Best Alcohol Addiction Rehab Centers

Alcohol is a widely used substance that has become deeply ingrained in the fabric of every society, culture and walks of life. Alcohol is derived from the fermentation of grains, fruits and other organic substances. It is commonly consumed in various social, cultural or celebratory settings for relaxation, socialization and stress relief. However, excessive and irresponsible drinking can lead to addiction, harmful behaviors and consequences for both you and your loved ones.

In 2023, 61.4 million people ages 12 and older engaged in past-month binge drinking, while nearly 30 million had an alcohol use disorder – both which can cause several health consequences.(1,2)

Recognizing your compulsive alcohol use, loss of control around drinking, or your inability to cope without it are vital steps to getting help. If you’re starting to question your relationship with alcohol, then it may be a sign that you have a problem. Addiction to alcohol requires proper treatment in order to recover.

Effects of Alcohol Addiction

Drinking too much alcohol, whether in one setting or over time, can take a detrimental toll on your physical and mental health. It is well known and research backed that alcohol has damaging effects on your organs, affecting:

• The Brain - Alcohol impacts the brain’s communication pathways, the way it looks, and how it functions. These changes can affect your mood and behavior.
• The Heart - Drinking can damage the heart, causing stretching or drooping of the heart muscle, irregular heartbeats or high blood pressure.
• The Liver - Drinking can lead to a variety of liver problems, including difficulties detoxing, fatty liver and cirrhosis.
• Immune System - Drinking too much can weaken your immune system, slowing down your body’s ability to fight colds, infections and disease.

Research shows that people who drink are more susceptible to mental health problems. It’s also true that people with mental health disorders are more susceptible to having a drinking problem.

While some people may feel happier and pleasantly disinhibited with moderate alcohol consumption, regular, heavy drinking can lead to symptoms of depression, anxiety, psychosis, or self-harm. However, everyone’s response to alcohol may be different, so it’s essential to pay attention to how you feel mentally and emotionally when drinking alcohol.

What is Alcohol Addiction?

Alcohol addiction, also known by the clinical term alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a chronic, relapsing condition characterized by the inability to stop using alcohol despite negative consequences in multiple areas of life.(4) AUD may range from mild to severe, with addiction representing the moderate to severe side of the spectrum.(4,5)

Other terms that describe AUD in common language include alcoholism or alcohol dependence.(4) Though these and other terms (such as “alcoholic”) are often used in relation to AUD, such terminology can be stigmatizing. As a result, the terms “alcohol addiction” or “alcohol misuse” are preferred when referring to issues with alcohol use.

Signs of Alcohol Addiction

Due to the range of severity and variability from person to person, alcohol use disorder is sometimes difficult to identify. While only a licensed physician can diagnose AUD, knowing the criteria for diagnosis may help identify when to get support. The criteria for AUD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5), are:(6)

• Alcohol is consumed in greater amounts or over longer time periods than intended.
• Having a persistent desire or multiple attempts to stop drinking but being unable to.
• Spending large amounts of time in activities surrounding alcohol use, recovery, or trying to get more alcohol.
• Experiencing cravings or strong desires to use alcohol.
• Failing to fulfill your duties at work, school, or home due to recurrent alcohol use.
• Continuing to use alcohol despite its role in reoccurring relational problems.
• Giving up or reducing previously important activities due to alcohol use.
• Using alcohol in physically dangerous situations like driving.
• Continuing to use alcohol despite knowing that it causes or exacerbates ongoing physical or psychological problems.
• Developing a tolerance to alcohol (needing more alcohol to achieve the desired effect or having less effect with the same amount).
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms after reducing alcohol intake or drinking alcohol to relieve or avoid withdrawal.

Causes of Alcohol Addiction

There are several factors that may lead a person to develop an alcohol addiction including:

• Genetic vulnerability: Factors such as metabolism or a vulnerability to addiction can be influenced by a person’s family history and genetic makeup.(7)
• Environmental influence: The experiences a person has during childhood and throughout life (such as role models with AUD, trauma, or other factors) can increase the risk of addiction development in some individuals.(4)
• Relief from stress and/or emotional discomfort: The act of drinking to avoid negative feelings or situations, such as depression, anxiety, or stressful life situations, though it may provide some fleeting relief, could worsen such negative emotional states when drinking isn’t occurring. This could ultimately motivate a person to continue their drinking behavior.(5,7)

Though alcohol’s intoxicating effects can make a person “feel better” with initial use, it can ultimately make things worse.(5,7)

For instance, some of the negatives that may further motivate drinking include a person developing tolerance or experiencing withdrawal symptoms—potentially necessitating continued, increasing amounts of alcohol just to feel and function “normally.”(7) Without intervention, alcohol misuse can quickly become a negatively reinforced cycle.

Dangers of Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol misuse can have serious effects on the person drinking as well as those around them.(1) Adverse effects from alcohol can include serious injury and other potentially severe health issues, including: (1,8)

• Cardiovascular issues (e.g., irregular heartbeat, chronic high blood pressure).
• Alcoholic cardiomyopathy.
• Increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Weakened immune system and resulting increased risk of pneumonia.
• Liver damage (such as fatty liver, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatitis).
• Pancreatitis and other chronic gastrointestinal inflammation.
• Increase cancer risk (head and neck cancers, liver cancer, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer).
• The cumulative risk of alcohol poisoning and overdose toxicity.

