Alcoholism Rehab Center in Idaho
Getting help at an alcoholism rehab center is often the only way for a person to break free from alcohol addiction. Many rehab centers in Idaho offer personalized treatment programs at varying intensities depending on the severity of the alcohol use disorder.
Many people who can’t control their drinking also do not realize they have a problem. So, if you have a better understanding of and know the signs of an alcohol use disorder, you can help a friend, loved one, or even yourself.
How Many People Drink Alcohol?
Of all the substances people use, alcohol is one of the most common in the world. In 2019, reports suggest that 139.7 million Americans use alcohol. That was almost half of the population. However, not everyone who drinks alcohol abuses it.
According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, around 16 million Americans used alcohol heavily, and 14.5 million had an alcohol use disorder. Many surveys show these numbers may be higher due to the stress of Covid-19.
Some people have their first alcoholic drink before they enter high school. Most of them are unaware of the dangers of excessive drinking. This early alcohol exposure can cause lasting damage to brain development.
Why do People Drink Alcohol?
People drink for many different reasons. They may have one or two to celebrate or when having a nice meal. And some people do not drink at all. They may not like the taste or the feeling of being tipsy. People who do not have a problem with alcohol often struggle to understand alcoholism.
People may drink alcohol for the following reasons:
- Escaping stress or problems – Alcohol slows down the central nervous system (CNS) and causes relaxing feelings. While alcohol can reduce stress and anxiety, it is temporary and leads to more problems.
- Peer pressure – Young people, especially, are susceptible to peer pressure. This can cause people to do things, like drink alcohol, when they wouldn’t otherwise.
- Mental health issues – Many people drink alcohol to self-medicate. Alcohol can provide an escape from thoughts and feelings. However, this can worsen mental health disorders like anxiety and depression. Drinking alcohol can also lead to co-occurring disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, and addiction.
- Accessibility – Alcohol is everywhere. It is also a widely accepted activity. For this reason, many people ignore the risks and negative health effects.
- Environment – People at a bar or a party are more likely to drink alcohol because of the fun environment. However, people who grow up around alcohol and whose parents drank in the home are more likely to drink even when the experiences haven’t been positive.
Whether a person has a drink at a party or has a drink to escape their thoughts, drinking and abusing alcohol can cause a person to develop alcoholism. Seeking help at an alcoholism rehab center as soon as a problem is noticed can reduce the risk of alcohol use disorder.
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How Long Does Detox Take?
Detox can take anywhere from a few days to a week or more. The length of time will depend on a variety of issues. These will include:
- How long someone has been using drugs or alcohol
- What types of substances they are abusing
- If they are suffering from any co-occurring disorders (mental illness)
- The quantity of substances they are abusing
- If they have any other health issues that may affect or conflict with detox medications
- Other individual factors unique to the person (age, weight, gender, overall response to medication)
All of these factors contribute to the length of time medical detox will take. In most cases, though, people typically overcome detox in a week. In cases of serious addiction, it can take longer.
What is Alcohol Use Disorder?
Alcohol use disorder is also called AUD, alcohol addiction, and alcoholism. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) describes alcohol use disorder as the inability to stop or control alcohol use despite the negative social, occupational, or health consequences.
People struggling with alcohol use disorder don’t know how or when to stop drinking. They spend most of their time thinking about buying and consuming alcohol. And despite the serious relationship, financial, and work issues, they can’t stop drinking.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) lists 11 criteria for alcohol use disorder.
- Feeling powerless to control alcohol use.
- Not engaging in hobbies and activities once enjoyed
- Having the desire to stop or slow don’t but can’t
- Drinking alcohol in dangerous situations, such as driving or swimming
- Spending most of the time focused on alcohol
- Developing a tolerance – needing more alcohol to achieve the same effects
- Having cravings for alcohol
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop or cut back
- Problems at school, work, or home because of alcohol use
- Drinking to relieve the withdrawal symptoms
- Continuing to drink despite the problems it causes
If you or a loved one meets these criteria, an alcoholism rehab center can help them achieve lasting recovery.
What is Binge Drinking?
Binge drinking is when males have five and females have four or more alcoholic drinks in 2 hours or less. An alcoholic drink is a 12-ounce beer, five ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor.
One in six Americans report binge drinking, sometimes multiple times a month.
Binge drinking affects people differently. If it is interfering with work, school, and relationships, then it is a problem. Other signs someone is binge drinking include:
- Drinking more than planned
- Drinking more often
- Drinking earlier in the day
- Unable to slow down or stop drinking
- Drinking more to achieve the same effect
- Shaky, nauseous, or weak without a drink
- Being reckless and dangerous
- Isolating from people and activities
- Having blackouts or gaps in memory when drinking
Binge drinking can lead to health issues, alcoholism, and even death.
People who drink excessively often don’t think they have a problem. This means friends and family must be aware of the signs and symptoms. Friends and family can significantly impact a loved one’s choice to attend an alcoholism rehab center.
Some of the most common physical, behavioral, and psychological signs and symptoms of alcoholism include:
- Slurred speech
- Impaired thinking
- Repeating themselves
- Memory impairment
- Poor coordination
- Wanting to stop but unable to do so
- Alcohol is more important than work, school, and relationships
- Being secretive about alcohol use and its severity
- Engaging in risky behaviors like drinking and driving
- Being in denial about a drinking problem
- Distress at the thought of not having alcohol
- Sleep issues
- Developing co-occurring mental health disorders
A tell-tell sign a person struggles with alcohol use disorder is their nutritional health. People who abuse alcohol typically show signs of malnutrition, such as thinning hair, dark circles under their eyes, and a worn appearance.
