What Does Opioid Use Look Like?

What Does Opioid Use Look Like?

The symptoms of opioid abuse vary based on the type of drug used, the method of use, and the length of use. However, individuals who use or abuse illicit and prescription medications often have similar symptoms, and the outcomes for both can be fatal.

At Indah Recovery, we support clients ready to challenge their addiction by providing comprehensive detoxification and addiction treatment focused on self-enlightenment and control of self and triggers.

Today, speak with an admissions counselor to get supportive opioid addiction treatment designed based on your needs. 

What are Opioids?

Opioids are a class of narcotic that can be manufactured for prescription use or illegally created as a street drug prescription opiates include drugs like morphine, codeine, and hydrocodone. Illegal substances that fall under the opiates category include heroin, opium, and street-end fentanyl. These drugs are extremely common and can be fatal. 

Because opioids come in so many forms, consuming opioids is variable as well. Individuals can smoke crushed opioids, dissolve opioids in water, inject them, take them in pill form, And many opioids even come in soluble skin patches. Because there are so many ways to ingest opioids, it also impacts how quickly and how long the High lasts. Smoking and injecting opioids and opiates have the quickest reaction time. However, they have a shorter overall high. Taking a pill or using an opioid patch may take longer to start but last longer because the body processes the drug in the system.

How Do Opioids Impact the Body?

Opioids impact the body by slowing down and potentially shutting down the system. As a depressant, opioids, and opiates slow down the body’s functions. This process makes it harder for the body to absorb hormones like dopamine, which creates a calming hi. Those who use opioids to get high often experience several physical symptoms of using opioids. Those symptoms may include itching, constipation, sleepiness, dilated pupils, and reactions at the intake site.

Opioids also specifically impact the brain. By slowing down the process of dopamine, the body becomes addicted to the high that opioids create. This can lead to addiction and increase other mental health-related illnesses or disorders. Opioid addiction has links with increases in anxiety, depressive episodes, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, and trauma. When an individual uses opioids for an extended period, this can cause these disorders to have permanent effects that don’t wear off when the drug does.

Long-term opioid abuse can lead to kidney and liver failure, lung and heart problems, addiction, and death. Opioids are responsible for over 80% of overdose-related deaths in 2020. Synthetic opioids, specifically fentanyl, have some of the highest overdose rates of any illegal drug. Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and heroin. This drug is often mixed with other white powders to give it substance because even minimal doses can be fatal.

What Does Opioid Use Look Like?

Opioid use can look different for each individual. Still, some classic signs and symptoms of abuse can be found in individuals who abuse their prescription opioids and those who abuse illegal opioids like heroin and street-made fentanyl. 

Opioid users may experience mental and physical symptoms and spend excessive amounts of time trying to obtain the drug, using the drug, and attempting to recover from use. 

How to Find Comprehensive Rehab Treatment for Opioid Abuse

Finding comprehensive addiction treatment for opioid abuse in your area can be completed with a google search; however, that often opens up many possibilities. Therefore, it is important to narrow down the style of treatment based on your needs.

For individuals with more severe substance use disorders and comorbid mental health concerns, clients should seek inpatient care. This is often recommended for individuals with opioid abuse. Opioid abuse is often based on an underlying mental or physical health problem requiring more intensive inpatient treatment.

At Indah Recovery, our clients receive addiction treatment beginning from detoxification and continuing through a comprehensive treatment program. With individualized treatments, clients can get the most supportive and structured care for their specific needs.
Speak with an admissions coordinator today to see how we can support your addiction treatment needs and progress towards maintainable sobriety.

Why is Prescription Drug Abuse so Common?

Why is Prescription Drug Abuse so Common?

Prescription drugs are dangerous because they are often needed for medical purposes but can cause damage while they are helping.

At Indah Recovery, we understand the complex relationship people have with prescription drug abuse and work with them to understand the root cause of the addiction. We believe that thorough care comes from comprehensive treatment, so we provide traditional and alternative therapies to support clients through every step of the journey.

Speak with an admissions counselor today to see how our program can support your long-term health. 

Why is Prescription Drug Abuse So Common?

