Author: Kayla Gill

Addiction is overwhelming, both for the person who’s struggling with it and their loved ones. Looking for treatment can feel complicated, especially if you’re unfamiliar with your options. If you’re not sure where to start, drug addiction hotlines can be a helpful and confidential resource for learning more about addiction, recovery, and local treatment options. You can also search our collection of residential rehabs to find unbiased information about treatment centers and connect with them directly.

What Is a Drug Addiction Helpline?

A drug addiction helpline (or hotline) is a resource for people with addiction, their loved ones, and the public. They’re typically toll-free and confidential, which means that there’s no risk of negative consequences for calling. The advisors who work at hotlines are not law enforcement professionals and won’t share your information with law enforcement. 

Most hotlines can’t provide counseling services. Instead, they provide guidance on how to get help for drug addiction and substance use disorders. Hotline advisors are knowledgeable about addiction and treatment and can connect you with resources to learn more yourself. 

There are many different hotlines, some more helpful than others. Government-run helplines like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration helplines are toll-free and confidential. They connect you to local resources to help you start your recovery journey safely. And they’ll be able to answer your questions about addiction, its effects and symptoms, and the treatment process.  

However, some for-profit treatment centers also own addiction helplines. They’re not objective and will only connect you with rehabs that pay them for referrals. You can avoid these fake hotlines by looking for government or non-profit-run hotlines. 

Learn more about avoiding addiction treatment scams here. 

Hotlines to Call

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Call 1-800-662-4357 to find local treatment centers, support groups, and community services.
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 or chat with a Crisis Counselor on their website or via WhatsApp.
• National Drug Helpline: Call 844-289-0879 to talk to a counselor about treatment options in your area.
• Partnership to End Addiction: Call 1-855-378-4373 to talk to a trained advisor about a child’s addiction. 
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Dial 988 to connect with a counselor and talk through your thoughts and feelings.

Emergency vs. Non-Emergency: Who to Call?

If someone is experiencing an overdose or other medical emergency, call 911 or go to the closest emergency room. You can also call Poison Control’s emergency toll-free number at 1-800-222-1222 to talk to an expert about how to spot warning signs and prevent overdose. 

In non-emergency situations, a substance abuse helpline can provide guidance for starting recovery. (These are not staffed by medical professionals who can safely advise you during an overdose or medical emergency.)

What Happens When You Call a Drug Abuse Hotline?

Calling a drug addiction helpline can open a path forward. The advisor will ask you a few questions to get more context about what you’re calling about. And you’ll be able to ask questions, too. 

What Questions Will I Be Asked?

The call usually starts with the advisor asking questions about you and why you’re calling:

• Is this a medical emergency? If so, the advisor will tell you to call 911. 
• What is your zip code? Advisors may ask you your zip code to connect you with local support. They will not attempt to identify you and won’t ask for more specific location information.
• Who are you calling about? They’ll have different resources for people with addiction, their loved ones, and the general public. 
• What substance are you calling about? How long have you been experiencing addiction? Different addictions require different treatments and considerations. 
• Do you have any other mental or physical health issues? With this information, your advisor will determine if a rehab that treats co-occurring disorders would be best for you. 
• Do you want to start treatment for your addiction? If so, they’ll refer you to local treatment services.  

Answering these questions may feel intimidating, but your advisor can best help you when you answer honestly. And they won’t judge or criticize you—they’re there to help you start your recovery journey with as much information as possible. 

For People With Addiction

If you’re struggling with addiction, helpline advisors can give you advice and information about addiction and the recovery process:

• Local treatment options and services, including information about nearby rehabs for drug addiction and free community resources 
• The cost and insurance coverage of any treatment services they mention 
• Signs of overdose
• How withdrawal and detox works, including safety information about medical detox 
• How the addiction treatment process works

For Loved Ones

If you’re concerned about your loved one, you can call a drug addiction hotline to learn more about addiction and recovery:

• How to talk to somebody about their addiction 
• How to stage an intervention, including a referral to local intervention providers
• The signs and symptoms of addiction and overdose
• Information about codependency 
• Available local treatment options 
• Information about local support groups for loved ones 

Can I Begin Addiction Treatment at the Time of My Call?

When you call most drug hotlines, they’ll be able to refer you to local treatment services at the time of your call. But hotlines don’t provide addiction treatment themselves. However, they can connect you with helpful resources that can keep you safe until you enter rehab.

While most hotlines are open 24/7, 365 days a year, most inpatient rehabs’ admissions offices are not. So you may have to wait for business hours to actually connect with a rehab. 

If you’re looking for more information about treatment options, you can learn more about treatment options and contact centers directly by searching our collection of residential and inpatient rehabs.

For most people, the phrase “inpatient rehab” conjures up the image of a monthlong stay in a treatment center. But that’s not the only way you can start healing. Short-term rehab programs can help you jump-start the healing process. Sometimes lasting only a few days, these programs offer intensive treatment for people in early addiction recovery. 

Finding a Short-Term Rehab

There are a few key differences between short-term treatment and more traditional rehab.

• Short-term rehab can take anywhere from a few days to 2 weeks. Longer treatment programs typically last 28 days or more.
• For the most part, shorter programs, such as a 7-14 day inpatient rehab, offer more intensive treatment. The goal is to jump-start recovery. This type of rehab may take less time, but it requires just as much focus and commitment.
• While short-term treatment can help you begin recovery, it’s not always enough. Some of these rehabs—including most medical detox centers—require clients to enroll in a longer program before you even arrive on site. In that case, you’ll go directly to your next treatment center after you complete short-term rehab.

If this type of treatment sounds like a good fit, you can compare short-term programs based on several different criteria:

• Location: If short-term rehab appeals to you because of its flexibility, you can look for a center close to home. You can find these programs around the world. Some are even attached to longer-term treatment centers, so you can easily update your care plan if necessary.
• Types of treatment: Every rehab program is a little different. Short-term treatment can include medical care, talk therapy, alternative treatments, and more. Your length of stay is just one aspect of recovery.
• Specific diagnoses: Rehab isn’t just for people healing from substance use. If you have a co-occurring disorder or physical health issues, you can look for a center that offers the care you need.
• Insurance coverage: While there are many rehab centers that accept insurance, not all of them do. It may depend on your location, the provider’s location, and which types of treatment they provide. 

Is Going to Rehab for Detox the Same as Short-Term Rehab?

Medical detox can fall under the umbrella of short-term rehab. However, these terms mean different things. 

