by Lea Hummel | Dec 17, 2020 | Alcohol Rehab
Although alcohol consumption is socially acceptable, it can ruin lives if not managed well. Unfortunately, it is not easy to identify the gray area between alcohol addiction and casual drinking. When it comes to alcohol and drug addiction, most people find it difficult to admit that they have a problem.
So, do you suspect that your alcohol use has gotten worse, yet you are still questioning whether your addiction is bad enough to start looking for a treatment center? Here are the telltale signs that will help you understand the severity of your alcohol addiction.
Signs that alcohol use has gotten out of control
If your substance use has become the focus, for instance, thinking about alcohol throughout the day, then you need help. The situation is worse if you spend most of your resources and time to get and use alcohol. You can also realize that the addiction is getting worse if your former activities, interest, and involvements have taken a backseat. So, if you no longer find enjoyment in activities you loved before or if your loved ones have expressed concern about your situation, it is time to seek help. Participating in an alcohol treatment center program will reverse the negative changes that alcohol has caused in your life.
Another clear telltale sign that your alcohol addiction is getting worse is when you have to consume excessive amounts to remain high. When you start using alcohol, you may intensely feel the effects because your body is not accustomed to. However, over time, your body will begin to adapt and tolerate the effects. As the tolerance level increases, the body will need more alcohol to achieve the same outcome. When you take more alcohol to remain high, there is a risk of overindulgence.
Alcohol addiction can also affect your health. This type of addiction is linked to several physical and psychological health problems. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause irreversible damage to the brain, heart, and liver. The damage depends on factors such as the amount and how long you have been using it. Alcohol addiction can also affect your mental state, which may manifest as depression and anxiety.
Many people with alcohol addiction are unable to overcome it by themselves because once the body is used to alcohol, it becomes difficult to cope without it. Besides, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be severe and can take a toll on an individual. The most common ones include insomnia, headache, cramps, nausea, irritability, trembling amongst others.
As such, it is important to seek professional support in an alcohol treatment center. Inpatient treatment center centers offer treatment centers, coping skills, therapy, addiction education, and relapse prevention.
What may keep you from seeking a treatment center?
Many people notice that they have an alcohol addiction that has gone beyond control, but they find a way to hide or justify it as normal. You may hide behind friends, or career or family, or just anything else. If your defense is that your friends have not noticed anything wrong, ask yourself the following questions.
• Have you been hiding your alcohol use from your friends? Some friends may not know about your substance abuse, especially when you conceal most parts of your life.
• Are these friends alcohol addicts? If they are, it may be hard for them to give objective advice. They also have a problem they may not realize, or they would rather not admit it.
• Are these friends really honest with you? Some friends may opt not to tell you the truth because they fear ruining the relationship.
• Are you open to criticism or correction? If you are the kind of person who takes criticism the wrong way, your friends are not likely to risk stirring your anger. Even if they think you might have a problem, they might pretend that everything is okay.
Apart from friends, you may also be hiding behind a successful career. If you are an addict that can manage to fulfill family duties, keep a job, and maintain friends, then you are a high-functioning addict. One of the underlying problems you may have is denial. Since everything appears normal, you may feel like you are in control. Over time, your addiction will worsen and that is when the facade will crumble.
One of the key signs that you have a big problem with alcohol use is lying to cover your substance use. In most cases, people don’t hide their use of alcohol from their friends or family. So, if you feel like you have to lie to cover your alcohol use, then you may be doing so because you suspect you have a problem.
Finding help for addiction
Alcohol addiction can be a long-term condition that can put your life in danger. It may also affect your normal activities. Poor performance due to alcohol use, absences, being intoxicated at work, and tardiness can cost you a job. Alcohol addiction can also trigger suicidal thoughts in some people, especially when they have underlying psychological issues such as depression or other mental disorders. Alcohol can also make you unreasonable and violent. If you have had problems getting along with people or even hurt other people, then rehab is right for you.
Most people try to deal with alcoholism with little success because it is not as easy as having the willpower to quit. In most cases, alcohol addiction is usually marked by periods of recovery and relapse.
