Alcohol Rehab in Asheville, NC

Asheville Alcoholism Treatment

Alcohol abuse, also known as alcohol use disorder or alcoholism, affects nearly 15 million people in the United States, including almost half a million teens and adolescents under the age of 18. It is characterized by excessive alcohol consumption and continued use despite negative consequences associated with drinking. People struggling with alcohol abuse often experience an uncontrollable, compulsive desire to drink, as well as withdrawal symptoms and other negative consequences when not consuming alcohol.

Alcoholism is a disease, and like any other disease, it can be incredibly difficult to overcome without professional help. At Carolina Recovery Solutions, we offer comprehensive alcohol addiction treatment in Asheville and the surrounding areas for those struggling with alcohol abuse, misuse, and addiction. We tailor our programs to meet the unique needs of each individual patient while focusing on a whole-person approach to recovery. At our welcoming facility in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains, patients have the opportunity to unplug, disconnect from triggers, and be free from the stressors of everyday life. This allows them to focus on developing the tools and skills they need to heal and achieve lasting sobriety.

If you or someone you love is struggling with alcoholism, contact Carolina Recovery Solutions online or by phone at (828) 383-8328 to learn how we can help.

Check out some of the amazing recovery stories in our reviews.

What Is Alcoholism?

Alcoholism is used to refer to excessive alcohol abuse and/or addiction. While it is often viewed as an extreme form of uncontrolled alcohol consumption, alcoholism can also involve alcohol misuse, such as binge drinking, high-intensity drinking, and heavy drinking. Collectively, these behaviors are known as alcohol use disorders, and they can have serious physical, emotional, mental, financial, and social consequences.

Alcohol consumption affects various communication pathways in the brain. Over time, this interferes with brain function and behavior. Someone struggling with an alcohol use disorder may experience changes in mood, thought patterns, and physical health. They may feel a compulsive desire to continue drinking alcohol, despite these and other negative consequences. They may need to consume higher quantities of alcohol to achieve the same or similar effects as before, or to ease uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, which can quickly lead to increased tolerance, dependency, and addiction.

What Are the Warning Signs of Alcohol Abuse?

Anyone can develop an alcohol use disorder. Certain factors, such as genetics, family history, and environment, can impact an individual’s risk, but there is no one factor that can be used to pinpoint who may become addicted to alcohol or why.

Because alcoholism has so many harmful effects, including potentially life-threatening physical implications, it is important that you can identify the signs of alcohol abuse. Getting help can be difficult but recognizing that you may have a problem is an important first step in any successful recovery.

Some of the warning signs that you or someone you love may be struggling with an alcohol use disorder include:

• Frequently drinking more alcohol than intended
• Unsuccessfully trying to cut down on alcohol consumption
• Wanting to stop drinking or drink less but being unable to do so
• Spending significant amounts of time drinking or recovering from drinking
• Needing more alcohol to feel “buzzed” or drunk
• Feeling a strong urge, desire, or compulsion to drink
• Continuing to drink alcohol despite negative consequences in your life
• Struggling to fulfill obligations at work, school, or home
• Consuming alcohol in dangerous situations, such as before or while driving
• Losing interest in activities outside of drinking, such as previously enjoyed hobbies
• Frequently drinking to the point of blacking out
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms (nausea, shaking, sweating, etc.) when not drinking

If alcohol is interfering with your life, that’s enough reason to stop drinking, even if you do not believe that you are an alcoholic or have an alcohol use disorder. Once alcohol use has developed into a dependency or addiction, it can be extremely difficult to quit without the help of a professional team of addiction specialists.

Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Abuse

Many people misunderstand the full consequences of alcohol abuse. Far too often, alcohol abuse is portrayed as causing nausea and hangovers, but not much else. The truth is that alcohol abuse can and does often cause severe long-term consequences on the physical and mental health of the person struggling with alcohol addiction.

