Our society condones drinking alcohol to the point where it’s often encouraged. From a beer at a ball game to mimosas at brunch to happy hour after work, alcohol use is ingrained in American culture. For most people, this aspect of our society is not a problem. For others, however, drinking alcohol quickly digresses from an occasional good time to an alcohol use disorder (AUD). Most people who develop this condition require treatment for alcohol use disorder from trained professionals in order to get their lives back on track.
At Santé Center for Healing, we provide a range of options to help people with an alcohol use disorder, from intensive outpatient programs (IOP) to residential addiction treatment. We are proud to be a leading addiction treatment provider in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Our team has years of extensive experience helping people with treatment for alcohol use disorder. If you or a loved one might benefit from our programs and services for alcohol use disorder, reach out to our Santé Center for Healing team today either online or at 866.238.3154.
Indicators of an AUD
Alcohol use disorder, more commonly known as alcoholism, is a disease where someone compulsively uses alcohol, loses control when drinking, and experiences negative emotions when not drinking alcohol.
Some of the signs that a person is dealing with alcohol use disorder include that they:
- Have tried to cut back or quit drinking but were unable to do so
- Spend most of their time drinking or recovering from the effects
- Continued to drink even though it is causing problems with friends and family
- Are experiencing legal or financial issues directly due to drinking
- Prioritize drinking over previously enjoyed activities
- Have engaged in unsafe behavior while under the influence of alcohol, such as driving
The most crucial step in a recovery journey is first recognizing that there is, in fact, a problem. Once an alcohol use disorder has been identified, the person with this issue can then seek out the help they so desperately need.
Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
Typically, a treatment plan for alcohol use disorder begins with the detoxification process. People may have good intentions by trying to quit “cold turkey” on their own at home. However, it’s recommended that the detox process take place under the supervision of medical professionals. This is due to the fact that alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be painful and even potentially deadly.
Once the patient has successfully completed an alcohol detox program, the next step is getting to the root of why they were using alcohol. Often, this requires various forms of therapy to uncover potential reasons why a person began drinking alcohol in the first place. For some, drinking may help to ease the pain of trauma. For others, alcohol might help to deal with the effects of an undiagnosed mental health disorder.
Common forms of therapy used to treat alcohol use disorder include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Family therapy
- Group therapy
An effective treatment plan for alcohol use disorder will use a combination of these therapeutic approaches to fit the needs of each individual in recovery. Once the treatment has been completed, resources such as aftercare and alumni programs will help the person stay on the right track so that they can remain sober over the long term.
Rely On Santé Center for Healing for Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
If you or someone you care about is interested in regaining your lives from alcohol use disorder, reach out to our outstanding team online or at 866.238.3154. We empower our patients to embrace life without alcohol and experience a healthy lifestyle. Don’t hesitate to learn more about our programs and services. Contact Santé Center for Healing today.
