Is There Outpatient Treatment for Alcohol Abuse?

Is There Outpatient Treatment for Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol abuse is a serious health issue that requires immediate professional help. If you are looking for an alcohol rehab in the Tri-State area, you undoubtedly have been told that residential treatment is your best option to get clean and sober. While residential rehab gives you the tools and support you need to find recovery, what if you can’t make the time commitment to be away from family and work? Are there other treatment options that allow you to get the personalized treatment services you need and allow you to fulfill your work and family obligations?

 

Fortunately, many treatment facilities offer outpatient treatment for alcohol abuse. If you are unfamiliar with alcohol outpatient rehab, this article serves as a basic primer to this valuable treatment option. If you would like to know more about the benefits of outpatient alcohol treatment and if it is the right option for you, call Water Gap Wellness toll-free today to learn more.

 

Is Alcohol Addictive?

While alcohol is legal and commonplace in many events and social situations, it is an extremely addictive drug. It is estimated that 17.6 million Americans 18 and older have an alcohol use disorder. Additionally, data from the NIAAA shows that approximately 95,000 Americans die each year due to alcohol-related causes. Alcohol is highly addictive because it releases a high amount of dopamine and endorphins, which produce intense feelings of pleasure and calm. In some people, the amount of these neurotransmitters that are released may be much higher due to genetics and other factors.

 

Over time, brain chemistry and function change, and people will develop a tolerance to alcohol. As a result, people will need to drink higher quantities of alcohol in order to achieve the same pleasurable effects. Alcohol will also take overproduction of dopamine and endorphins, and the brain will quit producing these neurotransmitters. Gradually, people will need to drink alcohol in order to function on a daily basis, and the pleasurable effects are secondary.

 

If people try and quit drinking or reduce their intake, they can experience a wide variety of withdrawal symptoms that can be painful and uncomfortable to endure. These symptoms do have the potential to be life-threatening if people have underlying medical conditions, whether diagnosed or undiagnosed. Also, withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening if people are abusing other substances in addition to alcohol.

 

What are the Signs of Alcohol Abuse?

The signs of alcohol abuse are at times difficult to detect. In many instances, the alcoholic goes to great lengths to hide their drinking from family and friends. However, there are several tell-tale signs of alcohol abuse and including the following:

  • Slurred or slowed speech
  • Impaired coordination
  • The constant smell of alcohol on the breath
  • Increasing blackouts and short-term memory loss
  • Extreme mood swings
  • Defensiveness when confronted about their drinking
  • Drinking alone
  • Changes in appearance
  • Poor hygiene habits
  • Sudden change in friends

 

If you or a loved one exhibit any of these signs, it is important to find professional rehab services and especially outpatient treatment for alcohol abuse.

 

Is There Outpatient Treatment for Alcohol Abuse?

As stated earlier, you may be looking for an alcohol rehab but are not able to make a residential treatment program work because of your commitments. Many treatment facilities recognize that people need effective treatment options that best fit their specific needs. Outpatient treatment allows you to receive the same quality care as found in a residential program, and you can stay at home and fulfill your work and family obligations.

 

The most common outpatient alcohol rehab program is an intensive outpatient program (IOP). With an IOP, you can undergo medical detoxification and follow a customized program created by experienced treatment staff. The programs and services included in an IOP can include the following:

  • Individual, group, and family therapy
  • 12-step group support
  • Medication management
  • Mental health programs (if needed)
  • Life and coping skills training
  • Educational workshops

 

At Water Gap Wellness Center, IOP treatment is generally three -five times a week for a total of 3-4 hours per session. As you progress in treatment, the number of weekly sessions and the time per session can be scaled down in a step-wise fashion. In general, an IOP lasts 9-14 weeks. If you aren’t in need of detox, a traditional alcohol outpatient rehab or partial hospitalization program may be more appropriate. If you are considered outpatient alcohol treatment, talk to an experienced professional first.

 

Call Water Gap Wellness Center Today

If you are in the Tri-State area and are in need of outpatient alcohol rehab, call Water Gap Wellness toll-free today. We offer proven outpatient alcohol treatment programs that are evidence-based and proven to work. We even offer a housing option – a home away from home. Our experienced treatment staff will design an outpatient treatment program that fits your exact needs. These innovative plans are dynamic and can change as your needs change. Call Water Gap Wellness and break the vicious cycle of alcohol abuse once and for all

About WGWC

Water Gap Wellness Center offers expert and compassionate treatment for mental health and substance abuse at our Pennsylvania facility, just outside New Jersey, a short drive from New York. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you today. 

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