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Orange County Alcohol Detox: Addiction Treatment in California

Alcoholism, or addiction to alcohol, is a very serious issue. While for centuries it was treated as a moral issue or a sign of weakness, we now know that addiction treatment centers recognize it as a disease that affects how people think and act.

Substance use disorder treatment is available for people addicted to alcohol, and many people go on to recover and live healthy lives of sobriety. But a safe and healthy detox is an important step on a path to recovery.

Understanding Addiction to Alcohol

Addiction is a complex and multifaceted disease that affects individuals from all walks of life. It is characterized by compulsive behavior, despite negative consequences, and can involve substances such as alcohol, drugs, or other addictive substances. Addiction can also involve behaviors such as gambling, sex, or internet use.

Alcohol is a highly addictive substance, which over time becomes necessary to the individual drinking it. Sudden withdrawal from drinking can be painful and even fatal. For that reason, people who suffer serious alcohol abuse often begin their alcohol treatment in medical detox at specialized treatment centers. A treatment team of physicians and nurses inside a licensed treatment facility oversee their withdrawal management without danger.

Signs of Alcohol Addiction

If you’re not sure if you need to undergo alcohol detox, it’s important to know the extent of your addiction. It can also be difficult to determine if one is addicted to alcohol, especially if drinking or going out is part of a person’s social habits or work environment. A functioning alcoholic may not see negative effects in their life due to their drinking for years, until they suddenly happen all at once.

A person may be addicted to alcohol if they experience the following:

  • Drinking more than planned or expected
  • Withdrawal symptoms when not drinking (such as shaking hands) for a prolonged period
  • Consuming alcohol in increasingly risky situations, such as driving
  • Needing more alcohol over time to feel any effects
  • Defensive feelings or denial about how much they’re drinking
  • Damage to or withdrawal from relationships, especially if they don’t involve drinking
  • Past attempts to stop drinking haven’t worked

Detoxing from alcohol addiction “cold turkey” is an easy way to cause lasting damage to the body. If a person doesn’t think their strong addiction isn’t a big deal and tries this approach, they may find themselves experiencing delirium tremens (DTs) and stronger withdrawal symptoms than they were originally anticipating (or prepared to handle).

The Importance of Medical Detox For Alcohol Addiction

Nurse reassuring young man entering alcohol treatmentBecause of alcohol’s unique effect on the body, detoxing from alcohol addiction can be a difficult experience. Alcohol withdrawal can take several days, and each stage presents different dangers. Many individuals find that starting their journey at a rehab in Orange County provides them with the specialized care and support they need during this challenging phase.

If a person fulfills at least one of the following conditions, it is strongly advised that they undergo an alcohol detox program before attempting drug and alcohol rehab:

If someone has been addicted to alcohol for a long time and requires increasing amounts to feel any effect, the detoxification process is more likely to have potential health risks such as delirium tremens (DTs). Late-stage alcoholism is likely to have health effects that last in the long term. On-call medical assistance can respond to emergencies that may result when the person’s body is expelling the alcohol.

Many people who are addicted to alcohol develop addictions to other drugs in the course of their addiction, such as cannabis or powdered cocaine. This means that detoxification may have complications and unexpected effects that someone detoxing “cold turkey” may not know how to handle. Professionals at a rehab center have experience dealing with detox from many different drugs, and will have more knowledge on when and how to intervene.

Addiction frequently develops in the presence of co-occurring disorders, such as anxiety or clinical depression. Alcohol detox can have effects specific to mental health, such as mood swings. Insomnia from detox may also agitate mental health disorders. Detox professionals can help provide dual diagnosis treatment to those dealing with symptoms at the moment, eliminating temptation to return to substance use for self-medication.

If someone plans to enter an inpatient program at an alcohol rehab center, it will likely be easiest to go straight from a detox program. If a person’s entering a detox program affiliated with a specific treatment facility, they may be able to begin the deeper work of treatment early (such as attending group therapy meetings) while finishing up detox.

It’s perfectly normal in the recovery journey to have a few attempts before achieving lasting sobriety. If someone has already attempted addiction treatment for alcoholism and failed, undergoing a formal detox protocol can help with starting in the right head space. Immediate medical help and assistance during the detox process can help reduce cravings and/or withdrawal symptoms, which can make a drastic difference when trying to avoid relapse early in the recovery process.

A comprehensive medical detox program can be the difference between life and death for someone entering drug addiction treatment. It is highly suggested for people looking to secure help at all stages of detox and who think they may need extra assistance to maintain long term sobriety.

What Happens After Alcohol Detox?

Once out of alcohol detox, some patients may seek to stay in an inpatient rehab facility to help them reintegrate slowly into daily life. An inpatient residential program includes individual counseling and family therapy sessions, and may also include evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy inside a residential treatment center.

Our outpatient treatment plans and 12 step support groups can also be very helpful to people recovering from alcohol addiction. Each of these addiction treatment programs is intended to help the person suffering from drug addiction identify causes and conditions that led to using alcohol in the first place, and to put better tools in place to use when cravings hit.

Woman outlining alcohol detox details to young woman

What Happens During Alcohol Treatment

Adelante Recovery Center offers comprehensive substance abuse treatment for people struggling with alcohol rehab programs, as well as dual diagnosis treatment programs for those who have co-occurring mental health disorders.

We understand that everyone has different needs regarding treatment. Programs can be inpatient or outpatient, allowing for those with demanding home lives to prioritize their work or duties to family. Long-term programs offer the chance to fully step away from obligations to work on addiction treatment in a concentrated manner.

From the very beginning, the team at Adelante Recovery will develop an individual treatment plan designed to help a specific person work past their addiction and create a healthier version of their life. Holistic healing activities like yoga, beach walks, and hiking can help fill out the schedule with productive and health-inspiring activities. This works to facilitate healing of the whole person, which allows for lessons learned during drug and alcohol treatment to stick.

On-site medical staff and certified addiction professionals work together to create tailored treatment options for patient-specific needs. Treatment goes beyond enduring withdrawal and completing a residential treatment program. Alcohol addiction treatment that lasts includes working to build a new life where addiction doesn’t persist.

Get Help For Alcohol Addiction at Adelante Recovery Center

The Adelante Recovery Center approach has proven itself effective and life-changing for the huge variety of clients we serve. If you or a loved one is suffering from alcohol abuse, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our treatment center in beautiful Orange County, CA.

Our admissions team is ready to assist you with insurance coverage verification and discuss any available payment plans or sliding fee scale options to ensure our rehab programs are accessible to you.

In addition to residential rehab, we offer outpatient treatment options to support long-term sobriety and sustainable recovery. Our sober living environment and therapeutic modalities are designed to facilitate lasting recovery and guide you on your recovery journey.

Whether you are in Huntington Beach or any other part of Orange County, our treatment facility is here to support you in overcoming substance misuse and mental illness for a healthier future. Contact us today to learn more.

We want to help. Contact us today.

If you or a loved one are in need of help with addiction, contact us today. Our professional and friendly addiction specialists are able to answer your questions and get things moving in the right direction.

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