Prescription drug abuse is so common because of how frequently addictive prescription drugs are prescribed. Therefore, individuals who have access to these addictive medications and are not familiar with how dangerous abuse of prescription medications can be are more at risk than others. 

Prescription drug abuse most commonly occurs with medications under the title of opioids, benzodiazepines, and stimulants. While these are vastly different medications, they all have one crucial similarity. These are highly addictive medications. 

Opioids include medications like morphine, codeine, and fentanyl. These are marked as OxyContin and Vicodin. They are pain killers and create a euphoric high while dulling and numbing the senses. They can cause depression of the mind and body. Opioids have a high overdose risk. 

Benzodiazepines are also prescription medications that are dangerous for individuals. As they are commonly called, Benzos are medications used to reduce anxiety and can be prescribed for insomnia and other nervous disorders. However, benzos can cause hallucinations, and because they are used for long periods, they can be highly addictive. Benzodiazepines can cause a person to blackout and not remember what’s happening but are often not fatal unless mixed with another depressant such as opioids or alcohol.

Stimulants fall on the opposite side of the spectrum from opioids and benzos. Stimulants increase the functions in the body and create hyperfocus. This is dangerous because it can cause hazy highs and, increase temperature heart rate, and even cause psychosis in excessive amounts. Therefore, stimulants are most often prescribed for individuals with ADHD as they can help them focus. 

What are the Signs Someone is Misusing Prescription Drugs?

Someone may be misusing prescription drugs for a number of reasons. But, what many individuals don’t know is that any kind of misuse can lead to dependence and addiction. Individuals might not even realize that what they are doing is detrimental to their long-term health. When an individual misuses any prescription drug, it can alter their ability to make proper judgments.

Another sign that individuals are misusing prescription drugs is the amount of time they focus on getting, using, and the after-effects of the drug. A sign of misuse is when this takes up a large portion of their time; they come up with lies or schemes to get the medication, they doctor shop to find a doctor that will give them the prescription, or they steal the medicine from someone else. For an individual misusing prescription medications, these can be warning signs of a much bigger problem. 

What Prescription Drugs are Commonly Misused

Prescription drug misuse is defined in several ways. Misuse occurs when individuals take the medication in a way that is not as prescribed. This will vary from prescription to prescription, but when a drug is used contrary to how it is specified, this can cause damaging effects for the user. Using too much too frequently can cause health problems and lead to overdose.

Another way that individuals misuse drugs is by altering how the drug enters their system. For example, if a medication is prescribed in pill form, it should be taken as a pill. Individuals who crush the drug to snort it or dissolve it in water to help it take effect more quickly often experience health problems related to use. This is because the medicine is entering the system too fast, and the body will soon become regulated to this increased process and begin identifying which is the ideal state.

Lastly, taking prescriptions that are not yours is the most detrimental way to misuse prescription drugs. Individuals who take someone else’s medication, whether offered or not, are at a higher risk of developing prescription drug misuse. This is because prescriptions are dosed and prescribed to each individual based on many factors like weight, history, and needs. When someone else takes the medication, this can hurt the first person and could seriously harm the user based on the dosage of the drug.

How to Find Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment

Prescription drug addiction treatment is available to anyone who is ready to make the change. It is often best to speak with a doctor if you believe you are addicted to the medication the doctor prescribed to you with prescription drug changes. If you think you are struggling with prescription abuse from a drug not prescribed to you, getting immediate detox and addiction treatment is essential. 

At Indah Recovery, we help clients take back their lives from the abuse of prescription drugs. Individuals at our detoxification and inpatient rehabilitation facility are supported with state-of-the-art treatment and care. In addition, our small client-to-staff ratio ensures that clients get the help they need in a luxury treatment facility that supports their individualized needs.
Contact us today to see if we can help you make a change.

What are the Percocet Overdose Symptoms?

What are the Percocet Overdose Symptoms?

Individuals who are prescribed the pain pill Percocet should be aware of the overdose symptoms and other warning signs of Percocet abuse. This prescription opioid is extremely addictive and can react with other drugs to cause coma, fatal overdose, and liver failure. 

At Indah Recovery, we work with individuals at all stages of the recovery process to help them get back on the right path. Prescription pain medications are a difficult habit to kick, but our individualized addiction treatment programs are supportive and designed with each individual’s needs in mind. Get help with your Percocet addiction today.

