Research has shown that around 22.7 million Americans were in need of treatment for alcohol and drug abuse but only around 2.5 million people sought that treatment — less than 10 percent. When you or someone you love is suffering from drug or alcohol addiction or both, you need professional treatment to retake your life and leave your addiction in the past. You should encourage your loved one to take the first steps toward treatment and provide the support that they need.

What Is Alcohol Addiction? 

Many people can have a drink once a day for a month and then not have another drink for months while others just can’t stop drinking even for a day. It’s estimated that there are around 15 million adults with alcoholism in the United States. It can be difficult to identify a loved one with a drinking problem, especially because functioning alcoholics are masters at hiding the problem. 

A person with an alcohol addiction cannot stop drinking. They must have several drinks every day to make it through the day and will suffer physical withdrawal symptoms if they stop drinking. 

What Is Drug Addiction?

When you hear the term drug addiction, you think about there being two different kinds. The first is an addiction to illegal drugs, such as cocaine and crystal meth, and the second is a prescription drug addiction for medication prescribed by a doctor, such as opioids and sleeping pills.

While most drug use begins as recreational, repeated use alters the brain chemistry and leaves the user addicted to their drug of choice. As time goes by, the drug use is no longer recreational but compulsive. The drug user can no longer choose to stop taking the substances.

What Is Prescription Drug Addiction?

Prescription drug addiction is very similar to drug addiction with the exception that the initial usage begins with a prescription from a doctor. In many cases, when we talk about drug addiction, we’re referring to an opioid addiction although it includes prescribed stimulants and depressants. More than two million patients have an opioid addiction and another 10.3 million patients report misusing their prescription for opioids. 

The steps to prescription drug addiction are a little different from those of a drug addict. These steps are:

• Step One: With opioids and other prescription drugs, the body gradually builds up a tolerance to the medication. You must take more of the drug to receive the same benefits.
• Step Two: As you up the dosage, your body begins to rely on the medication to function. When you reach this step, you can no longer stop taking the drug without experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
• Step Three: The addiction is complete when you have a psychological dependence on the medication. Your body will crave the drug. In some cases, your mind and body will trick you into believing that you’re still experiencing the initial issues that you needed the medication for in the first place.

Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol and Drug Addiction

If you think you or a loved one is abusing alcohol or drugs, there will be signs and symptoms. The signs of these two addictions can be very different while others are similar. When you see these signs, it’s beneficial to seek treatment immediately at a drug addiction treatment center or alcohol treatment center. Here are some signs and symptoms.

Signs of Alcohol Abuse

• Waking up with the need to drink
• Craving alcohol
• Unable to stop
• Drinking alone
• Guilty feelings after you drink
• You have symptoms of alcohol withdrawal if you don’t drink
• Prioritizing drinking over other activities or obligations
• Irritability or mood swings

Signs of Drug Abuse

• Abnormal pupil size
• Significant weight loss or gain
• Unexpected legal trouble
• Paranoia
• Poor or unkempt personal appearance
• Abnormal sleep patterns
• Placing distance between themselves and family and friends
• Impairment
• Changes in appetite
• Sudden mood swings
• Changes in personality
• Anxiousness
• Secretive behavior
• Getting in physical fights with others

Dual Diagnosis

There are many reasons for drug and alcohol addiction, such as genetics. However, there is almost always an underlying cause for the addiction. In order to heal and recover from addiction, you and your doctor must treat both the addiction and the underlying cause. Most underlying causes are mental health disorders and include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Personal trauma
• Obsessive compulsive disorder
• Bipolar disorder

Alcohol and Drug Addiction Rehab Process

At Fairwinds Treatment Center, we understand what it takes to overcome your addiction and move on to a healthy life. Through the years, we’ve created a process that works with both alcohol and drug rehabilitation even when the patient suffers from both addictions. The process includes:

• Initial assessment: When you arrive at Fairwinds, our professional staff creates a personalized plan for your recovery. To determine if you have any underlying mental health issues, the staff conducts a dual diagnosis screening. We’ll test for your levels of alcohol concentration and ask you to provide us with a history of your drug and alcohol abuse.
• Detox: Depending on your level of addiction to drugs and alcohol, you may experience some serious detox side effects, including hallucinations or seizures. This is the reason that we recommend you detox as an inpatient with a doctor available 24/7.
• Manage withdrawal: With some serious side effects for withdrawal, we believe in helping you manage your withdrawal. This can include the help of a doctor, nurse, therapist, counselors, and others. You may even need some medication to manage the side effects of withdrawal.
• Levels of Care: 
  • Level One Outpatient: At this level, patients are generally in good health and have the motivation to overcome their addiction. This is a patient with the mildest form of addiction who can seek treatment and continue to live at home.
  • Level Two Intensive Outpatient: Patients are stable enough to live at home and come to the center several times a week for individual and group therapy sessions. These patients need a little more guidance and structure during recovery, and they’re in overall good health.
  • Level Three Partial Hospitalization: The patients are medically stable but require full-time care to ensure that they don’t use drugs or alcohol again. These patients will live at home but travel back and forth to the treatment center every day for therapy. 
  • Level Four Residential Treatment: Although these patients are mostly medically stable, they require constant supervision to ensure that they don’t relapse and use drugs and alcohol. The patient will live at the treatment center because they usually lack a support system at home.
  • Level Five Inpatient Treatment: The patient requires constant medical attention and care. They typically are medically or mentally compromised.
• Therapy: Once you’ve detoxed and rid your system of the drugs and alcohol, you’ll require treatment through individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy session to ensure that you stay sober and drug-free. These skills will help you lead a happy, productive, and healthy life.

Alcohol and Drug Addiction Center Professionals

No matter what level of care you need, you’ll interact with a variety of professionals at Fairwinds. All of these professionals have a part to play in your recovery and will work hard to help you return to normal life. The professionals you meet might include:

• Psychiatrists
• Nurses
• Counselors
• Physicians
• Nutritionists
• Therapists

One-on-One Therapy Sessions

As a cornerstone of your recovery, you’ll take part in one-on-one therapy sessions. During these sessions, you examine the causes of your addictions, including underlying causes. You’ll create new patterns of behavior to help you stay sober and drug-free once you leave the treatment center. 

These sessions will occur once a day and several times per week. You and the therapist will examine your unique triggers for alcohol and drug addiction and find ways for you to channel the need for something more productive. These sessions can help you build self-esteem and overcome anxieties. 

Group Therapy

At least once a day, but sometimes several times a day, you’ll attend group therapy sessions. During these sessions, you’ll share your story, fears, and goals with others in your situation. Together, the group will explore reasons for their addictions and coping methods that can help them overcome them. 

Each group therapy session has a leader that helps the group stay on task. The leader will guide the discussion as need and sit back and listen when guidance isn’t needed. 

Family Therapy

Due to your alcohol and drug addiction, you may have a rocky relationship with your family. However, your family can provide you with an invaluable support system once you leave the treatment center. Your therapist will work with you and your family to improve communication and heal past wrongs. These therapy sessions are designed to ensure that you have a great support system after treatment. 

Fairwinds Treatment Center has a lot of experience helping people with alcohol and drug addictions. We understand that you’re an individual with unique needs during treatment, and we’re here to tailor a program that helps to make you successful. It’s our goal to get you clean and provide you with the tools to stay that way. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.