Alcohol abuse is a widespread public health problem in the United States. In San Diego, roughly a quarter of people over the age of 12 participate in binge drinking at least once a month, which is higher than California as a whole[2].
While it may not look like other illnesses, alcoholism (or alcohol use disorder) is a progressive disease characterized by the various stages of excessive alcohol abuse[1]. When left untreated, the chemical dependency can affect virtually every aspect of a person’s life, along with the lives of those closest to them.
To overcome the disease, many require an intensive rehabilitation program that focuses on alcohol treatment and overcoming the chemical dependency. San Diego County isn’t considered a hub for rehabilitation centers, but there are still plenty of nearby options. If you or a loved one are struggling with alcoholism and are searching for treatment in your area, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to learn about Northbound Treatment’s rehab facilities in Southern California and what to expect from alcohol addiction treatment.
Know Your Options for Alcohol Rehab in San Diego
Finding the right treatment center is a crucial component of successfully overcoming alcoholism. While it’s not always easy to find a facility that aligns with your needs, knowing your options can help you take the first steps towards a lasting recovery.
There are many alcohol treatment centers in close proximity to San Diego, including Northbound’s accredited facilities. One of the most important things to look for in a drug and alcohol rehab center are services that cover the full continuum of care. This includes detox, inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, and ongoing addiction support for the purpose of relapse prevention, all of which are offered by Northbound.
The treatment team at Northbound understands the importance of providing customizable, comprehensive care to every patient. We work closely with each of our clients to ensure the selected program suits their unique situation. In the event that our treatment centers aren’t the right fit, we can recommend one that better adheres to your needs. We encourage you to reach out to us as soon as possible — there’s no better day than today to begin the journey to sobriety.
Northbound Alcohol Treatment in San Diego
Northbound offers fully integrated alcohol addiction treatment. Due to the potential for dual diagnosis, our program is designed to help individuals overcome alcoholism while addressing any co-occurring mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, trauma disorders, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders, or codependency.
It can be challenging to pinpoint the root of alcoholism and mental illness. In some instances, a mental health condition develops as a consequence of severe alcohol abuse, but in other cases, a person might use alcohol to cope with mental illness[3]. Northbound Treatment is equipped to help our clients heal from their addictions, as well as any mental or emotional turmoil they may be facing. Mental health is taken into account at every stage of treatment, which we consider essential to our patients’ success.
What to Expect from Alcohol Rehab at Northbound
During an initial assessment, you’ll work with an experienced team of clinicians to determine which alcohol treatment program is right for you. For many clients, the full continuum of care is most beneficial. However, in mild cases, inpatient or outpatient treatment alone may suffice. Here’s what you can expect from each phase of alcohol rehab.
Medically Supervised Detox
Detox (detoxification) is the body’s way of getting rid of the toxins and other chemical substances associated with alcohol abuse. While the process is relatively short compared to other stages of substance abuse treatment, it can wreak havoc on an individual’s physical and mental state. For this reason, we strongly advise a medically supervised detox program.
When someone is chemically dependent on alcohol, going without it can be both physically and mentally alarming. Roughly four to 24 hours after your last drink, you’ll most likely begin to experience a range of withdrawal symptoms. The average alcohol withdrawal symptoms timeline is seven to 10 days. Though it varies from person to person, some of the most common symptoms include anxiety, depression, irritability, mood swings, nausea, vomiting, excessive sweating, and extreme alcohol cravings. Other alcohol withdrawal symptoms are tremors, muscle pain, appetite loss, hallucinations, headaches, and insomnia.
When these symptoms peak, detox can be excruciating, at which point many addicts are tempted to drink or use again to find relief. Not only does detoxing alone increase the risk of relapse, but it can also be dangerous. For instance, some alcoholics may become so uncomfortable that they forget to drink water. Coupled with vomiting or excessive sweating, this can lead to severe dehydration, a serious medical concern during detox. In other cases, mood swings and other withdrawal symptoms can result in physical altercations or other reckless behaviors.
We welcome San Diego residents struggling with alcohol use disorder to begin treatment at our Orange County detox center. With around-the-clock clinical care, patients are able to get through the detoxification process safely. Our facility is comfortable, secure, and effective — and it prepares clients for the next level of alcohol rehab.
Inpatient Treatment
After detox, many of our patients transition to an inpatient (residential) treatment program at one of our Southern California facilities. At this stage, you’ll get 24-hour care from a dedicated team of counselors, doctors, and clinicians and participate in a variety of therapies.
In one-on-one counseling sessions, you’ll meet with a licensed psychotherapist to discuss your thoughts, goals, fears, victories, and setbacks. This is where you’ll determine the underlying cause of your alcoholism, identify triggers, and develop skills and coping mechanisms to prevent relapse in your addiction recovery.
Alcohol rehab at Northbound Treatment also involves group therapy, in which you’ll have an opportunity to interact with your peers and connect with those on a similar path. Since substance abuse disorder often alienates individuals from their loved ones, group therapy can help reacclimate you with healthy human interactions.
Inpatient treatment incorporates a variety of experiential therapies as well. This may include adventure therapy (sometimes called wilderness therapy), equine-assisted therapy, art therapy, and guided image therapy.
Outpatient Treatment
Following inpatient residential treatment, you can move on to an intensive outpatient program. IOP treatment allows you to continue receiving care from Northbound while living in the comfort of your own home. Returning to a regular routine can come as a shock, and this can be helpful as you ease into the realities of life outside rehab.
After IOP treatment, many transition to a less intensive outpatient (OP) program. At outpatient rehab, you’ll receive ongoing guidance and motivation, along with accountability from your care team and sober peers. If you live in San Diego, attending in-person meetings and counseling sessions may be difficult. In that case, telehealth outpatient alcohol rehab might suit you at this stage.
Addiction Support
Northbound recognizes that many recovering alcoholics need an ongoing support system in order to thrive. So, what happens after outpatient treatment? At this point, you might consider our addiction support aftercare program, which is designed to help individuals gain independence and continue to assess the state of their sobriety. Looking forward and back on your recovery journey, we’ll help you determine whether you’re on the right path or need to take a step back and return to more intensive treatment. We also offer drug rehab San Diego programs to ensure your road to success.
Alcohol Rehab San Diego: AA Meetings
Northbound Treatment supports organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), which can be immensely beneficial for recovering addicts. The 12-Step program was created to help alcoholics take accountability for their addiction, be proactive about treatment, and rectify any wrongdoings associated with their substance use disorder through cognitive behavioral therapy.
For many struggling with alcoholism, attending AA meetings is a critical part of alcohol rehab. San Diego has group AA meetings every day of the week, several times a day, at various locations around the city. You can even attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings via video conferencing and over the phone[4]. To find times and locations near you, check out the AA San Diego website.
Northbound Treatment Is Here for You
At Northbound Treatment, we support organizations like Alcoholics At Northbound Treatment, clients can count on personalized care and a dedicated support system. We want you to not only achieve sobriety but also successfully adjust to clean living, discover yourself, and find life-long happiness. No matter what type of drug or alcohol addiction you’re facing, Northbound is here for you every step of the way.
If you’re concerned about insurance coverage, our seasoned specialists can review your policy and walk you through your options. Northbound is an in-network provider for most health insurance plans in San Diego and the surrounding areas, and we’d be more than happy to help you navigate your coverage.
The best time to start treatment is now. We’re admitting new patients every day, and we encourage you to join us. Are you ready to be free from your addiction? Call Northbound Treatment at (888) 978-8649 or fill out our admissions form.
