Alcoholism and Treatment in Newark, NJ

Alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence syndrome or alcohol use disorder, is a complex and potentially dangerous condition that requires professional treatment. Alcohol use disorder was once separated into two conditions, with alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence treated in different ways depending on the severity of symptoms. Alcoholism and treatment now rely on integrated approaches, with medical and behavioral treatment methods both applied in different situations. Alcoholism and treatment centers can be found in Newark and across the United States, with outpatient services available alongside residential and aftercare programs. If you need to access alcoholism and treatment services, it’s important to find professional help as soon as possible.  

What is alcoholism?

Alcoholism is defined by the compulsive use of alcohol despite the existence of negative consequences. People react to alcohol in very different ways, with some people quickly becoming addicted and others slowly developing problems after years of abuse. Alcoholism and treatment centers manage each individual case on its own merits depending on the length and severity of abuse or dependence. For example, people involved with binge drinking or other forms of alcohol abuse may be treated through psychotherapy support programs alone, including cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational programs. In contrast, people with physical alcohol addictions may require extensive medical support, both during detoxification and rehabilitation.

Signs and symptoms of alcoholism

If you’re worried about the drinking habits of someone you love, there are some general signs of abuse worth watching out for. Common signs of alcohol abuse include health problems due to alcohol, social problems due to alcohol, craving alcohol, needing alcohol to relax or unwind, being unable to reduce consumption levels, and drinking in dangerous situations. Generally speaking, someone is said to have an alcohol problem whenever drinking is causing problems in their life and they continue to drink despite these problems. While it is possible to stop drinking without external support, professional programs offer the best opportunity for success. This is especially true for people who are physically dependent on alcohol, where medical treatment is advised to help reduce the severity of potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms.

Rehabilitation

Medical detox is often administered at the outset of the treatment process, with medications used to enable the cessation of alcohol use and support the withdrawal process. Detox is never enough when administered in isolation, however, with patients likely to relapse without adequate psychological and practical support. Rehabilitation programs are designed to address the environmental and emotional precedents of alcoholism, including cognitive behavioral therapy, group counseling, and motivational support programs.

Relapse prevention

Relapse is an extremely common outcome of alcoholism, both in the early days of recovery and down the track when people think they are out of the woods. Dedicated relapse prevention programs are needed to ensure successful recovery, including traditional 12-step support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other programs. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, between 40 and 60 percent of alcoholics will relapse at some stage, with long-term support programs needed to ensure safe and sustainable abstinence. Just give one of our friendly recovery advocates a call at (862) 930-4070.