Whether it is cracking open a cold one after a long day’s work or popping champagne corks at weddings, alcohol is, unfortunately, woven into the tapestry of our human experience. It is expected to function as a social lubricant, a symbol of celebration, and an integral part of countless rituals. For many people, alcohol is simply something they drink in social situations or on special occasions, and they rarely think about it otherwise.
But what happens when alcohol becomes more than a way to relax or spend time with friends? What if alcohol becomes a regular or daily part of a person’s life? What if someone doesn’t feel they have a choice when it comes to drinking alcohol? At Integrative Life Center, we understand the delicate nature of these questions and the complexities of alcohol use disorder. That is why we’re here to help guide you through the assessment process, explore the criteria for alcohol use disorder, and demonstrate how we can walk with you toward a healthier, more balanced relationship with alcohol. Ultimately, we believe that everyone deserves to live a life that is both fulfilling and free from the chains of addiction.
What Is Alcohol Use Disorder?
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a medical condition characterized by an individual’s inability to control or stop their alcohol consumption despite negative consequences. It is essential to distinguish between social drinking and a disorder that can significantly impact one’s physical and mental well-being. We recognize that AUD is not a one-size-fits-all issue, which is why we provide personalized treatment programs that acknowledge the unique journey each individual faces.
How To Tell If You Are Living With Alcohol Use Disorder
Identifying the signs of alcohol use disorder can be challenging, particularly when societal norms often encourage alcohol consumption. In some cases, a person may struggle with the consequences of drinking too much too often, simply because they are constantly surrounded by alcohol and face expectations that they drink often, if not daily. This is common for many people, those who work at night, entertainers, or those who work in hospitality and restaurant industries. For others, drinking alcohol is a part of their regular routine, and they find it difficult or impossible to unwind or focus outside of that routine. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to tell one from the other, especially for the person having the experience.
Sometimes, a person might think to themselves “Do I need to quit drinking?” or “Do I drink too much alcohol?”, and these are important questions to ask and answer. We work to empower individuals to assess their relationship with alcohol honestly, by looking for common signs of AUD in their own lives. These signs may include:
- Drinking greater amounts of alcohol and/or drinking more frequently.
- Developing a higher tolerance for alcohol and requiring more drinks to achieve the desired effect.
- Finding it challenging to stop or one’s control drinking, despite genuine effort
- Disinterest in previously enjoyable activities, shifts in priorities, favoring drinking over other ways to have fun or relax.
- Hiding the extent of one’s alcohol consumption from friends and family or lying about consuming alcohol.
If you recognize any of these traits in your own behavior, consider taking the AUDIT alcohol assessment to get more clarity on your own relationship to alcohol.
Take the AUDIT Assessment Now
What is the AUDIT assessment? The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is an internationally recognized questionnaire for alcoholism, designed to identify signs of hazardous and harmful drinking. By taking the AUDIT assessment, you can gain valuable insights into your drinking patterns and the potential severity of your alcohol use disorder. Even if you don’t find that you have AUD, it is always wise to take stock of your relationship to mind-altering substances and make sure that the relationship is healthy for you and those around you.
Drugs and Alcohol Rehab: A Holistic Approach
Understanding the gravity of AUD entails comprehensive and holistic substance abuse treatment programs to meet the needs of the whole person. We believe in addressing the root causes of addiction, providing a supportive environment, and fostering personal growth. Our experienced and compassionate team utilizes evidence-based therapies, such as EMDR, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness practices, and personalized treatment plans to guide individuals toward recovery.
Overcoming alcohol addiction IS possible, and we have seen it happen. However, each person reaches freedom from addiction in their own way, and taking a holistic, personalized approach will yield better, more lasting results.
AUD often intersects with other parts of our lives, including our mental health, our relationships, our physical health, and our overall well-being. By the time a person realizes they have a problem, it can feel overwhelming to seek out help or hope for change. However, the truth is that we’ve seen firsthand how people in all stages of addiction respond and grow as they partner with us. The holistic approach we offer at our retreat center serves to guide sufferers of AUD into restoring balance in their lives and relationships, regardless of where they are in the journey.
