OUR ALCOHOL ADDICTION
TREATMENT PROGRAM

Montana has the 3rd highest level of alcohol consumption in the US. We offer innovative, effective, and trustworthy solutions for adolescents and adults. Our programs are dedicated to tackling this crisis and supporting patients, their families, and communities in need.

smiling people participating in an alcohol use disorder treatment group session
therapy group talking about alcohol addiction
man holding a glass of whiskey, possibly contemplating alcohol use disorder therapy
man holding a glass of whiskey, possibly contemplating alcohol addiction therapy

WHAT IS ALCOHOL ADDICTION?

Alcohol addiction, also known as alcohol use disorder, is a chronic disease characterized by an inability to control or stop alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. It can lead to significant physical, psychological, and social issues.

ALCOHOL USE DISORDER RISKS

Prolonged alcohol abuse poses serious risks to an individual’s physical and mental health, increasing the likelihood of chronic diseases, mental health disorders, and social problems. These risks should not be taken lightly. Alcohol use disorder is a serious issue with far-reaching consequences. The good news? It’s never too late to seek help and reclaim your health and happiness.

concerned woman in consultation, indicative of engaging in recovery therapy to treat alcohol dependence
concerned woman in consultation, indicative of engaging in recovery therapy from alcohol addiction

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ALCOHOL MISUSE

There are several signs and symptoms of alcohol use disorder that can affect individuals physically, psychologically, and socially.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

There are several signs and symptoms of alcohol use disorder that can affect individuals physically, psychologically, and socially.

PHYSICAL

  • Changes in appearance: Sudden weight loss or gain, puffy face, neglected personal hygiene, and bloodshot eyes.

  • Unexplained injuries: Frequent falls, cuts, bruises, and burns can signal impaired judgment and balance.

  • Health issues: Liver problems, digestive issues, tremors, and sleep disturbances are often linked to excessive alcohol consumption.

  • Motor skill declines: Slower reaction times and impaired reflexes, signaling a physical dependency on alcohol.

PSYCHOLOGICAL

  • Mood swings: Euphoria one moment, rage or despair the next, emotional rollercoasters fueled by alcohol’s grip.

  • Depression and anxiety: The darkness and worry that lingers even when the buzz fades.

  • Irritability and aggression: Short temper, increased arguments, and difficulty managing emotions

  • Memory loss and cognitive decline: Clouded thinking, difficulty focusing, and forgetting important details.

SOCIAL

  • Problems at work or school: Absenteeism, missed deadlines, decreased productivity, and disciplinary actions.

  • Strained relationships: Broken promises, arguments, and withdrawal from loved ones

  • Financial difficulties: Hidden stashes, mounting debt, and reckless spending

  • Legal trouble: DUIs, public intoxication charges, and other consequences of impaired judgment

TAKE THE NEXT STEP TOWARDS YOUR NEW LIFE

Simply reach out to our admissions team for a free consultation. Everything is private and confidential. We’re here to help, answer questions, and listen. Calls are answered 24/7.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP TOWARDS YOUR NEW LIFE

Simply reach out to our admissions team for a free consultation. Everything is private and confidential. We’re here to help, answer questions, and listen. Calls answered 24/7.

OUR ALCOHOL REHAB PROCESS

Our evidence-based process combines traditional modalities with dynamic and immersive Experiential Therapy to create a personalized healing journey. These programs go beyond talk therapy, allowing you to engage in activities and experiences that unlock emotions, build coping skills, and foster self-discovery.

a person filling out a form during a session, likely related to recovery services for alcohol addiction therapy
a person filling out a form during a session, likely related to recovery services for alcohol addiction therapy
counselor actively listening to a client in a session for alcohol recovery support.
counselor actively listening to a client in a session for alcohol recovery support.

PSYCHOLOGICAL AND
BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT

Our team of licensed professionals, including a Doctor of Behavioral Health and Master Addiction Counselors, provide comprehensive psychological and behavioral treatments. This includes individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy.

