Drinking alcohol is common in the United States, which is why it should be no surprise that there are many people who develop an addiction. However, since so many people drink alcohol, you may be wondering, why do only some become addicted? What is it that makes alcohol addictive, and why is it so hard to quit once you’re addicted?

The answer to these questions can be broken down into different parts.

What Makes Alcohol Addictive?

• The physical factor — Alcohol triggers a release of dopamine and endorphins in the brain. These are chemicals that naturally occur in your body that induce sensations of pleasure and relaxation. However, by triggering a large release through alcohol consumption, the brain can build up a tolerance to these chemicals and require more alcohol to achieve the desired effect. When this happens, you can develop cravings that make it difficult to stop drinking no matter how hard you want to.
• The psychological factor — The mind plays a large role in addiction. For example, someone who is stressed or depressed may frequently turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism.Some addiction treatments, like what we provide at Tulip Hill Recovery, include mental health treatment that can help address mental health disorders that may be fueling the desire to consume alcohol.
• Withdrawal symptoms — Withdrawal symptoms from alcohol can make it undesirable to quit as well as unsafe. Withdrawal symptoms include:
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Shaky hands
  • Nausea
  • Seizures

Going through withdrawal can motivate the continued use of alcohol in order to avoid the effects. Additionally, withdrawal from alcohol can be risky to your health and usually needs to be monitored by clinical recovery professionals.

Start Your Recovery Journey at Tulip Hill Recovery

At Tulip Hill Recovery, we focus on discovering what factors in your life may be contributing to addiction in order to treat it at its main source. Our treatment model emphasizes the dual diagnosis approach, which means we treat addiction as well as co-occurring mental health disorders that might be fueling the addiction. This helps a person in recovery become better equipped for dealing with the challenges of mental health disorders without feeling like they need substances or alcohol to cope.

Are you ready to talk to someone about treatment for addiction for you or someone you love? Please contact us online or call us at 877-845-8192 to get in touch with our team and help start the recovery journey.

The new year brings renewed hope for people across the world. Many are hopeful that the rollout of vaccines will end the COVID-19 pandemic, helping life return to normal. Many people make New Year’s resolutions as an effort to commit to making an improvement in their lives. For some, this resolution comes in the form of giving up drug or alcohol use. However, this usually is easier said than done.

Quitting drinking or using a substance when you feel like it’s taking over your life is possible, but if your use of alcohol or drugs has developed into an uncontrollable addiction, then you will need professional assistance. Addiction is difficult to recover from  both mentally and physically. But don’t lose hope. With the help of a professional, you can reach your New Year’s goal of staying sober.

Staying Sober with the Help of Addiction Treatment Professionals

Quitting is hard because of the physical, mental and emotional dependence on alcohol or substances. Regardless of what has its grip on you, when you’re facing these kinds of circumstances, you need help from someone else.

Clinical professionals and therapists can work with you to guide you through a safe and effective recovery program. Different people have different needs, but often, going through an inpatient recovery program can help you build a solid recovery foundation  and  set you on path for a happy and productive life after treatment..

Some recovery centers, like Tulip Hill Recovery, specialize in a more advanced form of treatment known as dual diagnosis. Under this kind of program, clients receive mental health treatment as well as treatment for their addiction. This is important because co-occuring mental health disorders can drive the need to use substances or alcohol as a form of coping. Mental health professionals can work with these clients to develop healthier coping mechanisms for the symptoms of their conditions, thus reducing the drive to turn back to drugs or alcohol.

Start your Recovery Journey at Tulip Hill Recovery

At Tulip Hill Recovery, we focus on discovering what factors in your life may be contributing to your addiction in order to treat it at its main source. 

Are you ready to talk to someone about treatment for addiction and building a better future for yourself? Please contact us online or call us at 877-845-8192 to get in touch with our team and start your recovery journey.

It’s reported that in 2019, 14.1 million adults suffered from some form of alcohol use disorder (AUD). There may be many more who have gone unreported. AUD is so common because alcohol can be an addictive substance. 

Many people tend to think they can control their alcohol consumption or hide it, but with AUD, drinking slowly takes over your life and becomes the sole object of your interest.

Professionals can help you recover from alcohol addiction as well as treat any co-occurring mental health disorders that might fuel your addiction.

