Because Alcohol is a drug that is socially acceptable in American culture, it lessens the negative impacts that it has in relation to other illicit substances like heroin or crack cocaine. In reality, Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) can have a far more detrimental impact on your body and mind than many illicit drugs. Because of this, we must recognize the signs of “at-risk “alcohol consumption and when it is time to ask for help.

We know through experience that recovery from any Chronic Illness isn’t easy. Alcohol Use Disorder can be treated through a combination of different techniques and treatments that are individualized around the patient. We will match a program to your specific needs to give you a solid foundation for getting and staying sober.

What are some signs I am “at-risk” or addicted to alcohol?

Several signs indicate whether you are in charge or alcohol is in charge. How much is your drinking affecting your personal and professional life? Are you not functioning like you once did or is alcohol not working for you anymore? Did it go from being fun to causing problems? If you answer yes to any of these, alcohol may be in charge. When alcohol becomes your solution and your top priority, regardless of the negative consequences, you may be addicted to alcohol.

Certain Warning signs may include:

Drinking when you decided you would not
Continuing to drink when you had decided to stop drinking
Focusing on when and how you are going to drink when not drinking or focusing too much on not drinking in the future
Having anxiety or irritation when you know you will not be able to drink at a given time
Requiring a drink first thing in the morning to ease anxiety or reduce the “shakes”
Your drinking is negatively impacting your ability to go to work or school because you are hungover
Requiring more alcohol to get the euphoria of being drunk
Feeling the overwhelming need to drink to relax
Continuing to drink at a party or other social situation after others have stopped
Thinking about alcohol as the main reason for attending a party
Craving Alcohol

Is there a Path to Recovery from Alcohol Addiction?

There are many physiological reasons why recovering from alcohol addiction is necessary. Extended Alcohol Use Disorder can lead to liver damage, bone loss, weakened immune system, and several neurocognitive disorders. There are also a variety of personal and professional consequences to extended “at-risk” or AUD. Sobriety and maintain sobriety may be difficult, especially if your drinking has elevated to physical dependence. Treatment exists for both the medically supervised withdrawal as well as the treatment once you have stabilized.

An integrative addiction treatment program can help you discover what led to your addiction in the first place. During individual, group, couples, and family therapy and activities, you’ll learn coping skills and lifestyle choices that will help you maintain sobriety.

What Path of Treatment Is Right for Me?

There are multiple levels of care for alcohol abuse corresponding with the level of severity of your alcohol addiction. In general, the more severe the addiction, the higher level of care you will need which is, typically, residential treatment. The lowest levels are outpatient where you live at home and can go about your daily life while coming for individual and/or group therapy sessions at a treatment facility several hours a week. Everyone’s recovery journey is different, but it is common for people to step down from one level of care to the next as they become more comfortable and confident in sobriety.

Vero Beach Recovery Center offers two treatment options:

Basic Outpatient treatment– This is our lowest level of care. It’s best for those with milder forms of alcohol use disorder and, typically, for people who have work, school, or childcare. Basic outpatient involves three hours of treatment for one or two days per week. We provide individual, family, and group therapy; case management; and the convenience to choose between morning or evening schedules.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), is more intensive than basic outpatient as it includes all the same elements of basic outpatient in three-hour sessions between three to five days per week based upon the level of severity. In our IOP we will provide individual, family, and group therapy; case management; and the convenience to choose between morning or evening schedule.

Do I Need to Detox from Alcohol?

Quitting alcohol abruptly or “cold turkey” not only can be dangerous but also extremely difficult. If you develop withdrawal symptoms such as sweating, shaking, and nausea —after abstinence from alcohol, it is a sign you may need a medically supervised detox program or “detox”. In this case, we can refer you to several local organizations that can best fit your needs while staying intimately part of the process throughout.