Some short-term programs require you to complete drug detox before you arrive, so you can focus more on mental health recovery. And some offer alternative treatments, which treat clients after detox but before longer-term rehab. 

How Long Do I Have to Stay in a Short-Term Rehab?

Like any other type of rehab, your length of stay depends on your specific rehab, your health, and your goals for recovery. Inpatient detox, for example, typically lasts a few days or up to a week. Clients with more severe physical symptoms may take longer to recover.

It’s important to note that very short programs are often not sufficient to heal symptoms, work through underlying issues and establish habits that support long-term recovery. After short-term inpatient rehab, clients have the option to continue treatment in an outpatient program (or choose a long-term inpatient rehab if necessary). 

Is Short-Term Inpatient Treatment Right for Me?

Short-term drug addiction programs can be a good fit for people with clear goals. These programs can help you take the first step on your recovery journey. Treatment can set you up for success as you move on to the next phase of healing. However, it’s rare for people to recover completely after just a few days. You’ll also need a strong support network to help you transition out of treatment. That could include loved ones, healthcare professionals, and other people in the process of recovery.

This approach is a powerful way to address acute or highly specific symptoms. However, short-term treatment is rarely enough on its own. Healing is a complex process, and it can take a long time. Even years after successful treatment, many people consider themselves to still be in recovery. If you’re still trying to define what you need from treatment, a longer program might be a better option. 

Pros and Cons of Short-Term Rehab

It’s important to weigh the pros and cons of any inpatient rehab program before deciding where you’ll go. Short-term rehab has some unique benefits and disadvantages. 

Benefits

• Flexibility: You’ll need to take less time off work and away from family commitments. This can make it easier to plan your stay in a residential treatment center.
• Intensive treatment: Short-term rehab packs therapy, medical care, and other treatments into just a few days of treatment. This can help you get a head start on the recovery process.
• 24/7 care: Many of these facilities give you more access to healthcare professionals than you’d have in a longer program. 
• Lower total costs: Depending on your specific center, the total cost of treatment might be lower than it would be in a 28+ day rehab. If you’re paying out of pocket, this can make recovery more affordable.

Disadvantages

• Pressure to heal quickly: The timeline for recovery can be unpredictable. You can’t control when you’ll stop having withdrawal symptoms or have a breakthrough in talk therapy. You might get to the end of a short-term program and realize you need more time in residential rehab.
• Back-to-back transitions: Both starting rehab and completing treatment are major transitions. In a shorter program, clients go through them with little time in between. That quick turnaround can be jarring, and in some cases, it can interfere with recovery.
• Time for medications to take effect: As part of treatment, your care team may prescribe daily medication. Most psychiatric meds take effect in about 6 weeks.¹ You might not know if they’re working for you until after you complete treatment.

Types of Short-Term Treatment

There are several different types of short-term rehab. It’s important to choose a program that aligns with your needs, goals, and values. 

Medical Detox

Inpatient detox is one form of short-term rehab. This type of treatment isn’t strictly necessary for everyone, but many clients find it helpful. Most inpatient detox programs last 5-14 days (14-day inpatient rehab), although that varies depending on your physical symptoms. 

If you’re healing from an opioid, benzodiazepine, or alcohol addiction, medical detox is essential. Detoxing from these substances can cause life-threatening symptoms, including delirium tremens.² To see whether you’ll need medical care during withdrawal, you can learn more about detoxing in rehab.

Recovery Retreats

Some rehab programs offer intensive treatment in the form of a luxury retreat. You may even be able to bring family members, so all of you can start healing together. The lengths of these programs vary widely, ranging from days to weeks. 

Alternative Treatments

While many clients benefit from traditional medical care, some prefer a more holistic approach. Treatments like ibogaine therapy use alternative methods to help you recover. This psychedelic treatment lasts up to 72 hours, and can have a long-lasting impact on your mental health. Most programs include a few days of counseling before and after your actual ibogaine experience. It’s also important to note that the effects of ibogaine are not permanent. Most clients benefit from additional treatment after they complete one of these programs. 

Ibogaine therapy is just one type of short-term alternative addiction treatment. This approach is only available in certain countries, and it’s not appropriate for everyone. If you’re interested in trying an alternative therapy, talk to your doctor about whether this type of treatment could work for you. 

How Much Does Short-Term Inpatient Rehab Cost?

In most rehab programs, your length of stay determines the total cost. So if you’re paying out of pocket, short-term inpatient rehab can be much less expensive than a longer program. Alternatively, you can narrow your search to rehab centers that accept insurance.

The exact cost of short-term rehab varies widely depending on the type of treatment you receive and the location of your program. But many luxury rehabs cost approximately $1,000/day.

Verify Your Insurance

Short-term rehab centers don’t always accept insurance. That’s most often true for recovery retreats and alternative treatment programs. When you’re choosing between rehab programs, you can ask their admissions teams for more specific information. You can also browse our list of insurance providers to find a program that can accommodate your plan. 

Compare addiction treatment centers and ask about available lengths of stay to find the program that meets your needs.

Alcohol affects everyone a little differently. Some people get drunk easily, while others have a high tolerance that makes it difficult to feel its effects. A few factors impact intoxication levels and how long alcohol can actually stay in your system. 

Here’s how your body metabolizes alcohol, how long tests can detect it, and what happens in your body when you drink.

How Alcohol Affects the Body

Alcohol is a depressant, meaning it slows down the central nervous system. That’s why drinking alcohol makes you feel more calm, euphoric, or even drowsy. By inhibiting your nervous system, alcohol also reduces your motor coordination, reaction time, and ability to think critically. 

Here are some of the ways alcohol affects your body in the short term:¹

• Brain: Alcohol makes it hard to focus or make decisions. When you’re intoxicated, you have lower inhibitions and are more likely to act impulsively. And with heavy drinking, you might become dizzy, lose consciousness, or have gaps in your memory the next day (often called a blackout). 
• Mood: Drinking can change your mood, making you feel relaxed, excited, angry, or depressed. It can also increase your sexual desire.
• Physical ability: Drinking can cause changes in your hearing, vision, and depth perception. It can also make it harder to walk or remain coordinated. Your speech may be slurred, and your reaction time slows down. 
• Organ function: Alcohol is taxing on your liver and digestive tract. Because it affects the nervous system, heavy drinking can cause slowed breathing. You might feel nauseous after drinking, or vomit or have diarrhea. 

While the short-term effects of drinking may not last very long, that doesn’t mean they’re insignificant. Impulsive behavior, slowed reaction time, and changes in your mood can impact your life in ways that have far-reaching effects, from accidents and injuries to poor decision-making. 