Many people find it hard to believe that they have an addiction to alcohol, but it can happen to anyone. There should be no shame in admitting that you need help and seeking treatment from professionals. 

Take a moment to understand why alcohol is so addictive and how it could affect you.

Social influence

Many celebratory occasions or casual gatherings involve the use of alcohol. Weddings, parties and dinners all usually involve drinks to help people loosen up and have fun. However, all this drinking comes with an unintended consequence. Over time, the push to drink during social occasions can lead to excessive drinking or a dependency that leads to more drinking on your own in private.

Chemistry

Alcohol causes changes in your body at the chemical level. It increases the production of endorphins, which can chemically induce sensations of pleasure or reward. Over time, your body craves this release of endorphins and you find yourself wanting to drink to achieve this pleasurable effect.

As the use of alcohol is prolonged or increases over time, your body can become physically dependent on the presence of alcohol just to simply function on a daily basis.

Mental health disorders

Mental health disorders, such as anxiety or depression, can cause stress and other symptoms that lead to the use of alcohol as a coping mechanism. As mental health issues go untreated, the use of alcohol as a coping mechanism is prolonged, which can lead to an addiction. 

Treating mental health disorders is a crucial part of the dual diagnosis approach to treating alcohol addiction. Learning to cope with mental health disorders in healthy ways can help reduce the drive for using alcohol as a coping mechanism.

Take Your First Step to Recovery at Tulip Hill Recovery

Are you or someone you know struggling with alcohol addiction? Our team is here to help. At Tulip Hill Recovery, we focus on discovering what factors in your life may be contributing to your addiction in order to treat it at its main source. 

Are you ready to talk to someone about treatment for addiction and building a better future for yourself? Please contact us online or call us at 877-845-8192 to get in touch with our team and start your recovery journey.

When you or someone you care about is struggling with alcohol, it’s time to consider visiting an alcohol rehab center for treatment. However, if there are several alcohol rehab centers near you, you might wonder which one is right for you or your loved one.

Deciding on a treatment center can be overwhelming and even discouraging. You may have reviewed websites, read reviews online, or contacted a center for more information, but the feeling of uncertainty may still remain.

If you’re researching alcohol rehab centers near you, here are some questions we think you should keep in mind.

1. What is the staff like?

Is the staff at the rehab center you’re interested in friendly and helpful? Do they work closely together to get to know each client’s needs and the challenges they face in their individual journeys? Do they have credentials, experience and positive reviews?

You can usually find this information online, but it also helps to contact a center or visit it in person to get a feel for what the staff is like. 

2. Is there housing?

When beginning your recovery journey, it is helpful to live in a home with others on the same path while under the supervision of a clinical professional. At Tulip Hill Recovery, our clients can live in one of our sober living residences. This helps keep you accountable for staying sober and keeps you motivated for staying on track in your recovery journey. Plus, you get to build a community of support and friendship that can last for a lifetime.

3. Will my mental health needs be met?

Often, there are co-occurring mental health disorders that can lead to your need for alcohol use or develop because of it. Either way, it’s important to address co-occurring mental health disorders as part of your treatment. Mental health professionals can help you build healthier coping mechanisms for mental health issues, so you feel less inclined to turn to alcohol to cope with them.

4. Can I afford it?

We put this question last on the list because we believe it should never be a hindrance to you in seeking treatment. There are a variety of treatment centers available for people of all economic backgrounds, and our team at Tulip Hill is committed to helping you find the treatment you need, whether it’s with us or somewhere better suited for your needs. However, we understand that the question about cost is important to many people, so we want to address it.

If you’re thinking about the cost of an addiction recovery center, you should consider what all you get out of it. A center that provides a dual diagnosis treatment approach and helps you reintegrate to society can offer you more than a detox clinic that puts you back on the street after a few days.

Additionally, you need to review your health insurance plan and see what it covers. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace plans recognize mental health and drug and alcohol addiction as essential health issues that must be covered for treatment on some level. If you have an ACA insurance plan, check to see what kind of coverage it provides. 

If you need help, our team at Tulip Hill Recovery can help you review your plan.

Take Your First Step to Recovery at Tulip Hill Recovery

At Tulip Hill Recovery, we focus on discovering what factors in your life may be contributing to your alcohol abuse in order to treat addiction at its main source. 

Are you ready to talk to someone about treatment for alcohol addiction and building a better future for yourself? Please contact us today to get in touch with our team and start your recovery journey.

