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Alcohol Addiction

Personalized care to help you live a life in long term recovery

If you or a loved one is struggling with Alcohol use, please know that there is help available. At Desert Star Addiction Recovery Center, we’re here to support you. We offer personalized care to help you live a life in long term recovery.
Understanding Alcoholism

Alcohol Addiction, also known as Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), is a chronic disease affecting nearly 30 million people worldwide across all socioeconomic statuses. 

In the United States, it’s the most common type of substance use disorder, and overconsumption has become somewhat normalized in today’s culture. Unfortunately, the excessive consumption of alcohol can lead to serious consequences such as increased injuries from falls, motor vehicle accidents, drowning, and even certain cancers. Long-term use can also cause neurological damage, liver disease, and cardiovascular problems.

Understanding Alcohol Addiction

Did you know?

Who Drinks and Why

Regional differences in the United States

Alcohol Pharmacology

Behavioral Effects

Sexual Behavior
Blackouts

Crime and Violence

Physiological Effects

The Symptoms of Alcohol Addiction

Alcoholism Symptoms

Dependent behaviors are characterized by a loss of control over drinking and are recognized as a primary disease. This maladaptive pattern is indicated by continued alcohol use despite persistent problems caused by it. The condition includes serious psychosocial characteristics and physiological factors such as tolerance and withdrawal. Cognitive and genetic factors are also potential underlying causes of dependency. Addressing these behaviors through appropriate treatment is crucial for recovery and overall well-being.

What are the Risk Factors?

The more one drinks, the more learned behaviors are disrupted, inhibitions are reduced, anxiety and depression may increase.  Judgement and critical thinking are frequently clouded. The more rapid alcohol consumption occurs, the greater the behavioral effect.  Too much alcohol consumed to fast can lead to alcohol poisoning or death.  Heavy drinkers that quit suddenly may die without proper medical detox interventions.

A higher amount of alcohol is necessary to impair the performance of a chronic, heavy drinker than to impair a moderate drinker’s performance.  Heavy experienced drinkers may learn to overcome some of these effects, some of the time. After drinking, people tend to focus on the here and know, pay less attention to peripheral people and activities, and to long term consequences. This may lead to violent or risky behavior.

Long-Term Consequences of Untreated Alcohol Misuse/Dependence:

Alcohol Toxicity:

Alcohol Dependency Withdrawal Syndrome:

More severe and potentially deadly than opioid withdrawal. Symptoms occur in stages:

What is the Treatment?

Alcoholism Treatment

There are several effective treatments for alcohol misuse and dependence, often tailored to the individual’s needs. These treatments can be used individually or in combination, depending on the person’s needs. 

Here are some common types of treatment:

Psychotherapy (Talk Therapy)

Medication Management

Lifestyle and Self-Care

Support Groups

Alternative and Complementary Therapies

Hospitalization and Intensive Treatment

Medical Detoxification:

Medical detoxification may be necessary. Desert Star coordinates with a number of Detox facilities and hospitals as deemed clinically necessary. If referred to medical detox their medical team will monitor you for medical stability and safety until you are medically cleared. Their discharge team will then coordinate with Desert Star for admission to the program. The team at Desert Star will coordinate throughout your detoxification process.

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP):

An intensive outpatient program that provides structured treatment for up to six hours during the day up to five days per week.

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP):

An intensive outpatient program that provides structured treatment for up to three hours during the day up to four days per week.

If you or a loved one is struggling with Alcohol use please know that there is help available. At Desert Star Addiction Recovery Center, we’re here to support you. We offer personalized care to help you live a life in long term recovery. Our personalized treatment includes supportive and structured group therapy three to four times a week, individual therapy sessions, access to medication management and case management. No matter what you are feeling right now there is hope! With treatment you can learn the tools need to navigate your life in Long Term Recovery.

This is your journey
and we are here to help you every step of the way.

Ready for Change?

Take the First Step
Toward a Brighter Tomorrow

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Journey Today!

Get the help you need without putting your outside commitments on hold! We individualize treatment for every client and can combine groups from different programs to suit your unique needs. We offer varying levels of structure and support, from partial hospitalization to intensive outpatient to once-weekly outpatient groups.

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