Alcohol Rehab Center in Indiana​​

Introduction To Alcohol Treatment

Unlike addictions to certain drugs, alcohol addiction is not a struggle that develops after one use. It arises out of a pattern of ongoing use and abuse. In many cases, an adult who shares an occasional drink with friends or has a drink with dinner will not go on to develop an alcohol use disorder. However, there are instances where alcohol consumption becomes uncontrollable. These are the cases where alcohol use disorders or alcohol addiction can develop.

Alcohol addiction is classified according to severity. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition or DSM-5, provides eleven diagnostic criteria to help addiction treatment providers diagnose the presence and severity of an alcohol use disorder. One does not need to exhibit all eleven criteria to have an alcohol use disorder. Generally, two or three signs identify a mild alcohol use disorder; four or five are considered moderate, and six or more are considered severe.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism estimates that over seventeen million American adults have alcohol use disorders of varying severity. Additionally, another nine-hundred thousand Americans between the ages of twelve and seventeen have alcohol use disorders. In Indiana, nearly 6% of individuals over the age of twelve met the diagnostic criteria for an alcohol use disorder in 2017. If only 18-25 year old’s are considered, the figure jumps to 12.5%.

When someone has an alcohol use disorder, they will frequently engage in heavy alcohol use or binge drinking. Although these may sound similar, they are indeed different ways of abusing alcohol. Binge drinking occurs when someone consumes more beverages in a short period than their body can process. For men, this means drinking five or more drinks in a two-hour window. For women, it is four or more drinks. Heavy alcohol use means you engage in binge drinking five or more days within a month. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and prevention, these two forms of excessive alcohol use are linked to nearly 100,000 deaths each year in the United States. In 2018, the national average of people who engaged in excessive drinking was just over 18%. In Indiana, the number was 19.2% of adults.

Signs & Symptoms of Alcoholism​

As previously mentioned, mental health and addiction treatment professionals turned to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders to help diagnose the presence and severity of alcoholism or an alcohol use disorder. The eleven criteria listed in the DSM list various physical and psychological symptoms of alcohol addiction. It is crucial to recognize the signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse to ensure you, or a loved one, receives early and comprehensive addiction treatment at an alcohol rehab in Indiana, like Evolve Indy. Because addiction (to any substance) is unique to the individual, the signs and symptoms of addiction may look different from person to person. However, there are a variety of common symptoms often seen in most cases. Those include:

• Continuing to drink regardless of known physical harm or challenges with family and personal relationships
• Changes in appearance or lack of concern about hygiene
• Increasing isolation and distancing from friends and family.
• Intense and overwhelming urges to drink or experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you reduce or stop drinking. 
• Choosing alcohol over essential responsibilities and obligations.
• Sudden changes in mood or frequent mood swings.
• Drinking alone or making excuses for drinking.
• Cognitive changes such as blackouts or difficulties with short-term memory.

It is also essential to understand how alcohol addiction develops. Alcohol addiction or alcoholism is the most severe state of alcohol abuse. Once someone has developed alcoholism (commonly referred to as an alcohol use disorder), they will find it impossible to manage their drinking or reduce the amount they drink without seeking help at an alcohol rehab in Indiana. Both terms, alcoholism, and alcohol use disorder, are used interchangeably to describe excessive alcohol use that leads to psychological, behavioral, and physical harm to the user. The four stages of alcoholism were defined by E. Morton Jellinek, a researcher who was a significant contributor to today’s understanding that alcohol addiction is a disease, not a moral failing. 

As someone progresses through the stages of alcoholism, it will become more and more challenging to give up alcohol independently. Stage one or pre-alcoholic characterizes a stage where drinking is primarily social. For someone in stage one, there is often little evidence of problematic drinking. However, as this stage progresses, drinking is often used for other reasons, and with greater frequency. Near the end of stage one, a tolerance for the effects of alcohol begins to develop. Stage two, or early alcoholism, is characterized by the inability to resist drinking. While the individual may be uncomfortable with their dependency on alcohol, they are incapable of avoiding drinking. Additionally, someone who struggles with drinking may lie to their loved ones about how often they drink or why they drink during this stage.

Stage three, or middle alcoholism, is when the signs of alcoholism become apparent to friends and family. Typical behaviors associated with problematic drinking, such as skipping obligations to drink, or skipping out on work in favor of drinking, begin to occur. Additionally, behavioral changes such as mood swings, aggression, and physical changes linked to alcohol abuse become apparent. During stage three, it is not uncommon for someone to try to stop drinking without professional help, but inevitably relapse. The final stage is stage four, or late alcohol. During this stage, the physical and psychological effects of chronic long-term alcohol abuse are clearly observable. Severe physical and mental health problems may develop, and family, personal, and social relationships begin to fail as drinking becomes a priority.

Drug Addiction Treatment Center in Indiana

Indiviuadlized & Customized Addiction Treatment Programs

LEARN ABOUT OUR PERSONALIZED CARE

Our Alcohol Rehab in Indiana​​​

Alcohol addiction leads to a significant dependency on alcohol to function in one’s day-to-day life. Unfortunately, it becomes impossible to carry out daily obligations such as work, child care, school, or other life necessities without alcohol as a crutch. When someone who is addicted to alcohol tries to reduce or stop using, they will experience withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol is a substance that can lead to overwhelming and potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Depending on the severity of one’s addiction, withdrawal symptoms can lead to a medical emergency, or even death.

The severe withdrawal symptoms associated with alcohol detox and withdrawal point to the need for comprehensive, medically supported detox at an alcohol rehab in Indiana. During a medically supported detox, a team of highly trained medical professionals will provide support and guidance as you progress through the most challenging phases of detox. They will continuously monitor your vitals to ensure detox is successful. Once you’ve completed detox, you can transition into the therapeutic potion book, a holiday treatment program. During therapy, you will learn vital coping skills necessary to manage triggers and maintain lasting sobriety outside of the addiction treatment setting.

Re-Start Your Life With Our Alcohol Treatment Center in Indiana​​

When you choose our alcohol rehab in Indiana, our caring and compassionate treatment team will work with you to design a comprehensive alcohol addiction treatment program focused on your needs and goals. Addiction affects everyone differently, and therefore, your treatment programs must focus on your physical, psychological, and spiritual needs. As you seek recovery from alcohol addiction, our treatment providers are here to provide support and guidance every step of the way. If you would like to learn more about our alcohol treatment center in Indiana, contact the admissions team at Evolve Indy today. Let us help you restart your life and begin your journey to freedom from alcohol addiction.