If you have struggled to get sober and resume a normal life, the best option is to get help at a rehab facility. Overcoming addiction goes beyond eliminating physical dependence. It also needs resolving behavioral issues like changing the ways you feel, behave, and think. Unless a professional is involved, it is not easy to resolve the psychological side of alcohol addiction.
by Lea Hummel | Dec 15, 2020 | Rehab
Generally speaking, there are two main types of treatment options when it comes to dealing with addiction recovery programs: inpatient rehab and outpatient rehab. In many ways, the two are similar in that they offer recovery programs that focus on the causes of addiction while offering tools to help people get out of it.
The differences between inpatient and outpatient programs lie in the intensity of the recovery program and the approaches taken. As the name suggests, an inpatient program requires staying at a facility for a period of time and working intensely with addiction counselors for extended periods each day. Outpatient programs, by contrast, deal with people on a part-time basis to help them overcome their addiction while they remain in society.
The Disease of Drug and Alcohol Addiction
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, addiction can be defined as “a chronic disease characterized by compulsive, or uncontrollable, drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences and changes in the brain, which can be long-lasting.” People with severe drug addiction can actually change the chemical and physical structure of their brain, leading to lasting problems with cognition, emotional control, and motor function. The effects on the rest of the body can be just as damaging, and depending on the drug in question, severe damage can be inflicted on the heart, lungs, kidney, liver, and other internal organs.
In addition to all the physical and mental problems that can develop from addiction, there are also the interpersonal ones. Oftentimes, addiction will put a heavy strain on relationships. This can include both personal relationships, such as those with family and loved ones, and professional relationships at work or school. The disease of addiction can destroy a person’s life in pretty much every way imaginable, which makes the importance of treatment and addiction recovery paramount.
Preparing for Inpatient Rehab
Inpatient programs can last anywhere from three weeks to 12 months depending on what the particular circumstances of a person’s addiction necessitate. Regardless of how much time is going to be spent in one of these residential treatment programs, preparations will need to be made ahead of time to ensure the transition is as seamless as possible. Here are some important items to keep in mind if you are preparing for long-term treatment:
If you are employed, then talking to your employer about your situation is necessary. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) offers certain protections for those who are entering a long-term inpatient program, so you don’t need to fear being fired outright for seeking help.
Obviously, if you are a single parent or have a special living situation where you care for a parent or loved one, finding alternative arrangements is a necessity. In many cases, this help will come from family or friends who also want to see a successful recovery.
For those who rent an apartment or own a home, finding a way to keep the bills paid will also be a necessity. Monetary support can come in the way of private loans through a bank, grants through organizations like SAMHSA, family and friends, or Medicaid/Medicare.
An important thing that can easily get overlooked in all the craziness of preparing for inpatient treatment is finding out what sorts of personal items are allowed. Different facilities have different guidelines for what is and is not permissible for long-term patients, but everyday things such as clothes, jewelry, personal items, an alarm clock, and a personal journal will be fine.
Finally, after all the other preparations have been made, make sure there is reliable transportation both to and from the rehab center. While some people may be able to get rides from family or friends, there are others who may need to use a taxi or some form of public transportation. If the facility is located in another state, then securing airfare or a bus ticket may be necessary.
Entering Inpatient Rehab
For people who are suffering the worst effects of alcohol or drug addiction, an inpatient program might be the best way to go. These programs are held at clinics, rehab centers, and, occasionally, hospitals that provide 24/7 care as well as intensive recovery programs.
In most cases, when someone enters an inpatient rehab, they will have to undergo a detoxification period and medically managed withdrawal before they can begin the recovery process. This is when all traces of alcohol or drugs are removed from one’s system. For those who are entering an inpatient facility, the amount of a substance in their system may be high enough that there will be a physician monitoring the detoxification process to keep the patient safe. This is especially true in the case of alcohol, which can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms such as delirium tremens, hallucinations, accelerated heart rate, and seizures. During detoxification, medical physicians may prescribe medications to help alleviate symptoms of withdrawal.
