Alcohol Abuse & Addiction Treatment

Learn more about alcohol addiction treatment at Riverview Behavioral Health Hospital in Texarkana, AR

You may have asked yourself, “How do I know if the consequences I’m experiencing from drinking mean I have an alcohol problem?” The brief answer is if you need to ask, chances are good that you have a problem. Perhaps others in your life have expressed concern over your drinking or suggested that you seem to have difficulties related to alcohol. Or maybe you have noticed times that you have kept drinking despite the increasing negative effects that have resulted.

You may have also been subjected to the myth that most of those who drink excessively and experience negative consequences from alcohol use simply quit. Essentially, many may suggest that all it takes is a single embarrassing incident after which these individuals just stop drinking just like that, no problem. Because of such messages if you have attempted to quit without success you may feel that you are flawed in some way or are a weak person to be unable to stop drinking without relapsing. The truth is that those who become dependent on alcohol rarely can quit without help.

Alcohol abuse & addiction is particularly difficult to give up not only because of its symptoms, but also because alcohol is a normal part of relaxing and celebrating in our culture. Therefore, it is easily accessible and often provided at all types of get-togethers whether formal or informal. Due to this, the symptoms of alcohol abuse can be hidden in plain view until they begin to prevent you from functioning normally, especially in social settings. The primary symptoms of alcohol use disorders include alcohol cravings, loss of control over your drinking such that you aren’t able to stop drinking even when you’ve decided to do so, tolerance or the need to use more alcohol to achieve the desired effects and physical and psychological dependence resulting in withdrawal symptoms once you’ve stopped drinking.

At Riverview we are here to help you conquer your dependence on alcohol as well as to help you restore your self confidence in your unique abilities and resources while aiding you in finding the path to recovery and a hope filled future.

Why consider treatment for alcohol addiction at Riverview Behavioral Health Hospital in Texarkana, AR

When you first begin using alcohol it generally results in positive effects and may be helpful for you during social events relaxing you and making it easier for you to interact. You may decide that if you use a little more you will experience even greater benefits. As a “little more” turns into a lot more over time, without realizing it you may have become dependent on the substance. If you have been suffering from a substance abuse disorder for a period of time however, you will have likely noticed negative consequences have begun to develop. Some of the problems you may be experiencing include:

• Anxiety
• Memory Problems
• Impaired judgment
• Social problems
• Decreased productivity at work or school
• Financial Problems
• Problems sleeping
• Personality changes
• Loss of motivation
• Putting off responsibilities with negative outcomes resulting
• Loss of relationships
• Collapse of parent-child relationships

In addition to negative consequences, people with alcohol addiction frequently also have co–occurring disorders. This causes the problems experienced from the alcohol use to multiply and depending on the disorder can greatly increase the individuals suffering to the point they become suicidal. Even when individuals with co-occurring psychiatric or substance abuse disorders seek treatment few treatment facilities are prepared to focus on both disorders simultaneously. Research has shown that the only way for an individual to make a complete recovery from comorbid substance abuse and psychiatric disorders is to address each problem together since they interact in ways that make it impossible to treat them as if they are individual entities.

At Riverview we understand how difficult it is to take that first step to commit to treatment. When you make that decision you want to know those treating you have the skill, experience, and compassion to help you start on the path to a complete recovery. At Riverview we integrate pharmacological and psychosocial interventions for alcohol use as well as any additional substance related or psychiatric disorders to ensure the most effective outcomes.

Philosophy and benefits of treatment at Riverview Behavioral Health Hospital

We are a treatment setting dedicated to providing the highest level of care to families across the life-span. We support individuals and families in numerous ways including education and information provision, in depth comprehensive evaluations, intervention for acute difficulties, long-term care and extensive discharge planning for aftercare placement. We have strong partnerships with other area hospitals, community service resources and programs with levels of care we lack so if after evaluating your problems we feel we can’t fully serve your needs we will help to identify and refer you to a program that can do so. Similarly, we provide services for patients referred to us from other programs when we have resources other programs may lack. This allows us to ensure each of our patients receives the most comprehensive care possible in order to return to their previous level of functioning or begin on the road to recovery from whatever difficulty which may be causing their suffering. We are not a program that is satisfied with symptom improvement – We will always work towards complete symptom remission so you can get back to enjoying your life. Our staff is dedicated to meeting the individual needs of each patient in a compassionate and professional manner. We pride ourselves on our commitment to service and will always take the time to listen to your needs.

Types of alcohol addiction treatment offered at Riverview Behavioral Health Hospital in Texarkana, AR

At Riverview we pride ourselves on conducting the most comprehensive evaluations possible which includes formal testing and informal conversation to get to know you so we can determine the best level of care and particular strategies for your particular pattern of difficulties. After your evaluation has been completed your treatment team will work with you and family members included in your rehab, to create an individualized treatment plan that addresses both the specifics of the disorder you are experiencing along with who you are as a person. Some of the treatment options offered for substance abuse include:

Crisis Management – We are aware that often those who have quit drinking may be confronted with incidents they feel are beyond their ability to cope and overwhelms them. We evaluate the problem and help you develop an action plan which includes strategies to use at the time and in the future.

Medication Evaluation and Medical Management – At Riverview we are aware that many people struggling with alcohol abuse may have physical and psychological symptoms related to quitting. We will evaluate you to determine if medication may be appropriate for symptom management.

Family therapy – We strongly family participation as much as possible and offer facilitated family meetings for patients as desired and deemed appropriate.

Group Therapy – We use a small groups approach as our primary mode of intervention. These groups provide a mix of skills based instruction, education, and process orientated psychotherapy.

Individual Therapy- We provide limited individual session but recognize that at times individuals need personalized attention or to discuss an issue they prefer not to raise in a group setting.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – Our therapeutic approaches are informed by techniques from CBT and DBT. Goals focus on helping you to recognize maladaptive thinking patterns related to your substance abuse and aids you in learning how to alter them in addition. This therapeutic approach can increase distress tolerance, acceptance of past pain and problems in order to let them go, and focus on the here and now.

Relapse Prevention – Prevention efforts focus on identifying those situations considered high-risk, helping you learn strategies for coping with these situations and aiding you in rebuilding your sense of self-efficacy.

We may provide additional services to help you as you begin on the path to recovery such as:

• Music Therapy
• Special Outings
• Exercise Therapy

Continuing care and levels of treatment for alcohol addiction

We recognize that struggling with an alcohol abuse or addiction is not a straight forward. You may feel anxious approaching discharge due to fear of responsibility for your sobriety being transferred back to you. However, we will work closely with you and any involved family members to provide any additional skills that may help you along with constant support as you near the time you will be leaving our program. At the same time we take your sustained progress very seriously and will provide you with individualized discharge planning before your departure. During this process we will work with you to identify the most appropriate program for you to continue your rehab and move further along the path towards a satisfying, happy, and fulfilling life.