What are Percocets?

Percocets are a prescription painkiller that combines narcotic and non-narcotic painkillers to provide maximum relief. Percocets are a specific combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen (Tylenol). This combination provides benefits over single drug administration and combinations with aspirin, which can cause increased bleeding. However, Percocets can cause additional safety concerns when abused. 

Percocets are strictly monitored by medical professionals and come with immediate warning risks that include abuse and addiction, REMS requirement to ensure that another safer drug wouldn’t be better, fatal overdose warnings for adults and children, and interaction warnings with a number of other drugs that could cause negative side effects including fatal overdose. 

Percocets act to block opioid pain receptors but, in the process, can impact the central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, endocrine system, and immune system by depressing, or slowing down, essential functions. 

What are the Signs of Percocet Abuse?

The signs of Percocet abuse are similar to those of any other opiate. Clients should experience pain relief, but with that comes drowsiness, constipation, lethargy, and nausea. Individuals who are sensitive to oxycodone may even experience some confusion and react as if they are in a daze. And while these symptoms are common, Percocets can cause additional health concerns. 

Individuals may also experience low blood pressure, weak pulse, slowed or difficult breathing, vomiting, and spasms, as well as more severe symptoms like coma and failure to breathe. 

Percocet abuse also comes with a number of non-physical symptoms. Individuals addicted to Percocets will spend a large amount of their time determining how to get the drug. They may even lie to medical professionals to get a prescription, “doctor shop,” or intentionally hurt themselves to get more. You may also notice an increase in lying or risk-taking behaviors and changes in personality or demeanor. 

Misuse and abuse can occur quickly when an individual takes the prescription drug, Percocets. Misuse occurs when an individual takes the drug in any way other than the way prescribed. This includes taking too much, taking it too soon, taking it with other drugs or alcohol, and altering how the medication enters the body. By frequently participating in any of these forms of misuse, clients can become addicted to the drug. 

What are the Symptoms of a Percocet Overdose?

Percocet overdose mimics an opioid overdose. Typically in incidences of Percocet overdose, individuals will experience slowed breathing, slip into a coma, and can die as a result of their body’s failure to breathe. 

However, it is important to note that individuals who overdose on Percocet can be saved with Narcan/Naloxone. This over-the-counter drug can be administered to stop an opioid overdose by immediately canceling out the opioid pain blockers. However, this process immediately transitions the individual into withdrawal.

How to Detox from Percocets

Detox from Percocets should be done in the presence or under the care of a medical professional. By going through detox and managing withdrawal symptoms in a professional facility, clients have the opportunity to reduce the length of time they experience the symptoms and reduce some of the more complex systems through proper medical care. 

Percocet withdrawal symptoms can be overwhelming but often aren’t fatal. Most individuals experience:

  • Agitation
  • Anxiety
  • Muscle aches
  • Insomnia
  • Sweating

Late symptoms of withdrawal include:

  • Abdominal cramping
  • Diarrhea
  • Dilated pupils
  • Goosebumps
  • Nausea or vomiting

This process takes around 12 hours to begin and can last up to a week. The most severe or late withdrawal symptoms typically occur around the 3 or 4 day mark. 
Indah Recovery is a comprehensive addiction treatment program that includes detoxification, treatment, and aftercare planning in its goal to support individuals who have chosen to get clean from prescription pain pills, alcohol, and other drugs. Contact our admissions coordinators today to see if our comprehensive addiction treatment program is best for you.

What are the Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal?

What are the Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal?

While the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can vary from person to person based on the severity of their addiction and their body composition, one thing is certain, alcohol withdrawal can be deadly and should be completed in the care of a medical professional for the safety of the client.

At Indah Recovery, our addiction treatment programming provides comprehensive detoxification and therapeutic treatment in a luxury facility designed to support individuals through this transition. Our intimate setting provides clients with greater access to our health care professionals and allows us to more alternative treatment methods to promote healthy living through a sober lifestyle.

Contact us today to see how our treatment programs can help you make the recovery you want in a facility that feels like home.

Is Alcohol Addictive?

Yes, alcohol is an addictive substance, which is why there are so many regulations on who can consume it, restrictions on what activities can be done when consuming it, and how and where it can be sold. 