How Alcohol is Measured Inside Your Body

The level of alcohol in your body is measured by blood alcohol concentration, or BAC.² This number measures the amount of alcohol present in your bloodstream, and is expressed as the ratio of how many grams are present per 100 milliliters of your blood. 

You can also measure BAC by breath, which counts how many grams are present per 210 liters of breath. To learn more about blood alcohol concentration, try out this BAC calculator.³ 

Factors That Impact the Length of Time Alcohol Stays in the Body

Alcohol affects people differently. How intoxicated one person gets and how quickly, as well as how long alcohol stays in their body, depend on a few variables.

• Gender: “After drinking the same amount of alcohol, women tend to have higher blood alcohol levels⁴ than men, and the immediate effects of alcohol usually occur more quickly and last longer in women than men,” according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Body fat percentage: Because it holds less water than muscle, fat absorbs alcohol from your blood at a lower rate.⁵ This means that for 2 people who weigh the same, the person with a higher body fat percentage will have a higher BAC after drinking the same amount. 
• Age: In general, the older you get, the longer alcohol stays in your system.⁵ That’s because your ability to process alcohol worsens over time. According to Harvard Health, older adults have a higher BAC than younger people after drinking the same amount.
• How much you’ve eaten: If there’s food in your stomach, your body will absorb less alcohol. Studies show that “the consumption of foods before or together with alcohol⁶ reduces peak blood alcohol concentration, decreases absorption and slows metabolism. In particular, ‘high-energy’ meals may slow down alcohol metabolism and reduce subjective intoxication.”
• Other drugs present in your system: Some medications affect how your body handles alcohol.⁷ This includes blood pressure medication, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, and anti-inflammatory drugs. 

How Long Does It Take to Feel the Effects of Alcohol?

Just like there’s no standard length of time that alcohol stays in your body, the time it takes to feel the effects of alcohol varies from person to person. Typically, you’ll feel the effects of drinking alcohol anywhere within 15-45 minutes,⁸ depending on the strength of the drink and how quickly you drink it. 

After the first 15-45 minutes, you’ll likely feel the relaxing effects of alcohol. If you continue to drink, especially at a rate faster than one drink per hour, you’ll feel progressively intoxicated. At a BAC of .02%, you might feel relaxed and euphoric.⁹ At a BAC of .05%, you may start to experience lowered inhibitions, impaired judgment, and loss of coordination.  

BAC of .02%, you might feel relaxed and euphoric

How Your Body Metabolizes Alcohol

When you drink, alcohol enters your stomach and then travels on to the small intestine. From there, small blood vessels carry the alcohol to your bloodstream. Roughly 20% of alcohol gets absorbed through the stomach.¹⁰ The majority of alcohol is absorbed through the small intestine, though about 10% is eliminated via your breath, sweat, and urine. 

Alcohol is primarily broken down in your liver. Using the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), your liver breaks down alcohol molecules into acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde is then broken down into acetate, which is then metabolized into water and carbon dioxide. At this point, your body can eliminate these molecules easily. 

How Long Does It Take the Body to Metabolize Alcohol?

A good rule of thumb is that most healthy people can metabolize about one standard drink per hour.¹¹ Of course, factors like age, body fat percentage, and gender can greatly impact the rate at which your body processes alcohol. 

So, when does alcohol leave your system? If you consume more than one standard drink per hour, your liver has too much to process at once. The additional alcohol remains in your bloodstream and body tissues until your liver can metabolize it. This is what makes you feel drunk. 

What is One Standard Drink?

Here’s what one standard drink¹² means, according to the U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism:

• 12 ounces of normal-strength beer (4-5% alcohol)
• 1.5 ounces of liquor (40% alcohol)
• 5 ounces of wine (12-13% alcohol)

Can You Speed Up the Process?

No, you cannot speed up the alcohol metabolization process.¹³ Once you’ve consumed alcohol, it has entered your bloodstream and can only be eliminated via the enzymes in your liver and through your sweat, breath, and urine. While some things might make you feel more alert—like drinking caffeine, water, or taking a cold shower—they will not remove alcohol from your system. 

How Long Can Tests Detect Alcohol in the Body?

Alcohol can remain in your system for up to 72 hours. How long alcohol can be detected depends on the kind of tests used: 

• Blood tests can detect alcohol for roughly 6 hours.
• Urine tests can detect alcohol for 12-24 hours.
• Breath and saliva tests can detect alcohol for 12-24 hours. 
• Hair tests can detect alcohol for up to 90 days.

When Excessive Drinking Becomes an Addiction

Alcohol is often socially acceptable, which is why it can be so hard to tell when your drinking is becoming a problem. While there is no safe level of drinking, guidelines for moderation¹⁴ are much lower than most people realize. 

If you’re concerned about your drinking and think you may need treatment to stop, search alcohol rehab centers and reach out directly to learn about available options.

Growing up with a parent addicted to alcohol can make for a difficult childhood. And that struggle continues to affect many into adulthood. Some adult children of alcoholics, (or ACoAs) turn to alcohol themselves, while others find themselves disconnected from the world around them. Others may develop a mental health condition that holds them back from fully living life. No matter how your childhood affects you in the long term, rehabs that treat trauma can help you release the hurt of a childhood affected by alcohol. 

Understanding Adult Children of Alcoholics

Adult children of alcoholics (ACoAs) are people who grew up in a home with one or more parents addicted to alcohol. And while many ACoAs enter adulthood without any long-lasting effects,¹ some people continue to experience problems stemming from trauma during their childhood. Whichever camp you’re in, it’s important to remember that whether or not you develop issues from your childhood is not a reflection of your character. 

In many cases, an alcoholic home is also an abusive home. Parental alcohol addiction increases a child’s risk of sexual and physical abuse. According to one study, 85% of reported child abuse cases involve alcohol.² Child neglect is also common. 

It may seem like nobody understands what you’ve been through, but you’re not alone. In the U.S., there are over 76 million adult children of alcoholics,³ many of whom have shared experiences. 

One common experience for ACOAs is growing up in a home with many unspoken rules that they have to follow to avoid trouble:

1. Keep the addiction and any other family problems a secret.
2. Don’t express your feelings.
3. Always be perfect.
4. Taking care of your own needs is selfish.
5. Don’t relax or play.
6. Avoid conflict at all costs.

These rules of operation create an environment where trusting others, expressing your needs, and having feelings is bad. And learning these kinds of lessons when you’re developing your understanding of the world means you may carry them into adulthood.