The Treatment Process
Once the detoxification process is complete, the process of recovery can begin. Treatment plans can vary to some degree depending on where you stay, but, generally, they are all well-structured programs designed to promote a healthy lifestyle while abstaining from drugs and/or alcohol. The day will begin with a healthy breakfast and morning treatment sessions. Some facilities offer yoga classes, meditation, and exercise programs to help relieve any stress and get ready for the day. An important part of the addiction recovery process is to learn new healthy routines that you can take with you when you leave.
After breakfast, there will be a morning counseling session that can last until lunch. This is usually a group session with a treatment professional leading the discussion. The session will typically focus on the direction of treatment, long-term recovery, 12-step programs, and other similar topics. There is a lot that is misunderstood about the process of recovery, so the main point of these group sessions is to have everyone work together to come to a clear understanding of how it works. Part of this process also includes group discussions of triggers and behavioral patterns to help elucidate what they are and help avoid them in the future.
In the afternoon, there is more counseling, but this time, the process is one-on-one and will delve much deeper into individual issues. Here are some of the types of programs you may encounter:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a goal-oriented approach that uses the tools of psychotherapy to address problematic areas of a person’s life with the purpose of changing negative attitudes, thoughts, and behaviors. CBT is an excellent way of dealing with triggers and repetitive behaviors associated with alcohol and drug addiction. It is also effective for dealing with depression, anxiety, and relationship issues.
For some people, there are specific triggers that lead to substance use. These can include anger management, overwhelming stress, and grief over some type of loss. Specialized therapy sessions can help teach coping mechanisms for dealing with these feelings and provide tools for avoiding them whenever possible.
Family therapy is an important component because addiction is a disease that doesn’t just affect the person who is suffering from it. Families experience just as much grief and pain from addiction. Having sessions with everybody present can help the family as a whole along the process of healing while also providing the person who is addicted with extra resolve.
Alternative methods of therapy are often implemented alongside the above-mentioned programs. Some of these alternative methods include art or music therapy, equine therapy, exercise, and dance therapy.
The Importance of Family in Addiction Recovery
Even if someone is not engaged in family therapy while in an inpatient recovery program, they are still encouraged to have regular contact with family members during their stay. Whether it comes from a parent, child, sibling, or partner, the bonds of family can be an integral part of any recovery process.
Outpatient Rehab
Outpatient programs serve two purposes that are very similar. They are for people who need help with their addiction or substance use disorder but have not gotten to the point where they need an inpatient program. Outpatient rehab also serves as the next step for those who are exiting inpatient care. Depending on the level of treatment and care a person may need, there are a number of different programs that fall under the rubric of outpatient rehab to choose from. Here are the most common options:
Intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) provides a great service for those just starting the recovery process and for those who are transitioning from an inpatient program. IOP consists of both group counseling as well as one-on-one therapy sessions, and the program generally lasts anywhere from one to six months. During this time, attendees will take part in both group and individual counseling sessions multiple times a week. Each session will typically last between two and four hours.
Partial-hospitalization programs (PHP) offer a higher level of care and management than what is found in standard outpatient programs. In addition to counseling or therapy, addiction sufferers will also receive medical monitoring throughout the day. Generally, people in PHP will attend therapy sessions three to five times a week for four to six hours at a time.
Therapy and counseling is also available in less intense forms for people who are in the beginning stages of addiction or have a substance use disorder. These treatment options focus on what caused a person’s drinking or drug abuse in the first place and how to avoid falling into traps that can lead them further down the road into addiction. Counseling and therapy at this level are tailored to individual needs based on what both the patient and therapist/counselor feel are appropriate. The main form of treatment applied at this stage is CBT, but other treatment options are also available.
Inpatient vs Outpatient Care
If you are currently dealing with an addiction or substance use issue, you might be wondering which of these options listed above would work best for your situation. There are some general guidelines that counselors, therapists, and healthcare professionals use to determine if an inpatient or outpatient program is appropriate. Here are some guidelines to go by:
Inpatient Care Considerations
Inpatient programs are specifically designed to help people who are heavily addicted to substances and need to detox and go through withdrawal.
