Over 8,000 New Yorkers lose their lives to excessive alcohol use each year. That estimate doesn’t even take into account the people who end up with severe health issues and a life in shambles.
Yet, many won’t be able to quit or scale down drinking on their own. And that’s where professional treatment programs come in.
Luckily, you won’t have to travel far to get the help you need.
Long Island Treatment Center is a trusted, local provider of outpatient alcohol addiction treatment services. It’s licensed, accredited, and run by a multi-faceted team of compassionate experts.
Read to find out what the treatment entails, who can benefit from the program, and what awaits on the other side.
Table of Contents
Treatment Options for Alcoholism
It’s perfectly normal to wonder about the sort of treatment you’ll receive. So, let’s start there.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) recognizes two main types of treatment: talk therapy (psychotherapy) and medications.
Talk Therapy
Licensed therapists and counselors can help patients identify triggers, reshape their thought patterns, and build coping strategies.
Long Island Treatment Center, in particular, offers a wide range of therapy forms, from one-on-one cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) sessions to group therapy.
Medications
Some patients need more than peer support and professional counseling. And that’s why treatment centers have clinicians or board-certified addiction doctors on the team.
These healthcare professionals can prescribe medications to help people quit safely and avoid relapses. So far, naltrexone, disulfiram, and acamprosate are all FDA-approved for alcohol use disorders (AUDs).
A Breakdown of the Alcohol Addiction Treatment Journey
The best alcohol addiction treatment plans are tailored to the patient’s unique needs and circumstances. However, the process is usually built around these steps:
Intake and Assessment
The treatment journey has to start with an assessment of the extent of the alcohol abuse problem.
Healthcare providers use guidelines like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to diagnose patients. Expect some questions about your drinking habits. A physical exam and a psychological evaluation might be needed as well.
Detox
The reason why heavy drinkers have trouble scaling down their alcohol intake is that alcohol rewires the brain. The central nervous system adapts to the substance’s depressive effects and slowly becomes unable to function properly with it.
So, when the alcohol level drops, the brain is left in an overactive state, creating a range of unpleasant (and sometimes, outright life-threatening!) withdrawal symptoms.
Detoxing in a medical facility can make this phase much easier and safer. For one, the staff can provide medications for symptomatic management. Plus, the detox plan covers stress management, emotional support, and nutrition aspects.
Generally speaking, the symptoms kick in 6–8 hours after the last drink, and the whole detoxing process can take up to 7 days.
Inpatient Rehab
Once the detox is over, patients are referred to a rehab program.
Note that there are a few common options for healthcare providers to choose from. Think inpatient, outpatient, intensive outpatient, and partial hospitalization. None is better than the other, per se. It all depends on the individual’s needs and the severity of the AUD.
The inpatient (residential) programs lie on the intensive end of the spectrum. In this treatment program, patients stay in the center 24/7, receiving medical and psychiatric services.
Outpatient Rehab
For those who don’t need round-the-clock monitoring, outpatient programs can be a suitable choice.
Outpatient treatment is a step down from residential programs. Rather than remain on the premises all day, patients only need to come in for sessions.
This flexibility allows for a life outside of treatment. Patients can work, attend classes, or care for their family while they continue to work on their sobriety.
In a standard outpatient program, you might be expected to come in 2–3 days a week. You’ll likely spend a few hours per day, though.
What if someone needs more care than that but not quite to the level of a full-on residential program? In this case, healthcare providers may recommend an intensive outpatient program (IOP).
IOPs usually require a time commitment of at least 10 hours per week. They’re not an “easy” option, by any means. But they can offer a bit of flexibility without compromising treatment intensity too much.
Aftercare and Relapse Prevention
Alcoholism is a chronic disorder, and the treatment team has to acknowledge this with personalized aftercare plans. The right plan reinforces the coping skills taught in rehab, provides ongoing support, and fosters a sense of accountability.
As a person recovering from alcohol abuse, your aftercare plan might include sober living, building a support network, and attending AA meetings.
Your Trusted Local Addiction Treatment Center
Long Island Treatment Center (LITC) is a licensed, accredited, and trusted provider of outpatient addiction treatment at its various levels. We treat a number of substance abuse issues, including alcohol addiction.
Is LITC the right choice for you?
Our outpatient services typically offer the right care level if:
- You’re in early recovery.
- You need a program that accommodates your work or other commitments.
- You have a co-occurring mental health condition, alongside your alcohol use disorder.
It’s also worth noting that LITC is actually part of a national, multi-state network of addiction and mental health treatment providers called Recreate Behavioral Health Network.