Overcoming an addiction to alcohol is a challenging journey. You may feel like it’s impossible to overcome an addiction to alcohol. You may have tried to quit many times. Maybe you feel too ashamed or embarrassed to ask for help. However, when you suspect you have a drinking problem and want to quit, recovery is absolutely possible.

The most important step you can take is to admit you have a problem and that you need help. There is nothing shameful or embarrassing about this. In fact, it is one of the bravest, most honest and most helpful things you can do for yourself and those around you who love and care about your well-being.

The next step is to find help from professionals for alcohol addiction.

Finding Alcohol Addiction Help

You may have experienced many frustrating failures attempting to quit drinking by yourself. It is important to find help from a professional for alcohol addiction because those who suffer from alcohol addiction do not have the tools necessary to quit drinking on their own.

Drinking excessively can cause a physical and mental dependence on alcohol. Simply quitting drinking once you’ve reached this stage is extremely difficult and can even be harmful because of the physical dependence.

However, clinical professionals at recovery treatment centers, like Tulip Hill Recovery, can identify your needs and guide you through a safe recovery program that can help you break free from an alcohol addiction.

Beginning Your Recovery Journey at Tulip Hill Recovery

Overcoming alcohol addiction is not impossible.

Under the guidance of a professional and with your commitment and determination, you can learn the tools that you need to to live a life free from alcohol.

At Tulip Hill Recovery, we focus on helping you find treatment for your addiction and building healthy coping mechanisms for living with mental health issues that might be fueling your addiction. 

Are you ready to talk to someone about treatment for alcohol addiction and building a better future for yourself? Please contact us online or call us at 877-845-8192 to get in touch with our team and start your recovery journey.

The consumption of alcohol is at the center of many social activities and is considered a normal part of life. However, drinking too much can be a sign of developing an addictive behavior known as alcohol use disorder (AUD).

AUD can be defined as drinking too much to the point that it can harm your health. This usually looks like drinking excessive amounts of alcohol in a single session or having several drinks per day throughout the week.

It’s important to take a moment to familiarize yourself with AUD so you know more about the condition and finding treatment for it.

1. AUD affects millions of people every year

Recent research from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism found that 14.4 million adults ages 18 and older had AUD. This includes 9.2 million men and 5.3 million women.

A person is defined as having AUD if they experience at least two of the following 11 symptoms within the same year:

• Drinking more than planned
• Having built up a tolerance
• Unable to quit despite trying
• Withdrawals when trying to quit
• Constantly craving alcohol
• Seeking alcohol more often
• Missing work, school and other responsibilities due to alcohol
• Alcohol affecting one’s ability to perform important tasks
• Social and personal problems due to alcohol
• Drinking in risky situations, such as before driving
• Continued drinking that causes health problems

2. AUD has a number of causes

There are many causes and risk factors that can lead to AUD, including:

• Social influences — Being around friends and family who drink regularly can increase your risk of developing AUD.
• Trauma — Past trauma, such as emotional abuse, physical abuse or sexual abuse can lead to an increase in drinking to cope, which can cause AUD.
• Mental health disorder — People with mental health disorders, such as anxiety or depression, may turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism, which can cause AUD.
• Family history — Children in families with a history of alcohol abuse are more likely to develop AUD as they grow older.

3. AUD is treatable

Fortunately, AUD is treatable. However, to treat AUD, you need to visit recovery professionals for assistance. Without professional help for AUD, your continued drinking can lead to serious issues such as job loss, strained relationships with friends/family, and deterioration of health. 

The majority of those experiencing AUD do not receive the treatment they need because of fear, shame, stigma, denial or lack of awareness. There is no shame in admitting you have a problem and turning to someone reliable for help. This is one of the bravest and best decisions you can make for yourself.

Take Your First Step to Recovery at Tulip Hill Recovery

At Tulip Hill Recovery, we focus on discovering what factors in your life may be contributing to your alcohol abuse in order to treat addiction at its main source. 

Are you ready to talk to someone about treatment for AUD and building a better future for yourself? Please contact us online or call us at 877-845-8192 to get in touch with our team and start your recovery journey.

Alcoholism, or alcohol abuse disorder, can affect the mind and body, causing a person to be unable to function properly throughout the day and to suffer from withdrawal symptoms when they have not had a drink in a while. When someone you know is struggling with alcohol addiction, it can put a strain on your relationship. 

