Comprehensive Alcohol Addiction Treatment in Austin, TX | Alpha Behavioral Health

When seeking alcohol addiction treatment, you want a place that does not just offer comprehensive treatment. You want a place that understands you. Finding treatment is often not the hardest part of recovery. It’s preparing for what comes after treatment that can be scary and confusing. At Alpha Behavioral Health, we understand the trepidation felt by those struggling with addiction. To put your mind at ease, we don’t just offer quality treatment; we also offer programs designed to give you a leg up in your recovery. With a commitment to understanding and caring support, our clients don’t just succeed at recovery. They thrive.

However, to truly understand the importance of alcohol addiction treatment, we must first gain an understanding of alcohol addiction and its impact on a person’s mental health. 

Understanding Alcohol Addiction

What Is Alcohol Addiction?

Alcohol addiction, also known as an alcohol use disorder (AUD) or alcoholism, is defined as a pattern of alcohol use that negatively impacts your life and health. People with an alcohol addiction have problems controlling their drinking, are preoccupied with obtaining and using alcohol, and will continue to use alcohol even when it causes problems. 

Alcohol addiction occurs because of physical and psychological dependency. When using alcohol, the brain’s natural brain chemistry is disrupted. Alcohol triggers a “feel good” loop in the brain by increasing the release of endorphins that are linked to reward and pleasure. The brain, over time, adjusts to this new “normal” and becomes dependent on alcohol. This causes the user to crave alcohol, which forces them to use more to avoid painful withdrawal symptoms. Over time, the body becomes tolerant of alcohol, forcing the user to increase their usage in a never-ending cycle to seek that same “feel good” state.  

People become psychologically addicted to alcohol as a form of self-medicating. When people are in pain or are struggling with an underlying mental health disorder, they may turn to substance use to make them feel better. Though they will experience the same cycle or increased usage from physical dependency, they may feel like alcohol is essential to maintaining their mental health. A person, for example, may believe they can’t sleep without nightmares if they don’t drink alcohol or that they can’t be in a social situation without alcohol “giving them courage” first. 

Regardless of why or how an alcohol addiction forms, it leaves a noticeable effect on both the user and their loved ones.

Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Abuse

It’s important to be aware of the signs of alcohol abuse. Answering yes to any of the questions below is a sign of alcohol abuse and addiction. 

• Have you given up or reduced the number of important social, recreational, or occupational events or activities because of your alcohol use?
• Do you want to reduce or quit using alcohol but keep failing to do so? 
• Is most of your time spent thinking about, obtaining, using, or recovering from alcohol use? 
• Do you experience cravings or strong desires to use alcohol, even when it’s not appropriate?
• Are you failing to fulfill your obligations at work, school, or home due to alcohol use? 
• Have you used alcohol at times when it’s not appropriate or dangerous, such as while at work or when driving? 
• Do you continue to use alcohol despite it having caused persistent problems in your work, social, or home life? 
• Have you found yourself using alcohol in larger amounts over a longer period than originally intended? 
• Do you experience withdrawal symptoms when not using alcohol, such as nausea, insomnia, or tremors? 
• Have you continued to use alcohol despite knowing that it’s causing you persistent or reoccurring physical or psychological harm? 
• Does it feel like you need more alcohol to experience the same effects as before? 
• Do you hide your alcohol use from your loved ones and peers? 
• Have you ever gotten into legal trouble due to drinking alcohol, such as driving while under the influence (DUI) or public intoxication? 

Besides the signs of alcohol abuse, there are also physical symptoms that can occur. Those who habitually use alcohol tend to look “unwell” and may struggle with neurological symptoms. In severe cases, consistent alcohol abuse can take a severe toll on a person’s physical health, resulting in various diseases. 

Some physical signs of alcohol abuse are: 

• Unsteady gait and loss of coordination
• Digestive issues, such as diarrhea, bloating, nausea, and vomiting
• Memory issues, such as blackouts or impaired memory
• Sweating
• Slurred speech
• Nystagmus (rapid, uncontrolled eye movements)
• Tachycardia (rapid heart rate)
• Jaundice
• Excessive sleepiness
• Stupor or coma
• The development of diseases such as alcoholic neuropathy, cirrhosis, and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS)
• Overdose, and in extreme cases, death due to alcohol poisoning 

The Impact of Alcohol on Mental Health

Alcohol addiction traps its users in a never-ending cycle of binging, withdrawal, and craving. Alcohol abuse often leads to other mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety, due to the helplessness a person may feel. The social stigma on alcohol addiction will sometimes cause a person to feel deep shame, which causes them to hide their addiction. Overall, alcohol is terrible for a person’s physical and mental health. This causes great distress and pain to a person because they know they must stop due to the effects of alcohol on themselves and their loved ones. However, they cannot stop. Not without the help of alcohol addiction treatment. 

