31 S. Braddock St. | Winchester, VA 22601

(540) 535-1111 | Available 24/7

31 S. Braddock St. | Winchester, VA 22601

(540) 535-1111 | Available 24/7

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Personalized Alcohol Addiction Treatment Find Recovery

Confronting alcohol addiction can be one of the most challenging journeys you or your loved one can go through. And it's something that nobody should face alone. Recognizing addiction as a complex disease, seeking help is a sign of strength—not a cause for shame. We provide a supportive environment where holistic alcohol treatment is personalized to each client’s specific physiological, mental, and spiritual needs.

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Reclaim Your Life

Understanding Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction is a disease that alters brain chemistry and structure, leading to a wide range of physical, emotional, and behavioral health issues. Our alcohol treatment programs aim to restore and balance brain chemistry, address emotional trauma, and mend broken relationships, offering a comprehensive approach to recovery.

  • How Does Addiction Begin?

    Alcohol addiction, often dangerously underestimated due to its legal status and broad social acceptance, can quickly escalate into a severe, life-altering crisis, driven by a complex mix of genetic, mental, and environmental influences.

  • More Than Rehab: Become Who You Are Supposed to Be

    If you or a loved one has faced setbacks with alcohol rehab centers or programs before, don't lose hope. Bridging the Gaps offers a fresh start with powerful evidence-based recovery strategies that treat the whole person.

Journey to Renewal

Overcoming Addiction with Us

Our compassionate and skilled staff swiftly navigates you out of crisis, establishes stability, and through our integrative approach—builds a solid foundation for enduring sobriety and health. Our philosophy is to treat the root causes of the disease of addiction. Here are the modalities we integrate:

Psychotherapy: Individual/Group

Psychotherapy sessions led by trained clinicians help clients share experiences, explore emotions, and address addiction-related struggles.

Amino Acid Therapy

Amino Acid Therapy uses specific amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins, to help regulate brain chemistry and alleviate cravings and other discomfort associated with addiction and early recovery.

12-Step Meetings

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)/Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings follow a proven 12-step program that helps individuals develop coping strategies for managing addiction in a healthy way.

Meditation

Meditation at BTG helps manage stress, reduce anxiety and depression, improve sleep, and enhance mental focus. This centering practice promotes calm and well-being, aiding clients in addiction recovery.

Creative Expression

At Bridging the Gaps, we provide art and music therapy to help clients explore and resolve core issues, understand their addiction, express themselves healthily, and develop coping skills.

AcuDetox

Acudetox is a non-verbal approach to healing that involves the placement of up to 5 sterile, disposable needles into specific points in the ear. This helps with emotion regulation, enhances detoxification, and a discovery of inner quiet, strength, and resiliency.

Massage/Reiki

Stress is a serious barrier to healing from the disease of addiction. Massage therapy is very effective in reducing stress and promoting deep relaxation. Reiki is a form of energy healing which has many physical and emotional benefits.

Group Education

Group education allows clients to learn more about the disease of addiction and develop cognitive and behavioral tools to avoid relapse, mend relationships, and establish healthy habits in recovery.

Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback (EEG biofeedback) is used to help patients break free from harmful patterns of thinking and behavior. In those with cannabis addiction, we target the alpha and theta brain waves and train them to function more efficiently. This can help reduce cravings, improve impulse control, and promote emotional stability.

Nutrition Education

Nutrition Education teaches our clients the importance of a healthy and balanced diet, as well as how certain foods can impact their physical and mental health.It also address the specific dietary needs of those struggling with addiction, such as vitamin deficiencies or food sensitivities that may contribute to cravings and relapse.

Brainspotting

Trauma-informed care takes into account the potential impact of past trauma on an individual’s current mental health and well-being. This approach recognizes that traumatic experiences can significantly contribute to addiction, and therefore aims to address these underlying issues utilizing trauma treatment techniques.

Yoga and Exercise

Yoga and exercise have been shown to be beneficial in addiction recovery. These activities not only promote physical health, but also mental and emotional well-being.

