs doesn’t just affect the person drinking. It can also affect family, friends, and even children. If you notice that you or someone you love exhibits some of these signs within a 12-month period, it may be time to talk to your local rehab counselor.
- Unable to quit on your own, or successfully stay sober
- Having strong cravings to drink or use
- Using in situations where it could be dangerous, including in the car
- Drinking for longer than you planned
- Consuming more drinks than you planned to
- Sneaking alcohol into work or other places
- Failing to fulfill your responsibilities fr work, family, or school
- Continuing to drink even though it’s doing damage to your body
- Drinking while intoxicated, or other risky actions, including sexual ones
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), a manual that addresses addiction and other mental illnesses, these are indications of problem drinking.
Options For Addiction Treatment
Treating alcohol addiction involves both the body and mind. It begins with medically supervised detox since withdrawals from alcohol can be painful and even dangerous. Topsail Addiction Treatment can provide a prescription for medication to help ease the withdrawal symptoms.
Once the alcohol is cleared from the body, your addiction counselor will help you determine the right kind of treatment to address the addiction and any underlying causes. Treatment options include inpatient rehab with one of our affiliated treatment partners, with therapy during the day at a Topsail facility, intensive outpatient therapy, or weekly group and individual counseling. Each treatment program also includes a relapse prevention plan and aftercare.
Dedicated Addiction Counselors
The journey from addiction to sobriety can be a challenging one and takes a lot of insight into yourself and honest acceptance of yourself. It’s a hard journey to do alone, and that’s why having a compassionate support team is essential for success. Topsail Addiction Treatment counselors are experts in addiction and assessing any underlying disorders, such as anxiety or depression, that may cause people to drink or relapse.
Your options can include:
- Inpatient treatment in a communal living facility, where you’re removed from your outside life and monitored around the clock. This can be at one of several treatment partners recommended by a Topsail counselor. These stays may be as little as 30 days but may last as long as 60 to 90 days, depending on your situation. During this time, you’ll attend therapy five days a week at a Topsail facility before returning to your inpatient community on weekends and in the evenings.
- Outpatient therapy, intensive, which includes several hours of therapy each day, although you return home at night. You may also be living in a sober living facility and attending therapy. These often last about 30 days, helping those newly sober through the challenging first few weeks of not drinking
- Outpatient counseling, weekly sessions with a therapist, and a group counseling meeting
- Aftercare, which includes resources such as a sponsor and a relapse prevention plan
Depending on the extent of your addiction, your Topsail counselor will make the recommendation that’s right for you. Many people often start with intensive therapy and prescription medicine to address any depression or anxiety and then move on to less-intensive therapy as they progress further in their sobriety.
Don’t Wait – Call Us Today!
If you’re worried about your drinking or that of a loved one, you’re not alone. The caring rehab team at Topsail Addiction Treatment can help you determine whether you need treatment, and which level of treatment is right for you. We’ll walk with you every step of the way, finding options, helping you understand your addiction, and create aftercare to get you on the road to sobriety. Get ready to start your best life now, with addiction rehab your way.