However, there is hope. Alcohol, like other addictions or substance use disorders, can be treated. It requires a person to admit they need help, be willing to accept that help, and work hard to recover. Recovery is possible for everyone. This is especially true at Alpha Behavioral Health, whose rehab programs help clients across Texas get the help they need. 

The Need for Effective Addiction Treatment in Austin, TX

There are countless people in Texas right now who are struggling with alcohol addiction or a dual diagnosis (people with more than one mental health disorder). Due to the stigmatization of addiction, many people don’t know where to go to seek alcohol addiction treatment. They may fear being judged or belittled or genuinely are unaware of the steps that must be taken to seek and enroll in alcohol addiction treatment. Meeting this need involves education and the de-stigmatization of mental health care. By helping average people understand addiction and how it’s treated, more are empowered to start the recovery journey. 

Recovering is not as easy as one may think, but with professional help and support, one can accomplish anything.

Why Choose a Recovery Center for Alcohol Addiction Treatment?

A recovery center, also known as a rehab, is typically used for alcohol addiction treatment. These centers offer optimal programs and support to aid in recovery. They typically offer various treatment programs, but the most common are residential and outpatient treatments. 

While in residential treatment or a residential treatment center, clients have access to 24/7 support, including medical and mental health care. Professionals are available to make the detox process as safe and comfortable as possible. Residential treatment and residential treatment centers also provide a place for clients to temporarily remove themselves from an environment or situation that may be triggering their addiction. This allows clients to work on themselves without being constantly pressured or stressed out. Residential treatment is the most common treatment program used for those with a severe dual diagnosis. 

Those who may not need the intensity of a residential treatment center may also use an intensive outpatient program, which allows clients to receive treatment while fulfilling their obligations to work, school, and home. Though not every recovery center offers both programs, all of them offer some form of addiction treatment. 

Every rehab and recovery center is different, but the general goal is to allow a client to detox safely, treat the underlying cause of their alcohol addiction, and give them the tools needed to be successful post-treatment. Those who seek treatment at a residential treatment center are more likely to successfully achieve long-lasting recovery compared to those who try to go at it alone. 

Understanding Substance Use Disorder

It’s important to remember that a person does not choose to have substance use disorder. Many factors contribute to the likelihood of developing substance use disorder – many of which are outside a person’s control. Genetics, family history, and environment are all contributors. Peer pressure, chronic pain, and untreated mental health disorders are others. Regardless of the reason, a person engages in substance use in a misguided attempt to fix a serious problem. The most common of which is to mask or soothe physical or mental pain. People may engage in substance abuse after watching the adults in their lives abuse substances, believing that it’s the correct way to deal with stress and other difficulties. 

No matter the reason, a person does not choose to become addicted to a substance or behavior. Addictions are not punishments for a moral slight or failing. Those with an addiction deserve compassionate treatment for their addiction, especially at Alpha Behavioral Health.

Alpha Behavioral Health’s Approach to Alcohol Addiction Treatment in Texas

Each substance is different and thus requires specialized treatment to overcome addiction. One of Alpha Behavioral Health’s specialties is alcohol addiction and treatment. By offering a comprehensive, holistic treatment philosophy, each client can expect optimal treatment for optimal results. The goal is to build up each client and give them the tools and confidence needed to remain in recovery. Part of this is evidence-backed treatment, and the other is participation in a supportive and encouraging community. 

The steps to treatment at Alpha Behavioral Health for alcohol addiction treatment are:

• Detoxification and withdrawal management
• Therapy while learning coping strategies and relapse prevention techniques 
• The teaching of long-term management of alcohol addiction, such as craving management and trigger identification
• Aftercare

The detoxification process is straightforward. This process detoxes alcohol from the client’s body so it can heal and achieve a new chemical balance. Though clients will undergo withdrawal symptoms during this process, medical professionals are there for optimal safety and comfort. After the detoxification process, clients undergo a treatment plan that combines various therapies with skill programs. During treatment, clients learn how to manage their recovery in the long term through, for example, craving management education and relapse prevention training. Once a client has finished their treatment, they enter an aftercare program designed to help them settle into a healthy, sober life.

