Comprehensive Alcohol Rehab Treatment in Hawaii

There is little doubt that alcohol use disorder (AUD) remains one of the most prevalent addictions in the U.S. and around the world. According to the peer-reviewed thesis, Alcohol Use Disorder, by Doctors Nehring, Chen, and Freeman, “Alcohol is the most commonly used substance in the United States, with 84% of people 18 and older reporting lifetime use, according to data from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.” Also, “About 29.5 million people 12 and over have AUD in the United States; however, only 7.6% of this population receive treatment.” Unfortunately, many people struggling with AUD don’t get the alcohol rehab that they require.

AUD is a disease that destroys lives and rips families apart. According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), “Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. It encompasses the conditions that some people refer to as alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, alcohol addiction, and the colloquial term, alcoholism. Considered a brain disorder, AUD can be mild, moderate, or severe.”

Yet, many people still have misconceptions about AUD. Rather than understanding it as a chronic disease, people still stigmatize it as some sort of moral failing or “choice.” This is not the case. Many people are also unaware of what AUD looks like. This is because they are unaware of the common signs and symptoms.

While AUD manifests itself uniquely to the individual, there are universal signs and symptoms to look out for. The following are just a few of those signs and symptoms:

As one can see, these are not insignificant symptoms, which is why, if any, many, or all of these symptoms are present, it is highly recommended that professional help be sought as soon as possible. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences.

When it comes to healing from AUD at the cellular level, it is important to take an individualized and comprehensive approach. Many recovery centers solely focus on “one-size-fits-all” treatment plans that fail to get to the underlying issues of addiction.

Here at Hawaii Island Recovery, we know that to truly get to the core causes of the problem, a multi-angled approach must be taken. Depending on the longevity and severity of the problem, this may start with a medically supervised detox.

Many people don’t realize that alcohol is one of the few substances that can be fatal if not detoxed properly. This is why seeking professional help at the beginning of the AUD recovery process is crucial.

A medically supervised detox is also going to connect an individual to the next stages of their recovery and other critical modalities that are going to help them recover. These are modalities like art therapy, nature-based therapy, group therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

CBT is ideal because it gets to the underlying issues of what causes addiction. It also works to change the negative views that an individual has about both themselves and the world around them.

CBT is also highly effective because it focuses on the client individually while adapting well to other therapies. These are therapies like art therapy and group therapy.

Group therapy is ideal for AUD recovery because it brings individuals together who have shared experiences of addiction. This both reminds the individual that they are not alone but also helps them to open up and express themselves honestly.

Group therapy is also an ideal way for individuals to connect and create bonds that can go beyond the treatment process. Working with other people in recovery is one of the best ways to avoid a relapse, and it is also an ideal way to find meaning and purpose in recovery.

Art therapy is an experiential therapy that focuses on creative output rather than direct conversation. It can also aid in essential expression that can be suppressed by years of addiction. 

Art therapy has also been shown to improve mental health. According to the peer-reviewed journal Cureus, “Art therapy can help people express themselves more freely, improve their mental health, and improve interpersonal relationships. Further, the basis of art therapy is established on the idea that people can recover and feel better via artistic expression.”

There is a “responsibility statement” that is often used in the rooms of 12-Step recovery. It goes, “I am responsible. When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of [recovery] always to be there. And for that, I am responsible”.

We also take this responsibility seriously at Hawaii Island Recovery and are here to help you succeed. The key is to let go and let us.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) can be like a tornado ripping through the lives of the individuals struggling and those closest to them. The good news is there is hope, and there is help. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with issues of addiction, we can help. For more information, please reach out to Hawaii Island Recovery today at (866) 390-5070.