What Is Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a term used to describe an inability to manage drinking habits. Alcohol use disorder can occur at different levels — mild, moderate or severe — and those with alcohol dependence can find it almost impossible to function normally without alcohol. Alcohol use disorder can impact every area of your life. It will have a negative impact on your relationships, particularly with close family and friends. You’ll struggle to reach professional goals and deal with personal matters. Your overall physical and mental health will also suffer.

How do people develop a drinking problem? For some, it starts with drinking for stress relief after a busy day at work. Others want to feel good and relax when they’re out with friends. Some people drink to mask the symptoms of an underlying mental health condition or to help them deal with loss or trauma.

If you need support, call us today for a complimentary consultation.

Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder

If you’re concerned that you or a loved one might be experiencing alcohol addiction, you should be aware of a few signs and symptoms. Alcohol problems can manifest in different ways, some similar to other forms of substance abuse, and they may need intervention and a specific treatment plan. At The Key Addiction Treatment Center, located in Santa Cruz, California, we can support your specific needs and create a recovery plan that fits your lifestyle.

Read more about the signs and symptoms of alcoholism, alcohol abuse, and substance use disorder here.

Treatments We Offer for Alcoholism

At The Key Addiction Treatment Center, evidence-based treatment for alcoholism is individualized to suit each person. With an ongoing
treatment process designed to create healthy habits through support groups, evidence based therapy, and relapse prevention, The Key can help!

  • Detox: A process that helps the body safely eliminate toxins built up from prolonged substance use. This crucial first step prepares the body and mind for further treatment, including therapy and counseling.

  • Intensive Outpatient Program: Regular attendance in the intensive outpatient program includes  evidence-based therapy with The Key’s addiction specialists.

What Happens After Alcohol Treatment?

An essential part of recovering from alcohol addiction is creating a happy, healthy and balanced post-recovery life. With support groups, resources on hand and one-on-one time with a counselor, the focus becomes what happens after alcohol addiction treatment.

intensive outpatient programs in california

Relapse Prevention

Part of recovery from addiction is knowing what to do to prevent relapse. Recognizing the red flags or triggers that might lead to a return to drinking is part of the strategy and resources in your individualized aftercare program.

Relapse is a gradual process, moving from emotional triggers to mental triggers and then to physical relapse. More alcohol isn’t the answer, and you’ll be able to make better decisions when you know you can get back on track.

As part of your alcohol treatment, you’ll have a toolkit of ways to cope, including contact details for your support groups and other recovering alcoholics, mindfulness techniques and a focus on self-care and belief.

Case Management

Dealing with addiction in a treatment center, whether inpatient or outpatient, doesn’t end with a diagnosis. Case management is an integral part of the holistic focus at The Key, knowing that alcohol addiction doesn’t happen in a perfect bubble.

People suffering from addiction to drinking often lack the resources to ensure that their post-recovery life works, such as finding a new job, accessing safe housing, getting any benefits or being part of a community.

Your case manager is someone to advocate for you to ensure your transition to a life without alcohol is smooth and straightforward. They’re there to maintain regular contact after treatment and provide extra support.

rehab in santa cruz showing how sobriety works in outpatient programs

Frequently
Asked Questions

You can break free from alcohol and its negative consequences. Find the KEY to happiness with our state-of-the-art treatment program. Call us today.

The Key Addiction Treatment Center is an intensive program that uses evidence-based treatment programs designed to work with your diagnosis and give you access to the resources you need for long-term success. Our intimate, small-group setting in a modern and comfortable treatment center helps people stay in recovery and continue on a supported sober life.

The optimum length of time for the treatment process depends on many factors, from how intense the alcohol use disorder is to how well the recovery is going. Each person will have an individualized treatment program to suit their needs based on the best evidence of what works, whether group talk therapy, individual therapy or a mixture of many things.

The Intensive Outpatient Programs are available as morning or evening sessions. Our morning session is Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00am-1:00pm and our evening session is Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 4:00pm-7:30pm.

Aftercare is an important part of the treatment process at The Key Addiction Treatment Center and helps people transition better into a post-recovery life. Aftercare helps with avoiding further alcohol use or relapse.