Alcohol abuse can lead to severe harm to your mental and physical health, relationships, and ability to lead a happy, healthy lifestyle. Sometimes, a person’s alcohol abuse may lead to addiction. Many people require formal treatment to overcome alcohol abuse and addiction. For those living with substance abuse or addiction, rehab can offer hope for a healthier, more fulfilling life and the chance to regain control over their alcohol consumption.
But what about people who are sober curious? Being sober curious means wanting to limit or stop drinking. People may feel sober curious for many reasons. But do sober curious people need to go to rehab?
If you are sober curious and want to learn more about how a rehab program can help, reach out to the Mandala Healing Center staff today.
What Does it Mean to Be Sober Curious?
Being sober curious means having an interest in exploring the effects of drinking less or quitting alcohol entirely. People may want to reduce their alcohol intake for many reasons. They may want to improve their overall health, feel better throughout the day, perform better in school or work, or achieve other goals.
Sometimes, a sober curious person may want to try drinking less because they’re concerned about their relationship with alcohol. They may feel out of control of their drinking, rely on it for comfort during difficult periods, or have experienced some negative consequences of their drinking.
Some who have developed an unhealthy relationship with alcohol may struggle to stop drinking. They may feel sober curious but find it difficult to limit or stop drinking.
It’s important to recognize the signs of alcohol abuse and an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. These include:
- Drinking more than you meant to
- Using alcohol to cope with uncomfortable emotions, such as anger, boredom, or anxiety
- Feeling unable to socialize without drinking
- Experiencing financial or legal trouble because of your drinking
- Isolating from your friends and loved ones more often
- Hiding or lying about your drinking
- Falling behind at school, work, or in your responsibilities at home
- Changes in your appearance, sleep, appetite, or mood
- Continuing to drink despite negative consequences
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms if you don’t drink
Losing control of your drinking may indicate a deeper substance abuse problem that requires treatment and support.
How Can Rehab Help Sober Curious People?
Sobriety can sometimes challenge sober curious people. It can feel difficult to cut back or stop drinking entirely. Sober curious people who recognize that their relationship with alcohol has become unhealthy may benefit from the support of a rehab program.
Substance abuse and addiction can alter the way your body and brain function. Rehab can help you break the destructive connections made while drinking and learn new, healthy behaviors that support long-term sobriety.
The goal of drug and alcohol rehab is to put you back in control over your drinking. In rehab, you will focus on identifying the roots of your unhealthy relationship with alcohol and learn the skills you need to live a healthy, fulfilling lifestyle without drinking.
What Happens in Alcohol Rehab?
No two people have the same experience in life or recovery. Alcohol rehab is offered in several levels of care to meet a variety of needs, including:
- Inpatient or residential treatment
- Outpatient rehab
- Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs)
- Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs)
Before beginning an alcohol rehab program, a doctor or addiction specialist will assess your needs. Their evaluation will consist of questions about your mental health and medical history, personal goals, alcohol use, treatment history, and other relevant information. With this information, your treatment team will recommend a level of care and create a treatment program that addresses your unique needs and goals. Often, rehab can fit into your daily routine so that you can keep working, going to school, or taking care of your family.
Alcohol rehab occurs in stages. First, some people must attend a medically-supported detox program to manage withdrawal safely.
After a complete detox, you will move on to a treatment program that uses a combination of evidence-based and holistic therapies to address addiction’s physical, behavioral, and emotional aspects. These therapies include:
- Individual counseling
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Education
- Skill-building and practice
- Medications
- Mental health and medical treatment
- Holistic therapies that support comfort and healing, such as art therapy, exercise, nutrition counseling, mindfulness, and massage
During treatment, you will identify your triggers–the situations, people, and places that may make you want to drink again–and learn how to manage them. You will learn new skills and build healthy habits that support recovery and sobriety.
The length of time you spend in rehab depends on the severity of your alcohol use and other personal factors. After completing treatment, you must find ways to stay committed to sobriety. Your aftercare plan may include continuing to attend therapy, finding a support group, or attending 12-step meetings.
Get Help Now
A serene healing environment provides a level of comfort and safety that influences a patient’s positive attitude and response to detox. Situated on a peaceful 8-acre campus in West Palm Beach, The Mandala Healing Center is a retreat-like sanctuary designed to allow individuals to focus completely on healing — body, mind, and spirit.
Reach out to the addiction specialists at Mandala Healing Center to learn more about starting a supportive alcoholism treatment program today.