Did you drink heavily last month? If you said yes, you’re part of the 5.1 percent of people who self-reported indulging in heavy drinking in a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey. Although alcohol is legal and accessible by anyone aged 21 or older in the United States, we seem to forget that it can be as dangerous as illicit drugs like heroin. It may sound like an exaggeration, but heavy drinking can have devastating consequences on your health and be fatal. The same issues exist, including overdosing, injuries while under the influence, and addiction. Five percent of men and 5.2 percent of women engaged in heavy drinking in the previous year.
The question you might be asking yourself is, “How did I get here? How did I get to a point where I needed alcohol rehab in Palm Springs?” None of us starts using drugs or drinking alcohol with the intention of becoming an alcoholic. It likely started innocently. You might not have even liked alcohol the first time you experimented with it. No matter the path it took to get there, it happened, and getting help is crucial. Because of its legality, we don’t even question how dangerous alcohol is, and that’s backed up by statistics. If we knew the actual danger of alcohol, fewer of us would drink.
According to a National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) study, 47.1 percent of adults between the ages of 18 and 22 reported
alcohol use in the previous month. In that group, 52.5 percent of them were full-time college students. College is a time when most young adults try alcohol for the first time. For whatever the reason may be, we accept a culture where blacking out from drinking is a badge of honor. Hazing in fraternities is notorious for excessive alcohol use to be a member, and for some reason, it’s OK. Most of us fail to see the problem in that, and a culture of drinking extends well beyond the experimentation phase, and the need for help grows.
No matter your age or background, alcohol is dangerous. However, location also plays a role. In a place like Palm Springs, California, summer is an uninhabitable time, leading most to spend their time indoors. When you’re stuck inside and bored, an ice-cold drink can take the edge off. If you become one of those who drink each day, you’re prone to developing alcohol use disorder (AUD) and requiring alcohol rehab.
If you’ve reached a point of no return, alcohol rehab in Palm Springs can put you on the right path. Below, we’ll describe what you can expect when you check yourself into treatment.
Alcohol Addiction in Palm Springs
California is home to the largest population in the United States. A staggering 39.5 million people called California home in 2019, with 47,897 living in Palm Springs. Located in Riverside County, Palm Springs is a popular destination for retirees looking to escape the cold in the winter. In 2016, an estimated 6.4 percent of the population in California struggled with alcohol use disorder. The same study found that 10.6 percent of those ages 18 to 25 struggled with alcoholism, while 6.2 percent were 26 and older. Data showed that 54.1 percent of those 18 to 25 used alcohol in the previous month, while 36 percent in that age range reported binge drinking.
According to the CDC, binge drinking is the most common pattern of excessive alcohol consumption in the United States. It defines it as five or more drinks in a two-hour period for men or four or more in the same span for women. While most people who binge don’t aren’t considered alcoholics, these behaviors increase the odds of it developing.
If you’re concerned about alcohol addiction in Palm Springs and you fear becoming a statistic, it’s time to consider help. Alcohol rehab in Palm Springs can restore the quality of your life and help you understand what made you drink in the first place.
California Highlands Vistas Alcohol Rehab in Palm Springs
The first step when it comes to getting help is acknowledging that a problem exists. Alcohol addiction is not a joke. We often overlook its severity because alcohol is legal in all 50 states and accepted by many cultures. For that reason, you might feel embarrassed to admit you’ve fallen victim to alcohol addiction, but you should never feel that way. It’s OK to admit it. When you do, you can take the next step and seek help. Addiction is not a test of willpower; it requires intensive treatment to overcome. When you decide you want to take that help, here’s what alcohol rehab in Palm Spring process consists of.
Detox
Alcohol withdrawal can be mild, but it can also be deadly. Depending on how much you’ve been drinking or for how long, it’s an unpredictable process that requires professional assistance to overcome. When you reach out to California Highlands Vistas for help with alcohol use disorder, we’ll immediately direct you to our detox program. Here, you’ll spend anywhere from three to seven days under the professional guidance of our staff. We’ll provide you with medication, support, and anything you need to overcome this time. If you’ve gone through alcohol withdrawal before without issue, you can’t be so sure it’ll be the same this go-around. Once you’re medically stable, you’ll move into the next stage of care.
Inpatient/Residential
If deemed necessary, you’ll end up in a residential treatment center after completing detox. Here, you’ll spend a period of time living on-site and going through intensive therapy sessions to understand what drove your alcohol addiction. While detox is important, it doesn’t help you get to the root of your drinking problem. A combination of family, group, individual, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) will drive home the importance of sobriety and the issues alcohol causes in your life. It’ll reshape how you view it and change how you respond to triggers.
Aftercare
None of the above will matter if you don’t safeguard your sobriety. You can get the help you need, but if you don’t follow up, you’ll give in to your thoughts and start drinking again. Treatment isn’t a magical cure. Addiction is a disease that you’ll carry with you for life, so attending 12-step programs and spending time with alumni at sober events will help you sharpen your sobriety tool.
California Highlands Vistas Alcohol Rehab & Detox FAQs
Admitting you have a problem is difficult, and seeking the help you need is even more of a challenge. If you need some questions answered before picking up the phone, let us provide the most common ones we’re asked below.
How long is rehab?
It depends on your history with alcohol. For example, if someone has been drinking daily for the past decade, they’re going to require more intensive care than someone who recently developed a drinking problem. The most common time spent in treatment is 30 to 90 days, but some people could spend up to six months recovering if their problem is severe. For that reason, we evaluate everything on a case-by-case basis.
Does California Highlands Vistas provide transportation?
We understand that coming somewhere new triggers fear. You might feel because you can’t get to us, you won’t come. We want to eliminate any barriers to treatment and provide transportation to and from our facility. You may pay extra for this service.
How much does alcohol rehab cost?
Many variables are at play here. If you’re insured, your entire stay could be covered. However, you could pay out of pocket if you need several months, and your insurance only covers a few of those. Each case is unique, but we will work with you to develop a payment plan.
Do I have to travel?
Due to the severity of alcohol withdrawal, you must travel to our facility and go through treatment on-site. We cannot help you remotely.
What insurance carriers does California Highlands Vistas take?
As a facility that’s part of Delphi Behavioral Health Group, we accept most major insurance providers. We’re also in-network with many more. For a full list and to learn about what’s covered, please contact our intake coordinators for more information.