Since these facilities provide 24/7 care, there is always staff on hand to help addiction sufferers to cope with the initial stages of their sobriety.
Every aspect of an inpatient treatment program is highly organized and structured to support the ultimate goal of continued sobriety. This is important for long-term addicts who have built up their lifestyle around addiction. These programs work at both the interpersonal and intrapersonal levels.
There are doctors on hand to provide any medical assistant a patient might need. They can offer medications to assist with the recovery process and are available to assist in the rare event that an emergency arises.
Outpatient Care Considerations
Living at home during your treatment is far less expensive than being at a facility 24/7. This is true not only in terms of the specific cost of the program but also in terms of other costs incurred from loss of work, bills, and childcare.
If there is a positive network of family and friends available who are supportive, remaining at home can sometimes be a much better option. A positive support network at home is an important aspect of addiction recovery.
Depending on one’s level of addiction, an outpatient program might not be intensive enough. Those who have been using for a long time and are likely to go through withdrawal symptoms may want to opt for inpatient treatment.
Going to treatment once to a few times a week leaves much more time open for work, childcare, and all the other activities of life.
by Lea Hummel | Dec 15, 2020 | Rehab
GHI Insurance: Addiction Rehab
Are you afraid of how you’re going to manage to pay for rehab? Good news: since the passing of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, all insurance companies are now required to include coverage for drug and alcohol abuse treatment center, even in their most basic policies. A GHI Insurance Addiction Rehab program can help you get your life back on track.
How GHI Can Help You Get Rehab
Group Health Incorporated (GHI) is a behavioral health company that is part of the conglomerate EmblemHealth, which is New York state’s biggest health maintenance organization (HMO). The company helps offer affordable, valuable health plans to 3.4 million people in all 50 states of the US.
If you have a policy through GHI, you can get help paying for high-quality drug and alcohol rehab.
Who Should Get Into Addiction Treatment
Addiction is defined as the condition where your brain prefers to keep seeking more drugs at all costs—even when it means devastating consequences in your life. Someone struggling with addiction may act uncharacteristically, no longer seeming to care about things that used to be a focal point in life.
How Much Does Rehab Cost?
Before you think about the cost of rehab, you should realize the value you’re getting by freeing yourself from drugs. The money spent on rehab arms you to be able to succeed in your career, reclaim your relationships with friends and family, and generally raised your earning potential significantly.
If your life is commanded by addiction, rehab is the most high-value investment you can make. And high-quality rehab isn’t as costly as youGHI Insurance might think. A GHI Insurance Addiction Rehab program offers professional service at a price you can afford.
Entering America Drug and Alcohol Rehab
America is the best place to go for rehab because of the natural beauty, peace, and quiet. There’s no reason to suffer from addiction when GHI can help you afford reputable rehab in America.
by Lea Hummel | Dec 9, 2020 | Alcohol Rehab
Your family member has been on the road to alcohol addiction for much too long. It’s taken control. It’s come to the point that addiction is interfering with every aspect of your loved one’s life. His job is at risk because of poor work performance. His personal relationships are suffering. His ties with his family members are crumbling. He needs to get help. You know that alcohol rehab is the best solution. Professional help can give your loved one the support and resources needed to overcome this hurdle. There’s only one problem. Your family member refuses to go to a treatment center.
What Can You Do When Your Family Member Won’t Go to Treatment for Alcohol Addiction?
The first step that you need to take is to learn more about alcohol addiction, what is happening to your loved one, and why. You also need to understand that alcohol rehab is a personal choice. Your family member needs to admit to himself that there is a problem and that he needs help to overcome it. The greater the understanding you have of alcohol addiction, how it can affect your loved one, and what challenges your family member will need to face in the days ahead, the better equipped you will be to be a support system.
You Can be a Part of Your Loved One’s Recovery
Try sitting down with your loved one to have a discussion about alcohol addiction. You need to be sure that you are not threatening or aggressive in any way. Approach your family member making it clear that you care, that you want your loved one to seek help because you love this individual. Tell them you understand how difficult alcohol addiction is, that you realize it is a problem that can’t simply be turned off like a light switch. Give your family member the opportunity to open up about his situation. Find out if there are any circumstances that are contributing to your family member’s alcohol addiction. Allow your loved one the opportunity to speak openly and honestly about alcohol addiction.
