If you struggle with alcohol addiction, you are not alone. Almost one in 10 Americans are addicted to alcohol or other drugs.
Alcoholism isn’t something you have to live with. Alcohol abuse recovery in a women’s or men’s rehab program is challenging, but it’s possible.
Seeking treatment is the first step on your journey to recovery. Sober people worldwide report that life is more fun, exciting, and fulfilling in sobriety than it ever was when drinking.
Are you ready to experience life with energy, clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose? Keep reading to learn about alcohol rehab in MA.
Are You Ready to Stop Drinking?
If your drinking has become a problem, you probably already know. Have you considered taking a break, cutting back, or quitting altogether? Change is scary at first, but the personal growth that happens in recovery could be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.
Signs Your Drinking Is a Problem
Unlike the use of other dangerous drugs, drinking alcohol is widely accepted in society. Many people can have a drink or two with no consequences.
While some people have a pre-genetic disposition to alcohol addiction, anyone can become addicted to alcohol. Alcohol is an addictive substance. It can be challenging to recognize when “normal” drinking turns into an addiction.
Here are some signs your drinking is a problem:
- Missing work or school
- Damaged relationships
- Financial problems
- Guilt and anxiety after drinking
- Drinking to self-medicate mental health issues
- Drinking alone
- Drinking more than planned
- Drinking to the point of blacking out
If you can see that drinking is causing problems in your life, you’re already on the right track. Accepting that you have a problem is the first step toward taking action and entering a beautiful new phase of life in recovery.
Set Goals and Prepare for Change
Are you ready to prepare for recovery? The preparation stage takes you from “I should” to “I will.” Here are some things you can do to prepare for treatment.
- Open up to family and friends about your decision
- Write down a plan of action
- Envision your dream life in sobriety
- Write down your goals
- Set a date to begin treatment
- Secure time off from work if needed
When you have chosen a program and set a date to begin treatment, you’ll need to prepare for detox once you enter the facility. The withdrawal process can be one of the most challenging phases of recovery.
Preparing for Detox
When you enter substance abuse recovery in MA, you will first go through detox to ensure you’re stable enough to participate in other treatment activities. Detox can be part of an inpatient or outpatient treatment plan.
Going through detox and withdrawal is not comfortable. While you detox from alcohol, staff will monitor your health to make sure your withdrawals don’t become life-threatening.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Shaky hands
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Stomach cramps and diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Sweating
- Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
- Delirium Tremens
- Seizure
The length of your detox period depends on the severity of your addiction and other substances you were using. If your withdrawal symptoms are incredibly severe, you will need constant medical supervision in an alcohol treatment facility or hospital.
The reason you must detox before you begin treatment is so that you can approach treatment with clarity. You can better process the thoughts, emotions, and triggers in recovery when you are in good health.
Alcohol Rehab in MA
When people think of alcohol or drug rehab in MA, they typically think of inpatient, residential treatment. Some problem drinkers may not need that level of treatment or be able to put their lives on hold to enter rehab. Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) may be the perfect solution.
Paramount Recovery Centers offer comprehensive alcohol addiction treatment in MA. Located in Scarborough, MA, each program is customized to aid recovery based on your needs. Keep reading to learn about the programs offered at Paramount Recovery Centers.
Partial Hospitalization Program
In Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) day treatment, trained staff will monitor your progress during visits to a recovery center. This sort of recovery allows patients to receive professional care during the day while returning home in the evenings.
PHP patients can receive detox monitoring, counseling, group therapy, trauma-informed care, and medication-assisted treatment.
If your drinking affects your ability to function at work or handle responsibilities at home, then PHP day treatment may work for you.
Paramount Recovery’s PHP program offers acceptance commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based psychotherapy, creative expression, 12-step work, dual-diagnosis treatment, and more. You will learn how to develop healthy routines and coping strategies to work toward outpatient therapy and, eventually, independence in sobriety.
Intensive Outpatient Program
Not everyone battling addiction can take time out of their lives for 24/7 treatment. Participating in an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) can be an effective way to get a handle on problem drinking without taking you out of your day-to-day activities.
An IOP is significant for patients who need intensive support but can’t step away from work or family life. Ideal participants have a drug-free home environment, can use medications on their own to control their cravings, and are committed to making a change.