Potentially dangerous effects of long-term alcohol abuse include:

• Liver damage: The liver processes toxins that enter the body, but it is not a perfect “filter.” Heavy drinking can damage liver cells permanently, ultimately causing liver damage.
• Stomach ulcers: Alcoholic in the stomach can be strong enough to damage the stomach’s lining, causing painful ulcers.
• Heart failure: Many studies have shown that people who struggle with alcohol addiction are much more likely to develop heart complications, possibly leading to heart failure.
• Immune system deficiencies: The entire immune system can be damaged by repeated alcohol abuse, which makes the individual more likely to suffer from other illnesses and diseases.
• Cancer: Various cancers are directly linked to, caused by, or worsened by alcohol consumption, such as stomach, liver, throat, and mouth cancers.
• Nerve damage: High alcohol blood toxicity can damage brain cells as this sensitive organ is starved of oxygen. If nerve damage results, then a variety of mental disorders can follow.
• Anxiety and depression: Alcohol addiction can cause or dramatically worsen anxiety, depression, and other mental health difficulties.

Alcohol Use Disorder & Addiction Treatment

Like other forms of addiction, there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to treating alcoholism and alcohol use disorders. At Carolina Recovery Solutions in Asheville, we offer a range of customizable treatment plans and programs designed to help each individual patient manage their unique triggers and overcome the cycle of abuse.

Depending on your specific situation, alcohol addiction treatment may involve:

• Alcohol Detox: It is generally not recommended that people with alcohol use disorders suddenly stop consuming alcohol altogether. In fact, “going cold turkey” can be dangerous and may lead to life-threatening complications. Instead, recovery typically begins with clinical alcohol detox, which involves the gradual reduction of alcohol consumption and safe management of withdrawal symptoms.
• Intensive Outpatient Treatment: Intensive outpatient treatment allows patients to continue living at home while attending the facility two or three times a week (or more) for several hours at a time. During these hours, patients receive alcohol abuse and addiction treatment, which may include a variety of therapies. Intensive outpatient treatment often follows a residential treatment program but may also be appropriate for less-serious alcohol use disorders.

Other alcohol addiction treatments include 12-step programs, individual and group therapy, family treatment and relationship healing, behavioral treatment, and medication-assisted treatment to limit cravings, reduce temptation, and lower the risk of relapse.

North Carolina Alcohol Addiction Statistics

According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, alcohol is a significant public health concern in the state. Some key statistics about alcohol use and addiction in North Carolina include:

• In 2019, 35.4% of adults in North Carolina reported binge drinking (defined as consuming four or more drinks for women or five or more drinks for men on a single occasion) in the past month.

• In 2019, 12.1% of adults in North Carolina reported heavy alcohol use (defined as binge drinking on five or more days in the past month) in the past month.

• In 2019, an estimated 2.3% of adults in North Carolina met the criteria for alcohol dependence or abuse in the past year.

• In 2019, alcohol was a contributing factor in 9.1% of traffic crashes in North Carolina, resulting in more than 1,600 crashes and approximately 200 deaths.

• In 2019, alcohol was a contributing factor in approximately 45% of suicides in North Carolina.

If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol addiction in North Carolina, it is important to seek help from a mental health professional or addiction specialist. At Carolina Recovery Solutions, we can help figure out the right plan to successfully get you off alcohol addiction.

Offering the Compassionate Help You Need

At Carolina Recovery Solutions, we offer customizable alcohol addiction treatment in Asheville for those struggling to overcome alcoholism and other alcohol use disorders. Our team of addiction specialists, licensed therapists, and registered nurses provides compassionate, empathetic support throughout the entire recovery process, from the moment you call through aftercare and beyond. We strive to develop meaningful, lasting relationships to aid our patients in achieving long-term sobriety.

We have helped countless patients overcome life-altering addictions, allowing them to heal and move forward with their lives. At our treatment center, you can focus on rebuilding your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health and cultivating the skills you need to succeed.

Ready to take the first step in your recovery? Contact us online or call (828) 383-8328 to learn more, including how we can help you get started on the path to healing.