What Is The Best Alcohol Addiction Treatment Center Near Me?
✦ MARC ✦
Alcohol abuse is a devastating issue that impacts people, families, and communities around the world. Quality alcohol addiction treatment centers provide comprehensive, evidence-based care to those seeking to overcome substance abuse and dual diagnosis issues. MARC is dedicated to guiding our patients in the recovery journey with compassion, giving you the tools you need to get sober and fulfill your true potential.
Amanda Stevens
Dr. Po-Chang Hsu, M.D., M.S.
Amanda Stevens
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Key points
- Alcohol is a psychoactive substance that acts as a central nervous system depressant, impairing cognitive and physical functions.
- Alcohol addiction has severe physical effects, such as liver disease, cardiovascular problems, and certain cancers, as well as psychological impacts, like depression, anxiety, and social isolation.
- Alcohol use disorder (AUD) affects over 28 million Americans aged 12 and older, highlighting the need for accessible, evidence-based treatment and recovery resources.
- Alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous, with symptoms ranging from tremors to delirium tremens, which require professional management to avoid severe health risks.
- Effective alcohol addiction treatment includes various approaches such as extended care, outpatient programs, sober living, and family support.
What Is Alcohol?
Alcohol is a psychoactive substance that is ingested through the consumption of beverages such as beer, wine, and liquor.[1] When alcohol enters the bloodstream, it acts as a central nervous system depressant, slowing down brain activity and impairing physical and cognitive functions.[2]
In small to moderate amounts, alcohol can produce feelings of relaxation, sociability, and mild euphoria. However, prolonged or heavy alcohol use can lead to a host of negative physical and mental health consequences.[3]
Chemically, alcohol is comprised of ethanol, a colorless, volatile liquid produced through the fermentation of sugars by yeast, and water.[4] Alcohol is considered a legal recreational substance for adults in most parts of the world, though it is a controlled substance with age restrictions on its purchase and consumption.
Despite its legal status, alcohol is an addictive drug that can hijack the brain’s reward system and lead to the development of alcoholism, a chronic and relapsing condition characterized by compulsive alcohol use, loss of control over intake, and the emergence of negative emotional states when access to alcohol is restricted.
The Effects of Alcohol Addiction and Abuse
Alcohol addiction and abuse can have devastating and wide-ranging effects on a person’s physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life. Prolonged, heavy alcohol use can lead to a host of serious medical conditions, including:[5]
- Liver disease (cirrhosis, fatty liver, hepatitis)
- Cardiovascular problems (high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke)
- Certain types of cancer (mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon)
- Weakened immune system
Beyond the physical tolls, alcohol addiction also takes a major psychological and emotional toll as well. People struggling with alcoholism often experience:[6]
- Depression and anxiety
- Difficulty regulating emotions
- Impaired cognitive function and memory loss
- Strained relationships and social isolation
- Financial troubles and employment issues
- Legal problems related to intoxicated behavior
The all-encompassing nature of alcohol addiction can also have profound impacts on a person’s overall well-being, including their ability to maintain healthy habits, pursue meaningful goals, and enjoy a fulfilling life.
Seeking comprehensive, evidence-based treatment at a specialized alcohol addiction treatment center near you is crucial for breaking the cycle of alcohol abuse and reclaiming your health.
Alcohol Quick Reference
| Drug Category | Commercial & Street Names | DEA Schedule | DEA Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Depressant | Brew, booze, hootch, juice, moonshine | None | Orally |
How Common is Alcohol Use Disorder?
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition characterized by an inability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences.[7] AUD exists on a spectrum, with mild, moderate, and severe classifications based on the number of criteria met in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 28.9 million people ages 12 and older had AUD in the past year.[8] This means that over 1 in 10 people in the U.S. are struggling with problematic alcohol use. The high rates of AUD underscore the need for widespread access to evidence-based alcohol addiction treatment and recovery resources. No one should have to face the challenges of alcoholism alone, and there are many pathways that can help those with AUD achieve sobriety and reclaim their lives.
Is Alcohol Withdrawal Dangerous?
