Sedona Alcohol Recovery Treatment Center

Last Updated on October 29, 2024 by Chris Weatherall

Alternative to Meds Editorial Team

At Alternative to Meds Center, we recognize that alcohol addiction is complex, with roots in both biochemistry and personal life factors. Our Sedona alcohol rehab program is dedicated to addressing the unique motivations and biochemical factors that can drive alcohol use, focusing on a truly holistic approach to recovery.

Our program begins with medically supervised alcohol cessation, ensuring a safe and supported detox process. Following this phase, we emphasize sustainable recovery strategies that help clients maintain long-term sobriety. Addressing underlying biochemical influences, which often contribute to cravings and risk of relapse, is a key component of our approach.

Below, we outline five essential biochemical factors in alcohol addiction that are commonly considered in our personalized treatment plans. Understanding these factors can provide valuable insights as you and your loved ones evaluate the right path to recovery.

Common Reasons for Alcohol Cravings

Listed below are 5 common reasons for alcohol cravings that cannot be overlooked when seeking full recovery from craving alcohol and treating the factors involved in chronic alcohol overuse. A brief description follows each item, with important clinical references that we recommend being studied for a fuller understanding of each.

Five common reasons for alcohol cravings:

• Hypoglycemia
• Allergy-addiction syndrome
• Genetic polymorphisms
• Neurotoxicity
• Trauma

Hypoglycemia ^1,7

The first, most common (70%) cause of addictive biochemistry that will crave alcohol is hypoglycemia. Persons with hypoglycemia experience symptoms when their blood sugar drops to 70mg/dl or lower. These symptoms can include headache, confusion, dizziness, hunger, shakiness, irritability, racing heart, and anxiety. Alcohol, basically a sugar, rapidly raises blood sugar levels and will satisfy this craving nearly immediately. On a physiological level, low blood sugar represents potential death, and so the cravings associated with it can be very powerful. A person whose body is hypoglycemic often consumes sugar and simple carbohydrates when they are not actively drinking. Until correcting the hypoglycemic state, their recovery will be challenged, and their sobriety cannot easily be sustained over this condition. Correcting the diet has many benefits in recovery, not the least of which is managing blood sugar in healthy and sustainable ways.¹³

Allergic-Addicted ^2,6

The second reason for alcohol cravings comes from the condition referred to as “allergic-addicted,” where a person lacks the enzyme to detoxify or metabolize alcohol. Very small amounts of alcohol can result in dramatic changes in mood and behavior. We could describe the condition as one of genetic disposition. The allergic reaction causes a number of chemical responses to occur, including endorphins to be released. The endorphin release drives this type of alcohol addiction and behavior. The addiction is to the endorphin release. But this condition can be significantly alleviated by building natural endorphin levels through natural means. A comprehensive treatment program must address these factors of human health as they can provide the missing tools for long-term success in substance use disorder recovery.

THIQ Genetic Polymorphism ^3,9

Another genetic type of addiction to alcohol is one where the body converts alcohol to acetaldehyde, and then into THIQ, a powerful opiate compound. This production of THIQ is what the person gets addicted to. This is the person who can drink everyone else under the table and seems to get high rather than drunk. This type may also be helped by raising endorphins. Neurotransmitter rehabilitation is a specialty at Alternative to Meds Center.

Neurotoxic Anxiety ^4,8

The fourth motivator for the overconsumption of alcohol is anxiety. It is quite easy to confuse the anxiety alcoholic with the hypoglycemic, as the blood sugar drop often creates anxiety. Here is how to tell the difference. In hypoglycemia, anxiety is associated with a blood sugar drop. Whereas, in the true anxiety alcoholic, the anxiety seems to always be present, like a constant roar in the background of daily life. This type has usually been poisoned by excitotoxins, such as pesticides or heavy metals that continue to overstimulate the nervous system on a chronic, daily basis, at least until the removal of these excitotoxins has been accomplished. Neurotoxin removal is one of the key pillars of our recovery program at Alternative to Meds Center. 

