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.
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
Drinking too much, 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.
How To Know If You Need Alcohol Rehab
The definition of an alcohol use disorder in the DSM-5 does not specifically include how much is too much since it can vary person-to-person. But general guidelines for men and women can clue you in. The DSM-5 does offer 11 pieces of criteria to define an alcohol use disorder and the severity of it. Your doctor or therapist will likely use this criteria to determine your diagnosis.
Essentially, if drinking alcohol is causing any level of dysfunction and distress to your life, it is worth examining. Your physician or therapist will recommend the appropriate level of care to start your recovery.
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?
Rehab For Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Treatment for alcohol use disorder may include a combination of:
- Detox: Alcohol can cause changes in the brain and physical dependency that can make it very difficult to quit drinking on your own. If you have a severe case of alcohol use disorder, you will likely need medical assistance detoxing from alcohol.
- Inpatient: You’ll live in a treatment center or hospital-like setting and have 24/7 monitoring for your safety.
- Residential: You’ll live in a rehab for 28+ days and engage in treatment with a comprehensive staff and a community of peers.
- Partial hospitalization (PHP): You’ll come to a treatment center and meet 5-7 times a week for a full day.
- Intensive outpatient (IOP): You’ll come to a treatment center and meet 3-5x per week for several hours at a time for more intensive care.
- Outpatient (OP): You’ll meet 1-2x per week with your provider and others in treatment.
Many rehabs for alcohol addiction provide on-site alcohol detox. After detox, you can participate in therapies like individual treatment, group therapy and family therapy. If you need to step away from your day-to-day life to truly focus on your recovery, you can do so in residential addiction treatment.
After completing residential treatment, you can step down into an outpatient program and still receive structured, effective treatment while living at home or in sober living. Twelve-step programs or alternative programs like SMART Recovery help build a supportive recovery community during and after 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.