What are the Causes of an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)?
While the cause of AUD is unknown, it develops when a person drinks so much that it causes chemical changes in the brain. These changes increase the euphoric effects of alcohol. This increases the desire to drink despite the consequences.
Over time, these euphoric effects fade away, and a person drinks to prevent withdrawal symptoms. Some withdrawal symptoms can be unpleasant, and others can be dangerous.
What are the Risk Factors for Developing Alcoholism?
Although there isn’t a known cause of alcoholism, there are risk factors that increase the risk of developing this disorder.
Risk factors include:
- Having more than 15 drinks a week for males and 12 drinks for females
- Binge drinking
- Having a parent or close family member with an alcohol use disorder
- Having a mental health disorder such as anxiety, depression, or schizophrenia
- Being a teen facing peer pressure
- Having low self-esteem
- High levels of stress
- Come from a family where alcohol use is common
Knowing the risk factors for alcohol use disorder can keep people aware of their drinking and minimize the risk of addiction and needing an alcoholism rehab center.
How is Alcoholism Diagnosed?
To diagnose alcoholism, a person needs to meet the criteria in the DSM-5, which is published by the American Psychiatric Association (APS).
Besides having a pattern of alcohol consumption that causes significant impairment or distress, a person must have at least three of the following criteria in the past 12 months:
- Alcohol tolerance
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Drinking more than intended
- Unable to cut down or stop
- Time-consuming
- Isolation and withdraw
- Drinking despite consequences
- Missing work or school due to alcohol
- Cravings
- Dangerous activities while drinking
If a doctor or mental health professional diagnoses a person with an alcohol use disorder, they will also recommend an alcoholism rehab center for treatment.
Treatment for Alcohol Addiction?
People who attend an alcoholism rehab center typically receive various types of addiction therapy. Depending on the severity of AUD, they may need medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
However, only about 10% of people seek treatment. This may be due to shame, denial, finances, family responsibilities, or stigma. If a person doesn’t seek help from an alcoholism rehab center, it can cause health, career, and relationship issues.
Each person who enters treatment receives a full evaluation to determine the severity of AUD and any co-occurring mental health disorders. The personal needs of the individual also determine treatment.
There are various treatment programs to meet everyone’s needs. But, before anyone enters a treatment program, they typically go through detox. Because alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be severe and sometimes life-threatening, medical detox allows people to rid their bodies of toxins safely.
Once a person completes detox, they enter treatment. Many alcoholism rehab center programs are continuum-of-care programs. This means you either step down or up, depending on your needs. A person with severe addiction may start with inpatient treatment, while someone with a mild addiction may start in an outpatient program.
The types of treatment programs include:
- Residential treatment program
- Outpatient treatment program (OP)
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
Each program requires different time commitments, and therapy is less intense as you step down.
Working with a therapist is a big part of treating alcoholism. During therapy sessions, a person begins to understand their relationship with alcohol and learns ways to cope without it. Various therapies can also help manage co-occurring mental health disorders.
Types of behavioral therapy in an alcoholism rehab center include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) – CBT teaches you to recognize and avoid situations where you may be tempted to drink alcohol, along with coping problems and behaviors that may lead to drinking
- Motivational enhancement therapy – Motivational therapy helps you build confidence and motivation to stop drinking
Family therapy – Family therapy helps you become aware of the damage you caused to your family, rebuilds a healthy family unit, and may prevent substance abuse in the younger generation.
The FDA has approved three medications for use in alcoholism rehab centers. Many people reduce cravings and maintain their recovery on these medications. However, not everyone needs or benefits from these medications.
- Naltrexone – reduces alcohol cravings.
- Acamprosate – reduces post-acute withdrawal symptoms.
- Disulfiram – causes unpleasant symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and headache if you drink.
Medications work best when combined with psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, and a strong support system.
Finding the Right Alcoholism Rehab Center
When you or a loved one is struggling with an alcohol use disorder, looking for an alcoholism rehab center can be overwhelming. When a medical professional gives a diagnosis, they typically provide recommendations for rehab centers.
However, it is crucial to do your research and talk to the rehab for more information. An alcoholism rehab center that is accredited offers evidence-based therapies and continuum-of-care programs to provide the best chance at lasting recovery.
Recover at Eagle Creek's Alcoholism Rehab Center in Idaho
It can be scary to seek treatment if you or a loved one is struggling with alcoholism. At Eagle Creek Ranch, we help you every step of your recovery journey. Contact us today to find out more about our alcoholism rehab center.
Clinical Director
Kendall Maloof is the clinical director at Eagle Creek Ranch Recovery. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and has held multiple leadership roles before settling here at Eagle Creek. Kendall received her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2016. Her career in mental and behavioral health began in 2014 when she took up internships in both the nonprofit and for profit sectors. She interned at multiple reputable companies, such as The Living Success Center and 449 Recovery in California.
In 2019, Kendall became the clinical director of Sunsets Recovery for Woman, a dual diagnosis program in southern California. Kendall is a natural leader. She has an incredible ability to problem solve and stay calm in any situation. Kendall never fails to show up when she is needed, and her calm demeanor makes her team and clients feel at ease. Eagle Creek Ranch Recovery is proud to have Kendall as our clinical director.