Clients don’t just show up, get treatment, and leave. Each client will always be able to find support and help within the Alpha Behavioral Health community. To Alpha Behavioral Health, each client is a person, not a number or bottom line. As each client is different, some treatment options may be different, depending on their unique needs and challenges. 

Individualized Addiction Treatment Programs for Young Adults

Alpha Behavioral Health offers an intensive outpatient program and residential transitional living program to treat addiction in teens and young adults. Besides the classic psychotherapies, clients at Alpha Behavioral Health also utilize individual counseling and the Alpha Launch program as part of alcohol addiction treatment. 

Psychotherapy Techniques for Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Also known as talk therapy, psychotherapy is used to accomplish several goals related to alcohol addiction treatment. These are to stop self-destructive behaviors, establish a state of emotional equilibrium, develop healthy coping skills, and foster understanding with one’s family. The three most common psychotherapies used at Alpha Behavioral Health are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and family therapy. 

Cognitive behavioral therapy works by helping clients identify harmful thoughts and behavioral patterns. These patterns are what often keep people trapped in an addiction and make it difficult to stop. Once a person can identify these harmful patterns, they can replace them with healthy coping skills. Cognitive behavioral therapy is also used to help clients discover the underlying cause of their addiction, such as trauma, a co-occurring mental health disorder, or peer pressure. 

Dialectical behavior therapy works by helping clients identify, manage, regulate, and accept their emotions. Part of dialectical behavior therapy is learning how to accept yourself and be the healthiest person you can be. For alcohol addiction treatment, clients may work on the intense emotions they feel as a result of their addiction, such as anger or shame. The goal is to change harmful emotional patterns so clients can make healthy choices without being overcome by intense emotions. 

Family therapy works by helping clients and their families understand each other. It’s difficult to recover without a strong support network, and many people rely on their families for that support. Family therapy is also used to help families overcome and mediate problems with the oversight of a professional. Because Alpha Behavioral Health treats teens and young adults, family therapy is used as a way to bridge generational gaps for a healthy and positive home life. 

Transitional Living Program

For those who need more help than what an intensive outpatient program can offer, Alpha Behavioral Health has the Alpha 180 transitional living program located in downtown Austin, Texas. This is a residential treatment program designed to help young men get a head start in life by accomplishing goals such as:

• Receiving comprehensive addiction and dual diagnosis treatment
• Providing peer support
• Establishing a supportive community
• Providing family therapy and support 
• Teaching essential life skills for work, school, and home
• Engaging in exciting, sober activities and adventures 
• Teaching and practicing relapse prevention
• Providing professional oversight for optimal safety and support
• Offering a safe place to return to when in need of help 

With the Alpha 180 transitional living program, clients can expect to leave treatment with a firm foundation in recovery and the drive to succeed. 

Why Choose Alpha Behavioral Health for Alcohol Addiction Treatment?

Clients choose Alpha Behavioral Health for alcohol addiction treatment because of our philosophy of respect and understanding. With the combination of quality treatment, compassionate professionals, and commitment to community, family, and peer support, clients gain all the tools they need for a successful recovery. Each client is not just treated as an individual. They are encouraged and empowered to accomplish great deeds because we sincerely believe they can do so. All they need is help and support, which Alpha Behavioral Health provides for each client who enrolls in our treatment programs. It’s not just providing treatment – it’s encouraging teens and young adults to become confident and strong individuals so they can lead successful lives.  

Potential clients and their families are always encouraged to contact Alpha Behavioral Health to ask questions, request a tour, or simply talk to a mental health care professional. Remember, it’s not just alcohol addiction treatment that Alpha Behavioral Health can provide. Clients can experience a new, healthy, and successful life as well. 

Alcohol is one of the most commonly used addictive substances in North America, especially among teens and young adults. The reasons for alcohol addiction vary, but ultimately, it’s the result of someone attempting to relieve the pain they feel or fit in with others. However, anyone can recover from alcohol addiction if they have access to quality and compassionate addiction treatment. Here at Alpha Behavioral Health, located in Austin, TX, our clients find success in their recovery. With understanding and compassionate staff paired with comprehensive and cutting-edge treatment, our clients get the support they need to overcome anything. If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, don’t wait. Call us today at (833) 257-4218.