Common Traits of ACoAs

Because so many children of alcoholics experience similar trauma, many ACoAs face similar challenges. 

Distrust of Others

It’s common for parents addicted to alcohol to show affection inconsistently.⁴ One moment they may be loving, while the next they’re cold or cruel. And when someone becomes addicted to alcohol, drinking becomes the priority.⁵ As a result, working, providing food, and attending school functions fall by the wayside. So many ACoAs quickly learn that they can’t trust people⁶ for love or survival. 

The outside world becomes a scary place when you have a parent addicted to alcohol. Your parents may have taught you to keep their secrets so they wouldn’t get into trouble. Or maybe you couldn’t confide in your friends or teachers for fear of losing your family or getting into trouble yourself. People and systems that are there to protect you instead become something you fear. 

This distrust then makes it difficult to accept love from others. You become so accustomed to doing everything on your own that it may be scary to lean on someone else for your needs. And even when you do start to rely on others, it’s very common for ACoAs to fear abandonment.⁷ The volatility of your childhood makes it difficult to believe that love can be consistent.  

Hyper-Responsibility or Lack of Responsibility

It’s common for ACoAs to feel responsible for their parent’s addiction and its consequences. Sometimes that’s because a parent directly places blame on their child through their words or actions. Children start to believe that they’re responsible for any negative event that happens, but positive events are the result of luck. And feeling this way can lead to a dysfunctional sense of responsibility. 

Many ACoAs also grow up feeling like it’s their job to keep their family afloat. You may have started working to earn money for your family very early in life or taken on a parental role to younger siblings. This hyper-responsibility doesn’t disappear when you turn 18 or move out. Many ACoAs will continue to feel responsible for the happiness and well-being of everyone around them—an impossibly big task. 

On the flip side, some children growing up with addicted parents fully reject any responsibility.⁸ They become dependent on others for functioning. This is because they never had someone show them how to healthily identify, label, and communicate their needs. And because they rely on others for almost anything, it’s common for these children to grow up feeling like they can’t do anything right. They lose all confidence in their abilities because they never have to practice them. And that makes adulthood much harder. 

Perfectionism

Many ACoAs seek recognition from the outside world for their achievements as an escape from the dysfunction at home. When you don’t receive consistent affection just for being you, you grow up feeling worthy only because of your accomplishments. And especially when you’re young, the only parts of your life in your control are often your performance in school or extracurriculars. 

This obsession with external success combined with self-blame for your parent’s addiction quickly turns into perfectionism for many ACoAs. Your focus becomes avoiding any reason for people to criticize or blame you. And in turn, you feel like you can never make mistakes. It’s also very common for ACoAs to have a hard time having fun. Life is not about being happy, but about being in control. 

This is an exhausting way to live, and can easily lead to burnout. It’s important to remember that you’re worthy of love and kindness regardless of your resume or report card. Pursuing healing through rehab or therapy can help you develop a truer sense of self-love. 

Negative Self-View

Studies show that having a parent addicted to alcohol causes lower self-esteem⁹ in many cases. One reason for this is that many children of alcoholics believe they’re to blame for their parent’s addiction. Your parents may tell you that they drink to deal with your misbehavior. Or they’ll purposefully create conflict with you so that they “need a drink to calm down.” And when you blame yourself for such an intense issue at a young age, you may begin to believe there’s something wrong with you.

Another underlying cause is the theme of selfishness in an alcoholic home.¹⁰ ACoAs learn that their emotional needs are less important than everyone else’s and that they’re selfish if they prioritize themselves. Your sense of worth becomes rooted in how well you take care of others. But the truth is that your needs are important too, and learning how to communicate them is essential in adult relationships.  

Emotional Dysregulation

Many ACoAs also have trouble regulating their emotions.¹¹ You most likely didn’t grow up with a positive model of emotional self-control because you may have seen your parents use alcohol to cope with unwanted feelings. Or you may have witnessed them become extremely emotionally volatile while drinking. So you didn’t have a chance to learn how to manage your emotions or react to others’ emotions in a positive way. 

Anger is especially difficult to deal with for ACoAs. Witnessing a parent’s rage at a young age is frightening. You may start to fear your own anger, needing to control it at all times. But bottling up your emotions or avoiding them isn’t healthy. Through rehab and therapy, you can develop the skills to be able to mindfully react to feelings without feeling threatened. 

Conflict Avoidance

In many alcoholic homes, conflict is intense and prevalent. And without a healthy model of conflict resolution, many children develop avoidance techniques like hiding in their room or dissociating.¹² The cause of this is completely natural: you’re just trying to survive and stay out of harm’s way. But the result is that you never learn how to resolve conflicts in a healthy way. You might even learn that it’s your job to keep your family dynamic running smoothly, which means sweeping major issues under the rug. As such, many children of alcoholics continue to avoid conflict in their adult lives, which affects their mental, physical, and social health. 

When left untreated, these issues can continue well into adulthood. In fact, issues stemming from addicted parenting can still impact older adults. 

The Impact of Growing Up with an Alcoholic Parent

Growing up in an alcoholic home is chaotic. It’s hard to predict your parents’ next move and you never really know if your needs are going to be met or ignored. And that kind of unpredictability can create problems down the line. 

Increased Risk of Substance Abuse

ACoAs are up to 10 times more likely to become addicted to alcohol¹³ themselves. Having a father addicted to alcohol increases both men’s and women’s risk of alcoholism while growing up with a mother addicted to alcohol tends to increase women’s risk more than men’s. And ACoAs are also at greater risk for addiction to drugs other than alcohol. 

This could be because of a genetic predisposition for addiction, or because you learned to cope with stress by drinking after watching your parent do the same. Childhood abuse also increases your risk of addiction in adulthood.¹⁴

Difficulties in Relationships

Many ACoAs have trouble both forming and maintaining healthy relationships,¹⁵ especially romantic ones. Growing up without being able to trust others or even rely on your parent for consistent affection may make you fear intimacy in adulthood. And if your relationship model growing up involved somebody addicted to alcohol, you may not have a good blueprint for what a healthy relationship looks like. 

Every relationship involves some level of conflict. But because ACoAs didn’t have the chance to learn positive resolution skills, conflict can quickly trigger aggressive behavior. Or you may be conflict avoidant, meaning you handle conflicts by pretending they don’t exist. 