When a person who is dependent on alcohol suddenly stops or dramatically reduces their intake, their brain and body go into a state of shock, leading to a range of uncomfortable and dangerous symptoms.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms usually begin within 6 to 24 hours after the last drink and may include:[9]
- Tremors or shaking
- Sweating
- Anxiety and restlessness
- Nausea and upset stomach
- Rapid heart rate
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- Delirium tremens (DTs)
Delirium tremens can be fatal if not properly managed. DTs typically occur 2-3 days after the last drink and involve severe confusion, agitation, fever, and potentially life-threatening changes in the cardiovascular system.[10]
Due to the risks associated with alcohol withdrawal, it’s important that those struggling with alcohol seek professional help when attempting to quit or cut back on drinking. Attempting to detox at home without supervision can be extremely dangerous.
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What Are the Treatment Options for Alcohol Abuse?
Overcoming alcohol addiction often requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the physical, psychological, and social aspects of the disorder. Quality alcohol addiction treatment centers offer a continuum of care with various levels of treatment to meet the unique needs of each client:
Similar to a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), this intensive level of care provides clinical support and structure for those who require a higher level of monitoring and intervention in early recovery. MARC also combines extended care with the option of sober living for full, wraparound recovery support.
Our IOP programs offer several hours of mental health therapy, behavioral health treatment, and counseling per week, allowing patients to live independently while receiving robust clinical care and support.
Thriving alumni communities connect people with ongoing peer support, social activities, and opportunities to give back after completing a treatment program.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Alcohol addiction treatment often includes Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to address negative thought patterns and behaviors, Motivational Interviewing (MI) to boost motivation for change. Family Therapy is also common, helping to improve family dynamics and engage with your support system.
Support groups are often important in recovery as they provide a sense of community, accountability, and shared experiences. They offer emotional support and practical advice from others who understand the challenges of addiction, which can significantly enhance long-term recovery efforts.
A relapse is when someone returns to drinking after a period of abstinence. In treatment, it is handled by acknowledging it as a part of the recovery process, reassessing and adjusting the treatment plan, seeking additional support, and learning from the experience to strengthen future recovery efforts.
The cost of treatment depends on the type of treatment needed, the level of care prescribed, what recovery center you choose, the scope of insurance coverage, and whether Medicaid or Medicare will be used to supplement the cost of treatment services. At MARC, we’re an in-network provider with Kaiser Permanente and work with most major insurance carriers. To see what the cost of treatment would be for you or a loved one, call today.
[1] World Health Organization. (2024). Alcohol. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/alcohol on August 8, 2024
[2] Medline Plus. (2010). Alcohol. Medlineplus.gov; National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/alcohol.html on August 8, 2024
[3] Berger, D. (2023, April 10). Medical Complications: Common Alcohol-Related Concerns | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Www.niaaa.nih.gov. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/health-professionals-communities/core-resource-on-alcohol/medical-complications-common-alcohol-related-concerns on August 8, 2024
[4] Humans, I. W. G. on the E. of C. R. to. Chemical Composition of Alcoholic Beverages, Additives and Contaminants. In www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. International Agency for Research on Cancer. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK531662/on August 8, 2024
[5] National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2021). Alcohol’s Effects on the Body. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA); NIAAA. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohols-effects-bodyon August 8, 2024
[6] National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2022, May 6). Mental health issues: Alcohol use disorder and common co-occurring conditions. Www.niaaa.nih.gov. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/health-professionals-communities/core-resource-on-alcohol/mental-health-issues-alcohol-use-disorder-and-common-co-occurring-conditions on August 8, 2024
[7] NIAAA. (2020). Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder. Www.niaaa.nih.gov; National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/understanding-alcohol-use-disorder on August 8, 2024
[8] National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2023). Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in the United States: Age Groups and Demographic Characteristics. Www.niaaa.nih.gov. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-topics/alcohol-facts-and-statistics/alcohol-use-disorder-aud-united-states-age-groups-and-demographic-characteristicson August 8, 2024
[9, 10] Alcohol withdrawal. (2024, January 25). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/alcohol-withdrawal on August 8, 2024
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