Home » Alcohol Treatment

 Alcohol Addiction Treatment Near You

Start Your New Beginning Today

Do you or a loved one struggle with excessive alcohol use? Do you wonder how to stop drinking? Have you recently been discharged from an alcohol rehab center? Over 14 million Americans, almost 6.7% of the adult population, suffer from alcoholism or alcohol use disorder (AUD), resulting in 385 deaths a day.

But there is hope. At CleanSlate, our expert and caring team of addiction treatment professionals will help you break the cycle of alcohol addiction and help you achieve a meaningful life in sobriety. Following a four-step process of alcohol addiction treatment, we combine medication, behavioral healthcare and wrap-around care to support you on your journey to sobriety:

Drug counselor speaking with patient in office

Individualized Treatment

Every patient is unique in their background, needs and goals. That is why we design an individualized treatment plan tailored for you.

Proud black woman and nurse with smile and arms crossed for consultation and trust at clinic

Proven Medications

CleanSlate physicians prescribe proven, FDA-approved medications for alcohol addiction, primarily naltrexone (Vivitrol), and ensure that medications are properly managed.

Showing support in group therapy

Mental Health Therapy

Combining medication with mental health therapy will help you work through issues from the past while developing coping skills and practical strategies to navigate the present.

2018 Merrillville Staff Picture

Care Coordination Services

CleanSlate’s care coordination services will help you find transportation, employment and childcare, and get involved in 12-Step programs and other forms of support services—as needed and as available.

Find Your Nearest Alcohol Addiction Treatment Center

What is Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)?

Alcoholism, or what is clinically known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), can take a variety of forms from binge drinking to alcohol dependence. AUD is a medical condition, characterized by constant thoughts around drinking combined with compulsive drinking behavior. The condition creates tolerance, which compels increased drinking to get the desired effect, as well as withdrawal symptoms, when you suddenly stop or decrease your drinking.

 

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms can include:

Anxiety

Insomnia

Fever

Heart racing

Seizures

Confusion

Nausea

Hallucinations

High blood pressure

Delirium Tremens

Shaking hands

Vomiting

Sweating

Headache

Death

People in the grip of AUD find themselves unable to stop or control their drinking, even in the face of its ongoing negative consequences. Often progressive and sometimes fatal, AUD can cause physical, mental, spiritual and social harm to yourself or to those around you. But it doesn’t have to stay this way. Thankfully, there are  effective treatments for alcohol addiction that can return you to health in mind, body and spirit.

Hands touching in a circle

Causes of Alcoholism

While the exact causes of alcoholism remain an open question, there are many possible contributing factors, including:

Stack of hands

Family

Having a close family member who struggled with drinking, such as a sibling or a parent, significantly increases the risk of developing AUD. Further, relationships within the family play a major role as well, specifically through abuse, neglect or a lack of nurturing.

Trauma

Suffering any type of trauma, particularly in childhood, makes you more susceptible to alcohol dependence. And certain types of trauma, particularly physical abuse and the loss of a parent at an early age, are even more likely to result in alcohol abuse.

Stress

Ordinary but persistent forms of stress can contribute to AUD in people who struggle to cope in healthier ways.

Mental health disorders

AUD commonly occurs alongside other mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression, mood and personality disorders.

Social pressure

This can take many forms, from peer pressure, to social norms promoting a drinking culture, and the depiction of alcohol in entertainment and media as an acceptable way to deal with life’s impacts.

Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Addiction

The symptoms of alcohol use disorder can range from mild to severe, and can include:

W

Being unable to manage, limit or stop your drinking, despite repeated attempts to do so

W

Drinking in situations you know to be dangerous or destructive, such as while driving, at work, during childcare, etc.

W

Spending significant amount of time thinking about alcohol, obtaining it, drinking it and dealing with its aftereffects

W

Forming a dependence on alcohol to cope with daily life

W

Failing to live up to commitments in work, school, relationships, hobbies, and other life activities

W

Developing a tolerance to alcohol, which leads you to drink more

W

Continuing to drink, even though you are aware it is causing harm mentally, physically, spiritually and socially

W

Suffering from physical or psychological withdrawal symptoms when trying to reduce or stop drinking

Prescription Medicine

People in the grip of AUD find themselves unable to stop or control their drinking, even in the face of its ongoing negative consequences. Often progressive and sometimes fatal, AUD can cause physical, mental, spiritual and social harm to yourself or to those around you. But it doesn’t have to stay this way. Thankfully, there are effective treatments for alcohol addiction that can return you to health in mind, body and spirit.

 

Medically Monitored Alcohol Detox

If you want to stop drinking but fear withdrawal, or if you’re already experiencing symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, it is vital that you seek medical help immediately. Attempting an alcohol detox on your own is a dangerous proposition. But undergoing a medically monitored withdrawal can protect your health and well-being, making the physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawal much more manageable, and greatly boosting your chances of success. All this can be found through an alcohol rehab.

 

Medication for Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Medications to treat alcoholism come in two types, those to treat symptoms of withdrawal and those for medication-assisted treatment (MAT). The first are used to keep you safe and comfortable during detox, while the second can reduce cravings and risk of relapse in order to support you in long-term sobriety.

We treat alcohol use disorder with a proven combination of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) using naltrexone (Vivitrol) or other FDA-approved medications, and behavioral healthcare. Vivitrol is a monthly injectable AUD treatment medication which is used to:

Block the euphoric effects (the ‘high’) of alcohol

Reduce the risk of relapse

Decrease cravings

Promote long-term sobriety

Young adults consoling a friend in group therapy

Behavioral Therapy for Alcohol Dependence

Studies have shown that medication for alcohol addiction treatment works best when combined with behavioral healthcare. Through individual and group therapy, you can process past pain and work through trauma, while developing coping mechanisms to manage your thoughts, feelings and actions.

Young adults consoling a friend in group therapy

Frequently Asked Questions about Alcohol Addiction Treatment

What is alcohol addiction treatment?

Alcohol addiction treatment is a process that helps you overcome your addiction to alcohol and learn how to live a sober, healthy life. Treatment may include a combination of therapies, support groups and medication-assistant treatment.

What happens during alcohol addiction treatment?

The specifics of treatment will depend on your specific needs and the treatment facility you choose. However, common elements of alcohol addiction treatment may include individual and group therapy, education about addiction and recovery, and participation in support groups.

How do I know if I need alcohol addiction treatment?

If you are unable to control your alcohol use or if it is causing problems in your personal or professional life, it may be time to seek help. Other signs that you may need treatment include experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking, needing to drink more to feel the same effects, and feeling guilty or ashamed about your drinking habits.

Is medication used in alcohol addiction treatment?

In some cases, medication may be used to help manage the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal or to reduce cravings for alcohol. These medications are typically combined with other forms of treatment, such as therapy, support groups and 12-Step programs.

How long does alcohol addiction treatment last?

The length of treatment will vary depending on your specific needs and goals. Some people may benefit from a short-term program, while others may require a longer period of treatment to fully address their addiction. It is important to work with a treatment provider to determine the best plan for your needs.

How to Get Started

If you’ve been struggling with alcohol, you don’t have to continue to suffer.  CleanSlate is a place of hope, dedicated to providing you a safe and convenient outpatient alcohol treatment environment to support your goals. Your path to sobriety starts with a phone call.

Start Your Future Today