How Does Outpatient Treatment Help People Recover From Alcoholism?

There are many treatment options available to individuals looking to recover from alcoholism nowadays. That includes inpatient treatment programs or partial hospitalization programs (PHPs). However, not everyone requires inpatient substance abuse treatment. For instance, intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are designed for individuals who do not meet the “diagnostic criteria” for inpatient treatment. 

These programs offer a unique approach to treatment compared to typical inpatient programs. The main goals of many programs are to create psychological support, teach coping skills, and develop relapse prevention plans. These steps can help you abstain from alcohol consumption and live a life of recovery. Continue reading to learn more about how outpatient treatment can help you recover from alcoholism, and contact West Coast Recovery Centers for more about our programs today. 

What You Need to Know About Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction, now commonly referred to as alcohol use disorder (AUD), is defined as a medical condition “characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences.” The more alcohol you consume or, the longer it remains untreated, the harder it can be to recover from. It can also cause a number of adverse effects, including: 

• Impaired brain and cognitive function 
• Loss of consciousness 
• Changes in mood or behaviors 
• Cardiovascular complications and increased risk of heart attack 
• Increased risk of stroke 
• Potential liver damage 
• Problem with the pancreas 
• The development of other chronic health conditions, including different cancers 

But what makes some people more susceptible to developing an alcohol addiction?

The direct causes of alcohol addiction remain unknown. However, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) indicates that three main factors can increase the overall risk of developing AUD. That includes: 

• Drinking at an early age as research shows individuals who begin drinking before age 15 are three times as likely to report experiencing AUD 
• Genetics. family factors, and heritability account for about 60% of AUD cases 
• The presence of other mental health disorders and a history of trauma 

These and other factors may increase the likelihood of AUD developing. However, the first step toward treatment and recovery is recognizing the signs. 

Recognizing the Signs of AUD

You can not recover from AUD until you are able to recognize and accept your struggle with alcohol. Sometimes, that requires friends, family, and loved ones to recognize the signs, but you should also be able to identify them within yourself. 

Some signs that signs to be on the lookout for if you are struggling with alcohol addiction are: 

• Drinking more and longer than intended 
• Unsuccessful attempts to reduce or stop alcohol consumption 
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you do not drink 
• Constantly thinking about drinking alcohol 
• Continuing to drink despite adverse effects 
• Spending excessive time getting alcohol and drinking more to experience the same effect
• The inability to fulfill personal or professional responsibilities because of drinking 
• Isolating from people or withdrawing from activities you once enjoyed 
• Engaging in risky behavior, such as unprotected sex or driving under the influence
• Spending a lot of time drinking and recovering from excessive drinking – frequent hangovers 

Ways You Can Recover From Alcoholism

Alcohol addiction is serious and requires professional treatment to overcome. Thankfully, there are a number of ways to recover from alcoholism. That includes a variety of treatment options. Here are just a few clinical modalities that may help you recover from AUD in addition to outpatient treatment:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps clients identify and recognize harmful thoughts perpetuating their cycle of addiction. It also helps them determine why they experience these compulsive behaviors and learn how to modify them accordingly. Doing so can help you manage your cravings and prevent relapse.
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is another talk therapy that can help you recover from alcoholism. Based on CBT, DBT uses mindfulness to enhance skills and help clients make more effective choices aligned with their recovery goals.  
• Modalities like CBT and DBT are often implemented into individual therapy sessions. However, group therapy can also help people recover from AUD. It provides the chance to share your experiences, learn from others, and learn to process complex thoughts and feelings regarding addiction in a safe, like-minded space.  

So, with these modalities in mind, how can outpatient treatment help you recover from alcoholism? 

How Outpatient Treatment Helps People Recover from Alcoholism Long-Term

Outpatient treatment is a convenient and flexible way to get help for your alcohol addiction. If your situation is not severe enough for a residential or inpatient program, then outpatient is a viable option. 

Outpatient is perfect when you need help but need to balance your life. During the program, you will engage in therapy, clinical modalities, and mindfulness practices to help you learn how to manage your addiction. You will learn relapse prevention and recovery skills to reduce relapse and catch an early problem of alcohol addiction before more severe interventions are necessary. 

Our intensive outpatient program at West Coast Recovery Centers can help you, especially if you are in the early stages of recognizing a problem with alcohol. Visit our website or give us a call to start healing today. 

It seems more and more individuals are developing substance use disorder (SUD) each day. That includes alcohol use disorder (AUD). Thankfully, there are a number of treatment options available to people looking to recover from alcoholism. One of those many options is outpatient treatment. Whereas inpatient rehabilitation focuses on offering detox and around-the-clock care, outpatient is an excellent option for people in the early stages of alcohol and addiction who need to balance their daily lives while getting help. Outpatient treatment can help you recover by teaching coping skills and relapse prevention techniques, reducing the risk of relapse. To learn more about our intensive outpatient program at West Coast Recovery Centers, call us at (760) 492-6509.