women thinking what are the side effects of quitting alcohol cold turkey

Being caught up in the cycle of addiction can make you feel isolated and that there isn’t any way out.

In reality, you’re far from alone. Millions of Americans abuse alcohol daily, and many struggle with addiction.

Another truth that may be hard to realize if you’re struggling with alcohol addiction is that you do have a way out, and there are people waiting, right now, to help you find it. Call us at 888-435-7069 to speak with one of our trained addiction counselors.

Often, alcohol rehab in one of these centers is the only way for someone to break free of an addiction and learn to live free of substances.

If you’re here because you’re wondering if you or a loved one needs alcohol addiction treatment and how to go about getting that help, the information below provides answers and some guidance on taking the next steps to seeking treatment from a detox and  alcohol rehab center in Florida.

Do You — or Someone You Love — Need Alcohol Treatment?

If you are personally wondering if you’re addicted to alcohol, that in itself may be a good sign that it’s time to talk to someone about those worries. But you can also take a critical look at yourself and your life to see if any of the below symptoms of alcoholism are present. Looking for these symptoms can also be a way to know if someone you love is in need of alcohol detox and treatment.

Symptoms of alcohol use disorder can be physical or behavioral in nature. Physical symptoms can include:

  • Gaining or losing weight without other explanations, such as a change in diet or a health condition
  • A bloated or puffy look, especially around the eyes
  • Sweating heavily even when not engaged in activity
  • Slurred speech
  • Losses in coordination or balance
  • Increased number of bruises or other minor injuries that come with being more accident-prone and having more fragile blood vessels because of alcohol use
  • Increased heartburn, nausea or stomach pain
  • Watery or bloodshot eyes that persist
  • Shaking that goes away after having a drink
  • Alcohol odor on the skin, breath or clothing
  • Chronic alcohol use can result in a variety of behavioral symptoms, including:
  • Lying about or hiding drinking or how much is alcohol is consumed
  • Changes in personality when drinking
  • Making excuses to family members or making false promises about drinking or cutting back on drinking
  • Being unable to control how much you drink or when and where you need to drink
  • Mood swings, depression, anxiety or extreme irritability
  • Feelings of guilt after drinking
  • Increasing tolerance for alcohol
  • Social isolation
  • A sudden change in performance at school or work without any explanation for it
  • Not caring about or not seeming interested in people, things and hobbies that were previously important

One or two of these symptoms alone doesn’t necessarily indicate drug abuse and alcohol addiction, so you’ll want to consider the big picture and all potential factors and explanations for behavior. But if you’re not sure whether a rehab program for alcoholism in Florida is the right choice, reaching out to a professional for help is often the best idea. If addiction is a possibility, a better-safe-than-sorry attitude is often the right approach, and admissions counselors or other professionals can help you gauge the situation and make the right treatment decisions for you.

When it comes to treatment, you do have options. Here’s a look at several of the most common options for alcohol treatment center in Florida.

Inpatient Treatment

Occurs in a residential treatment setting, which means you live full-time at the treatment facility during your therapy, which can last weeks or even months. Many inpatient facilities have comfortable or even luxury accommodations. Transition Recovery’s inpatient program provides for all the best practices in addiction therapy as well as a holistic approach to treatment.

Partial Hospitalization

These are usually considered step-down programs for individuals who have completed inpatient alcohol rehab and are ready to make the next step toward a sober living lifestyle.

Intensive Outpatient Programs

This can be an option for someone moving through the process from inpatient treatment to “regular” life, but it can also be a treatment option when inpatient rehab is not the right choice but daily therapy is necessary. An IOP allows you to return home at the end of the day to your family or your own bed, but it still requires you to participate in all-day treatment in a supervised environment.

Outpatient Treatment Options

The requirements for outpatient treatment can vary by facility and situation. You might only have to attend a treatment center a few hours a day or a few days a week. The goal of this step in the transition process is to provide ongoing professional support for someone who is beginning to integrate back into their regular daily life.

Individual and Group Therapy

Some people mistakenly believe that after time in an alcohol rehab center in Florida, they will be “cured.” Unfortunately, addiction is a chronic disease, which means that while you can manage the symptoms and even live symptom-free for years — or even the rest of your life — you’re never 100 percent cured. This is why it’s important to continue seeking support via individual counseling or group therapy even after you’ve completed inpatient and outpatient rehab.