Physical Health Issues

Growing up with an alcoholic parent also affects your physical health. In fact, ACOAs face a higher risk of many physical health conditions:¹⁶

• Diabetes
• Sleep problems including insomnia
• Fatigue and delirium
• Gastrointestinal disease
• Cancer
• Heart disease
• Cirrhosis 

Mental Health Issues

Instability in your childhood can affect your mental health¹⁷ into adulthood. Studies show that ACoAs have an increased risk for certain mental health conditions:¹⁸

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Impulsive disorders like attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
• Personality disorders, especially antisocial personality disorder (ASD)

In addition to these mental health conditions, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common result of growing up with a parent addicted to alcohol.¹⁹

Simple and Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (cPTSD)

The intensity and chaos of alcoholism is traumatic. And childhood trauma tends to stay with us in many forms, sometimes without us realizing it. Many ACoAs experience the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of their childhood. For example, hypervigilance is a common symptom of PTSD. And studies show that ACoAs learn to be hypervigilant²⁰ from a young age to protect themselves. 

Many ACoAs also have all 3 of the defining symptoms of complex PTSD (cPTSD):²¹

1. Difficulty managing emotions
2. A negative self-view
3. Trouble forming and keeping healthy relationships

Even if you don’t have a diagnosed mental health condition, the trauma of your childhood can affect you in many ways. But it doesn’t have to follow you forever. Many rehabs offer trauma-informed programs to help you heal from your past, and learn healthy ways to communicate and cope.

Overcoming the Lingering Effects of Alcoholic Parenting: Strategies for Healing and Moving Forward

Emotional Sobriety

Tian Dayton, psychologist and author of ACoA Trauma Syndrome, compares growing up with addiction to secondhand smoke:

“We inhale the thinking, feeling and behavior of the addict emotionally, psychologically and behaviorally; we take who they are while using, into our own inner world…Many of the clients that I treat have never had a problem with substance abuse. But they still act drunk.”

“Emotional sobriety,”²² a term first coined by AA founder Bill Wilson, is what people in recovery gain once they learn to regulate their emotions. Because this is often a major theme for ACoAs, learning to feel and work through emotions healthily is a crucial step in the recovery process.   

Rehab for Adult Children of Alcoholics

Thankfully, there are plenty of places to find support.

Some rehabs have dedicated treatment programs for ACoAs. Residential rehab programs give you access to multiple therapies and a supportive community to help you in your healing journey. Some rehabs even specialize in treating ACoAs. For example, one of the 9 phases of Affect2U’s treatment program focuses on ACoA-specific challenges. And if you’re not sure if a rehab you’re looking into offers informed support, you can always call their admissions team to ask. 

Going to rehab can help you resolve the trauma of your childhood, manage resulting mental health conditions, treat your addiction, and learn positive coping skills. And attending a residential program allows you to take a step back to give you space to re-evaluate your life. You’ll have access to professionals who understand what you’ve experienced in childhood and how it’s still affecting you. And you can work through your struggles through a variety of therapy methods. 

Treatment Options in Rehab

One treatment option that can help ACOAs is family therapy. This can open up lines of communication that have been shut down, helping you and your family heal the ways in which you relate to each other. Learning healthy conflict resolution alongside loved ones can help your relationship function more positively. 

Behavioral therapies are another option for ACoAs.²³ Treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you learn new ways to resolve conflict, communicate your needs, and cope with stress. Your therapist will teach you how to identify and monitor your emotions and give you strategies to deal with unwanted feelings like relaxation techniques. The goal is to interrupt your regular patterns of reacting to emotional situations and replace them with more positive behaviors.

Resources for Adult Children of Alcoholics and Their Families

Support Groups

Rehab offers a supportive community to heal. At many rehabs, you can find support groups for people experiencing the same issues. You may attend meetings like Alcoholics Anonymous, which even if you aren’t addicted to alcohol could help you gain an understanding of what your parents have experienced. Some rehabs also offer Al-Anon meetings, specifically for loved ones of people with addiction. There are also rehabs for parents.

You can also attend support meetings outside of rehab. You’ll find others who understand what you’re going through and can support your healing journey. Al-Anon and other organizations offer virtual meetings for your convenience. 

Books for ACoAs

Books about growing up with addicted parents that can expand your understanding of your own experiences:

• The Complete ACoA Sourcebook: Likeskills for Adults, and Struggle for Intimacy by Janet G. Woititz
• Recovery: A Guide for Adult Children of Alcoholics by Herbert Gravitz and Julie D. Bowden
• Emotional Sobriety: From Relationship Trauma to Resilience and Balance by Tian Dayton
• Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma by Peter Levine
• Getting the Love You Want by Dr. Harville Hendrix and Dr. Helen Hunt

It may initially feel daunting to uncover past traumas, but you can heal—and multiple pathways can help you get there. 

Take Back Control of Your Life in Rehab

When you’re a child, life is mostly out of your control. And growing up with a parent with addiction makes it feel even more so. But you’re no longer a child. You are in charge of what happens next. And you’re in charge of your own healing. 

You don’t have to heal on your own: going to a rehab that treats ACoA-related trauma can provide the expertise and support you need. 

Explore rehabs that treat trauma to learn more about treatment methods, pricing, and more, and reach out to centers directly. 

IV drip therapy is a new—and controversial—way to treat addiction. Treatment is just what it sounds like: clients receive vitamins and nutrients intravenously. The goal is to speed up detox, and help with ongoing addiction recovery. And while it sounds promising, there’s some debate about whether it actually works.

Some experts say it relieves the symptoms of detox and withdrawal. It might also ease the other physical side effects of addiction. But many doctors call for more evidence, saying this treatment isn’t worth its high price. You can try IV drip therapy at several luxury rehab centers—but make sure you understand the pros and cons before you get started.

What Is IV Drip Therapy?

During this treatment, a medical professional administers a vitamin solution through an IV.¹ These solutions consist of various vitamins and minerals, like amino acids, vitamin C and B, NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), and more. You’ll sit and relax for 30-60 minutes while the infusion enters your system. Different rehabs offer various types of IV drip therapy. They might even tailor each treatment to address your specific symptoms. 

Vitamin Infusions

In vitamin IV therapy, you’ll receive a specific combination of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Various treatments can target different physical symptoms. For example, studies show that the Myer’s Cocktail,² a mixture of magnesium, calcium, B vitamins, and vitamin C, helps prevent migraines, fatigue, and respiratory issues. If you have more specialized concerns, FHE Health offers customized vitamin IV infusions.³ 

NAD+ Treatments

NAD+ is a naturally occurring coenzyme. It heals and creates new cells, effectively boosting your energy levels. It also protects against stress. Experts say that NAD+ IV therapy alleviates detox symptoms.⁴

Some providers also use it to treat mental health issues. The Sanctuary at Sedona offers NAD+ therapy⁵ to clients with depression, PTSD, and anxiety, as well as addiction. Mary L. Deluca, psychiatrist and Medical Director, says that treatment improves clients’ cognition, energy levels, and sleep habits. 