It’s important to watch for these five telltale signs that this person may need help with treatment to overcome their addiction.

Five Signs of Alcoholism in Someone You Care About

1. Health problems — Alcoholism can cause serious health effects on the human body. If someone you care about has been drinking a lot and their health appears to be on the decline, it may be that they are drinking too much and inadvertently altering their body to become physically dependent on alcohol.
2. Strained relationships — A person’s pursuit of alcohol can put strains on families and friendships. The person you care about may drink at inappropriate times or occasions. They may drink too much. They may try to hide their drinking, so they distance themselves from you to spend time with alcohol instead.
3. Neglected responsibilities — Becoming dependent on alcohol can cause someone to neglect their personal and professional responsibilities. School, work and family slowly take a backseat in priority to finding and consuming alcohol. If someone you know is neglecting their responsibilities and spending more time drinking, they may be struggling with alcoholism.
4. Failed attempts to quit drinking — The person you care about may have mentioned they want to cut back on alcohol, but you notice they cannot or that they are drinking even more than before. Failure to quit drinking when they recognize the need to is a clear sign that they are physically or mentally dependent on alcohol.
5. Suffering from a mental health disorder — While we would never imply that all who suffer from mental health disorders will struggle with addiction, it is not a secret that those who struggle with mental health disorders may turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism. If you know the person you care about is struggling with their mental health and they are exhibiting other signs of alcoholism, you may need to talk to them about getting help. 

Find Treatment from Alcoholism at Tulip Hill Recovery

It’s hard to watch someone you care about destroy themselves with alcohol, which is why the time to take action is now. If you believe someone you know is struggling with alcohol, you can contact Tulip Hill Recovery today to find out how we can treat them and how you can approach them about contacting us for treatment.

Please contact us online or call us at 877-845-8192 to get in touch with our team and help your loved one take back control of their life.

Admitting to yourself that you have an alcohol abuse problem can be hard, but when you’re dependent on drinking and it becomes a source of personal and professional trouble in your life, it’s time to reach out for help.

For too long have people viewed needing help for addiction as shameful or weak. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Reaching out for support when you’re struggling is a sign of integrity and strength. However, one of the challenges you might face when you’re ready to seek help is where you should look for it.

Our team at Tulip Hill Recovery is here to walk with you through your journey to overcome addiction and find freedom in your life. If you’re ready to find treatment, here are some ways to get started.

Talk to your doctor

Quitting alcohol on your own is rarely an option. Alcohol abuse leads to alcohol use disorder, which causes a physical dependence on drinking. Trying to quit on your own would be like trying to wish away a serious illness. Instead, you may need to trust professionals who can help you find treatment from alcohol both physically and mentally.

If you have a primary physician, you may want to talk to them about your alcohol use and how it’s affecting you. Your doctor can look for signs of alcohol use disorder and put you on the course for treatment.

Visit a recovery center for treatment

While visiting a doctor is a great way to start seeking help, you can skip them entirely and visit a professional recovery center like Tulip Hill Recovery. At Tulip Hill, we have several licensed clinicians on staff who can diagnose your addiction and identify any co-occurring mental health disorders that fuel your alcohol abuse.

At a recovery center like ours, you can begin treatment right away if you are a good fit for our program. Treatment looks different for everyone depending on their needs, but the typical model most clients follow is 30 days of partial hospitalization (PHP) recovery and 60 days of intensive outpatient recovery (IOP) if needed. 

Afterward, we help you continue your recovery journey by getting you in touch with our alumni program, which includes others who have received treatment at Tulip Hill who can help you reintegrate back into the real world. You don’t have to battle the temptations of life alone.

This comprehensive approach to treating addiction and mental health while following through after your initial treatment helps our clients find freedom from addiction and a brighter future full of possibilities.

Take your First Step to Recovery at Tulip Hill Recovery

An addiction to alcohol may feel impossible to overcome, but take it from those of us who have been there — it’s not. 

At Tulip Hill Recovery, we focus on helping you find treatment for your addiction and building healthy coping mechanisms for living with mental health disorders that might be fueling your alcohol abuse. 

Are you ready to talk to someone about treatment for alcohol addiction and building a better future for yourself? Please contact us online or call us at 877-845-8192 to get in touch with our team and start your recovery journey.