Trauma-based Blackout Drinking ^5,10-12

Let us not overlook another common reason for drinking, regarding the blackout drinker. This person has endured tragic trauma and is attempting to escape their naturally uncomfortable feelings. A humane and effective approach to treatment would be to give the person ways to identify and release these areas of past distress and emotional pain. CBT is one form of psychotherapy, along with trauma counseling and other interventions that have proven clinically effective in overcoming the lingering and debilitating effects of trauma.

Until these underlying components are addressed, which they can be, the person is likely white-knuckling until their next relapse.

Holistic Approaches to Alcohol Abuse at Our Sedona Residential Treatment Center

ATMC addresses the addictive biochemistry of alcoholism in addition to treating the emotional components. Searching for, discovering, and addressing the underlying medical, genetic, emotional, and other factors contributing to addictive biochemistry provide the most successful and important elements of the Alternative to Meds alcohol treatment program. For instance, toxins from the environment including heavy metal toxicity can destroy the body’s capacity to create the natural chemicals and hormones that regulate depression and anxiety. Cleansing the body of these damaging factors can be instrumental in releasing the person from these toxic grips of alcohol addiction.

Whatever an individual’s personal goals may be, ATMC aims to provide the tools to get you there. While we are not a 12-step-based program, we can facilitate our clients to participate in local meetings during their free time, if that is desired. Medical oversight and the highest, safest standards of withdrawal management are provided.

You will find our holistic center housed in a beautiful residence, nestled among the majestic Red Rocks of Sedona, Arizona, under year-round clear blue skies and temperate warm weather. The center provides a serene, very comfortable location to find rest and respite. Clients participate in a program rich with therapies designed specifically for each person’s health and recovery goals.

Swimming in either of the beautiful pools, local hiking, and breathtaking photography opportunities add to the many activities within close proximity to the center. Many describe the setting as retreat-like, especially when coupled with the high-level compassionate care that our staff of over 40 expert physicians and caregivers will provide during the client’s stay with us.

Diet is also a key factor in true recovery. Our gourmet chef is well-versed in orthomolecular principles that support health and healing.

Alcohol is often used to cover up and find relief from emotional trauma and distress. Counseling that we offer in many genres has been extremely effective in helping to identify and release the factors which are acting as contributors to the anxiety, depression, fears, regrets, and other negatives that a person has been using alcohol to self-medicate. In the words of the program’s founder, Lyle Murphy, “When we do not have the access to meet the inner desires for our life, we often turn to the toxic mimic — drugs or alcohol — to fill that void.”

From withdrawal to residential care, our treatment program for alcohol use disorder uses a number of methodologies, depending on each individuals circumstances. However, some of the common threads include assessment of the person’s addictive biochemistry, determining the level of treatment that is needed, and customizing an entire treatment plan for each person’s ultimate recovery.

Our Inpatient Alcohol Treatment Program offers:

• Many Types of Counseling
• Peer Support
• Nutritional Therapies
• Exercise
• Qi Gong
• Acupuncture
• Nebulized Glutathione Treatments
• IV + NAD
• Colon Hydrotherapy
• Yoga
• Equine-assisted Therapy
• Therapeutic Massage
• Acupuncture
• Customized Diet
• Lab Testing
• Co-occurring Disorders Treatment,
• Continuous Evaluation and Treatment

As well as a wealth of adjunctive therapies to make sure that the person is not going to relapse after leaving treatment.

If a resident is in pain, it is our immediate goal to stabilize and relax this person so that maximum relief is obtained. 24/7 supervision and support are provided to meet the needs of each unique individual.

Find Recovery from Alcohol Use Disorder in Sedona

You are invited to call our informed and friendly admissions staff at the number on this page for more detailed information on the various treatment protocols available to our program participants. You can view our treatment options in detail on our drug and alcohol recovery services overview page. We are fully licensed and accept private insurance.

Call today and find out more about our approach to holistic treatment for alcohol withdrawal and recovery at Alternative to Meds Center.