Alcohol addiction is caused by many factors, some that individuals might not even be aware of when they begin drinking. Alcohol addiction, while it is most often related to misuse, can be impacted by the environment and genetics. 

Alcohol misuse involves consuming alcohol outside the parameters and guidelines instructed. Drinking underage, drinking and taking additional risks, binge drinking, and drinking while using other medications all increase the risk of developing an addiction to the substance based on how it impacts the body and the mind. 

Genetics and environment can also play a large part in whether or not a person develops a drinking problem. Individuals who experience addiction at a young age, whether in their environment or because of their genetics, have a predisposition and early interaction with unhealthy use and can learn unsafe drinking habits subconsciously. While this doesn’t specifically lead to addiction, it can cause an increased likelihood of developing an addiction for individuals who misuse alcohol.

Can Alcohol Cause Withdrawal?

Alcohol is an addictive substance. One of the requirements of a substance to be considered addictive is the presence of withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol can have mild to severe withdrawal symptoms based on the length of use and the severity of the addiction.

Alcohol withdrawal typically begins within a few hours of the individual’s last drink and peaks between 24-72 hours with the most severe of symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms typically end in about a week, but mental health symptoms, repercussions from withdrawal, and tremors can last for months. 

What are the Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal?

The symptoms and signs of withdrawal from alcohol can range from mild to severe and occur in stages. 

In the first stage of withdrawal, during the first few hours of an individual not drinking, they may experience common withdrawal symptoms like: 

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Fatigue
  • Irritability
  • Restlessness
  • Mood swings
  • Difficulty concentrating

These withdrawal symptoms then transition into the second stage, where they become more complex and are usually the most severe between 24-72 hours. During this time, initial symptoms may worsen, and others may evolve, including:

  • Sweaty, clammy skin
  • Dilated pupils
  • Headache
  • Insomnia
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Sweating, clammy skin
  • Tremors

At this time, individuals may develop the DTs or delirium tremens, which consists of extreme withdrawal symptoms like:

  • Agitation
  • Fever
  • Hallucinations
  • Seizures
  • Severe confusion

Individuals who develop the DTs will most often have a seizure within the first 48 hours of their last drink. This process can be scary, but often doesn’t cause lasting damage when a person undergoes withdrawal under the care of a medical professional. Doctors and clinicians can monitor, care, and support individuals through every step of the withdrawal process, ensuring the safety of the client. 

What to Look For in an Alcohol Detox Center in Southern California

When it comes to alcohol detox centers in Southern California, individuals should search for a location that provides top-notch addiction treatment and a treatment facility that supports individuals through the detox process with professional medical care. 

At Indah Recovery, we offer detoxification and addiction treatment on a luxury campus. Our specialized addiction treatment plans are designed to support the needs of clients by combining traditional and alternative treatment methods to provide the best holistic treatment options available. 
Contact Indah Recovery today to see how our addiction treatment program can support you through the transition to a healthier, sober life.

The Importance of Aftercare in Addiction Treatment

The Importance of Aftercare in Addiction Treatment

Aftercare treatment is any kind of continued treatment when a person completes a rehabilitation program. By continuing treatment, individuals can work on relapse prevention and building a supportive community.

At Indah Recovery, we believe our clients can achieve long-lasting sobriety and maintain that throughout their lives based on our programming. With detox, treatment, and aftercare, our alumni are never left to figure it out independently. 

Contact us to see how Indah Recovery can support you today.

What is Aftercare?

Aftercare is the process of continued care after completing rehabilitative treatment. This can occur in a number of ways depending on the initial treatment. For many, this occurs as outpatient treatment after completing an inpatient program. However, even after outpatient treatment ends, many individuals choose to continue their aftercare treatment with community programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Through this process, individuals give back and continue to support one another. 

When clients complete a rehabilitation program, they are encouraged to continue their treatment through aftercare as a relapse prevention strategy. When individuals first return to their homes after time in an inpatient facility, they face some of the most difficult challenges. Being back in an environment they felt they could use in or falling into old routines can cause individuals to lose some of their motivation and even relapse.

Why Do People Relapse?

