Alcohol Addiction Treatment Center in Rome, GA

Rome’s response to substance abuse challenges is evident in its infrastructure. The presence of multiple rehabilitation healthcare centers and treatment facilities in the area indicates that alcohol addiction is a significant community concern requiring substantial resources and attention.

The community’s response to alcohol addiction challenges is robust, with various treatment options and support services available to residents. However, like many similar-sized cities in Georgia, Rome continues to work on addressing substance use disorder issues as part of its broader public health and community wellness efforts.

For individuals seeking help at an alcohol addiction treatment center in Rome, GA, Fairland Recovery Center offers both immediate and long-term assistance for recovery.

Breaking the Cycle of Dependence at Fairland Recovery Center

Alcohol addiction is a severe health issue that affects millions of people worldwide. It’s a complex condition that can impact a person’s life, relationships, and overall well-being.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition marked by an inability to control alcohol use despite negative consequences.

People with alcohol addiction may find it hard to stop drinking even when they want to. This can lead to problems at work, home, and social situations. The condition is also known as alcoholism and can cause changes in the brain and body over time.

Recovery from alcohol addiction is possible with the right help and support. Fairland Recovery Center aims to reach people who are serious, focused, and willing to be held accountable. Treatment is a season of training ground because life is hard. It’s hard for all of us.

We want our clients to pick their hard wisely and develop a sense of self, identity, focus, and purpose. We want them to learn how to navigate the journey of life and not have to always resort to alcohol as an escape.

Understanding Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction is a complex condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It involves a range of symptoms, progresses through distinct stages, and can be influenced by various risk factors, including genetics.

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is the medical term for alcohol addiction. It’s a chronic brain disorder marked by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite negative consequences.

AUD can be mild, moderate, or severe. It includes what people often call alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, and alcoholism.

The disorder affects a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behavior. It can impact work, relationships, and health.

Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder

Symptoms of AUD can vary but often include:

• Drinking more or longer than intended
• Trying to cut down but being unable to
• Spending a lot of time drinking or recovering from drinking
• Craving alcohol
• Failing to meet responsibilities due to drinking
• Continuing to drink despite it causing problems

Physical symptoms may also occur:

• Needing more alcohol to get the same effect (tolerance)
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not drinking
• Drinking to avoid withdrawal symptoms

These symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on the individual and stage of the disorder.

Stages of Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction typically progresses through several stages:

1. Early Stage: Increased tolerance and drinking more often
2. Middle Stage: Loss of control over drinking, physical dependence begins
3. Late Stage: Severe physical and mental health problems. Life revolves around alcohol

Each stage has its challenges and risks. As the addiction progresses, it becomes harder to quit without help.

Early intervention and treatment services can prevent the progression to later, more severe stages.

Risk Factors and Genetics

Several factors can increase the risk of developing AUD:

• Starting to drink at an early age
• Mental health disorders like depression or anxiety
• Trauma or stress
• Social and cultural factors
• Family history of alcohol problems

Genetics plays a significant role in alcohol addiction. Studies show that genes account for about half the risk for AUD.

However, having these risk factors doesn’t guarantee someone will develop AUD. Likewise, people without these factors can still develop the disorder.

Understanding these risk factors can help in prevention, early intervention, and substance abuse treatment efforts.

Health Consequences of Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction can lead to severe health problems. These issues affect the body and mind, ranging from short-term effects to long-lasting damage. Unborn babies can also face risks when exposed to alcohol during pregnancy.

Short-Term Effects

Drinking too much alcohol can cause immediate health issues. People may experience nausea, vomiting, and headaches. Alcohol also affects judgment and coordination, leading to accidents or injuries.

Blackouts are a severe short-term effect. During a blackout, a person can’t remember what happened while drinking. This can be scary and dangerous.

Alcohol poisoning is another risk. Signs include:

• Slow or irregular breathing
• Low body temperature
• Pale or blue-tinged skin
• Seizures

If someone shows these signs, they need medical help right away.

Long-Term Complications

Over time, heavy drinking damages many parts of the body. The liver often suffers the most. It can develop fatty liver disease, hepatitis, or cirrhosis.

Other organs at risk include:

• Heart: High blood pressure, heart disease
• Pancreas: Inflammation, diabetes
• Stomach: Ulcers, acid reflux
• Brain: Memory loss, reduced brain size

Heavy drinkers may also face a higher risk of certain cancers. These include liver, breast, and colon cancer.

Alcohol weakens the immune system, too. This makes it harder for the body to fight off illnesses.

Alcohol and Mental Health

Alcohol use disorder often goes hand in hand with mental health issues. Depression and anxiety are common among people who struggle with alcohol addiction.

Drinking can make mental health worse. At first, alcohol might seem to help with stress or sadness. But over time, it can make these feelings stronger.

Some people drink to cope with mental health problems. This can lead to a cycle that’s hard to break. Getting help for both alcohol use and mental health is key to recovery.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs)

Drinking during pregnancy can harm the unborn baby. This can lead to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs). FASDs can cause:

• Growth problems
• Brain damage
• Learning difficulties
• Behavior issues

There’s no safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy. The best choice is not to drink at all when pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

FASDs last a lifetime. They can affect a person’s ability to learn, work, and live independently.

