Alcohol Rehab

Elements Alcohol Rehab Programs: Promises Treatment Centers | The Ranch | The Recovery Place

Alcohol rehab is a residential treatment program for the treatment of alcohol abuse. The best alcohol rehab programs address not only the alcohol abuse, but the underlying issues that may be leading a person to self-medicate to relieve symptoms.

While the media spotlight might shine on illegal drugs and prescription drug abuse, alcohol is by far the most abused mood-altering substance. Alcohol is a drug. It impacts your perceptions, mood, and motor skills. Those who abuse it can develop tolerance, just as they would to other drugs. This means they need more alcohol to get the same effect they once got with just a few drinks.

These days most people refer to rehab as “drug rehab.” Those who primarily abuse alcohol are sometimes unsure if that is the right place for them. However, alcohol rehab and drug rehab are typically used interchangeably these days. In fact, the vast majority of people abuse more than one substance these days. The most common combination is alcohol and anti-anxiety medications (such as Valium or Xanax) or opiate pain killers (such as OxyContin or Vicodin).

Why Do Some People Abuse Alcohol?

Large research projects have failed to absolutely answer this question, but most findings point to a combination of biological/genetic factors and environmental influences. A person who abuses alcohol will likely know of someone else in their family who has a history of alcohol abuse

Many people who come to alcohol rehab report life-long issues with depression or anxiety. Some have had a traumatic experience and have untreated post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD).

Alcohol is often called a social lubricant, and it’s that quality that can lead to problems for people with social anxiety. Maybe a person started drinking one or two alcoholic drinks so they would feel more comfortable at parties. They quickly noticed that alcohol made them feel less shy, more the life of the party. The behavior becomes self-reinforcing and they continue to use alcohol as a way to override their personality. Eventually, the personality becomes lost in the alcohol and their quality of life deteriorates.

Why Do People Go to Alcohol Rehab?

Most people go to alcohol rehab because they have tried to stop on their own but could not maintain sobriety. Early on, those who abuse alcohol will try to overcome their excessive drinking by creating rules. They might make a pact to only drink when they are at parties, or only drink wine rather than hard liquor. These rules eventually prove to be mere blips on the radar: the drinking continues to escalate as do the consequences.

Many people come to alcohol rehab because they have reaped consequences that make their lives unmanageable. They may have gotten a DUI, or maybe two or three DUIs. Their spouse might be threatening to leave them. They may be on notice at work. Generally, something has happened that has made the alcoholic recognize that they are not going to get better without professional help.

Elements Behavioral Health offers alcohol rehab treatment in a number of settings.  Promises Malibu is a luxury alcohol rehab set in the Santa Monica Mountains and overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Promises West Los Angeles is a smaller facility set in a quiet neighborhood in Mar Vista.  The Ranch is an Tennessee alcohol rehab set among the rolling hills of a horse ranch near the Piney River.

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