Is IV Drip Treatment Effective?

The effectiveness of IV drip therapy¹ is up for debate. People usually get enough vitamins from a balanced diet, and adding extra vitamins may not actually boost your health. On the other hand, some experts recommend it for detox and addiction recovery.

Reported Benefits of IV Drip Therapy

Some rehabs recommend IV therapy during recovery, especially during detox and withdrawal. Treatment may also help you heal from the physical impacts of addiction. Supporters of IV drip therapy cite several positive effects.

• The nutrients in vitamin IV therapies improve digestive health.⁶At The Holistic Sanctuary, providers use this treatment to restore levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin. And serotonin is essential for both digestion and the feeling of happiness.⁷
• NAD+ therapy reduces cravings⁴ and other withdrawal symptoms. It’s especially effective for people in recovery from alcohol or opioid addiction.
• IV drip therapy improves hydration.⁸ Whether your infusion contains NAD+, nutrients, or other vitamins, the saline solution will have a similar effect. This can be especially helpful if you’re healing from ongoing dehydration due to alcohol addiction.⁹ For these clients, rehydration may improve brain function. 

Experts Call for Evidence

Like most treatments, IV drip therapy has pros and cons.¹ And some experts think it doesn’t work at all. Columbia University professor Dr. Ariel Igal calls it “the placebo effect.” Others say it has unnecessary risks. 

• “There’s no actual data” to support IV drip therapy,¹⁰ addiction psychiatrist Emily Zarse told NPR. And any experimental treatment may have unforeseen side effects. 
• Excessive vitamin intake can be dangerous.¹ Water-soluble vitamins, like vitamins C and B, don’t stay in the body. The excess is immediately flushed from your system, making treatment a waste. But excess fat-soluble vitamins— like A, D, and E—are stored in the body for longer periods of time. And they can be harmful in large amounts. 
• The high cost of IV treatments¹ probably won’t be covered by your insurance. The FDA has yet to approve this type of therapy. And each 30-60 minute session can cost $100—or much more. 

Fitting IV Therapy Into Your Recovery Plan

As controversial as vitamin infusions are, they’re very helpful for some clients. But this treatment is just one way to approach recovery. If you’re interested in IV therapy, talk to your medical providers about whether it’s safe for you.

Compare treatment options at luxury rehabs, including their pricing, insurance coverage, and other complementary therapies.

The gentle practice of Reiki promotes inner peace and natural self-healing. And in addiction treatment, holistic rehabs use Reiki to support clients through the physical, mental, and emotional changes of early recovery. But how exactly does Reiki work, and is it actually effective? 

What Is Reiki?

Reiki is a form of energy healing that originated in Japan in the early 20th century. In Japanese, the word reiki means “universal life energy.” Practitioners act as a conduit for this energy, using their hands (with or without physical touch) to transmit it to the receiver.   

Reiki is about overall wellness.¹ According to practitioner Teri Kersting, “As a holistic health practitioner, you’re looking at mind, body, and spirit. It’s very healing in all respects.”

What Happens in a Session? 

Reiki usually takes place in a relaxed environment, similar to what you’d expect during a massage. There may be soft music playing to help you relax. You’ll remain clothed and lie on a massage table or sit in a chair. If you have physical pain, you can get into any position that will be comfortable for you to be in for the duration of the session. 

Throughout the session, the practitioner will lay their hands on or near you in various positions, and may also draw symbols above your body. These are intended to clear negative energy and realign your chakras. 

Sessions normally take 60-90 minutes, but can be shorter or longer depending on your needs. And like talk therapy, it can also be done remotely.

Do I Need to Do Anything While Receiving Reiki? 

Your only job during the session is to relax. Some people fall asleep, which is completely okay and doesn’t interfere with your ability to receive its benefits. There’s no right or wrong way to receive Reiki.  

What Will I Feel During Reiki? 

Everyone experiences Reiki differently—and you may feel differently from session to session depending on your state at the time. Some people feel warm or tingling sensations at the site of the practitioner’s hands. Others see colors or other visuals, or have dreams. Emotional and physical feelings are said to indicate a release of stuck energy. Some people feel nothing at all, which is also perfectly normal. 

How Will I Feel After Reiki? 

Most people feel relaxed, grounded, and in a better mood after Reiki. You may choose to discuss what came up for you during the session with your practitioner, but this is optional. You’ll likely be advised to drink plenty of water throughout the day to hydrate your body as your energy recalibrates. You can return to your day as usual, and even drive, immediately following. 

Will My Reiki Practitioner Respect My Boundaries? 

As part of creating a trauma-sensitive environment, your practitioner should respect all of your requirements for feeling safe. You may ask them not to lay their hands directly on you, and request any changes you need to feel comfortable, such as adjusting the volume of the music or temperature of the room. As with any therapy, feel free to voice any questions or concerns at any point before, during, or after the session.  

How Many Sessions Do I Need? 

One Reiki session may be enough to lift your spirits or help you through a hard moment. More sessions may be necessary for stubborn or ongoing issues. You may opt for a series of sessions, based on your treatment goals. Reiki can also be used as a regular part of maintenance and self-care. As Kersting says, “It helps us center at the end of the day. Also, it helps us prepare for the day ahead, and all the stresses and anxieties that can come up.” 

Who Can Administer Reiki?

There are 4 levels of Reiki training. At level 1, practitioners can do Reiki on themselves, and at level 2, they can perform it on others. 

While some alternative medicine professionals hold high accreditations that require years of schooling, Reiki is known for being easy to learn and apply, and courses for each level can be completed in as little as a day.  

Where Is It Available? 

Reiki is often offered at holistic rehabs as a complement to other clinical and alternative therapies. If you want to continue after residential rehab, many practitioners offer it as a standalone therapy. Some massage therapists incorporate aspects of Reiki into their practice—though this looks different than a typical Reiki session. 

What Can Reiki Treat? 

Intended to regulate the nervous system and support your body’s natural healing abilities, Reiki can be used to treat a wide range of conditions.² Reiki master and practitioner Melanie Hoffstead says her clients report relief from depression and chronic pain: 

“People who come to me who’ve suffered for many years with arthritis, with quite a few treatments, seem to be almost pain-free. People who suffer from depression seem to be able to have more of a sense that life can be more manageable.” 