People relapse for many reasons, often unbeknownst to them. Throughout treatment, individuals are in a safe and structured environment that allows for monitoring and 24/7 support. However, when an individual returns home, that structure and support are lost. People who don’t continue treatment through aftercare and fall into the early stages of relapse often fully relapse in short order. Individuals who return home after rehab and choose to continue with aftercare treatment have someone there to support and help them if they fall into the early stages of relapse.

Relapse has several stages and often takes place over weeks or months and can occur at any point in the rehabilitation process, from the very beginning to years after becoming sober. 

The first stage of relapse is emotional. Through this process, individuals start to close themselves off and bottle up their emotions. This change might not seem significant to most, but an addict who doesn’t share and doesn’t express their feelings is someone who isn’t taking care of themselves, which is crucially important at this stage in recovery. 

The second stage of relapse is mental. It has several distinct signs that friends, family, and loved ones can identify, including lying about their behavior or minimizing the negatives of their past use. These factors are all relevant and can lead to the final stage of relapse, physical.

A physical lapse or relapse is using the substance again. The distinction between a lapse and a relapse is the amount of use. Oftentimes an individual will lapse and be able to course-correct if they have proper aftercare and support around them. But if a person relapses and begins using again like they were previously, this can be dangerous for multiple reasons. It has a higher likelihood of overdose as the body is not used to the frequency and dosage that it once was. Many individuals may experience heightened depression and anxiety based on relapsing.

How to Find the Best Aftercare For Me

Finding the “best aftercare for me” is relative to the needs of the client. The best aftercare for an individual revolves around the treatment just completed, inpatient treatment, or outpatient treatment.

The best aftercare for an individual who has just completed inpatient treatment is an outpatient treatment program. Inpatient treatment allows individuals to focus on rehabilitation and healing in a safe environment solely; these individuals need structured aftercare treatment in the form of an outpatient rehab to ensure continued assistance and relapse prevention.

For a person who has finished outpatient treatment, the best aftercare comes from community programs and alumni gatherings. This continued support allows individuals who have worked hard to achieve their sobriety to give back and grow socially with individuals in similar situations.

Aftercare Treatment in Dana Point, CA

Indah Recovery provides extensive detox, rehabilitation therapy, and aftercare treatment. Our state-of-the-art facility is designed around the needs of our clients and their addiction recovery. We combine the best, newest, and most innovative treatments to ensure that our clients can work through their mental, emotional, and physical trauma related to substance abuse.
Contact us today to see how our aftercare treatment is changing lives in Dana Point, CA.

What Are the Signs of a Prescription Painkiller Addiction?

What Are the Signs of a Prescription Painkiller Addiction?

According to the CDC, prescription painkiller abuse is one of the fastest and most fatal prescription overdoses. In fact, in 2010, 18 women died every day, and every three minutes a woman was admitted to the ER for prescription painkiller misuse or abuse. These dangerous statistics lead to a more detailed look at how opioid prescriptions are being administered and how their abuse can impact individuals. Because of the danger of these drugs, it is essential to understand the signs of a prescription painkiller addiction.

At Indah Recovery, we believe that our clients deserve the best personalized and individualized treatment for their rehabilitative care. Contact us today to see how we work with individuals to combat prescription painkiller addiction.

What are prescription painkillers?

Prescription painkillers are medications prescribed to you by a doctor to manage pain. These medications are often opioids like morphine, codeine, and oxycodone. These medications can cause individuals to have slowed or shallow breathing, sleep disturbances, extreme changes in mood and behavior, and weight gain. The symptoms can vary and be extreme depending on the specific drug taken.

Why are prescription painkillers commonly abused?

Prescription painkillers are commonly abused because of how they work in the body. These pain medications block the pain receptors, which signal the brain that the pain is gone. This triggers the reward receptors because of the influx of dopamine from the pain relief. Your body is telling itself that you did a good thing by taking the medication to make the pain stop. If this is continued for long periods, the body can begin to need the medication to function, leading to misuse.

Misuse of a prescription pain medication happens any time a prescription is not taken as indicated by the label on the bottle. This can include taking more than prescribed, more frequently, altering how the pill is taken by crushing or dissolving it, and even taking the medication in unsafe conditions like with alcohol or other drugs. 

