Staying Sober: Alcohol Addiction Recovery

The surest path toward alcohol addiction recovery is complete abstinence from drinking and diligent avoidance of situations that present a high-risk for alcohol relapse. For many, continuing the lifelong commitment to sober living requires professional help and ongoing support.

Once an alcoholic accepts he has a problem with drinking and pledges to work on his addiction through therapy and other methods, the healing can begin. However, many alcoholics deny having a problem with drinking and resist entering alcohol addiction recovery treatment until they experience pressure from outside sources including family, friends, work and the legal system.

During alcohol addiction recovery, a number of factors can contribute to a continued cycle of relapse for many recovering alcoholics, who quit drinking for a period of time only to return to the habit again and again. Spending time with friends who abuse alcohol or drugs can spur a recovering alcoholic to grab a drink, while chemical changes in the brain caused by prolonged drinking triggers an inability to say no.

Alcohol addiction recovery options

Medication, counseling and intensive inpatient programs are some of the alcohol addiction recovery treatment options recommended by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

A variety of counseling approaches are available for recovering alcoholics including 12-step programs, cognitive-behavioral (talking therapy) and motivational enhancement. According to the NIAAA, simply getting help seems to be more important than the method used, as long as it incorporates empathy, avoids heavy confrontation, strengthens motivation and provides avenues to change drinking behavior.

New medications that are being developed and released for clinical use are becoming available every day. Non-addictive medications such as naltrexone make it easier for an alcoholic to give up drinking by correcting altered brain chemistry caused by alcoholism.

A complete approach to alcohol addiction recovery

The third treatment option recommended by the NIAAA is entering an extensive or specialized alcohol rehab. Many treatment programs offer a comprehensive approach that combines a variety of therapies and medications and to curb alcohol addiction.

The medical professionals at Alta Mira Recovery Programs, a drug and alcohol addiction recovery treatment center in Saulsalito, Calif., are available 24/7 to help residents deal with addiction and get back to lives free from alcohol addiction. When a patient checks in for a 30- or 60-day stay at our luxury drug rehab center overlooking the San Francisco Bay, our staff helps design a treatment plan that addresses all the factors that contribute to his or her specific addiction.

Alta Mira employs a variety of methods to help clients with alcohol addiction recovery, including:

-A minimum of three individual therapy sessions per week
-Daily group therapy
-On-site detoxification
-The latest medical and clinical treatments
-A variety of fun group activities
-Regular exercise to detoxify and rejuvenate the body
-Access to a variety of support group programs
-Educational seminars related to recovery
-Experimental therapies
-Post-treatment monitoring

Alta Mira’s treatment programs can include patent’s family members and others in their support system to create a custom treatment plan and we tailor to the needs of each individual patient. Our professional staff can create a flexible treatment program that incorporates other treatment options available from off-site resources.

If you or a loved one suffers from alcoholism, we encourage you to schedule a free and confidential appointment by calling 866-922-1350. We can help.