Because there are no medical conditions that preclude people from receiving Reiki, it can be applied in almost any setting, and is even used in some hospitals. It can also be used to support substance abuse recovery. 

Reiki and Your Recovery 

Recovery is rewarding, but is inevitably challenging at times. This is especially true in the early stages as you confront deeply held wounds and adjust mentally and physically to a life without substances. Reiki can provide much-needed calm and comfort during tough times. 

The “feelings of peace, centeredness and an ability to cope better with the challenges of life”2 this technique offers can be valuable to people struggling in the early stages of sobriety. In fact, studies show that Reiki eases alcohol withdrawals³ by reducing cravings and helping people achieve a sense of harmony through their own, natural processes.

Enlightened Solutions in New Jersey uses Reiki to help their clients restore their mind-body connection: 

“For men and women who are in treatment for drug and alcohol addiction, reiki healing is especially helpful.⁴ Addiction tears apart the mind/body relationship and disconnects a person from themselves. Being in such heightened states caused by stimulant substances or depressed states caused by depressant substances, alters the energy flow of the body. Releasing old energy helps those in treatment release emotions which they have held onto for some time. Reiki directly encourages the therapeutic process for healing mind, body, and spirit.”

Sivana Bali in Canggu incorporates Reiki into their treatment program as part of their alternative therapy⁵ offerings. “While practitioners may vary widely in technique and philosophy,” says their team, “Reiki is commonly used to treat emotional and mental distress as well as chronic and acute physical problems, and to assist the recipient in achieving spiritual focus and clarity.” 

Is Reiki Real?

Some claim that Reiki is pseudoscientific, and research supporting its effectiveness is limited. But numerous studies do seem to draw similar conclusions about its benefits. One study on Reiki for alcohol withdrawal³ confirmed previous findings about its positive effects: 

• Release of fear, negative thoughts, and emotional strain 
• Reduced anxiety and depression 
• Improved self-confidence 
• Increased hope 
• Relaxation and better sleep 
• Reduced heart rate and blood pressure
• Less pain 

Researchers found that “reiki can produce effects like tranquility, peace, relaxation, reduced depression and increased energy level, which supports the results of greater harmony, joy and energy in this study.”

Even for those who are skeptical about energy healing, the healing power of touch⁶ has proven benefits for human well-being. According to medical journalist Naveed Saleh, MD, MS, “Mechanistically, it makes sense that Reiki and many other types of touch therapy could mediate the release of neurotransmitters like reward-processing dopamine and oxytocin.” And, adds Saleh, “The combination of gentle touch and personal attention may also be soothing to people who are coping with pain and stress.”

Limitations of Reiki

Reiki can surface suppressed emotions, and it’s helpful to be able to process these with a talk therapist. As a complementary therapy, it should be used to support your primary treatment plan. Reiki practitioners don’t provide diagnoses and shouldn’t be expected to treat severe conditions on their own. It may not be for you if you prefer a more evidence-based approach to healing.

Is Reiki Right for You? Discover Alternative Addiction Treatment

Energy healing isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But as Reiki is a safe, gentle practice with no contraindications, there’s very little risk involved in trying it. The safe space that rehab provides is a great place to try new things, and many people find Reiki to be a helpful addition to their care. 

As Kersting says, “Everything in the universe is energy, including emotions. When we have emotional blocks that we hold onto, that can affect our pure life force energy. Reiki is about helping to release those blocks.”
Explore rehabs that offer Reiki to see their facilities, learn about their programs, and reach out to their admissions staff directly.

The body has an innate ability to heal itself – and some addiction treatment modalities work by enhancing this. The idea behind hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is that it can boost these self-healing properties to promote a number of positive effects.

While HBOT has long been used to treat decompression sickness, also known as “the bends,” it’s now being used in addiction and behavioral health settings. Some luxury rehabs are introducing this therapy as a way to reduce symptoms of substance use and physical or emotional trauma, and accelerate their clients’ treatment progress as a result. Beyond just treating addiction, HBOT is also used by high-performance athletes and others who simply wish to optimize their health. But is this therapy as effective as treatment centers claim? We’ll take a look at the following:

• What Is HBOT?
• Uses in Recovery
• Is It Effective?
• Risks and Side Effects

What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy was first employed in the early 1900s by the U.S. Navy, who used it to treat deep-sea divers who resurfaced too quickly. It’s since become a well-established treatment for decompression sickness among scuba divers, and since the 1960s, it’s also been used to reverse the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning. Today, HBOT is used to speed recovery from a variety of health problems, including infections, burns, injuries, tissue death, traumatic brain injury, and anemia. 

How HBOT Boosts the Healing Process

During HBOT, patients sit in a specially designed chamber and breathe pure oxygen. While the air we normally breathe contains only 21% oxygen, the oxygen level inside the HBOT chamber is 100%. The chamber is also pressurized to 150-300%, which speeds up the delivery of oxygen to your tissues. As blood oxygen levels increase and the body becomes saturated, more oxygen is delivered to cells and tissues, enhancing their ability to repair themselves. This stimulates the body’s natural healing processes: 

• blocking the effects of harmful bacteria 
• encouraging new stem cell growth 
• strengthening the immune system
• regenerating connective tissue and blood vessels

After repeated sessions, increased blood oxygen levels are said to be sustained even after receiving HBOT.¹ 

HBOT’s Uses in Addiction Recovery

Substance use overrides the body’s ability to clear toxins, which accumulate over time. It damages cells and organs, including the brain and digestive organs. The restorative effect of increased blood oxygen levels can help reduce symptoms of substance misuse, such as muscle pain, anxiety and irritability. One study on HBOT’s role in brain damage recovery² found that it may also reduce symptoms of Korsakoff’s, a syndrome caused vitamin B1 deficiency as a result of alcohol misuse. 

Essentially, HBOT is one way treatment providers can heal the effects of addiction on a cellular level. And because it’s simple, has few, minor side effects, and requires no downtime, some luxury rehabs find it a favorable option for supplementing clients’ treatment experience. Beyond treating symptoms of addiction, HBOT can also improve mood and energy levels, as well as help meet their overall health goals.

How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Works 

HBOT is delivered in chambers designed either for individual use or for multiple people to use at a time. For individual treatment, patients lie on a table that slides into a clear tube, similar to an MRI machine. For group sessions, patients sit in a pressurized room and breathe oxygen through masks. In either case, a HBOT technician or trained medical professional is present throughout the session, which typically lasts for 1 to 2 hours.

