Alcoholism is a common cause of substance use disorders in the United States. Though alcohol can be an addictive, psychoactive substance, it’s often seen as a rite of passage or a method of self-medication. Alcohol addiction is a chronic disease, and quitting alcohol after becoming dependent can be potentially dangerous. Alcohol use disorder has affected people all over the country, including Lowell, MA. However, alcoholism can be treated effectively and safely through detoxification and rehabilitation.
Learn more about alcohol rehab in Lowell and how it can help you overcome a substance use disorder.
Alcohol Addiction in Lowell, MA
The addiction and overdose crisis has affected people all over the country for more than a decade. Opioids have driven the increasing rates of
overdose deaths and substance use problems in the United States, especially in the past several years. However, alcohol’s wide availability and legal status make alcoholism a consistent public health threat. Plus, with the increasing prevalence of prescription and illicit opioid misuse, polydrug use is common. Mixing alcohol with other substances, including opioids, can be dangerous. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were more than 100,000 drug overdose deaths in 2020.
Alcohol may be the most commonly used recreational substance in the world. Around 85% of people have used alcohol at some point in their life. According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, around 50% of people 12 and older drank alcohol within the past month. More than 22% engaged in binge drinking in the past month. That accounts for more than 61 million people. Binge drinking increases your risk of developing a chemical dependence or addiction to alcohol. Around 6.4 percent engaged in heavy drinking, and the highest percentage of binge drinkers were in the 18-to-25 age group.
Massachusetts has a significant number of binge drinkers and people with alcohol use disorders. Between 2017 and 2019, there was an annual average of around 369,000 people with alcohol use disorders in Massachusetts. Around 516,000 people had a general substance use disorder. In 2019, around 65,000 teens between ages 12 and 17 used substances drank alcohol in a given month.
Serenity at Summit Drug Rehab in Lowell, MA
Several levels of care in addiction treatment are used to treat different levels of medical, psychological, and emotional needs. Alcoholism can be treated in inpatient and outpatient settings, depending on the severity of your substance use disorder. In many cases, you may start with a high level of inpatient care and move on to outpatient treatment once your condition stabilizes and you can safely live at home.
Serenity at Summit provides acute treatment services and client stabilizations services, which are both inpatient levels of care in addiction treatment. Here’s a brief breakdown of the treatment services Serenity at Summit provides.
Acute Treatment Services
Acute treatment services (ATS) involve 24-hour care with medically managed treatment. This high level of care is reserved for people who are likely to go through severe or dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, which is often associated with severe withdrawal symptoms. Quitting cold turkey without help could cause potentially life-threatening symptoms like seizures and heart complications. Acute treatment services involve medical care to help get you through the withdrawal phase safely. Acute treatment services may also be used to treat other medical needs related to addiction or medical conditions that could be worsened by withdrawal symptoms.
When you start acute treatment services, you’ll also go through several hours of therapies to address your substance use issue and other issues that may be related. You may go through treatments to address mental and behavioral health issues with the goal of achieving long-term sobriety. When you get through the acute withdrawal phase, and you don’t have significant and immediate medical needs, you may move onto the next level of care.
Client Stabilization Services
Client stabilization services are used to treat people who don’t have acute medical needs but still need round-the-clock care. It’s often used to treat clients that have already completed acute treatment services. Client stabilization services may involve medical monitoring, especially for people who may experience post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). Post-acute withdrawal involves symptoms that emerge after you’ve already gone through the acute withdrawal phase. It’s most common among people who have gone through withdrawal from alcohol or other central nervous system depressants.
It may also involve clinically managed services, which involve regular meetings with a therapist and 24-hour access to care. You’ll also work through an intensive treatment plan that has been personalized based on your biological, psychological, and social needs.
Aftercare
Serenity at Summit provides aftercare services that can help you continue your pursuit of recovery after you complete treatment. Aftercare involves frequent check-ins. If you need to revisit treatment of a relapse or issues that threaten a relapse, aftercare can help you get into the treatment you need. Aftercare is also helpful in getting you connected to community-based services that can help you continue your recovery, including 12-step programs and job placement.
Alcohol Rehab in Lowell, MA FAQ
Alcoholism is a serious disease that can worsen over time. For that reason, it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible once you’ve recognized that you have a problem. Finding the right treatment for your needs is important in achieving and maintaining your sobriety. While you’re looking for the right care, you may have several questions and concerns. Here are some answers to common questions about alcohol rehab at Serenity at Summit.
How Long Is Rehab?
For effective addiction treatment, rehab should last for at least 90 days, according to research from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Addiction is a complex disease, and it takes a significant time commitment to address the deeply rooted problems that often come with substance use problems. The three-month timeline is an ideal minimum amount of treatment time, but you may need more depending on your treatment plan. Those 90 days may involve several levels of care, from intensive inpatient treatment to a few hours of outpatient services each week. Higher levels of care like medical detoxification and inpatient treatment typically last for a few weeks to a month, though there is no time limit, and it’s best to take the time you need.
Do I Have to Travel?
Whether you’re traveling down the street or across the country, you will need to pack as if you’re going on a trip if you’re entering an inpatient treatment program. However, if you live in the Lowell area, you won’t have to travel very far to attend treatment at Serenity at Summit. Traveling can have some benefits to the treatment process, but it may not be necessary, especially if you can’t travel. There may be some good options in your area that can help facilitate lasting recovery.
Does Serenity at Summit Provide Transportation?
Serenity at Summit can help with some of your transportation needs, especially as you go through inpatient levels of care. Since you’ll be staying on our campus, most of your needs will be taken care of without having to travel. If you need to go off-site for something like an appointment with a specialist, we can help you get to and from those appointments. When getting to the treatment center, you will need to handle flights and airfare. However, when you arrive, we can pick you up, and there will be no need to rent a car or call a taxi.
How Much Does Drug Rehab Cost?
Addiction treatment is like other medical recovery programs in that it can be expensive, especially when inpatient treatment is involved. The full continuum of care can cost several thousand dollars. However, since treatment is highly personalized, the final cost of treatment can vary from person to person. The time you spend in high-level care, the medications you take, and the amount your insurance plan covers will all determine how much rehab will cost you. It’s important to remember that addiction is a progressive disease that can threaten your health, relationships, and finances. Finding effective treatment for your needs may be a good investment.
What Insurance Carriers Does Serenity at Summit Take?
Serenity at Summit will accept coverage from the majority of private insurance companies. Insurance is one of the best ways to make drug and alcohol rehab more affordable, and most insurance companies offer coverage for substance use and mental health services. Serenity at Summit is also an in-network treatment center with several insurance providers. But it’s important to note that it’s not necessary to have an in-network provider to get coverage.
