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.
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Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
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 and substance use disorder (SUD) as a whole. Rather than seeing it as a chronic disease, people still stigmatize it as a 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.
Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Addiction
While AUD manifests itself uniquely in each individual, there are common signs and symptoms to look out for. The following are just a few of those signs and symptoms:
- Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
- Isolating away from close family and friends
- Not being able to stop drinking after starting
- Feeling overly anxious, nervous, or “stressed out”
- Having feelings of loneliness, hopelessness, or worthlessness (depression)
- Struggles with sleep cycle, including not sleeping enough (insomnia) and sleeping too much
- Changes in appetite
- Exhibiting uncontrollable mood swings
- Having suicidal ideations
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 from a dedicated addiction treatment center be sought as soon as possible. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences.
Comprehensive Alcohol Rehab Treatment Options at Hawaii Island Recovery
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. However, there is never a single approach to care, and utilizing personalized treatment services and holistic care can make all the difference. Our Hawaii rehab is meant to heal the person beneath the addiction, with your time at our rehab centers spent pursuing comprehensive wellness, substance abuse treatment, as well as underlying individual needs, mental health disorders, trauma, and other challenges unique to your healing journey.
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 detoxification in our medically supervised detox program. We also use holistic and evidence-based therapies to ensure a comprehensive approach to care.
Alcohol Rehab: 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 levels of care in 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) available at our recovery center, as well as unique Hawaiian experiential opportunities across the Big Island.
Alcohol Rehab: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is ideal because it gets to the underlying issues of what causes addiction. It is an evidence-based psychotherapy that works to change the negative views that an individual has about both themselves and the world around them, combining effective addiction and dual diagnosis treatment with mental health treatment and a personalized treatment approach that creates a foundation of emotional healing and behavioral change.
CBT is also highly effective because it focuses on the client individually while adapting well to other therapies in your addiction treatment program, like art therapy and group therapy.
Alcohol Rehab: Group Therapy
Group therapy is ideal for AUD recovery because it brings individuals together who have shared experiences of addiction for effective alcohol treatment. This both reminds the individual that they are not alone but also helps them to open up and express themselves honestly in a community of peers.
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. Group therapy, whether in residential treatment or as a part of an intensive outpatient program (IOP) at our treatment facility, can keep you invested in your own healing and a celebrated member of a sober healing community.
Alcohol Rehab: Art Therapy
Art therapy is an experiential therapy that focuses on creative output rather than direct conversation. It can also aid in essential expression that may have been 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.”
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The Alcohol Rehab Experience at Hawaii Island Recovery
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, combining this responsibility with the spirit of aloha to create a truly transformative treatment program at our rehab facility in Hawaii.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alcohol Rehab
Alcohol rehab, also known as alcohol rehabilitation or treatment, is aimed at helping individuals overcome alcohol addiction and regain control of their lives. But does alcohol rehab really work? The answer is a resounding yes. Alcohol rehab has been proven to be effective in helping individuals recover from alcohol addiction and achieve long-term sobriety.
Hawaii Island Recovery’s alcohol rehab programs offer a range of services, including individual and group therapy, counseling, medication management, and support groups. These comprehensive treatment approaches address not only the physical aspects of addiction but also the psychological, spiritual, and emotional factors that contribute to addictive behaviors.
By providing a structured, supportive environment where individuals can address their addiction and learn healthier coping mechanisms, alcohol rehab helps individuals break free from the cycle of addiction and build a strong foundation for lasting recovery. Likewise, alcohol rehab can also be personalized to your needs and level of care needed, with detox and residential care options as well as outpatient treatment or partial hospitalization programs (PHP) to meet you where you are in your healing journey.