Alcohol Abuse Treatment and Rehab in New Jersey

Understanding Alcohol Abuse and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

Common symptoms of AUD include drinking more or longer than intended, unsuccessful attempts to cut down, and spending a lot of time drinking or recovering from drinking. Additionally, long-term alcohol use and addiction aren’t necessary for life-threatening consequences to occur.

One episode of binge drinking, which may be defined as alcohol abuse rather than alcohol use disorder, involves drinking five or more drinks for men or four or more drinks for women during one event, and can be fatal. It leads to the following risks.

• Drinking and driving

• Injuries are tied to poor decision-making

• Physical conditions like alcohol poisoning, irregular heartbeat, respiratory issues, and acute pancreatitis

• Miscarriage or stillbirth in pregnant women

If you find yourself developing an alcohol use disorder or engaging in dangerous alcohol abuse behavior, intervention is necessary.

Recognizing Signs You Need Alcohol Treatment

The CAGE questionnaire was developed in 1968 by Dr. John Ewing, the founding director of the Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It is considered to have a 93% accuracy in pinpointing an alcohol problem.

The short test can be administered by a doctor or as a self-test. Respondents should consider behaviors and feelings throughout their lives, not just in the present, when answering the following questions:

• Have you ever felt you needed to cut down on your drinking?

• Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?

• Have you ever felt guilty about drinking?

• Have you ever felt you needed a drink first thing in the morning (eye-opener) to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?

In the past year, having two or more symptoms related to alcohol use can indicate the presence of AUD. But if you answered yes to even one question, the probability of having an alcohol problem is 25%, 50% if you answered yes to two questions, 75% if you answered yes to three questions, and 95% if you answered yes to all four questions.

Answering yes to two or more questions does not diagnose a person as an alcoholic. It does indicate there may be a problem, and a broader look into symptoms of alcohol use disorder is advisable.

How Alcohol Abuse Affects Your Physical and Mental Health

If you drink alcohol often, it may affect your health in many ways, causing both physical and mental health issues. There are short and long-term effects to consider as follows:

Short-Term Health Effects of Alcohol Consumption

• Alcohol poisoning

• Memory loss

• Dizziness

• Vomiting

• Self-harm

• Tiredness

• Coordination loss

• Impaired judgment

• Headaches

Long-Term Health Consequences of Chronic Alcohol Abuse

• Increased risk of dementia and stroke

• Increased risk of stomach ulcers and bowel/stomach cancer

• Increased blood pressure

• Increased risk of liver cancer

• Reduced testosterone levels and sperm count in men

• Heart attacks

• Reduced fertility in women

• Heart damage

• Increased risk of liver cirrhosis

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms and the Need for Medical Treatment

The body’s nervous system controls blood pressure, breathing, heart rate, motor function, and the activity of the nervous system, digestive glands, and muscles. Because alcohol is a depressant, it slows the nervous system. After a time, the nervous system adapts to the presence of alcohol, but once that alcohol is no longer present, the nervous system jumps into a hyperactive state.

This can cause withdrawal symptoms such as:

• Anxiety or depression

• Confusion

• Mood swings

• Restlessness and irritability

• Nausea and vomiting

• Body aches and fever

• Sweaty clammy skin

• Insomnia and nightmares

• Fatigue

• Tremors

• Increased heart rate

Severe withdrawal from alcohol can result in delirium tremors (DTs), which can cause seizures, hallucinations, extreme confusion, a heart attack, or a stroke. DTs can severely affect how the brain regulates the circulatory system and breathing, and can cause significant changes in heart rate and blood pressure.

Withdrawal symptoms don’t all happen at the same time, and not every person going through withdrawal will experience all symptoms. Initial symptoms usually start five to ten hours after the last drink, while other symptoms may kick in over the next few days. Most symptoms decrease within the first week. Detoxification from alcohol can be dangerous and should take place under medical supervision.

When to Seek Help: Getting Started with Alcohol Treatment

Many people drink casually, so when does it become problematic? Here are some signs that indicate you need substance abuse treatment:

• Lack of Control: You often drink more than you intended

• Impact on Daily Life: Your drinking behavior begins to interfere with your personal and professional life. You fall behind at work and spend more time drinking than you do enjoying hobbies and socializing with friends and family members.