Once patients are inside, oxygen is pumped into the chamber and the pressure gradually increases. When this happens, it’s common to feel your ears “pop” like they do during an elevation change. During the session, clients can relax with a TV show or a book, or simply rest. Once the time is up, air pressure is slowly lowered to normal levels. If necessary, your clinical team will assess several points including your blood pressure, pulse, and blood glucose for those who have diabetes. Most people find HBOT easy, painless, and even calming. 

How Many Sessions Do I Need? 

How many sessions you need depends on your condition, but you’ll likely need more than 1 to see results. Your treatment team can help you decide how many to attend. Check with your treatment facility to see how many sessions their program includes. This may vary according to your individual treatment plan.

Let’s take a look at how HBOT works at a few rehabs: 

All Points North Lodge, Colorado, USA

All Points North Lodge partners with a local hyperbaric physical therapy clinic, who provides a technician to oversee each session. Their website describes their HBOT process:³ 

“After speaking with the tech before your session, you’ll slide into the glass tube that’s equipped with a pad and pillow. Once you’ve settled in, the tech will manage the pressure and oxygen within the chamber. While that happens, you can turn on your favorite Netflix show on the nearby TV, relax, doze off, and enjoy some quiet time alone. During this time, you’ll be under the medical supervision of the HBOT tech and can communicate any questions or concerns you may have at any time throughout the process.”

HBOT at All Points North Lodge is available as an optional add-on to their treatment program, or as a standalone therapy who wish to come to the Lodge solely for this purpose. Their admissions team offers assessments to interested clients to help them determine whether or not they’re a good candidate.

Castle Craig, Edinburgh, Scotland

HBOT at Castle Craig takes place in a 12-person hyperbaric chamber, located onsite and overseen by a local non-profit provider. According to their treatment team, HBOT helps Castle Craig’s clients:⁴ 

• dramatically reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms 
• better regulate their emotions
• improve sleep quality 
• increase stem cell production by 800%
• repair damage to organs including the pancreas, liver, and brain 

During the session, clients sit on cushioned seats inside the chamber and watch TV, rest, or read. This service is optional and comes with an additional cost.

Paracelsus Recovery, Zurich, Switzerland

Paracelsus Recovery offers HBOT as one option in the wide array of specialized therapies that make up its bespoke program. According to their team, “Prolonged use of drugs and alcohol can alter the brain’s chemical makeup and ultimately lead to loss of brain function and cell death. Although the body is incredibly self-healing, it may reach a point that it is unable to counteract the effects without help. HBOT treatments can restore life to dormant cells and awaken dormant cells and generate new, healthy cells.” 

They also use HBOT to aid the detox process: “[Hyperbaric oxygen] treatments are also beneficial during detoxification,⁵ helping the body to more efficiently rid itself of toxic substances.”

Paracelsus offers both single- and multi-person options, and sessions last about 1 hour.

Goodsky Mental Health Retreat, Queensland, Australia

Goodsky Mental Health Retreat utilizes the tissue- and muscle-repairing benefits of HBOT to help pain management⁶ clients. This service is part of their personalized program for issues such as chronic pain, trauma-related pain, traumatic brain injury, and mental health disorders. 

Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Effective for Treating Addiction?

HBOT not a new therapy, but its application in addiction and mental health treatment has only recently become more common, and more research needs to be done on its effectiveness in this area. However, some studies demonstrate its promise as an effective treatment for those in recovery: 

One study on hyperbaric oxygenation in the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction⁷ found that, “Exposure to hyperbaric oxygenation had a favorable effect on the patient’s status during sessions and persisted for some time after them… A comparative clinical and psychopathological examination of patients in both groups showed accelerated reduction of psychoneurological and somatovegetative disorders, this bringing about an approximately twofold decrease of treatment duration and preventing the development of complications.”

Another study published in the Journal of Neurotrauma found that HBOT improved overall cognitive functioning⁸ in veterans with blast-induced traumatic brain injury and PTSD.  

And a study in the neuroscience journal Brain Research to determine the effectiveness of HBOT for opiate withdrawal⁹ found that “hyperbaric oxygen treatment suppresses withdrawal signs in morphine-dependent mice.” 

Is HBOT Officially Approved? 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) acknowledges that HBOT is effective for treating health problems¹⁰ beyond just decompression sickness. But it also warns about false claims that HBOT is a cure-all: 

“If you are considering the use of a HBOT device for yourself or a loved one, be aware that some claims of what it can do are unproven. For example, HBOT devices are not proven to cure cancer, Lyme disease, autism or Alzheimer’s disease.”

The FDA recommends that those considering this therapy first consult their primary care provider. You can also check with the regulatory agency that governs HBOT: “If your health care provider recommends HBOT, the FDA advises that you go to a hospital or facility that has been inspected and is properly accredited by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society.”¹¹ 

Rehabs use HBOT as an “off-label” therapy. That is, it’s approved for certain conditions, but can also be beneficial for others. And centers who use the therapy to treat addition and mental health-related symptoms say their clients see positive results. According to Paracelsus, “Many people report improved memory, heightened alertness, increased energy, and an overall increase in health and wellbeing after as few as 10 treatments, although more treatments may be required.”

Risks and Side Effects of HBOT 

The side effects of HBOT are generally minimal, and usually affect the eyes, ears, or sinuses due to increased pressure. When they do occur, these effects may include the following:  

• temporary vision changes resulting from effects on the eye lens  
• ear issues due to changes in air pressure
• low blood sugar in people who have diabetes treated with insulin
• lung collapse (rare)

Most side effects of HBOT are nominal and short-lived, but there is a small risk of a serious condition called oxygen toxicity, which results from too much oxygen in the central nervous system. Johns Hopkins Medicine outlines its risks: 

“In rare, severe cases, a person can get oxygen poisoning.¹² This can lead to seizures, fluid in the lungs, lung failure, or other problems. Considering the possible risks and benefits, the decision to use hyperbaric oxygen therapy must be carefully made after a detailed discussion with your healthcare provider.” 

HBOT is not advised for clients who have ear, sinus, or respiratory issues (including colds and congestion), or for pregnant women. 

Making HBOT a Part of Your Recovery

HBOT isn’t for everyone, but if it is right for you, it could potentially complement your recovery process and support your bodily systems as they heal from the effects of addiction. 
To learn how this and other therapies can benefit your recovery journey, visit our searchable directory of luxury rehabs to see program information and reach out to centers directly.