Outpatient therapy helps people overcome substance use disorder with cognitive-behavioral therapy, family therapy, and motivational interviewing.
If work and family life prevent you from seeking inpatient treatment, then Paramount Recovery’s Day IOP, Evening IOP, and Virtual IOP programs may be a good fit. IOP treatment includes learning life skills classes, group therapy, 12-steps programs, and other recovery activities.
The program is typically 3-5 days per week for three months, but lengths can vary depending on each individual’s needs.
12-Step Addiction Treatment
Since 1935, 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous have helped millions of people recover from addiction and lead happy healthy lives.
Working through the 12-steps alongside a comprehensive treatment program is proven to achieve long-lasting recovery from addiction. People with addictions can get involved in 12-step programs as part of inpatient and outpatient modalities.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
Prolonged, heavy consumption of alcohol or drugs can alter brain chemistry to the point where you cannot feel pleasure from anything besides the drug. Being deprived of the substance can cause extremely painful and severe cravings, not unlike being extremely hungry or thirsty.
Using a medication like Vivitrol (brand name for naltrexone) can help reduce cravings. While not everyone needs medication-assisted therapy, studies show many benefits to using medicines in tandem with other treatment methods to help someone stay sober.
Dual-Diagnosis
For many, problematic drinking is a symptom of deeper mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
A dual-diagnosis program can help you overcome your addiction while resolving the underlying issues that triggered the addiction in the first place.
Signs that dual-diagnosis may be right for you if:
- You use alcohol to reduce anxiety
- You use alcohol to handle emotions
- You use alcohol to deal with stress
- You use alcohol to stop mental images or memories
Patients in dual-diagnosis therapy may take medications to treat mental health disorders, use medications to help curb cravings or mitigate withdrawal, and participate in counseling for mental health disorders.
Men’s Rehab Program in MA
Some men worry that seeking help may seem like a sign of weakness. In reality, beating an addiction is one of the most powerful things a person can do.
Partial Hospitalization Programs and Intensive Outpatient Programs are available for men in MA. These programs include cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, 12 steps, and medication-assisted treatment.
If you enter a men’s addiction treatment program, you will work through your recovery alongside other men in a safe, judgment-free environment.
Some of the benefits of a men’s treatment program are:
- Fewer distractions
- Free and open communication
- Feeling more relaxed without the opposite sex present
- Building friendships with other men
- Customized treatment for men’s needs
In a men’s treatment program, you don’t have to worry about the stigma of seeking treatment for a substance abuse disorder. Every single person in the room will be dealing with the same problems and will be understanding of your struggles. When you have fellowship with other sober men, you can build a support network to help you stay sober for years.
Women’s Rehab Program in MA
The reasons women abuse substances are often different than the reasons men do. A women-only rehab program focuses on the triggers and challenges specific to women dealing with addiction.
For women, it may be easier to open up and feel comfortable without the presence of the opposite sex. A women’s rehab program is a safe, supportive space for women to lean on one another in recovery.
Women can enter Partial Hospitalization Programs and Intensive Outpatient Programs in MA that was created specifically with their needs in mind. These programs offer addiction treatment therapies, including motivational interviewing, mindfulness-based stress reduction, 12-step programs, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and more.
Some of the benefits of a women’s treatment program are:
- Fewer distractions
- Compassionate support
- Treatment based on women’s needs
- Treatment based on women’s challenges
- Building friendships with other women
In a women’s treatment program, you will be surrounded by other women dealing with many of the same issues you are. It is a safe, judgment-free space where women can share their experiences and learn. With a supportive network of sober female friends, you improve your chances of staying sober for the long term.
Are You Ready to End Your Alcohol Addiction?
If your drinking negatively impacts your life, you do not have to suffer any longer. Addiction treatment options are available in Massachusetts to fit your needs and lifestyle. Whether you need a women’s or men’s rehab program, many addiction treatment options are available to meet your needs.
We hope this article has shown you how to begin your path to recovery. All it takes is one step forward.
When you’re ready to begin alcohol rehab in MA, contact Paramount Recovery Centers. We look forward to helping you live a happier, healthier life!