• Physical Symptoms: These include memory problems, withdrawal symptoms, and mood swings.

• Dishonest Behavior: You lie about your drinking and hide how much you drink.

• Relationship Problems: Your relationships are starting to suffer. You become defensive when people express concern about your drinking.

• Dependence: You feel the need to drink to manage stress, get to sleep at night, and continue drinking even though you know it’s causing a problem.

These signs indicate your drinking may be classified as a substance use disorder. Reach out to BlueCrest for the help you need. We will guide you in getting started.

Evidence-Based Alcohol Abuse Treatment at BlueCrest

BlueCrest health care professionals use evidence-based treatments proven to deliver results. Our treatment plans include the following strategies:

• Medically Guided Detox: Medications for AUD are nonaddictive and can be used alone or in combination with other forms of treatment. Three medications are currently approved in the United States to help people stop or reduce their drinking and prevent a return to drinking. They are often integrated during early detox and beyond to keep AUD under control

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A common therapy for alcohol and drug addiction, CBT identifies and addresses negative thought processes that may contribute to alcoholism and teaches clients healthy coping skills so they can deal with their emotions without drinking. Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is a subset of CBT that focuses on emotional regulation.

• Motivational Enhancement motivates people to improve. It requires them to consider their values and the pros and cons of drinking, increasing adherence.

• Contingency Management: With this approach, small rewards are given for positive behavior, such as maintaining sobriety and being honest in therapy. It satisfies the brain’s reward system to reduce reliance on alcohol.

• Support Groups: People who are trying to quit drinking often attend group therapy sessions, where they learn from others, reduce feelings of loneliness, and build a support network for relapse prevention.

• 12-step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, provide peer support for individuals trying to quit or reduce their drinking. Al-Anon, a subset of AA, provides support groups for friends and family members of individuals struggling with alcohol, including various meeting formats.

• Online therapy has become a popular method for treating alcohol use disorder. Various methods listed above can be delivered remotely for optimal convenience.

Levels of Care for Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment

People who seek treatment for heavy drinking may consider various levels of care, as follows:

• Inpatient Treatment: Residential treatment centers for AUD provide highly structured treatment that includes various behavioral therapies. In this program, individuals stay in the facility 24/7 for a limited time, attend therapy sessions, and receive ongoing supervision. It is recommended for individuals with severe alcohol use disorder.

• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): This treatment for alcohol is similar to the inpatient program, but rather than staying at the facility 24/7, patients receive care for several hours during the day and return home at night.

• Outpatient Intensive Treatment: Often a follow-up to inpatient treatment or PHP, this involves several therapy sessions a week. The flexible schedule allows patients to maintain work and caregiving responsibilities while receiving treatment.

• Outpatient Care: This final step of the recovery process involves individual alcohol counseling or attending a support group once a week or as needed. Many people repeatedly try to cut back or quit drinking, have a setback, then try to quit again. For some individuals, this is a lifelong process for relapse prevention.

Treating Co-Occurring Mental Health and Alcohol Abuse

Many people who drink alcohol do so to self-medicate underlying conditions. For example, individuals with depressive disorders will drink to avoid unpleasant symptoms, or someone with anxiety may use alcohol to relieve stress.

While substances can make you temporarily forget about problems, they often make them worse in the long-run. Chronic alcohol use alters brain chemistry, making it even harder to regulate emotions. It also causes additional problems in the individual’s personal and professional life, including work, relationship, financial, and legal issues.

Treating alcohol addiction requires addressing it at its root. A dual diagnosis approach is used to treat both substance abuse and its co-occurring medical conditions. Evidence-based therapies teach individuals coping skills so they can deal with their emotions without drugs or alcohol.

The Role of Family Therapy and Family Support in Recovery

Family counseling plays a prominent role in recovery. Relatives are often included in counseling sessions to ensure strong family support. Sessions focus on the following:

• They learn about their loved one’s addiction, understanding the best communication methods and warning signs

• Family members understand what’s required in building a safe, supporting environment for their loved one’s recovery

• They learn about enabling and codependent behavior that may have contributed to their loved one’s addiction and change their approach if necessary

Aftercare and Maintaining Abstinence: Long-Term Recovery Support

BlueCrest understands that treatment doesn’t end the moment an individual completes the initial stages of rehab. It’s an ongoing process. We continue to offer support to help individuals maintain sobriety.