A Path Toward Recovery
Working with Integrative Life Center means choosing a path of holistic healing and personal transformation. Whether through outpatient or residential alcohol rehab programs, we proudly join people from every walk of life with the common goal to break free from the chains of alcohol use disorder and embrace a life filled with vitality and purpose. Choosing to seek help is powerful, and our work is to help people who struggle with alcohol and drug abuse regain their power, and keep it. Those worried they meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder can call us today to start the path toward recovery.
Elizabeth's clinical superpower is helping clients see new perspectives and re-engage with their true selves.
Annabelle's clinical superpower is story keeping; she remembers what clients tell her, and helps them find themes and connect dots.
Dani's clinical superpower is developing a relationship that makes each client feel comfortable and at ease.
Stephanie Bleecher is a Hatha, Vinyasa and Trauma Informed yoga teacher with experience at esteemed Addiction and Mental Health Treatment Centers with national reach. She holds an E-RYT-500 Certification from Jason Crandell Yoga, a high-level credential offered by the Yoga Alliance (the governing body for yoga worldwide). Other training credentials include Trauma-Informed Yoga from Firefly International and Y12SR (Yoga for 12 Step Recovery) leader. She has been a trailblazer, bringing the Y12SR international movement to the Nashville recovery community. Through trauma-informed yoga, Stephanie promotes the work of living where we are, in the present, and finding joy and contentment regardless of the state of the body and mind.
Stephanie's clinical superpower is that she specializes in Trauma-Informed Yoga, encouraging individuals to embrace the present moment and cultivate joy and contentment regardless of their body-mind state. Her approach consistently empowers clients, helping them discover or "re-cover" access to their innate body wisdom, fostering self-discovery and healing.
Rachel's is the resident yoga therapist for our partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient clients at ILC. Her goal is to cultivate a safe and accepting space for clients to find empowerment, reclamation, and healing.
She collaborates with clients to identify their strengths and values, discard practices that no longer serve them, and incorporate alternative coping skills. Rachel's approach involves holding an empathetic and genuine space to guide her clients in regaining their power, nurturing self-compassion, strengthening relationships, and tapping into their resilience.
Rachel's clinical superpower is providing a safe, empathetic, and nonjudgmental space. She meets people exactly as they are, with compassion and genuine acceptance. Through training in trauma, yoga, mindfulness, and somatic therapy, she helps clients reclaim safety and tune into the wisdom of their bodies.
Rev. Mikey Noechel, MS, is a mental health counselor and Buddhist teacher who seamlessly blends ancient wisdom with modern psychology. Holding a master's degree in counseling psychology from Troy University, Mikey integrates mindfulness, compassion, and loving-kindness into his practice.
He received empowerments as a meditation teacher from Ven. Pannavati Bhikkhuni and Ven. Pannadipa Bhikkhu, earning the name Rogahari Sokatura, meaning "healer of the broken-hearted."
Mikey Noechel extends an invitation to explore the intersection of mental well-being and spiritual growth. Through his teachings, he seeks to guide others on a transformative journey, offering age-old meditation practices through a lens of contemporary understanding.
Mikey's clinical superpower lies in recognizing that love is the most important medicine. As a person in long-term recovery, I understand. I’ve been there, and I have the tattoos to prove it! My non-judgmental and nurturing approach, along with my piercings and band shirts, has brought many people to endearingly call me the “punk rock Mr. Rogers.”
Julie is ILC's resident equine therapist. Her work with clients centers on aiding individuals coping with anxiety, PTSD, depression, sexual abuse, unresolved trauma, and grief, as well as addressing marital discord. Additionally, she offers support to recovering addicts and their families. Using equine-assisted therapy and employing a range of evidence-based approaches such as EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Focused - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Art Therapy, and Mindfulness, Julie works with adults, adolescents, the LGBTQ community, and couples/families.
Julie's clinical superpower is her highly attuned perception and intuition that I use with clients to see them where they are truly, and as they are. I do not plan groups ahead of time, I simply spend time with the clients getting a read for where they are as individuals. Using that information and the information I glean from the herd, I spontaneously structure the group while in the moment in order to best support their experience with the horses. That means every experience, whether it's their first or fifth, is a unique and healing one.