Don’t Enable Your Loved One
One of the biggest challenges in convincing your family member to get help is refusing to enable your loved one’s alcohol addiction in any way. That means cutting off any resources have you been supplying. As a family, you need to band together. Don’t provide money that could be used to fund your loved one’s habit. Tough love may be the only way to steer your family member in the right direction. That may mean refusing to pay any bills, turning your loved one away when he needs a place to stay. If your loved one gets a DUI, don’t bail him out. Don’t hire a lawyer. Don’t try to soften the blow. It could be the wake-up call he needs to realize it’s time to get help.
Try a Positive Approach
You can’t guilt your family member into getting help. Anger and a negative attitude will only push your loved one away. No matter what happens, you need to be a support system, someone who is there out of love. Don’t blame your family member for alcohol addiction. It is an illness. It is beyond a person’s control. It is no longer a choice, but something that is controlling your loved one. No matter what happens, let your family member know that you love him and you want to see him recover. When he is ready to admit that there is a problem, you will be there.
Be Prepared for a Crisis Point
When it comes to addiction, most victims of substance abuse will come to a point when they will hit a wall. They’ll fall so hard and so far that there is no other choice but to accept help. Whether it involves an arrest, a fight with a significant other, being fired from work, or being evicted, everyone’s situation is different. When your family member hits rock bottom, someone needs to be there to pick him up. You and your loved ones can be the support system to catch him when he falls. At this point, you may finally be able to convince him that alcohol rehab is the answer.
Explore Your Options Together
As you open the lines of communication with your family member about alcohol rehab, give your loved one some ownership. Seek out various alternatives for treatment centers together. Look at what is available in your area and determine if it is best to stay close to home or put some distance between your loved one and his environment. Discuss alcohol detox, what to expect during withdrawal, and what type of programs are available for rehab. Your loved one may choose an outpatient or inpatient treatment center. Remember that the most important hurdle will be overcome if your family member is willing to go to any type of treatment center.
Help Your Family Member to Navigate Financing for Alcohol Rehab Treatment
One of the biggest concerns when seeking alcohol rehab is bearing the financial burden. Your family member may not think it is possible to pay for a treatment center. It may not even be possible for your loved one to take on this challenge. It may be too much of a struggle. You can help him to contact a health insurance representative to learn about what is covered for alcohol rehab treatment centers and what providers are within his network. If health insurance can’t help, there may be programs available for those without insurance. Alcohol rehab facilities offer to finance as well. You can be a part of helping your loved one to find the most affordable way to put alcohol addiction behind him.
by Lea Hummel | Nov 18, 2020 | Rehab
In outpatient drug rehab programs, patients are allowed to live at home and undergo rehabilitation during the day. Because outpatient rehab doesn’t provide the same care around the clock that inpatient treatment does, patients must have access to a stable, drug-free living environment and a strong support system. You must be able to find peace and support in your current living situation to succeed in outpatient treatment.
You will have access to medical supervision, one-on-one counseling as well as regular group therapy sessions. You are invited to enjoy the tranquility of our beautiful facility whenever you’re not in session.
Outpatient Addiction Treatment Levels
There are multiple levels of treatment for outpatient alcohol rehab and outpatient drug rehab at The Recovery Village Ridgefield. Our addiction specialists can assess your situation to determine which program is best for you.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Our IOP consists of at least nine hours of rehabilitation each week. Patients enrolled in the intensive outpatient program participate in many of the activities that our residential patients participate in, but they are able to sleep in their own beds at night. Some clients may continue to live on-site at the facility if a supportive home or sober living environment is not available.
The therapies we offer include:
12-Step Program – One of the main benefits of 12-Step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous is the sense of community. We use the 12 Steps as a tool in our rehabilitation curriculum. We offer 12-Step meetings that allow you to connect with your peers, share your experiences and strength with others, and hear stories of recovery.