Aftercare techniques include:

• Ongoing Therapy: We recommend clients continue attending therapy sessions on an outpatient basis, including group sessions and mutual support groups.

• Lifestyle Changes: Our team recommends lifestyle changes that can be valuable in recovery. For example, diet and exercise increase accountability for health, reduce stress, and provide a healthy outlet for clients.

• Sober Living: We offer a sober living facility for clients who complete treatment. They can live there temporarily to learn life skills and adjust to everyday life.

• Mindfulness Exercises: Practices such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing reduce stress, help control cravings, and support emotional regulation.

• Healthy Hobbies: We help clients explore their interests to engage in healthy activities that reduce boredom and boost self-esteem.

Begin Your Journey to Recovery at Our New Jersey Alcohol Treatment Center

BlueCrest Recovery Center offers a safe, comfortable, and highly effective alcohol addiction treatment program. Our trained, compassionate staff combines therapeutic techniques with a unique holistic approach to help you heal your mind, body, and health.

Our alcohol treatment center includes various treatment options, including group and individual therapy, as well as family therapy, presented on multiple levels so you can receive the care you need.

• The partial care program provides a comprehensive exploration of relationship conflicts and builds upon skills learned during the therapeutic process.

• Intensive outpatient and outpatient programs provide a safe, structured environment for recovery while allowing you to continue working or attending school and living at home.

The addiction specialists at BlueCrest will help you to understand the psychological factors that have contributed to your addiction and teach you skills and tools to overcome those issues. They will work with you to rebuild damaged relationships and address work, legal, and financial problems. Our dual diagnosis approach gets to the root of your drinking habits, ensuring long-term recovery.

Start Your New Life at BlueCrest Alcohol Recovery Center in New Jersey

The team at BlueCrest Recovery Center will help you to rebuild your life. If you need detox before entering a treatment program, we will help you find the best fit for your recovery needs. And if the best course of treatment for you is a residential treatment program before participating in a structured rehab program like ours, we will help you with that as well.

We want you to have the best chance of long-term sobriety and the life you deserve. Take your first step toward living a happy, sober life by contacting BlueCrest Recovery Center online or by calling 888.292.9652 today.

FAQ QUESTIONS

What is the difference between alcohol abuse and alcohol use disorder (AUD)?

With alcohol abuse, you may engage in excessive drinking, such as binge drinking (five or more drinks for a male, four or more drinks for a female). However, with an alcohol use disorder, you need alcohol to function and experience withdrawal symptoms when it’s not in your system.

What are the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, and why is medical treatment necessary?

Common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include headaches, mood swings, sweating, fatigue, loss of appetite, and vomiting. More severe symptoms, which may be prevented with a medical treatment approach, include seizures, high fever, disorientation, and severe hallucinations. Medication also reduces cravings, increasing the chances of successful recovery.

What types of behavioral therapy are used to treat alcohol abuse?

The primary types of behavioral therapy used to treat alcohol use disorder include cognitive behavioral therapy, which identifies negative thoughts and patterns with healthy coping skills; dialectical behavioral therapy, which balances acceptance of the past with active change through mindfulness techniques; and motivational interviewing, which encourages clients to build motivation for change.

Does BlueCrest offer family therapy as part of alcohol treatment?

Yes, BlueCrest offers family therapy as part of our alcohol treatment. We understand how important family relationships are in the recovery process and ensure relatives provide support to discourage drinking and promote long-term recovery.

What levels of care are available for alcohol use disorder treatment?

Patients have various treatment options for substance abuse. These generally include inpatient treatment, which requires a temporary stay in a rehab facility; partial hospitalization, in which patients receive care for several hours a day and return home at night; and outpatient care, which is flexible and offers one or more counseling sessions per week.

How does BlueCrest treat co-occurring mental health issues with alcoholism?

BlueCrest understands that mental health issues often contribute to alcoholism. We address them at their root, offering customized solutions that match the individual’s substance use disorder, mental health needs, lifestyle, and recovery goals.

What happens after completing alcohol treatment at BlueCrest – is there aftercare support?

Yes, BlueCrest offers aftercare support. We encourage clients to continue outpatient care, whether through our facility or another provider. Our sober living facility is another option that teaches clients job skills and helps them adjust to everyday life.