Why Choose LITC’s Alcohol Addiction Treatment Services
AT LITC, we understand that taking the first steps toward recovery can be tricky, and it’s not just because admitting you need help is hard. Finding reliable resources and choosing the “right” treatment center can make that first leap seem that much more daunting.
Ideally, you want a treating team that genuinely cares about your sobriety and is willing to dig deep into your specific issue with alcohol use. You also want to feel understood and cared for, rather than judged.
In other words, you’re looking for a trusted center with compassionate experts using evidence-based treatments in a patient-centered approach.
Here’s how LITC checks all the right boxes:
Conveniently-Located, Inviting Facility
When we were designing our treatment center, patient comfort and safety were our priorities. We wanted to build a warm, inviting facility for Long Island locals to heal without having to leave the state.
And with a convenient location in Hicksville, our facility ended up serving the Long Island community, the Greater New York Metropolitan Area, and beyond.
Certified and Accredited Provider
Our Long Island rehab center is OASAS-certified, JCI-accredited, and LegitScript-certified.
The OASAS, or the Office of Addiction Services and Supports, oversees addiction treatment providers in New York. Before any rehab center can provide outpatient services, it has to receive the approval of the Commissioner of OASAS, which is what we did at LITC.
LITC has gone through the necessary certification channels and is now a Part 822-certified outpatient clinic in New York.
The JCI accreditation, on the other hand, is a voluntary objective process set by the Joint Commission. It evaluates healthcare organizations based on performance standards and quality of care. LITC has earned the seal of approval from the JCI.
Tailored, Comprehensive Approach
Recovery is possible for everyone. Yes, each and every one of our clients is an original, battling their own set of challenges and triggers. But we can still cater to them with personalized treatment plans.
Every step along the way, from the rehab to the aftercare, looks at more than just the drinking issue. Our clinicians and counselors go to great lengths to ensure the treatment plan takes the whole person into account — physical, mental, and spiritual aspects covered.
Keep in mind that many people suffering from alcohol use disorders also happen to have a mental health disorder.
Depression is a particularly common issue, so much so that some sources report that people with an alcohol dependence diagnosis are 3.7 times more likely to suffer from major depressive disorder.
To boost the odds of recovery, it’s recommended to treat the alcoholism and the mental health condition at the same time. Thankfully, LITC offers integrated treatment in dual-diagnosis programs.
Compassionate, Multi-Faceted Team
LITC is a judgment-free zone. Our team members come from different walks of life and have heard every version of rock bottom you can think of and then some. In fact, several of us are in recovery ourselves and understand the ongoing struggle with addiction.
Our leadership is also well-qualified in addiction treatment.
For instance, our medical director, Dr. Eugene Vortman, is a Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (FASAM) and a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians (FACEP). This means that he’s board-certified in both addiction and emergency medicine.
His approach integrates psychological, medical, and social strategies for treating substance use disorders like alcoholism.
And Dr. Vortman isn’t the only double-boarded member on the team, either.
Dr. Tildabeth Doscher, our consulting medical director, specializes in both preventive medicine and addiction medicine. Along with her medical doctorate, she holds a master’s in public health (MPH) from UCLA.
We’re also lucky to have Carly J. Gutierrez, a master-credentialed alcohol and substance abuse counselor with 9 years of experience, on the team. Carly is a state-licensed mental health counselor with diagnostic privileges as well.
Connected Recovery
At LITC, we know how vital it is to have a solid support network to lean on during your hardships.
That’s why we work on staying connected with our patients even after they complete their rehab program. Whether it’s through sober alumni gatherings or telehealth services, we’re here for our people when they need us.
Community Trust and Recognition
If you’ve ever been on the search for treatment options before, you’ll know that directory listings can be incredibly helpful for verifying the trustworthiness of healthcare providers.
LITC is listed on several reliable directories and databases, including:
But, of course, directory listings aren’t the only gauge of community trust. Here’s what people have to say about LITC’s alcohol addiction treatment, as shared on Google reviews:
- “This facility has allowed me to be free of drugs and alcohol. I’m forever grateful. The staff was attentive, the counselors are amazing.”
- “The staff that work here are amazing. Extremely professional but at the same time extremely cool. I was paired with the perfect therapist, physiatrist, and case worker for me, and they gave it there [sic] all to help me succeed in and outside of the program.”
FAQs
Can I get financial assistance for alcohol addiction treatment on Long Island?
How long does rehab for alcoholism typically last?
Recovery Is Possible. Start Today With Long Island Treatment Center.
Admitting that your drinking has gotten out of control. Reaching out for help is one of the hardest things you can do. But once you do, you’re ready to start your recovery journey.
Our goal is to provide you with all the resources and support you need to get (and stay) sober. So, don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions regarding recovering from alcohol addiction.