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Beyond Sobriety

Navigating Life's Challenges with Confidence and Sobriety

In our accepting community, you'll be supported and surrounded by a tight-knit group that ensures personalized care. By focusing on healing the mind, body, and spirit, we go beyond mere symptom management. Our program equips you with crucial life skills and resilience to face life's challenges, forge significant relationships, and confidently tackle the duties of sober living. It isn’t just about overcoming addiction—it's about thriving in every aspect of life.

    Individualized treatment plans tailored to your goals and lifestyle
    Experienced staff dedicated to your recovery journey
    Comprehensive support throughout the rehab process

Help is Available

How Alcohol Addiction is Treated

Gain insight into our detailed strategy for addressing alcohol addiction, which integrates methods tailored to each individual's specific needs. Our approach not only focuses on mental and physical health restoration but also integrates comprehensive assessments and personalized treatments that support overall well-being and long-term recovery. By focusing on the whole person, we aim to ensure sustainable healing and a resilient return to health.

Neurochemical rebalancing for alcoholism involves several key components. First, a comprehensive neurochemical deficiency assessment, spanning across four pages, is conducted. This assessment helps identify specific areas of neurochemical deficiency. Next, a personalized approach is taken to provide individuals with tailored amino acids and supplements. Additionally, an abstinence-based symptom sheet is utilized to monitor and track 25 different symptoms that are correlated with neurochemical imbalances.

Based on the information gathered, the amino acid protocol is then adjusted accordingly to address individual needs. Clients will receive the amino acids and cofactors they need to help restore healthy brain chemistry. For alcoholics, it is common to receive amino acids that help balance serotonin levels (5-HTP, L-Tryptophan), as well as GABA. This helps to reduce or eliminate cravings and eradicate uncomfortable side effects of recovery, also known as post-acute withdrawal.

Excessive use of alcohol is very hard on the body. In order to repair the damage that has been done, it’s important to prioritize restoring physical health and wellness.

Improve Nutrition: Alcohol abuse often leads to poor nutrition as it contains empty calories and suppresses appetite. This can result in vitamin deficiencies, weakened immune system, and various health issues. At Bridging the Gaps, we understand that healthy eating is essential for recovering alcoholics to replenish their bodies with essential nutrients. Proper nutrition helps to stabilize mood, reduces cravings for alcohol, and improves energy levels, cognitive function, and overall well-being. Our clients work with a nutritionist to create healthy, balanced meals and learn how to shop for healthy foods and effectively read nutrition facts. The goal is to establish healthy eating habits here that will help our clients when they eventually leave and navigate recovery outside of our walls.

Exercise Regularly: Exercise is another crucial aspect of restoring physical wellness during alcoholism recovery. Alcohol abuse can cause muscle loss, weakness, and fatigue, making it important to rebuild strength through physical activity. Our clients exercise every morning and attend a private Yoga class once a week with a certified instructor. We prioritize exercise for several reasons. First, exercise releases endorphins, which can improve mood and reduce stress, anxiety, and depression – common triggers for relapse. It can also help regulate sleep patterns and improve quality of sleep. Lastly, engaging in physical activity also provides a healthy outlet for emotions, reducing the risk of turning to alcohol as a coping mechanism.

Practice Sleep Hygiene: Sleep is essential for the body to heal and repair itself. However, alcohol use can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to insomnia and other sleep disorders. Incorporating good sleep hygiene practices is crucial for recovering alcoholics to improve their overall health. Establishing a regular sleep schedule and avoiding caffeine, heavy meals, and electronics before bed can help regulate sleep patterns. Getting enough quality sleep can also aid in mood stabilization, reducing cravings and improving overall mental health. We encourage our clients to maintain proper sleep hygiene.

People who have experienced trauma may develop coping mechanisms such as substance use to deal with the overwhelming emotions and feelings associated with their trauma. This can include turning to alcohol as a way to self-medicate and numb painful memories or emotions. The clinicians at Bridging the Gaps are dedicated to helping our clients work through these painful events and uncover the hope that lies within.