Misuse can quickly become abuse because of the unsafe conditions the medication is taken in. Through this process, individuals develop a dependence and tolerance for the drug. This means that individuals will need to take the medication to feel better and will eventually need to take more of the medication to feel the same effects. Individuals will start to spend more time focusing on the medication and how to get it. 

If you are noticing these signs, they are actually symptoms of opioid addiction.

How to Treat an Opioid Addiction

Individuals who have developed an opioid addiction must seek treatment. Through this process, individuals will go through several stages; detoxification, rehabilitation, and recovery.

When an individual first makes the decision to stop using opioids, or the decision is made for them, they must undergo withdrawal from the drug. This process is called detoxification and can take 4-14 days for individuals to be symptom-free. Individuals who are addicted to opioids might experience the following symptoms:

  • Irritability
  • Anxiety
  • Muscle aches
  • Insomnia
  • Runny nose
  • Sweating
  • Stomach Pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea and vomiting

While these symptoms are often not life-threatening, they can be difficult to manage independently. Individuals going through withdrawal should be medically monitored through the process to ensure personal safety and health.

The second stage of the process is rehabilitation. Individuals go through opioid addiction rehabilitation by attending treatment designed to support and alter their negative habits. Individuals can learn relapse prevention strategies, coping skills, and self-management plans through therapy and specially designed treatments.

The final stage of the opioid addiction treatment process is recovery. Individuals who have completed an addiction treatment program can implement the strategies learned and use them in real-world situations. Those in recovery still attend regular treatment programs and work to maintain their sobriety daily.

Prescription Painkiller Rehab in Orange County, CA

At Indah Recovery, we work with individuals to create a holistic program to treat their opioid use disorder. This type of individualized and private programming is designed by medical professionals who are compassionate and committed to your care. 

Here at Indah Recovery, we pride ourselves on being a treatment center that feels like home. We want our clients to be comfortable and safe while making the transition to a sober lifestyle. We believe in the importance of luxury amenities and specialized treatment.
Contact Indah Recovery today to see how we can help you recover today.

What Rehab Is Really Like and How We Can Help You Today

What Rehab Is Really Like and How We Can Help You Today

If you are thinking about making a change, you’re probably wondering what it’s like to go to rehab and what happens while you are there? Is it worth it to be away from your friends and family for so long? Will it really help you change?

The fear of the unknown might keep you from taking that next step, so let us at Indah Recovery clear up some things for you. 

What is rehab?

Rehabilitation, or rehab, is a treatment center based on helping someone get over substance abuse or mental health problems. In rehab, people are able to work through the act of rehabilitation. 

In its most basic sense, rehab is a therapeutic retraining of the brain to support individuals who have struggled with addiction. Through this process, clients in rehab can learn how to avoid triggers, develop healthy coping mechanisms for stress release, and develop a support system and supportive approach for living with the temptation to drugs and alcohol. 

In rehab, there are medical and professional staff trained to support individuals who are going through withdrawal, learning to cope with cravings and their new lifestyle, and supporting individuals who need help with the transition. Through both individual and group counseling and therapy, clients are taught relapse prevention strategies, mindfulness techniques, and other mental health strategies to improve client wellbeing. 

What is rehab really like?

Initially, rehab can be extremely challenging, especially for individuals who are not committed to making a lifestyle change. Going through detox and dealing with withdrawal symptoms can make a person feel terrible and ruin their motivation to continue. However, there are authentic opportunities to reflect, learn, grow, and build relationships for the future for individuals who stick it out.

When it comes to figuring out what rehab is really like, there is a lot of reflection. Looking at the problems that drugs or alcohol have caused and identifying the negative through process or trigger that instigated substance use. Through this therapeutic strategy, clients will learn to identify challenges and times of frequent use to make a change to the process.

Individuals who go to rehab are also directly taught coping mechanisms, healthy self-management strategies, and how to implement relapse prevention to ensure continued health and safety. In this process, individuals are given opportunities to practice, engage with others, and implement the strategies taught to ensure that they are capable of implementing them in the real world.