Evidence-Based Therapy – Evidence-based healing modalities are used in our programs like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
Medication Management – All patients will receive treatment from a psychiatrist who can help to determine whether or not pharmaceutical support is right for you. Closely monitored medication can also be helpful for patients who suffer from co-occurring mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Recreation Therapy – We employ a holistic approach to addiction treatment. We recognize the power that fun has in recovery, and we offer activities like yoga classes and even laser tag. With recreational therapy, patients learn to enjoy activities without substances.
Outpatient vs. Inpatient Treatment
Outpatient rehab programs offer more freedom and flexibility than inpatient treatment and other rehab programs. The main selling point of outpatient programs is they allow those seeking treatment to maintain their previous commitments to work, school, and family.
This allows patients to maintain a greater level of anonymity and privacy, as they won’t have to give up day-to-day activities for an extended stay at a treatment center. Generally, this kind of treatment is best suited for those who haven’t been battling their addiction for years.
Inpatient treatment programs demand a full-time commitment and often cost a lot more as a result. However, they’re more equipped to handle addictions that are more severe and further along, and can help to reduce your risk of relapse due to significantly reduced temptation and general methodology.
Is Outpatient Addiction Treatment Right for You?
If you simply can’t afford inpatient treatment, due to time or financial constraints, then outpatient treatment can still be a great choice for your needs. However, to reduce your chances of relapse you’ll need to have a few things in place first.
No History of Relapse or Addiction. Outpatient rehab is less effective for those who have a history of relapse or addiction. Residential treatment for these individuals will be a better choice, due to the lack of exposure to drugs and alcohol throughout the duration of the treatment, as well as access to full-time support staff.
A Healthy Home Environment. Having a healthy and supportive home environment or living situation is paramount for a successful recovery. Since you won’t be living full-time at the facility it’s paramount that you’re spending the rest of your time in a setting that supports your sobriety.
Personal Health and Support. Your personal health might be at such a poor level, that you won’t be able to make it through recovery without the help of medical staff. If you’re too far along in your addiction and the detox phase demands medical assistance, then you’re better off finding an inpatient treatment center to meet your needs.
If your health can support the initial detox, or you’ve already gone through an intensive detox, then outpatient treatment may be effective in getting you through the initial withdrawal symptoms and onward towards sobriety.
by Lea Hummel | Nov 17, 2020 | Rehab
Reputable Rehab using Humana
If you’re worried about affording a drug and alcohol treatment center, worry no more if you are covered by Humana insurance. A reputable rehab using Humana is more affordable than you think. Money should never stand between you and your health. Nothing is more important than taking care of yourself and your well-being.
How Humana Helps
Using Humana insurance, you can pay for a drug addiction treatment center and improve your quality of life. Remember, addiction doesn’t only affect the substance abuser, but the whole household.
Humana is a large health insurance company based in Kentucky. In addition to offering millions of people excellent health insurance coverage, Humana is a supporter of the arts. As a company that cares, they are there to help with the difficult problem of addiction. Getting into reputable rehab using Humana is easier than you think.
Humana by the Numbers:
13 million customers
$41.3 billion revenue in 2013
52,000 employees
How Addiction Hurts You
Drug and alcohol addiction is an extremely dangerous disease that takes over the part of the brain that makes decisions. Addiction is so challenging to deal with because the effect of the disease itself is truly destructive. How? It essentially convinces the addict that there’s not a problem.
The Need for Professional Drug Rehab
A professional, monitored substance abuse treatment center is the best way to deal with addiction. This safe environment allows for the addict to work on the painful issues of the disease through counseling and detox. Entering reputable rehab using Humana
is a great choice when you are ready to end addiction.
By having a variety of alcohol and drug rehab programs, we have the ability to tailor our treatment center to each individual. Our programs are designed to help identify addiction triggers and work with each individual on developing effective coping skills. With customization in our programs, we’re able to help individuals develop their stepping stones toward recovery. Choose a reputable rehab using Humana, and give yourself a fresh start.
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