The first few weeks of group psychotherapy and individual sessions aim to educate the client about their disease, help them begin to address some of the behaviors or thoughts that lead them to use, and begin to build community.

After about 4-6 weeks of stabilization, clients who have suffered significant trauma will begin working on processing these events. The caring, compassionate clinicians at BTG are trained and experienced in trauma-informed care and trauma treatment techniques. Instead of asking, “what’s wrong with you?”, trauma-informed clinicians instead seek to understand what happened to you. Using trauma treatment tools like Brainspotting and DBT, we help our clients to work through their trauma and understand what they need to adequately heal.

At BTG, we believe that the opposite of addiction is connection. We know that the key to long-term success in recovery is having a supportive sober community to help guide you through difficult times. Our clients attend AA or NA meetings and select a sponsor while they’re in treatment with us. Upon completing treatment, we have an Alumni Program that allows our clients to stay in touch and navigate recovery together.

Empowering You: Flexible Treatment Programs for Sustained Sobriety

Residential Treatment Program

Immerse yourself in our supportive community and beautiful environment, where our comprehensive treatment center offers the structure and supervision you need to focus on your recovery journey and build a strong foundation for lasting sobriety.

Partial Hospitalization Program

Engage in rigorous daytime treatment that provides care tailored to your needs, while allowing you the flexibility to return home or to a sober living environment in the evenings, ensuring a balance between intensive support and personal responsibility.

Outpatient Treatment Programs

Our intensive outpatient and continuing care programs provide accessible mental health and addiction services, fitting your schedule and supporting sustained sobriety and personal growth in recovery.

How it works

Our Alcohol Addiction Treatment Process

At Bridging the Gaps, we have developed a straightforward, three-step process designed to provide you with the support, resources, and tools you need for a successful recovery.

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Step 1: Assessment

The first step in our alcohol addiction treatment process is the assessment phase. During this stage, our experienced team will conduct an alcohol and drug evaluation and a deep assessment to understand your unique needs and develop a personalized treatment plan.

Step 2: Treatment

Once your personalized treatment plan is established, you will begin the treatment phase. This may include a combination of individual therapy, group counseling, holistic activities, and evidence-based practices to address the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of alcohol addiction.

Step 3: Recovery

The final step in our alcohol addiction treatment process is the recovery phase. During this stage, we will provide you with ongoing support, relapse prevention strategies, and aftercare resources to help you maintain long-term sobriety.

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Reach Out

You’re Not Alone: Connect with Our Admissions Director

We know that recovery isn’t just possible – it’s also magical and life-changing. That being said, we know it’s often difficult to take the first step. Contact our Admissions Director today – 24/7 – if you or a loved one needs help. We’re here to listen.

  • Compassionate Support

    Let Bridging the Gaps assist you or a loved one on the dedicated path to recovery and a brighter future.

  • You Matter!

    Our team will work to understand you and your situation. You’re never “just another client” because we value your individuality. 

Effects of Alcohol Addiction

Learn how alcohol impacts overall health and wellness and the varied effects of addiction on the body and mind, from increased heart problems and liver damage to severe mental health issues and cognitive impairments. 

High Blog Pressure and/or Cardiac Problems

Alcoholism can lead to high blood pressure, stroke, damaged heart muscle tissue (cardiomyopathy) and/or an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). Long-term alcohol abuse can also cause cardiomyopathy leading to congestive heart failure.

Liver Damage or Cirrhosis


Alcoholism may cause liver inflammation, fatty liver disease and scarring of the liver tissue (cirrhosis). This damage is sometimes irreversible and can lead to severe health complications, including jaundice, cirrhotic ascites, bleeding esophageal varices and hepatic encephalopathy.

Depression or Anxiety Disorders


The prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders is much higher among alcoholics than in the general population. Alcohol abuse can trigger or worsen symptoms of depression and anxiety, leading to more serious mental health problems.

