Mesa, Arizona’s Preferred Alcohol Addiction Hospital

The signs and symptoms of alcohol addiction can vary from person to person. However, in general, the following are some of the more common signs and symptoms that could indicate that a person is struggling with an addiction to alcohol: 

• Having powerful urges to use alcohol 
• Spending a significant amount of time thinking about drinking alcohol 
• Spending a significant amount of time recovering from the use of alcohol 
• Once you start drinking, being incapable of stopping or limiting the amount you drink 
• Drinking alcohol alone 
• Keeping your drinking a secret 
• Needing alcohol to feel happy or to deal with stress 
• Needing alcohol to get through the day 
• Using alcohol when it is clearly not safe to do so, such as when taking prescription medication or driving a car 
• Continuing to use alcohol even after experiencing problems due to drinking 
• Trying but failing to stop or reduce your use of alcohol 

If you or a loved one has been exhibiting any signs or experiencing any symptoms of alcohol addiction, please know that help is available. When you receive an accurate diagnosis and enter an inpatient alcohol addiction treatment center like Agave Ridge Behavioral Hospital, you can learn to manage the symptoms of alcoholism and live a healthier life. 

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 110.2 million males and 111.1 million females age 12 and older have drunk alcohol at some point in their lives. NIAAA also offers the following statistics on alcohol use and alcohol addiction: 

• More than 29.5 million people age 12 and older in the United States meet criteria for a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder. 
• Males are more likely than females to struggle with addictions to alcohol. A reported 17.4 million males have alcohol use disorder, compared with 12.2 million females. 
• In terms of adolescents specifically, in 2022, 753,000 young people ages 12-17 had a clinical diagnosis of alcohol use disorder. 
• Experts estimate that in a typical year, fewer than 8% of people who struggle with alcohol use disorder receive treatment. 
• More than 10% of children in the United States live with a parent who is addicted to alcohol. 

Alcohol use and untreated alcohol addiction can have a negative effect on your physical, mental, and social well-being. The many potential negative effects of alcohol addiction include: 

• Damage to your kidneys, liver, and heart 
• Physical injuries due to impaired judgment or coordination 
• Elevated risk for several types of cancer 
• Malnutrition 
• Development or worsening of certain mental health concerns 
• Poor performance at school 
• Being expelled from school 
• Job loss  
• Chronic unemployment 
• Financial problems 
• Being arrested, fined, or jailed 
• Destroyed friendships 
• Divorce or separation from romantic partners 
• Losing the support of family members 
• Social isolation 
• Homelessness 
• Diminished self-confidence and self-esteem 
• Overwhelming sense of hopelessness 
• Thoughts of suicide 

Please remember that alcohol addiction is a treatable condition. When you receive care at our inpatient alcohol addiction treatment center in Mesa, Arizona, you can limit your risk for future negative effects of alcohol addiction. While you’re at our hospital, you can also begin to address any effects of alcohol addiction you’ve already experienced. 

One of the signs indicating that you’ve developed an addiction to alcohol is that you experience certain distressing symptoms when you try to stop drinking or when you’re unable to drink. This is known as alcohol withdrawal, and it happens because your body has become accustomed to having alcohol in its system. 

The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can include both physical and psychological distress. Possible signs of alcohol withdrawal include:  

• Shakiness, tics, or tremors 
• Racing heart rate 
• Powerful headaches 
• Inability to sleep 
• Feeling nauseous 
• Vomiting 
• Hallucinations 
• Irritability 
• Paranoia 
• Seizures 

The pain of alcohol withdrawal can make it very difficult or even dangerous for someone to stop drinking without professional alcohol addiction treatment. In severe cases, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be fatal. 

When you enter the inpatient alcohol addiction treatment program at Agave Ridge Behavioral Hospital, you can receive withdrawal management assistance through our on-site detoxification program. Taking part in detox at our alcohol addiction rehabilitation center in Mesa, Arizona, can be a vital step on your journey toward long-term recovery from alcohol use disorder.  

Alcohol addiction treatment at Agave Ridge Behavioral Hospital includes several evidence-based services. Our emphasis on providing personalized alcohol addiction treatment means that no two people will have identical experiences with us. When you first come to our inpatient hospital, you will complete an assessment that allows our team to gather information we can use to create a customized treatment plan. Depending on your history, needs, and treatment goals, your personalized alcohol addiction treatment plan may include: 

• Detoxification services: If you come to our Mesa, Arizona, hospital with alcohol in your system, receiving detox services may be the best first step in your treatment process. Our medical detox services are offered on-site and provided by medical doctors and addictionologists. These professionals will help you as you go through withdrawal, monitoring you carefully to ensure that you remain safe and are as comfortable as possible. The typical amount of time patients spend in detox is seven to 10 days, but that length of time may be shorter or longer depending on a person’s specific needs. 
• Medication management services: In situations in which a person has medication included as part of their alcohol addiction treatment plan, they meet with licensed practical nurses and registered nurses for medication management services. The nursing team distributes the medication and then monitors its effectiveness. 
• Group therapy: Group therapy is the main method of treatment at our inpatient alcohol addiction treatment center. Adolescents and adults participate in approximately four group therapy sessions each day. These sessions are led by licensed therapists who guide patients through conversations on topics like coping skills, relapse prevention, life skills, and goal setting. During these sessions, patients may find encouragement by being around other people who have had similar experiences or are struggling with similar concerns. 
• Basic medical care: Our hospital is not equipped to provide major medical care, such as IVs and wound care. If a patient is in need of intensive medical care that we are unable to provide, we will refer them to an appropriate treatment provider. However, our team can provide basic medical care on an as-needed basis. Each patient receives a medical assessment at the time of their admission to the program, and if we determine that basic medical care is required, our team of physicians and nurses works with the patient to make sure that their needs are met. 

Treatment at our inpatient alcohol addiction treatment center for adolescents and adults is delivered by a team of highly trained and compassionate behavioral health professionals who want to help the patients in their care succeed on their recovery journeys. The staff members you may work with while at our hospital include addictionologists, licensed professional counselors, licensed clinical social workers, psychiatrists, physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and behavioral health specialists. 

When choosing an alcohol addiction treatment center, it is important to make sure that they can provide comprehensive care that meets all identified needs. Below are examples of questions that can be beneficial to ask when looking for a place to receive alcohol addiction treatment. 

• What levels of care do you offer? 
• What types of professionals provide care? 
• Will I have an individualized treatment plan? 
• How long can I expect to stay in treatment? 
• Where will I stay while I’m in treatment? 
• What kinds of treatment methods are used? 

At Agave Ridge Behavioral Hospital in Mesa, Arizona, we are here to answer any questions you may have about our programming or about alcohol addiction treatment in general. Our desire is to help each adolescent or adult who comes to our inpatient hospital develop the skills they need to be successful on their recovery journey. 

This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Agave Ridge Behavioral Hospital.