How to find an Alcohol Therapist Near Me
Do you suspect you have a problem with alcohol? Do you find yourself searching online for “alcohol therapist near me”? If so, you are not alone. Many people struggle with unhealthy alcohol use. Alcohol use disorder is one of the most common mental health disorders in the US. According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, an estimated 6.2% of adults in the US have an alcohol use disorder.
Alcohol therapy or counseling can help you address your alcohol problem, address any other underlying issues and help you learn healthier ways to cope and manage your emotions associated with alcohol abuse. Alcohol therapy can help anyone who has a difficult and/or unhealthy relationship with alcohol.
Alcohol use disorder is characterized by the impaired ability to stop or control drinking habits despite constant adverse social, occupational and health consequences. Alcohol abuse can be anywhere from mild, moderate to severe. Problems with alcohol can manifest from drinking too much, drinking too fast or even drinking too often.
Questions to ask yourself that can reveal if you may have an AUD
- Have there been times in which you ended up drinking more or longer than you intended?
- On more than one occasion, have you tried to cut down or stop drinking but failed?
- Have you wanted a drink so badly that you could not think of anything else but alcohol?
- Do you spend too much time drinking alcohol, being sick from alcohol and recovering from alcohol, that it interferes with your daily life?
- Have you continued to drink despite it causing trouble in your life?
- Have you given up on activities that you once loved in order to drink?
- Have you put yourself in risky situations while or after drinking?
- Have you experienced withdrawal symptoms when you stopped drinking?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have an alcohol use disorder. Seeking counseling and therapy can be extremely effective and beneficial for those who have an alcohol addiction.
How do I find an Alcohol Therapist near me?
Finding help for your alcohol use disorder can be daunting. One way to start is to speak with your primary care provider. Your provider can help recommend and find alcohol therapy and treatment that best fits what you need. This can include recommendations for 12 step meetings or send you to an alcohol counselor or therapist.
You can reach out and speak directly to an alcohol counselor or therapist. You can directly reach out and contact an inpatient alcohol treatment facility. You can also call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration helpline at (800) 662-HELP (4357).
When finding an alcohol therapist, you may also want to consider the following:
- Cost – how much will treatment be
- Insurance – will insurance help me pay for treatment, how much will my insurance pay and how much will I need to pay
- Treatment level of care – will I need detox, inpatient residential, PHP or IOP
- Treatment setting – will I prefer treatment in a hospital or clinic or will I prefer treatment in a home-like setting
What is Alcohol Addiction Therapy?
Alcohol therapy is provided by professionals who are experienced in alcohol related matters. They can be counselors, case managers, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, therapists or even general practitioners. They usually work in treatment centers, specialty clinics or facilities, community centers or drug and alcohol rehab programs. It is generally all confidential.
Psychiatrists can prescribe medications and behavioral treatment therapy. Psychologists, social workers, and alcohol counselors can treat behavioral issues associated with your alcohol use disorder. All of these types of professional alcohol treatment providers can help you evaluate your drinking patterns, help craft a treatment plan, evaluate your overall health and assess whether medication treatment may be appropriate.
Alcohol therapy can be very helpful and effective for those in active addiction, those who are in remission from alcohol addiction and family members and loved ones of those with an alcohol problem.
There are various types of alcohol therapy and counseling. Treatments can include individual therapy, group or family therapy, face-to-face counseling, online video therapy or even treatment through the phone. The ever-evolving research and technology in health and medicine have provided more ways in which people can receive effective treatment.
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Types of Alcohol Treatment Therapy
- Talk Therapy – Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is a classic approach to alcohol treatment. It can be done one-on-one. It can be done in a group setting such as group therapy or family therapy. It is an effective technique in which patients can discuss their challenges, long-standing issues and past traumas that impact their alcohol addiction. It can help clients to better understand how to manage their cravings and stay motivated in sobriety. Talk therapy allows the provider to formulate a mental health diagnosis and treatment plan. Examples of talk therapy include cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy.
- Motivational Interviewing – This technique of treatment encourages patients to set direct goals for self-improvement and motivates them to achieve their goals. It is a popular type of treatment in substance use disorder programs because it breaks the sense of powerlessness against addiction. The aim is to change the client’s perspective on the importance of change and it is a useful tool for clients who are ready to change.
- 12 step programs – The most popular 12 step program is Alcoholics Anonymous. It is a peer support group where participants can openly discuss their struggles with alcohol. It is usually a supplemental form of treatment support to formal therapy. 12 steps programs help people feel less alone, part of a community and a motivator for staying accountable in their recovery.
- Online therapy – Alcohol addiction treatment and therapy have grown and evolved since the COVID-19 pandemic. Online therapy is a new innovative way to treat addiction. Online therapy, whether it is through video conferencing, the phone or through a chat system, helps break down barriers to getting treatment such as transportation, cost and availability. This non-traditional form of treatment isn’t for everyone, but can be helpful for those with less severe alcohol problems.
- Non-Traditional Forms of Treatment – Yoga, meditation, physical activity, art and music therapy are all non-traditional methods that can be effective in alcohol treatment therapy. The collection of physical and mental exercises through yoga and meditation can help with relaxation, calm and emotional peace. Art and music therapy help clients who find it difficult to express their emotions with words, express it physically in a tangible way.
- Medication-Assisted Treatment – With MAT, FDA-approved medications can be prescribed to help treat specific symptoms of alcohol abuse. They can help keep withdrawal symptoms at bay, can help curb alcohol cravings and can help prevent relapse of alcohol use.
Benefits of finding the right Alcohol Therapist near me
- Problem-solving –Therapy can help improve your problem-solving skills to help you better manage your issues and emotions.
- Relapse prevention – Therapy can help you learn new skills and confidence to help you deal with potential relapse and prevent it from happening.
- Harm reduction – Therapy can help patients discover other strategies to help reduce harm related to drug use. For example, using clean and sterile needles or having naloxone nearby in case of an overdose.
- Grounding – Therapy can teach grounding techniques to help patients focus on the present moment as a way to manage distressing memories and thoughts.
- Challenge unhelpful thinking – Therapy can help patients identify and manage difficult feelings or unhelpful behaviors.
Reach out to Hotel California by the Sea
We specialize in treating addiction and other co-occurring disorders, such as PTSD. Our Admissions specialists are available to walk you through the best options for treating your addiction.
Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
Despite being a common mental health condition, alcohol addiction still holds stigma behind it, making it difficult for people to seek help. Therapy can help you identify your goals around your alcohol use, provide helpful strategies to achieve your goals, link you with others in the community and provide support and services to help you in recovery.
Professional behavioral treatment facilities, such as Hotel California by the Sea, provide alcohol addiction treatments. We offer treatment at all levels of care including detox, residential, PHP and IOP. We utilize evidence-based treatment methods such as CBT, DBT and EMDR therapy. Hotel California by The Sea is dedicated to helping clients reach their goals for sobriety and overcome their alcohol addiction.