Alcohol Rehab in Lexington, KY

Alcohol rehab in Lexington, KY, can help those struggling with an addiction to this commonly abused substance. Despite its legal status, alcohol is one of the most deadly drugs consumed in the US. Some may use alcohol to cope with conditions like PTSD, OCD, or depression.

As a result, quitting alcohol can be painful and even life-threatening without proper support. However, at Lexington Addiction Center, we believe that anyone can recover from alcohol addiction. Our outpatient programs are great for those continuing treatment after detox or other types of inpatient rehab.

The Need for Alcohol Rehab in Lexington, KY

While alcohol abuse in Kentucky is not as high as in other states, there is still a need for rehab centers throughout the Commonwealth. Like most of the US, rates of alcohol consumption have increased in Kentucky due to the COVID-19 pandemic. People are drinking more alcohol, which leads to premature deaths, chronic health conditions, social problems, and other issues.

The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS) shares the following about alcohol use in Kentucky:

• 15.8% of adults in Kentucky binge drink at least once a month
• 25% of the most active drinkers binge drink about 5 times per month
• An average of 2,206 deaths occur annually in Kentucky due to excessive drinking
• The 5-year annual average of excessive alcohol-related deaths per capita has increased by 40.2% from 2015 to 2019

These statistics can be prevented with alcohol addiction treatment. Our treatment center in Lexington provides alcohol rehab as well as mental health support, as addiction and mental health disorders often co-occur. Yet, since alcohol is legal and more socially accepted than most other substances, many people don’t realize they have an addiction.

What is Considered Alcohol Addiction?

Alcohol addiction is also referred to as alcoholism, alcohol use disorder (AUD), or alcohol abuse. Alcoholism occurs along a spectrum of symptoms from mild to severe. Therefore, some people can have an addiction to alcohol, yet they maintain a relatively normal life without severe consequences. However, alcohol addiction is a progressive disease, so without treatment, symptoms worsen over time. 

Overall, alcohol addiction has physical, behavioral, and mental health aspects to define the disease. A person with an alcohol addiction feels that they need alcohol to function in certain situations. In cases of severe addiction, they might feel the need to drink throughout most of the day, perhaps to relax or ease underlying trauma. Generally, the compulsive use of a substance despite negative consequences defines addiction to any drug, including alcohol. In other words, a person cannot stop drinking even though alcohol is the root cause of several problems in their life.

What is in Alcohol That Makes it Addictive?

Alcohol’s addictiveness is mainly due to ethanol, which increases dopamine release in the brain’s reward system, enhances calming GABA activity, inhibits excitatory glutamate, and triggers endorphin release. These effects create pleasurable and relaxing sensations, reinforcing drinking behavior. Over time, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms develop, making it challenging to quit and further driving addiction.

What is the Link Between Alcohol and Heredity and Alcohol Addiction?

Sometimes, it is easier to define an addiction by its symptoms. Like other diseases, alcoholism shows itself with several symptoms across many aspects of a person’s health and wellness. Thus, the signs of alcohol addiction can be defined by physical, behavioral, and mental health symptoms:

Physical signs of alcohol addiction include:

• Loss of bodily coordination
• Shakiness or tremors
• The smell of alcohol on a person’s breath
• Nausea and vomiting
• Withdrawal symptoms appear when not drinking
• Changes in appetite and weight gain or loss
• Sleeping issues

Behavioral signs of alcohol addiction include:

• Impulsive or reckless behaviors
• Mood swings
• Slurred speech
• Agitation and frequent conflicts with loved ones
• Problems at work or school

Mental symptoms of alcohol addiction include:

• Trouble focusing and concentrating
• Anxiety and depression
• Problems with memory
• Blackouts
• Difficulty regulating emotions

Due to the range of symptoms and effects of alcoholism, our alcohol rehab in Lexington, KY, provides treatment for multiple areas of health and wellness. Furthermore, when it comes to what alcohol can lead to, from damaged relationships to serious health problems, the effects are many. 

Medical Condition Caused by Alcohol Abuse: 

• Liver disease (cirrhosis, hepatitis)
• Heart problems (cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias)
• Digestive issues (gastritis, pancreatitis)
• Increased risk of cancers (mouth, throat, liver, breast)
• Neurological damage (brain shrinkage, neuropathy)
• Weakened immune system
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Increased risk of suicide

How is Alcohol Addiction Treated?

Common questions about alcohol addiction treatment include what happens in alcohol rehab and how long is for alcohol addiction. Alcohol rehab works by using several approaches that encourage whole-health recovery. In other words, there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to treating alcoholism. Rather, clients must address multiple areas of their lives for a full recovery. 

Detox

First, a person must stop drinking and go through withdrawal during detox. Many people will need an inpatient facility to successfully detox. At an inpatient facility, they will not be able to access alcohol when withdrawal symptoms and cravings occur. In addition, they will have treatment professionals nearby to address any distressing or life-threatening symptoms of withdrawal.

Residential Treatment

After detox, a person needs to continue treatment for alcohol addiction. This might be at a residential treatment center (RTC) for some people. These programs usually last from 30 to 90 days and include alcohol addiction counseling. However, for some people, residential treatment is not an option due to family, school, or work. That is why we offer outpatient options at Lexington Addiction Center.

Outpatient Treatment

During outpatient treatment, clients can continue recovery after detox at one of our three levels of care. Our outpatient programs include the following levels of care:

• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): This is also called “day treatment.” Our PHP lasts for several hours per day for four to five days per week. PHP is the highest level of care offered at Lexington Addiction Center.
• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): An IOP has a high level of support with several hours of programming per week. However, an IOP schedule is much more flexible than PHP. Programming usually occurs during the evening hours to fit people’s work or school schedules.
• Outpatient Program: A standard outpatient program occurs for only about one to two hours per week, depending on the person’s needs. These types of programs are best for those who have the skills to maintain sobriety with low levels of professional support and structure.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Some people use medications to manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms while in outpatient treatment. This practice is called medication-assisted treatment (MAT). At our rehab center, we offer Vivitrol injections as a means of treating alcohol addiction, along with peer support, life skills, and therapy.

Does Insurance Cover Alcohol Rehab in Lexington, KY?

After the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), many insurance companies followed the lead of the Healthcare Marketplace in considering long-term substance abuse treatment as an essential health benefit. Therefore, most insurance providers do cover some, most, or all the costs of alcohol rehab. However, each company can vary in terms of how much programming, the type of treatments offered, and the length of rehab they will cover. It is best to reach out to treatment providers and insurers to verify coverage before entering rehab.

Begin Alcohol Rehab in Lexington, KY

Alcoholism can cause several problems in a person’s life. This disease can also lead to long-term mental and physical health issues. Alcohol symptoms can worsen when combined with drugs like cocaine or Xanax. Fortunately, treatment for alcohol addiction can reduce the risk of relapse and help clients find a pathway to recovery. At Lexington Addiction Center, our team is here to help those struggling with alcohol addiction and any co-occurring mental health disorders.

Contact us today to learn more about recovery and alcohol rehab.