Memory Loss



Chronic alcohol abuse can cause memory problems, blackouts and severe brain damage that results in permanent impairment of cognitive function.

Heightened Aggression or Hostility

Alcoholism impairs judgment and can lead to violent behavior. Alcoholics are more prone to taking risks, such as fighting with others or being involved in a physical altercation.

Pancreatitis

Excessive consumption of alcohol can damage the pancreas and lead to inflammation of the organ (pancreatitis). The symptoms of pancreatitis can range from mild abdominal discomfort to extreme pain, fever, nausea and vomiting.

Weakened Immune System

Excessive alcohol consumption weakens the immune system, making it more difficult for the body to fight off infection and disease. Alcoholics have an increased risk of developing various infections and are more likely to suffer from serious illnesses such as pneumonia or tuberculosis.

Increased Cancer Risk

Long-term consumption of large amounts of alcohol can damage many organs, including the liver, heart, pancreas and brain. Over time, this damage increases the risk for various types of cancer, including mouth and throat cancer, colon and rectum cancer and breast cancer.

Know What to Look For

Signs of Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction can be hard to spot as the signs may not be immediately obvious. Some of the tell-tale signs of alcohol addiction include drinking more than intended, attempts to cut down or quit but being unsuccessful, cravings, and physical dependence.

If you have an addictive relationship with alcohol, it is likely that you will experience withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop drinking. These can range from mild to debilitating and are usually physical symptoms such as sweating, shaking, nausea, and headaches. If you find you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms, seek professional help immediately, as withdrawal from alcohol can be fatal depending on the extent of disease progression.  
If you’re worried about a loved one examine their behavior. Are they neglecting responsibilities or hobbies in favor of drinking, spending an excessive amount of time and money obtaining or using alcohol, engaging in risky behavior while under the influence, and/or continuing to drink despite negative consequences? If so, they likely have an alcohol addiction. Alcohol addiction can have a serious impact on physical and mental health, and may  contribute to other issues, like financial problems or relationship difficulties. It is important to be aware of the signs of alcohol addiction and urge your loved one to seek help if concerned.

Insights for Your Recovery Journey

Explore our latest blog articles on addiction treatment, mental health, and holistic recovery strategies.

Client Testimonials

Read what our clients have to say about us

FAQs

Find answers to commonly asked questions about alcohol addiction and recovery.

  • What is the first step I should take if myself or a loved one wants to stop drinking?

    If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol use, the best thing to do is reach out for professional help. Depending on the severity of the addiction, withdrawal from alcohol could be fatal, so it’s best to detoxify your body under professional supervision. Once the detox process is complete, it’s highly encouraged to enter a residential treatment facility to assist you with the vulnerable early stages of recovery. At Bridging the Gaps, we offer residential treatment that is designed to help your mind, body, and soul begin to heal from the devastating effects of alcohol addiction.

  • How is a holistic approach to alcohol addiction treatment different from Medication Assisted Therapy (MAT)?

    Medication Assisted Therapy (MAT) utilizes prescription medications to help individuals recover from alcohol addiction. These medications may include drugs like naltrexone, which blocks the effects of alcohol on the brain and can help reduce cravings. While MAT may be an effective method for managing withdrawal symptoms, it does not address the underlying causes of alcoholism, like mental health issues or brain chemistry imbalances. The medications used in MAT treatment also often have strong side effects that decrease quality of life and often cause people to stop taking them. In fact, the MAT medication may become a new addiction.

    On the other hand, holistic approaches to treating alcohol addiction aim to treat not only physical dependence but also any underlying psychological or social issues that may be contributing to the addiction. At BTG, our integrative, holistic approach includes a combination of counseling and psychotherapy, amino acid therapy to restore proper brain chemistry, nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle modifications that can help individuals develop healthier coping skills and address any underlying physical and mental health issues. In addition to providing psychological support, we also incorporate healthy sober living activities like yoga, as well as participation in 12 Step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous to help establish a sober support system. By addressing the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of addiction, a holistic approach can provide lasting results.