Alcohol Overdose

Alcohol overdose, or alcohol poisoning, is the consumption of alcohol to the point of interfering with the brain’s ability to control basic life-sustaining processes, such as breathing and heart rate.(9) Signs of an alcohol overdose may include:(9)

• Severe mental confusion.
• Markedly decreased levels of consciousness.
• Unrousable loss of consciousness.
• Diminished reflexes (including gag reflexes).
• Vomiting.
• Dangerously low body temperature.
• Cold or clammy skin.
• Slow and/or irregular breathing.
• Dangerously slowed heart rate.
• Seizures.

Combining alcohol with certain other drugs or medications can increase the likelihood and severity of some of these effects. The risk of a fatal alcohol overdose and respiratory arrest is increased when opioids or sedative drugs such as benzodiazepines and prescription sleep medications are taken while drinking alcohol.(9)

Questions to Ask Your Provider About Alcohol Treatment

If you’re looking for alcohol use disorder treatment, you can contact your general practitioner or licensed mental health professional with questions about treatment. When talking to a professional, consider asking:

• What are the treatment options available to me?
• What level of care do you recommend for my situation?
• Are medications a part of the plan? Sometimes, medication-assisted treatment will be used to help you manage your cravings and withdrawal symptoms as you recover.
• How long is treatment?
• How much does treatment cost?
• What happens if I relapse?

Alcohol Addiction Treatment Options

Effective alcohol addiction treatment that’s tailored to a person’s specific needs can help promote recovery.(4) Treatment may combine several therapeutic approaches, including medications, behavioral therapy, and management of any co-occurring mental health issues.(10)

Detox from AUD

Medical detoxification can help keep people as safe and comfortable as possible during acute alcohol withdrawal.(10)

It is typically the first step in many types of addiction treatment, but is rarely enough to help people achieve long-term abstinence. Detox should not be considered a substitute for more comprehensive alcohol use disorder rehabilitation.(10)

Physical alcohol dependence is a common element of many alcohol use disorders. When significant alcohol dependence has developed, people may be at risk of potentially severe and sometimes life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.(11)

Some of the more severe complications of acute alcohol withdrawal include seizures, agitation, hallucination, and delirium tremens.(11) Choosing supervised alcohol detoxification can help a person through the challenges of withdrawal and potentially decrease the risk of relapse.

Inpatient Alcohol Rehab

Inpatient treatment for alcohol use disorder involves 24/7 care in a hospital or residential facility.(10) The length of treatment may vary depending on a person’s needs and the severity of their condition.(10) Such programs may be a good fit for people with relatively severe addictions and additional medical, social, or mental treatment needs. Treatment may involve behavioral therapies or medication depending on a person’s needs.(10)

Outpatient Alcohol Rehab

Outpatient treatment programs allow a patient to live at home so they may continue working, going to school, and attending to other responsibilities outside of treatment hours.(10)

The flexibility and intensity of the program are determined by the severity of a person’s AUD and circumstances.(10)

Like inpatient treatment, outpatient addiction treatment can involve a combination of both behavioral therapies and medication.(10)

Aftercare for Alcohol Rehab

Aftercare, or continued care, is the stage of recovery designed to help a person maintain abstinence after the completion of an initial treatment program.(10)

Aftercare plans can involve various recovery efforts such as regularly scheduled counseling and therapy, as well as participation in mutual support settings such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other means of community support.(10)

Diligent aftercare efforts may go a long way to solidify progress made during rehab, help people maintain abstinence, and prevent relapse.(12) Many treatment programs offer aftercare planning, so check with the facility or program when choosing treatment.

Can I Use The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for Alcohol Treatment in The U.S.?

If you’ve been clinically diagnosed with alcohol use disorder, then you can receive Family and Medical Leave Act support. The FMLA ensures that you do not lose your job when taking necessary time (up to 12 weeks) off to heal from a serious health condition. This act also guarantees that you retain the same terms of employment that you originally had for your job.

What’s provided in your FMLA may vary and has requirements for eligibility. Talk with your Human Resources (HR) department at work or look online for more information on FMLAs.

Sources

1. Nehring, S. M., & Freeman, A.M. (2022, July 31). Alcohol use disorder. StatPearls Publishing.
2. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2024). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (HHS Publication No. PEP24-07-021, NSDUH Series H-59). Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
3. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2022, March). Alcohol facts and statistics.
4. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2021, April). Understanding alcohol use disorder.
5. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2021). The cycle of alcohol addiction.
6. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th edition).
7. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2022). Neuroscience: the brain in addiction and recovery.
8. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2021). Alcohol’s effects on the body.
9. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2022, November). Understanding the dangers of alcohol overdose.
10. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018, January). Principles of drug addiction treatment: a research-based guide (third edition).
11. Newman, R. K., Stobart Gallagher, M. A., & Gomez, A. E. (2022, August 29). Alcohol withdrawal. StatPearls Publishing.
12. McKay J. R. (2021). Impact of continuing care on recovery from substance use disorder. Alcohol research: current reviews, 41(1), 01.