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. You can reach out to us at any time to learn what happens in alcohol rehab.
A Path Toward Recovery
Working with Integrative Life Center means choosing a path of holistic healing and personal transformation. We offer outpatient rehab for alcoholics as well as residential alcohol rehab programs, and 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.
"THE ILC ENVIRONMENT ALLOWS FOR TRUE HEALING, AND OUR BELIEF IN EMBRACING THE COMPLEXITY OF EACH INDIVIDUAL CLIENT IS WHAT IS UNIQUE TO OUR APPROACH. WE WILL EMBRACE EACH CLIENT AND HELP THEM BACK TO A WAY OF LIVING THAT GIVES THEM CLEAR DIRECTION AND PURPOSE." – KATHY REYNOLDS
Kathy Reynolds is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been working with addiction and mental health clients for two decades. She has experience working with a multitude of mental health issues, as well as spent many years in a residential setting working with addictive disorders. She is passionate about increasing understanding of how adverse childhood experiences (ACES model) impact development and increase the likelihood of mental health struggles and addiction issues.
Kathy has a wealth of experience treating clients at all levels of care and all types of trauma and family of origin issues, and most recently worked with veterans who have a history of combat trauma and PTSD. She has held the title of Director of Clinical Services in residential settings prior to ILC with an emphasis on clinical program development, and understands the importance of treating each client as the unique individual they are to ensure each person gets the specialized care they need.
For Kathy, it's important that each client who comes to treatment at ILC gets a chance to unravel the toxic and unhealthy coping mechanisms and behaviors, so that the authentic self can emerge and evolve.
ILC exists to help people regain their lives back from the devastating affects of trauma, addiction and mental health struggles. The medical and psychiatric component of that treatment can't be ignored and I'm glad I get to bring my services and experience to this robust team of practitioners so clients can receive the comprehensive care they need.
Daniel Barton, MD is a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist with experience in virtually all environments of mental health services including outpatient, inpatient, crises, and emergency psychiatry. His treatment approach is primarily psychodynamic using a biological, psychological, and social model to evaluate and understand client challenges.
A native to Nashville, Dr. Barton comes from a long line of practitioners who have cared for the mental health needs of the local community for over 3 decades. His father is a psychiatrist and educator, his mother is a clinical social worker and marital therapist, and his brother practices psychiatry in the Nashville area. He earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee - Memphis and trained at Harvard University for adult psychiatry.
Dr. Barton works with the clients of ILC who have experienced trauma, struggle with addiction and substance abuse, and suffer from anxiety, depression, and other mental health and mood disorders.
Greg Kfoury is the friendly face (and voice) a potential client encounters upon their initial contact with Integrative Life Center. Greg has played an integral role on the ILC leadership team having worked in business development, operations and directing our Alumni Services, and is excited to bring his skills and knowledge to this vital role at the organization. His business acumen combined with a passion for behavioral health and intimate knowledge of ILC’s programs keep the admissions department running on all cylinders, ready to serve incoming clients and industry referents.
A native of Northern Virginia, Greg is a graduate of the University of Richmond and is a former high school Latin teacher. He gained business experience working in commercial real estate and project management and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in psychology from the Harvard University Extension School.
Greg is an alumnus of Integrative Life Center where he discovered, and embraced, the integrative approach to treatment. For Greg, that included active 12-step program participation and Refuge Recovery.
Away from work, Greg loves playing sports, especially hockey and volleyball. He tries never to miss sober game night with friends!
ILC clients have the opportunity to explore their relationship with food and the coping behaviors they’ve adopted. We help them dive deeply into the work of figuring out how to interact with food in ways that align with their values and fuel their lives. – Mackenzie Reeser
ILC clients have the opportunity to explore their relationship with food and the coping behaviors they’ve adopted. We help them dive deeply into the work of figuring out how to interact with food in ways that align with their values and fuel their lives. – Mackenzie Reeser
Registered dietician Mackenzie Reeser discovered her passion in the relationship between nutrition and behavioral health. A native of Indianapolis, Mackenzie is a graduate of Nashville’s Lipscomb University. She earned a master’s degree in public health from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. As Director of Nutrition Services at Integrative Life Center, Mackenzie is a key member of the treatment team for clients struggling with eating disorders. As well, she sees nutrition as an essential component in treating clients with a history of substance abuse and mental health challenges.
Mackenzie brings considerable experience to ILC, including work as a health coach, and as a dietician for North Carolina State University. Her background in the behavioral health field includes The Ranch in Nashville, and Carolina House in Durham, where she served clients with primary eating disorders in residential and outpatient settings.
At ILC, Mackenzie helps structure an integrative approach to treatment that uses traditional and non-traditional therapeutic techniques. Clients gain an understanding of their food patterns and relationships, and the issues that underlie their behaviors.
At home, Mackenzie and her husband Isaac enjoy spending time with friends, relaxing on the back porch, and romping with their fun-loving dog Maggie.
“Experience has taught me that facilitating wellness is about helping each person embrace personal accountability while inviting them to move from surviving life to thriving in life. I am honored to witness awareness and hope dawn, with the needed change being sparked and nurtured by actions they take on their own behalf.”
Cheryl joins Integrative Life Center bringing a depth and breadth of experience in addictions and behavioral healthcare. She has held various key roles in leadership, marketing, intake, and clinical aspects of care delivery since joining the field in 1981. Cheryl holds close to the importance of active engagement in providing clinical excellence and integrity in collaboration with the residential and out-patient teams she’s worked. Throughout her career, she has maintained a dedicated focus on working with clients and families, hostage to substance and process addictions, while assisting their healing through evidence-based practices in concert with a trauma resiliency-focused lens.
Brock's clinical superpower is his ability to stay calm, to connect with clients, and his knowledge of the addiction cycle.