Alcohol Withdrawal and Detoxification

Stopping alcohol use after heavy drinking can lead to withdrawal symptoms. These can be mild to severe. Proper medical care is key for a safe detox process.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can start within hours or days after quitting. They may include:

• Anxiety and irritability
• Shaking and sweating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headaches
• Insomnia

More serious symptoms can occur:

• Hallucinations
• Seizures
• Delirium tremens (DTs)

DTs are the most severe form of withdrawal. They can be life-threatening. Signs include confusion, fever, and rapid heartbeat.

The timeline of withdrawal varies. For some, symptoms peak at 24-72 hours. Others may have issues for weeks.

Treatment and Recovery Options

Fairland Recovery Center’s team wants to legitimately help people. When somebody leaves the facility, they do not want clients to return unless they’re coming to share their story. They are not looking for repeat customers. 

Treating alcohol addiction involves several approaches. People have different options to choose from based on their needs. These options can work alone or together to help someone recover.

Evidence-Based Treatments

Evidence-based treatments are methods proven to work through research. They include medications and behavioral therapies.

These treatments aim to help people stop drinking and stay sober. They also work to improve overall health and life quality.

Our team often combines treatments, including medicine, therapy, and support groups, to find what works best for each patient.

Medications Used in Treatment

Three main medications are used to treat alcohol addiction:

1. Naltrexone: Reduces cravings and blocks the good feelings from alcohol.
2. Acamprosate: Helps the brain work normally after quitting alcohol.
3. Disulfiram: Causes unpleasant effects if someone drinks alcohol.

These drugs can help people stop drinking and avoid relapse. They work best when used with counseling and support.

Behavioral Therapies and Counseling

Behavioral therapies help people change their drinking habits. They teach new ways to cope with stress and triggers.

Common types of therapy include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
• Motivational Enhancement Therapy
• Family Therapy

When counseling is a part of the treatment plan, it can be one-on-one or group therapy. It helps people understand why they drink and how to stop.

Therapy also builds skills to handle life without a drug addiction. This includes dealing with cravings and avoiding situations that lead to drinking.

Partial Hospitalization vs. Outpatient Treatment Programs

Our intensive outpatient programs let people live at home while getting help. They attend regular sessions at our rehab center. This option suits those with milder addiction or strong support at home.

Partial hospitalization programs (PHP) are intensive, structured treatment programs for addiction and substance abuse that bridge the gap between inpatient and outpatient care. Patients attend treatment daily (typically 4-6 hours, 5-7 days per week) while returning home each evening.

Sober Living

Fairland Recovery Center also has residential treatment options within the rehab programs for people in the transitional phase of getting back on their feet.

Sober living homes are residential facilities that provide a structured, substance-free environment for people recovering from addiction. These homes are transitional between intensive treatment programs and independent living.

For this level of care, residents must follow house rules, including sobriety and participating in recovery meetings.

Maintaining Sobriety and Preventing Relapse

Staying sober requires ongoing effort and strategies for long-term recovery. Key factors include changing habits, managing triggers, building support systems, and viewing recovery as a journey.

Lifestyle Changes and Coping Skills

Healthy living is crucial for long-term sobriety. This includes:

• Regular exercise
• Balanced diet
• Adequate sleep
• Stress management techniques

Developing new coping skills helps you handle stress without substance use. Options include:

• Meditation
• Deep breathing exercises
• Journaling
• Engaging in hobbies

Learning to deal with negative emotions in healthy ways is key. This might involve talking to a therapist or trusted friend.

Identifying and Managing Triggers

Triggers are situations that make someone want to drink. Common triggers include:

• Certain people or places
• Negative emotions like stress or anger
• Positive events like celebrations

Creating a relapse prevention plan helps manage these triggers. Steps include:

1. Identify personal triggers
2. Develop strategies to avoid or cope with triggers
3. Practice these strategies regularly

Having a plan reduces the risk of impulsive decisions when faced with temptation.

The Role of Family and Relationships

Strong support systems are vital for maintaining sobriety. Healthy relationships provide:

• Emotional support
• Accountability
• Encouragement during tough times

Family members can learn about addiction to better support their loved ones. This might involve:

• Attending therapy sessions
• Joining support groups for families
• Creating a substance-free home environment

Building new friendships with sober individuals can also reinforce recovery efforts.

Relapse as Part of the Recovery Process

Relapse doesn’t mean failure. It’s often part of the recovery journey. If relapse occurs:

1. Seek help immediately
2. Learn from the experience
3. Adjust the recovery plan as needed

Tracking progress can help prevent relapse. This might include:

• Keeping a sobriety journal
• Celebrating milestones
• Using recovery apps

End the Flight or Fight

Fairland Recovery Center’s philosophy is to foster lasting recovery through personal growth and accountability rather than simply managing symptoms. With a solid commitment to aftercare, clients at Fairland Recovery Center receive ongoing support through case management and check-ins post-treatment. 

The center maintains a 60% sobriety maintenance rate among graduates, indicating the program’s effectiveness.

Make today the day you drop the baggage of alcohol addiction. When people are in an active addiction, a lot of times they become like chameleons and they learn to blend into their environment to survive. Find out how to stand up and stand out. Call us at 770-797-7652 to get started with your treatment provider.