Alcohol Treatment in Los Angeles: How Does it Work?

When to Seek Alcohol Treatment

Alcohol addiction is a serious issue that affects millions of Americans every year. Drinking, alcohol abuse and addiction make changes to the chemistry of your brain that not only reinforce addictive behaviors but also cause intense, even dangerous withdrawal symptoms when you try and quit drinking. Because alcohol is legal in the US, is socially acceptable, and is a common substance of choice for so many people, it may be difficult to know when your drinking has become a problem.

Alcohol abuse is defined in two main categories:

1.   Binge drinking

Binge drinking is what it is called when you consume a substantial amount of alcohol at one time. It is the most common and the deadliest form of drinking, as it is associated with risk-taking behavior, alcohol poisoning, and multiple alcohol-related diseases. Binge drinking is most common in 18- to 34-year-old people, and is defined as:

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines heavy alcohol use as binge drinking on 5 or more days in the past month. The CDC states that binge drinking four times a month, or every weekend, is the most common pattern for those who regularly drink to excess, with the average number of drinks in one binge at 8 drinks, and according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over 38 million Americans binge drink.

2.       Heavy drinking

Heavy drinking is defined by the CDC as:

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) adds that heavy drinking will increase an individual’s risk of developing substance use disorders.  

Risk Factors

Alcohol abuse can indeed lead to an alcohol use disorder, and it’s crucial to understand that not everyone who drinks excessively will become dependent or develop into an alcoholic. Similar to how not everyone who takes Zoloft will experience challenges when weaning off Zoloft, there are multifaceted factors at play in the development of dependency, beyond mere consumption or use.

Some common risk factors that may lead to the development of alcohol addiction include genetic predisposition, environmental influences, psychological and emotional health, and social pressures. Understanding these factors is as vital in addressing alcohol addiction as it is when addressing challenges people might face when weaning off Zoloft.

In both scenarios, whether it’s managing withdrawal symptoms from alcohol or weaning off Zoloft, appropriate medical guidance, support, and intervention are crucial to ensuring the well-being and recovery of the individual. Addressing the underlying causes, managing symptoms, and implementing preventive measures are fundamental steps in dealing with both alcohol use disorders and the discontinuation of medications like Zoloft.

Family and Environment – if you were exposed to alcohol use at home growing up, or if drinking was normalized or encouraged in your household, you will be more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder. A high-stress career or a high-risk lifestyle increases the chances of alcohol addiction as well.

Genetic Factors – numerous genetic and biological factors at play may increase your risk of developing alcohol addiction. Biological children of alcoholics are more likely to develop an addiction themselves.

Social Factors – Peer pressure as a teen and the normalization of binge drinking in college, social clubs, and other places where social drinking is the norm may glamorize drinking and encourage heavy alcohol use, contributing to addiction as drinking becomes a key part of your social life. People who have positive associations with alcohol consumption, and those who enjoy feeling less inhibited may be more likely to develop an addiction through heavy social drinking.

Mental Health Factors – self-medicating for a mental health issue (such as drinking to avoid social anxiety or relieve symptoms of bipolar disorder) is common. Certain undiagnosed mental health issues can also make it difficult for people to perceive the risks inherent in heavy drinking.

Warning Signs

Warning signs of alcohol addiction include:

1. Performing poorly at work or school, missing important functions and meetings due to intoxication or hangover, and prioritizing drinking over social gatherings, hobbies, and the needs of others
2. Impulsive or dangerous actions such as drunk driving, violence, or crime
3. Having uncontrollable mood swings and irritability
4. Continuing to drink even when loved ones express concern, or when the drinking begins to cause health, family, and money problems
5. Being unable to stop drinking or control how much you drink once you get started
6. Drinking alone, in the morning or in secret, or feeling guilty about your drinking habits
7. Craving alcohol or having withdrawal symptoms when you are without it

These warning signs, coupled with the risk factors and heavy or binge drinking behaviors are all signs that you may need to seek professional help to quit drinking. Always consult a doctor, and do not try and stop drinking cold turkey on your own, as the withdrawal symptoms that come with quitting may become dangerous to your health.

Checking Into Treatment for Alcoholism

Getting professional treatment for alcoholism in Los Angeles, California, is the safest and most effective way to stop drinking and move into a state of recovery. It may be a difficult decision to make, requiring dedication and lifestyle changes, but the benefits are well worth the effort.

At Resurgence Behavioral Health rehab centers in Los Angeles, we can help you detoxify your body, regain your physical health, rebuild your relationships with family and friends, learn new life and career skills, and get to the underlying causes of your addiction through behavioral therapy, counseling, groups, educational programs, recreational activities, and other treatments. At Resurgence treatment centers, we offer a comprehensive continuum of care, treating you as a whole person rather than just an addiction, getting to know you, and helping you reach your goals in a realistic, gradual way through our inpatient and outpatient rehab programs.

Alcohol Treatment Options

There are many types of alcohol addiction treatment options available throughout the US and choosing what type of treatment will work best for you is a personal decision. Most comprehensive programs will include:

Alcohol Detox

Alcohol detox is the first step to any rehabilitation program, and will likely be the most difficult part, as alcohol withdrawal can become distressing, and uncomfortable, and without medical care can be dangerous to your health.

