Alcohol Addiction is a Medical Condition
One of the difficulties in recognizing alcohol addiction as a disease is, well frankly, it just sometimes doesn’t seem like one. However, alcoholism has been recognized for many years by professional medical organizations as a primary, chronic, progressive, and sometimes an even fatal disease.
Seeking help for an alcohol addiction can be a daunting process, not only due to the detox process and the thought of maintaining sobriety but also because of the strong stigma against addiction issues and getting professional treatment in the first place. When it comes to alcoholism as a specific problem, it is critical to remember that addiction to alcohol is a disease that needs treatment like any other medical condition, and not because of any moral or character deficit.
Congratulations on taking the first step on your road to recovery. It takes major guts and strength to admit – to yourself and others – that there’s a problem.
Let’s talk about what comes next: meeting with an experienced healthcare professional to first understand if you need detox. Most serious addictions to alcohol require a medically supervised detox program. However, the best way to evaluate where you are in the process is to work with a addiction professional who can collaborate with you on an effective treatment plan that works for you and your life. Typically detox is followed by a rehab program. Here at Sage we offer:
- Medically Assisted Addiction Detox
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
- Individual and Group Therapy Services, such as our Aftercare Group
Keep reading to learn more about Alcohol Abuse and Recovery Services here in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
What Alcohol Does to Your Body
Alcohol is a depressant that slows your brain function. Because your body’s job is to keep you alive, it learns to adapt to constantly having alcohol in its system. This makes your body work harder to ensure your central nervous system keeps working to keep you awake and alert. Eventually, your brain and body become dependent on drinking. The symptoms you experience when you quit drinking come from your body remaining in that survival mode.
Alcohol Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms
Alcohol withdrawal is the physical and psychological symptoms you might experience after heavy drinking for a long period of time. Withdrawal symptoms are a part of the alcohol detox process. Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can include:
- Insomnia
- Sweating
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Shaky hands
- Anxiety
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Disorientation
Alcohol Detox Treatment
While your body is detoxing and flushing out all the alcohol in your system, the withdrawal symptoms can be brutal and even deadly. Withdrawal symptoms typically subside after about two weeks but in the meantime, how do you deal with them?
Your detox process should be monitored by a professional. Your provider will check your vitals to make sure your condition does not worsen. They can also give you the necessary comfort medication to help ease your symptoms. At Sage, we have a fantastic, experienced, and dedicated detox team who will be empathetic to your needs and provide the best quality care to make you feel physically and emotionally safe and comfortable.
Professional Alcohol Recovery Services in New Mexico
Sage has a diverse group of trained addiction professionals and therapists here in Albuquerque who offer one-on-one addiction counseling and group sessions. Our program offers comprehensive care including therapy (individual, group, IOP), outpatient alcohol detox, psychiatric medication management, and access to Primary Care Services. Your individual sessions will help you develop the tools and confidence to address addiction, learn about triggers and coping methods, as well as explore underlying issues contributing to addictive behaviors.
Our Albuquerque-based, Intensive Outpatient Program lasts 12 weeks (meeting three times a week for three hours a day). We offer morning, afternoon, and evening times. Due to COVID-19, we are conducting these group meetings virtually. Sage’s IOP encourages clients to actively participate in their recovery in a safe and supportive environment. We use evidence-based, cutting edge, and diverse approaches including mindfulness, Matrix Model, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) interventions, and natural supports to help you heal.
Seeking help for your addiction is the best thing you can do for yourself, your family, and your future. The best day to start is today.