Pennsylvania Alcohol Addiction Treatment

St. Joseph’s successful alcohol use disorder rehab requires each person to identify and learn to manage the emotions that drive the desire to drink.

Our inpatient alcohol treatment program in Pennsylvania has a strong focus on one-on-one counseling that enables the individual to address their unique issues.

We help each individual progress through the steps that will be necessary to live without alcohol – and its destructive power in their life.

What is an Alcohol Use Disorder?

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), previously known as alcoholism or alcohol addiction, is a chronic medical condition characterized by an inability to control one’s drinking despite negative consequences. It is a serious and progressive condition that can have detrimental effects on an individual’s physical and mental health, relationships, and overall quality of life.

To be diagnosed with AUD, an individual must meet at least two of the following criteria within a 12-month period:

  1. Impaired Control:
    • Drinking more or for a longer period than intended.
    • Unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control alcohol use.
    • Spending a significant amount of time obtaining, using, or recovering from the effects of alcohol.
  2. Social Impairment:
    • Craving or a strong desire to use alcohol.
    • Failing to fulfill major obligations at work, school, or home due to alcohol use.
    • Continued alcohol use despite social or interpersonal problems caused or worsened by drinking.
  3. Risky Use:
    • Using alcohol in situations where it is physically hazardous.
    • Continued alcohol use despite knowing it’s causing or worsening a physical or psychological problem.
  4. Pharmacological Criteria:
    • Tolerance: Needing more alcohol to achieve the desired effect or experiencing reduced effects with the same amount.
    • Withdrawal: Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when alcohol use is reduced or stopped.

The severity of AUD is determined by the number of criteria met:

  • Mild: 2-3 criteria.
  • Moderate: 4-5 criteria.
  • Severe: 6 or more criteria.

Fact About Alcohol Use Disorder

Addiction to alcohol occurs among 15% – 20% of those who drink. Research suggests that the risk increases when alcohol is used at a young age when the brain is still developing. In combination with many drugs, alcohol can be fatal.

One fact most people can guess about alcoholism and alcohol abuse is that they have long been the primary sources of addiction affecting tens of millions of people in North America. Ethanol, the intoxicating ingredient found in beer, wine, and liquor impacts the central nervous system as a depressant. It affects memory, coordination, and behavior while often lowering inhibitions and leading to high-risk behaviors.

Drinking and driving continue to be a large and serious problem leading to thousands of deaths and injuries each year. The only way to decrease these numbers is to educate the public about alcoholism and alcohol abuse and provide help for alcoholics.

Medication Assisted Treatment for Alcohol Addiction

People seeking treatment for alcohol abuse face special challenges since alcohol is legal and widely available for adults over age 21. MAT for alcohol addiction typically involves the use of medications that discourage the use of alcohol.

Disulfiram (brand name Antabuse) produces unpleasant effects such as nausea, headache, and vomiting when a person taking the drug drinks alcohol. It is considered most effective for people who have already gone through detoxification or are in the initial stage of abstinence.

Acamprosate (brand name Campral) works by stabilizing the chemical signaling in the brain that would otherwise be disrupted by alcohol withdrawal. It helps prevent people from drinking, but does not prevent withdrawal symptoms after consuming alcohol. It is normally prescribed on the fifth day of abstinence.

Naltrexone (brand names Vivitrol or Revia) blocks the euphoric effects and feelings of intoxication. This prevents an individual from gaining any psychological benefit from drinking.

Benzodiazepines to Address Anxiety Related to Alcohol Withdrawal

Benzodiazepines, often simply called benzos, slow down the central nervous system, which makes them useful in addressing the efforts of alcohol withdrawal. Diazepam (brand name Valium) and chlordiazepoxide (brand name Librium) are the two types of benzos most often used in alcohol detox programs.

Due to their ability to counteract anxiety, benzos can also be used to manage cocaine or stimulant withdrawal. However, benzos should only be used on a short-term basis due to their potential for abuse.

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We are passionate about helping you or your loved one find lasting recovery.

At St. Joseph Institute, we provide solutions that free you from the power of addiction.

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