Should You Choose Outpatient or Inpatient Alcohol Rehab?

Many people who consider alcohol addiction treatment wonder if they really need to start with inpatient alcohol rehab. With outpatient options available, do you really have to separate yourself from your career, family, social circle and other aspects of life?

The truth is, that separation is one big reason inpatient rehab is the right choice in so many cases. Addictions typically don’t happen in a vacuum, and life factors are often catalysts or triggers for alcohol use. By separating yourself from those things, you can better work toward understanding the root causes of your alcohol abuse. Within our inpatient alcohol rehab, you’re also surrounded by caring, support groups who help you develop healthier coping skills to handle triggers once you return to daily life.

Our Inpatient Program Options

At Transitions Recovery Program, we offer a number of inpatient program options with group counseling. Dual diagnosis options help you recover from alcohol addiction while addressing another issue such as a mental health disorder also known as co-occurring disorders or addiction to a second substance.

Long-term rehab provides extensive treatment for several months, which may be appropriate for individuals who have been experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms and reached a very difficult level of drug addiction, are addicted to both alcohol and drugs or who have found that no previous treatment options have worked for them.

What to Expect From Treatment

Everyone’s treatment journey is different, but here are some things you can expect if you seek assistance from Transitions Recovery Program for detoxification and alcohol addiction. Our compassionate staff will listen to you and offer recommendations about treatment options in Florida, which may include admission into Transitions Recovery’s inpatient alcohol treatment program.

The staff will work with you to realize the full benefits of quitting alcohol to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your needs and your individual struggle with alcohol. During your stay at Transitions Recovery Program, you’ll participate in individual and group therapy to help you discover the root causes of your substance use disorders and develop coping mechanisms that can help keep you sober when you return to regular life and have to face those situations again.

Transitions Recovery Program also offers a number of other treatment options including recreational therapy. As the time for discharge from the inpatient program approaches, the team at Transitions works with you to develop a post-inpatient treatment plan so you remain supported as you transition back to regular life.

Will Insurance Cover Your Alcohol Addiction Treatment?

The Affordable Healthcare Act requires that all insurance plans offered under government marketplaces have behavioral therapy health components — and that includes coverage of chemical dependency treatment. Your insurance likely provides some coverage for inpatient alcohol rehab, and the team at Transitions Recovery Program can help you understand your benefits.

Affordability or financial concerns should never keep you from seeking professional assistance with an alcohol addiction, though. If you believe you need help, reach out to talk to someone in the substance abuse healthcare community. The counselors at Transitions Recovery Program — or your doctor or individual therapist — are able to provide recommendations for a variety of treatment options to meet any economic situation The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism also provides helpful information.

What to Do If You or Someone You Love Is Struggling With Alcohol Addiction

If, when reviewing the symptoms lists above, you’re able to say you or your loved one consistently displays one or more of them, alcohol abuse may be an issue. But many of those same symptoms can be signs of a mental health services or physical health issue, so consider seeing your physician for a checkup. If you already have an individual therapist, you can also discuss the symptoms with them.

If you can check off many of the above symptoms, you may be dealing with an alcohol addiction. Even if you’re still functioning at home, work or school, constant alcohol addiction puts your health, relationships, career, future and even freedom at risk, and it may be time to seek help to get out of that cycle of addiction.

If you’re concerned about a loved one, try to talk to them about their alcohol use. Be supportive and nonjudgmental, but encourage them to seek help and offer to help them learn about options. Helping someone you love fight alcoholism isn’t easy, but your support could make the difference in the success or failure of their treatment, and even whether or not they decide to seek treatment and aftercare at all.

For more help and to find out what treatment options are available in our alcohol rehab center in Florida, call Transitions Recovery Program at 888-435-7069. You can also use our online contact form. Our staff is available to speak with you any time. It’s never too late to call, and even if you’re not 100 percent sure if inpatient alcohol rehab is necessary, your peace of mind is worth a phone call right now.

This web copy was reviewed by Transitions Recovery Program’s Director – Marian Bach, LMHC, CAP