At Resurgence, we have a medically assisted treatment (MAT) detox program, where you remain under medical watch 24 hours a day, with medications, therapy, and dual diagnosis mental health treatments provided as needed. We believe there is no need to suffer as you detox, so we will give you the option of medications for common issues such as pain or restlessness, allowing you to rest and focus on healing.

Inpatient Alcohol Rehab

Inpatient rehab is usually the next step after detox is complete. In inpatient rehab, you move into a sober facility for 30, 60, or 90 days, with the days scheduled for you with evidence-based treatments and care, preparing you for life after rehab through relapse prevention programs and information on how to overcome triggers.

At Resurgence, we work alongside you to create an individualized treatment plan that will best suit your needs, including:

Outpatient Alcohol Rehab

Outpatient rehab is an umbrella term for a variety of rehabilitation options in which you live outside the rehab facility (at home or in a sober living home), accessing treatment in a customizable program that can evolve with you as your needs change over time. It is recommended for anybody leaving an inpatient addiction treatment program to move into outpatient care for a continued connection to a sober support system and treatment.

The Partial Hospitalization Program at Resurgence rehab centers is a shorter-term program in which you live outside the facility but commute in, up to seven days a week for six hours per day of evidence-based treatment. This is usually a temporary individualized treatment plan that is used to help move people out of inpatient care back into everyday life.

The Intensive Outpatient Drug Rehab and Alcohol Rehab Program at the Resurgence treatment centers is a customizable, longer-term program that allows you to return to work or school, live at home or in a sober living facility, and attend treatment, groups, and other programs in the evenings or on weekends in any of our outpatient center locations. Virtual IOP individual treatment programs are available at some Resurgence locations.

At Resurgence, our alcohol or drug outpatient programs include continued access to medical and psychiatric care, assessment, education, group therapy, family therapy, individual therapy, and process groups. We encourage all patients to remain in outpatient care for as long as they need.

Stages of Alcohol Treatment

The stages of alcohol treatment are:

1. Detoxification – purging the substances from your system in a safe detox center is the first step in any recovery program
2. Rehabilitation – learning the coping skills, treating the trauma and mental illness, and reframing your mindset is all part of rehabilitation
3. Maintenance – addiction is a chronic disease that involves the need for long-term lifestyle changes, extended support, and commitment to your own long-term wellness

Length of Time for Alcohol Treatment

There is no exact timeline for alcohol treatment. A detox may take a few days to a week or more, depending on your level of addiction, and then beyond that, rehab can be a short-term 30-day stay in inpatient rehab followed by 90 days in outpatient care, or you may require a longer time in inpatient care due to medical or mental health issues. At Resurgence treatment centers, we will work with you during your initial intake evaluation to create a program that will work for you, taking into consideration your health needs, your life outside of rehab, and the best ways to ensure you are safe, cared for, and supported along the way.

Staying Sober After Alcohol Treatment

Some facilities offer alcohol counseling after substance abuse treatment is complete to provide guidance, therapy, and support throughout your recovery. Your counselor will help you to work through family and social issues, things that may trigger a relapse, and underlying issues you may have.

At the Resurgence alcohol and drug rehabs in Los Angeles, California, we have a continued connection with all clients that includes ongoing medical care and therapy, treatment for co-occurring disorders, as well as peer group support, and a vibrant alumni group that meets up frequently for social activities, meetings, and reunions. You can schedule an appointment, come to a SMART Recovery or 12-step meeting, or come to an outpatient facility if you need immediate support. With Resurgence alcohol and drug rehab center, you will never need to feel alone in your recovery.

Resurgence Alcohol treatment in Los Angeles

Through our medical detox program, our customized inpatient and outpatient treatments, and our long-term aftercare programs, if you choose Resurgence alcohol treatment in Los Angeles, you will have the full support and high-quality, trauma-informed care for as long as you need. We can provide you with a sober community, recovery tools, life skills, substance avoidance techniques, and control over your mental and physical health, so you can move on from your alcohol addiction with a new outlook on life.

Whether you are in West Los Angeles, San Juan Capistrano, Huntington Beach, or Costa Mesa, we can help you take back control through a customized Resurgence treatment program. Contact us today for more information about our inpatient alcohol rehab, our outpatient programs, our medically assisted alcohol detox programs, and what types of therapies and treatments we can offer you. At our rehab centers, we can help you verify your insurance, and get you started on the road to recovery today.

Find top rated alcohol treatment in Los Angeles at Resurgence! #alcoholdetox #losangeleshttps://t.co/xH7cxoJwUh

— Resurgence Behavioral Health (@RBHRecovery) April 19, 2022

Josh Chandler
After growing up in Chicago and North Carolina, Josh chose to get help with substance use disorder and mental health in California because of the state's reputation for top-tier treatment. There, he found the treatment he needed to achieve more than five years of recovery. He's been in the drug and alcohol addiction rehab industry for four years and now serves as the Director of Admissions for Resurgence Behavioral Health. Josh remains passionate about the field because he understands that one phone call can alter the course of a person's life.

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