And lastly, clients have the opportunity to grow and build relationships for the future. No one quite understands the pull of addiction like another addict, and no one knows how to battle or challenge it like someone who has also gone through addiction and treatment. In rehab, clients can learn and build friendships with other residents. Through this process, individuals can create a support system of individuals familiar with the struggles and support one another in times of need.

Let Indah Recovery Be Your Rehab Today

At Indah Recovery, we want to help you recover from substance abuse for good. In a treatment center that feels like home, our clients work with professional staff to create tailored treatment plans designed to meet their individual addiction needs. 

Our intimate and luxury setting combines holistic and modern therapies with traditional evidence-based therapies in a treatment program designed to help our clients achieve long-term sustainable recovery.

With holistic healing in mind, our clients receive 24-hour care, nutritious meals, opportunities for physical training. We want our clients to achieve total mental, physical, and emotional wellness.
Contact us today to see how we can help you recover from substance abuse.

What is the Difference Between an Alcoholic and a Heavy Drinker?

What is the Difference Between an Alcoholic and a Heavy Drinker

Alcohol can impact individuals in many ways. Sometimes it is limited to relationships or legal trouble. Other times it has a pervasive and devastating impact on the life of the drinker. Knowing the difference between an alcoholic and a heavy drinker can indicate the type of help an individual needs based on their drinking habits.

At Indah Recovery, we support clients with alcohol and drug addiction through comprehensive detox and inpatient residential treatment in our Dana Point, CA location.  Contact us today to see how alternative and evidence-based therapies can support you in making a healthy change for the better. 

What are the differences between an alcoholic and a heavy drinker?

The differences between an alcoholic and a heavy drinker can be boiled down to three main factors: frequency, dependency, and withdrawal symptoms. By distinguishing between alcohol addiction and problematic or heavy drinking, individuals may be able to identify red flags in their habits before developing an addiction.

Frequency is one of the main differences between a heavy or problematic drinker and an alcoholic. An alcoholic is going to need to consume alcohol daily. However, a problematic or heavy drinker may go days or weeks between a drink. The difference in frequency between these has to do with dependency on alcohol as a coping mechanism.

When it comes to dependency, a heavy or problematic drinker may be able to stop drinking where an alcoholic can not. Should a problem arise in which a heavy drinker could not consume alcohol, they would function normally without it. However, if an alcoholic were prevented from drinking, there would be physical and mental consequences to not drinking. 

This is all to say, the main difference between an alcoholic and a heavy drinker is whether or not they experience withdrawal symptoms. Individuals addicted to alcohol will begin to feel withdrawal symptoms within 6-12 hours of the last drink. Heavy drinkers may experience a hangover but do not experience extreme withdrawal symptoms following a night of heavy drinking. 

Individuals who are questioning the difference between whether they or their loved one is a heavy drinker or an alcoholic should know that problematic and heavy drinking can be just as devastating and have similar long-term consequences. Individuals who suspect an unhealthy relationship with alcohol should know when it’s time to seek treatment.

How to Know When it’s Time to Seek Treatment

Heavy drinkers and alcoholics can both seek treatment for their alcohol consumption. Heavy drinkers may wish to see a therapist or counselor to discuss healthy coping mechanisms and ways to cut drinking out of their routine. Alcoholics, however, should attend a structured program designed to treat individuals with addiction to alcohol. 

Alcohol addiction treatment programs are specially designed to incorporate the best and most helpful therapies, teaching styles, and environments for individuals looking to make a change to their alcohol consumption. 

Individuals who are unsure if their relationship with alcohol indicates alcoholism may benefit from a CAGE questionnaire. These questions help determine if a person may have substance abuse problems. 

  1. “Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?
  2. Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
  3. Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
  4. Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover (eye-opener)?”

These four questions provide an introduction to how an individual uses alcohol and how they feel about that use. 

If you are ready to get help today, contact Indah Recovery. Our professional staff and supportive expert counseling team are prepared to help you today.

Indah Recovery

Get access to expert care in a treatment center that provides all the comforts of home! Our addiction treatment center is designed with the client in mind. Supportive traditional and alternative therapies are combined to create individual treatment programs tailored to the needs of each individual client that walks through our doors.

Our luxury facility provides the necessary knowledge, support, structure, and safety for comprehensive and sustainable recovery.
Contact Indah Recovery today to access recovery in a new way!