Alcoholism

Alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence, is a disease that includes the following four symptoms:

• Craving--A strong need, or urge, to drink alcohol.
• Loss of control--Not being able to stop drinking alcohol once drinking has begun.
• Physical dependence--Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety after drinking alcohol has stopped.
• Tolerance--The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to get "high."

Alcohol is the most widely accepted substance that is abused. It affects every aspect of mind, body and spirit. It gives a euphoric feeling but also acts as a depressant. The damage to the body from prolonged use is wide spread, ranging from heart and liver problems to brain damage.

Alcohol Rehab

Alcohol rehab centers all advertise that their treatment is the "best" available, but with average relapse rates of 50%¹ and more, alcohol rehab becomes more about offering a treatment that is not only the "best" in terms of latest treatments or highest level of care, but alcohol rehab that also offers the most complete approach that will give the patient a greater ability to remain sober. At Brookside Institute, we believe that our alcohol rehab provides this.

We believe that treatment of alcohol abuse is best carried out when utilizing a treatment plan that attempts to address not only the mental process that leads to alcohol abuse (in the form of therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy - CBT), but also the physical alcohol craving that stems from the addiction (in the form of medication), as well as the baseline brain condition and any underlying emotional issues that may contribute and enable alcohol addiction (in the form of neuroscience treatment). This treatment plan takes the dual-diagnosis approach to addiction, addressing not only the alcohol abuse, but also any secondary emotional conditions that may have initiated and reinstated the abuse of alcohol, even after rehab.

The dual-diagnosis approach acknowledges that anxiety and depression are major contributing factors to alcohol addiction and alcohol abuse, and realizes that in order to adequately conduct treatment, these factors need to be addressed and resolved.

At Brookside Institute's Neuroscience Center we offer two treatments for alcohol abuse and addiction, MERT and Neurofeedback, cutting edge treatments designed treat the addiction and ease withdrawl symptoms. These treatments are administered after a patient recieves an electroencephalogram (EEG), or brain wave recording, and brain waves contributing to the addiction are identified. MERT and TMS are ways of resolving these brain waves into ones more suitable for the individual to function and lead a sober life. In addition, as MERT increases dopamine output in the brain, withdrawl from alcohol, which is normally very diffucult due to symptoms related to decrease in dopamine, is eased.

In addition to the neuroscience treatment, patients are carefully prescribed medications (if deemed necessary by the on-site psychiatrist) designed to reduce alcohol cravings. We are excited to be able to offer our patients Naltrexone and Vivitrol ™ , medications for alcohol abuse and addiction that block the pleasurable effects of alcohol. These medications work instantly, and Vivitrol ™ functions as a once-montly injection. In combination with MERT, the medications we prescribe increase in efficacy, allowing us to administer a lower dosage with maximal efficacy. Needless to say, for alcohol abuse and addiction, this makes the first stage of rehab, the alcohol withdrawl, a much easier process.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), individual therapy, and other group sessions, including Tai Chi and relapse prevention classes functions as our method to address what factors in an alcohol abuse and addiction patient contribute to their alcoholism, and allows the patient to work through these issues. This aspect forms another part of the alcohol treatment rehab, a way of helping the patient rationalize and realize what a sober life entails. We recognize that alcohol rehab treatment with only one aspect of the above treatment lacks in other areas, which is why we believe our alcohol rehab protocol to not only be the best, but one that gives the patient the greatest chance for a successful sober life.

1. Tims, F.M., Leukefeld, C.G., Platt, J.J. 2001. Relapse and recovery in addictions. Yale University Press.