A holistic treatment center is a rehab program that focuses on a client’s overall health and wellness. Holistic alcohol rehab often includes nutritional supplements and alternative treatments, such as acupuncture, yoga, meditation, and other therapies.
The goal of holistic alcohol rehab is to address the root causes of alcoholism rather than just treating its symptoms. This means addressing things like trauma, mental health problems, family issues, and substance abuse. It also includes working with clients on skills like mindfulness, self-compassion, and meditation.
What Does Holistic Mean?
Holistic means treating the whole person. Clients receive holistic treatments such as yoga, meditation, and massage therapy. These treatments help them improve their overall well-being.
How Does Alcohol Affect the Brain and Body?
The body metabolizes alcohol by breaking it down into acetaldehyde and then into carbon dioxide and water. The brain breaks down alcohol into acetaldehyde and then converts it into an acid called acetic acid. Acetaldehyde is toxic to the brain.
Alcohol can cause damage to the brain and body. It affects every organ system in your body. In addition to damaging the brain, alcohol leads to changes in the following:
- Behavior
- Mood
- Memory
- Judgment
- Coordination
- Sleep patterns
- Appetite
- Heart rate
- Blood pressure
- Breathing
Alcoholism is a chronic relapsing disease. As long as someone continues drinking, they run the risk of developing physical dependence and having withdrawal symptoms when they stop drinking.
Withdrawal symptoms may include the following:
- Anxiety
- Sweating
- Shaking and trembling
- Muscle pain
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Headache
- Abdominal cramps
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Decreased sex drive
- Difficulty concentrating
Due to the effects of both addiction and withdrawal, it is important to get holistic alcohol rehab for your body and mind to heal.
Alcohol’s Effects on the Brain
The brain is the most complex organ in the body, and it plays a vital role in our health and well-being. It controls our emotions, thoughts, memories, and many other functions. In fact, the brain is so important that it is one of the first organs to develop after conception.
Alcohol affects the brain by causing changes in the structure and function of neurons (nerve cells). Neurons communicate by sending electrical signals through synapses, which are tiny gaps between nerve cells. When alcohol enters the brain, inhibits these synapses and blocks the flow of information. The result is memory loss, poor judgment, impaired thinking skills, and other mental impairments.
How Alcohol Affects the Body
The body is one of the most important parts of our health, and it’s often neglected during the day-to-day grind of life. It’s easy to forget about the importance of taking care of yourself physically, but we all know that neglecting the body will eventually catch up with us.
When we consume alcohol, it goes directly to the stomach where it mixes with gastric juices and digestive enzymes. Then, it travels to the small intestine where it is mixed with bile and pancreatic juice. From there, it moves to the large intestine and is absorbed into the bloodstream. Once inside the bloodstream, alcohol can affect every cell in the body. In addition to affecting the brain, alcohol can cause damage to the heart, pancreas, liver, kidneys, lungs, muscles, bones, skin, eyes, and reproductive system.
How Long Does it Take Alcohol to Leave Your System?
The average person will start feeling the effects of alcohol within 15 minutes after drinking. The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) rises rapidly and can rise to 0.05%–0.08% within 30–60 minutes after drinking. However, the BAC can rise well above this range if you keep drinking. After you stop drinking, the BAC begins to decline exponentially. It takes about one to two hours per drink for the body to completely clear alcohol from the system.
How to Find a Holistic Alcohol Rehab Center?
The first step in finding a holistic alcohol rehab center is to find one that fits your needs. There are many different types of holistic rehab programs out there, so it’s important to understand what each offers before picking a program that will be best for you.
Some of the differences between programs include:
- Length: Some programs offer short-term detox followed by long-term recovery. Others offer longer-term treatment.
- Type: Some programs focus on one-on-one counseling and therapy while others combine group sessions with individual attention.
- Staff: Some programs have only licensed professionals on staff while others allow you to work with peers who share similar experiences.
- Location: Many programs are located near hospitals or medical facilities. This makes them easier to access when needed.
- Cost: Some programs charge less than others. You should always do research before choosing a program so you know you can afford your treatment.
Finding the right holistic alcohol rehab center for you may take some time, but once you find the right match, it will be well worth the effort.
Holistic Alcohol Rehab in South Florida
The most common methods in holistic alcohol rehab include acupuncture, massage therapy, yoga, meditation, hypnosis, music therapy, art therapy, and biofeedback. This treatment is often combined with behavioral therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing. Exercise, nutrition, sleep hygiene, and stress management are also parts of most holistic alcohol rehab programs. If you need help overcoming alcoholism, then reach out to Ambrosia Treatment Center of South Florida today. Visit our admissions page to learn more.
