The science of alcohol treatment has grown by leaps and bounds in the last several years. What used to be considered an intractable disease with no clear path to recovery now has several effective methods of treatment available. Many people overcome alcohol abuse and achieve lasting recovery with the help of behavioral health professionals.
At Malibu Detox, our team is dedicated to helping people realize that sobriety is both possible and attainable. By bringing together extensive evidence-based therapies and a team of compassionate mental health and addiction professionals, anyone can find the tools they need to break free from their alcohol addiction.
Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol use disorder is a progressive disease that can severely impact a person’s ability to function in their everyday life. People can show signs of alcohol addiction just weeks or months after they begin drinking, or they may not show symptoms for years or decades.Â
Regardless, once the effects of an alcohol use disorder kick in, it becomes vital to find comprehensive alcohol treatment services. People with alcohol use disorder experience several troubling symptoms, including:
- Persistent cravings for alcohol
- Loss of interest in activities outside of alcohol use
- Worsening mental health symptoms due to alcohol use
- Problems at work, school, or home due to alcohol use
- Multiple failed attempts to cut back or quit alcohol on your own
- Intense physical withdrawal symptoms when alcohol use suddenly stops
Most people with alcohol use disorder struggle to stop drinking on their own. When they engage in alcohol treatment, they can learn strategies and gain insight with the help of a supportive team of professionals.
How Alcohol Treatment Can Help
Recovery is about more than just mere abstinence, and alcohol treatment can help people thrive in several domains of life. Effective treatment can help people rebuild damaged relationships, learn healthy coping mechanisms to deal with life’s stressors, and build lives in recovery that leave alcohol abuse in the past.
Treatment Programs for Alcohol
Alcohol treatment typically takes place in stages. Different levels of care focus on different aspects of recovery, which helps people move through each distinct stage of the process.
Medical Detox
Medical detox is the first stage of alcohol treatment and focuses primarily on helping people overcome the physical withdrawal symptoms that occur when they suddenly stop binge drinking or consuming too much alcohol regularly.Â
Alcohol withdrawal can be deadly if attempted cold turkey, making medical detox a necessary resource for people attempting to recover from alcohol dependence and abuse.
In medical detox, patients are monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Targeted medications can vastly reduce the physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawal and ensure the safety of each patient in the process.
Residential Treatment
During residential alcohol treatment, people live on-site at a treatment facility where they receive intensive therapies to help them overcome patterns of alcohol abuse. Residential treatment offers a safe place to rest and recover, removed from the triggers and stressors of the outside world.
Partial Hospitalization Programs
Partial hospitalization programs are the most intensive form of outpatient treatment. People attend treatment several days a week, for several hours at a time, but they return to their own homes or supportive recovery houses after the treatment day is complete.
Intensive Outpatient Programs
Intensive outpatient programs are a step down from partial hospitalization programs. People still receive the same intensive therapies for alcohol problems found in residential treatment, but they only attend treatment for a few hours at a time, several days a week.
Outpatient Treatment Programs
Outpatient programs require a small time commitment but keep people connected to the therapists, counselors, and treatments that help them stay on track. Outpatient treatment is inherently flexible and can fit around work, school, or busy life schedules.
Aftercare Programs
Aftercare programs provide long-lasting support and accountability to people who have graduated from an alcohol treatment program. They include services such as alumni groups, counseling, and continued medical treatment for alcohol dependence.
Sober Living
Sober living houses are supportive homes for people recovering from substance abuse. They help people remain accountable and provide a safe place for them to rebuild their routines and relationships.
Alcohol Addiction Treatment Services
Alcohol addiction treatment services provide individuals with the support and resources they need to overcome their addiction and lead a healthy, sober life. At Malibu Detox, we offer personalized treatment programs that address each person’s unique needs and challenges.
Our team of addiction specialists is dedicated to helping individuals break free from their alcohol dependence. We understand that every individual’s recovery journey is different, so we tailor our treatments to meet your specific goals and needs. From detoxification to therapy and aftercare services, our program offers comprehensive care that addresses all aspects of alcohol addiction.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Alcohol Addiction
It is estimated that nearly half of all individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) also have a co-occurring mental health condition, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Dual diagnosis treatment for alcohol addiction can help people who struggle with both addiction and mental health disorders by treating both conditions simultaneously. This makes dual diagnosis treatment an essential part of recovery, assisting people who struggle to stay sober by addressing any untreated mental illness. For this reason, these programs can help clients achieve long-term sobriety and improve overall well-being.
Evidence-Based Therapies for Alcohol Use Disorder
Evidence-based therapies are treatments that have been thoroughly vetted through clinical studies and controlled trials. Evidence-based therapies have proven themselves to be effective at helping reduce relapse, promote abstinence, and improve quality of life in recovery. These therapies include:
Individual Therapy​
In individual therapy, clients meet with a counselor or therapist one-on-one to discuss their unique situations and challenges. This can help people identify what their triggers for alcohol use are, uncover any underlying mental health concerns, and learn valuable coping skills that can last a lifetime.
Group Therapy​
Group therapy has long been a staple of alcohol abuse treatment. By bringing together a group of people with shared experiences, participants can share strategies that worked for them to cut down or stop drinking, celebrate their victories with one another, and give back to other people trying to break free from substance abuse.
Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)
Experiential Therapy
Experiential therapies include practices such as equine therapy, art therapy, and music therapy. These styles of therapies invoke a non-conventional approach to treating alcohol use disorder but are still highly effective.
Start Treatment Today
When you’re ready to break free from alcohol abuse and alcoholism, contact the team at Malibu Detox & Residential Treatment Center by filling out our confidential online form.
Our team has the experience, expertise, and dedication required to help you overcome your alcohol use disorder and find fulfillment in recovery. Don’t delay seeking treatment any longer — a healthier future is waiting for you.