  • How can I or a loved one expect to feel in the early stages of recovery from alcohol addiction?

    Early recovery from alcohol addiction is an important and often difficult process. It can be an emotionally draining experience as well as a physically exhausting one. Physically, you may experience fatigue, headaches, nausea, irritability, and increased blood pressure. Emotionally, it can be overwhelming as you cope with cravings for alcohol or withdrawal symptoms such as depression or anxiety.

    At Bridging the Gaps, we understand the struggles of early recovery and provide integrative treatment plans to assist our clients as they navigate the physical and emotional pain of these first few weeks. Within the first week of treatment, the client is assigned their counselor, attends group psychotherapy, receives medical treatment, and begins a customized amino acid therapy protocol that has been proven to calm withdrawal symptoms as it works to restore healthy brain chemistry. Clients are provided a safe, non-judgemental space to share their struggles as they begin to build community with others traveling the same journey. Lastly, plenty of time is given for rest as the body and mind begin to heal.

  • What types of therapies and interventions does Bridging the Gaps use to help treat alcoholism?

    At Bridging the Gaps, we integrate traditional treatment modalities with innovative and holistic methods to ensure we are adequately treating the whole person, bridging the gaps between traditional and progressive forms of treatment. While we utilize traditional and effective methods like psychotherapy and 12 step programs, we also utilize cutting edge technology, like neurofeedback, and integrative, holistic medicine, including amino acid therapy and AcuDetox, to support all aspects of wellness as our clients transition into recovery and beyond.

  • How can family and friends support someone who is in treatment or in recovery from alcoholism?

    Supporting someone in treatment or recovery from alcoholism can be a difficult task, but there are some key steps that family and friends can take to provide support and encourage recovery.

    The first thing family members should do is educate themselves on the disease of addiction. Understanding how addiction affects the brain will help you to better understand the symptoms and behaviors your loved one exhibits, and will empower you to help them through this process. At Bridging the Gaps, we offer a family education program that meets virtually one night each week to educate family members about the disease of addiction so they can develop a thorough understanding to aid them through this process.

    Next, adhere to the boundaries that your loved one in recovery puts in place. Certain social events like weddings can be very triggering for someone in early recovery, so adopting an understanding mindset towards your loved one as they decline invitations to these types of events is critical. This can be difficult, but try not to take this personally – they are doing what they need to do to stay sober. Encourage your loved one as they begin to navigate life without alcohol, avoid triggers, and uphold their boundaries.

    Most importantly, make sure to take care of yourself. Alcoholism is an insidious disease that can have detrimental effects to the mental health of family and friends of those who are struggling. Attending support groups like Al-Anon can help you process what you went through, gain strength to assist your loved one in recovery, and establish a community of people who understand what it’s like to walk in your shoes.

    Bridging the Gaps also offers comprehensive outreach to family members to help you navigate your loved one’s treatment and recovery journey. Our family program includes weekly psychoeducation, the opportunity to participate in therapeutically facilitated conjoint sessions with your loved one, and an extended family aftercare program to help you process your emotions and gain insight from other family members.

  • After treatment, what kind of support is available to help myself or a loved one sustain recovery?

    At BTG, we offer a long-term continuum of care, where clients can receive services from us often up to a year, and sometimes longer. Our level of care adjusts to the stage of recovery the client has achieved, slowly and safely progressing them to independent life free from alcohol or drugs.

    Upon completion of treatment with us, we offer an Aftercare Program, as well as an Alumni group, to help build a supportive sober community for those who have completed our program. We also encourage our clients to continue to attend AA or NA meetings to help support them through continued recovery.

Insurance

Your Addiction Treatment Could Be Covered

If you do not see your provider listed, please contact us to learn more about obtaining coverage. We do not accept Medicaid at this time.

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Contact Us

Reach Out to Us

We welcome you to call our Admissions Director, Sue Dennis, at (540) 535-1111 to discuss admitting yourself or a loved one fortreatment. However, if you would first like us to verify your insurance, use this form or get in touch via phone or email.

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