AFTERCARE TREATMENT
SUPPORT PROGRAMS

Your recovery doesn’t stop at the end of treatment. At BIG SKY, we offer ongoing support after completing our alcohol treatment program for teens, adults, and seniors. This includes access to support groups, alumni networks, and other resources to help maintain sobriety and manage recovery.

participants in a group therapy session likely focused on alcohol misuse recovery and support
participants in a group therapy session, likely focused on alcohol addiction recovery and support.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

We understand that one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to recovery. That’s why we offer a range of personalized treatment options for alcohol addiction. Choose the path that empowers your journey:

man engaging happily in an alcoholics anonymous (aa) conversation about alcohol problems and its withdrawal symptoms

BIG SKY EXPERIENTIAL THERAPY

Participate in innovative therapeutic activities such as equine and art therapy to facilitate emotional healing and personal growth. These hands-on experiences help individuals reconnect with their inner selves.

gentleman beaming during a support system meeting and motivational enhancement therapy

BIG SKY OUTPATIENT TREATMENT

Navigate recovery with flexible daytime or evening therapy sessions designed to fit around your schedule. This adaptable option provides ongoing support as you rebuild your life outside treatment.

individual attending a digital counseling appointment on a tablet

BIG SKY TELEHEALTH TREATMENT

Embrace healing from the comfort of your own space. Connect with experienced therapists and participate in personalized sessions virtually, making quality care accessible wherever you are.

BUILD A FOUNDATION FOR LASTING CHANGE

At BIG SKY Treatment, we offer more than just treatment; we offer a chance at a new beginning. Let us help you lay the groundwork for a life free from the shadows of mental health illness and addiction. Our dedicated team is always here to provide guidance and answer your questions—day or night.

hiker enjoying the wilderness, potentially reflecting on wellness and recovery journeys.
hiker enjoying the wilderness, potentially reflecting on wellness and recovery journeys.

FIND ALCOHOL USE DISORDER TREATMENT AT BIG SKY

Tired of fighting alcohol’s hold on your health, relationships, and dreams? BIG SKY Treatment offers more than just recovery – it’s a path to rediscover strength, joy, and a fulfilling future. Let your recovery begin with our personalized programs, ignite healing through powerful experiential therapy, and find the support you need to break free.

CHECK YOUR INSURANCE COVERAGE

We work with most insurance providers in the U.S. to provide the best possible coverage and minimize your out-of-pocket expenses.

pacific source
bcbs
allegiance
first choice health
tri west
tri care
montana medicaid
triwest healthcare alliance
tricare insurance logo
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bluecross blueshield of montana logo
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Browse our FAQ for clear, concise answers to common inquiries about our programs and services.

Heavy drinking means consuming alcohol in amounts that exceed recommended guidelines — more than 14 drinks per week or 4 per occasion for men, more than 7 per week or 3 per occasion for women, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a clinical diagnosis that goes beyond quantity consumed. It is characterized by a loss of control over drinking, a compulsion to drink despite negative consequences, and physical or psychological dependence on alcohol.

The key distinction is control. Someone who drinks heavily may still be able to choose when and how much to drink. Someone with alcohol use disorder finds that choice increasingly out of reach — they drink more than intended, struggle to cut back, and continue despite real harm to their health, relationships, work, or finances. Approximately 14.5 million Americans live with alcohol use disorder, and Montana has the third-highest rate of alcohol consumption in the United States.

If you are questioning whether your drinking has crossed a line, a clinical assessment is the right next step. Call (406) 309-7500 for a free, confidential consultation.

Alcohol use disorder affects people across physical, psychological, and social domains — often in ways that develop gradually and are easy to rationalize until the pattern becomes harder to ignore.

Physical signs include changes in appearance such as weight fluctuation, a puffy face, and neglected hygiene; frequent unexplained injuries from falls or accidents; health issues including liver problems, digestive disturbances, tremors, and disrupted sleep; and slowed reaction times or impaired motor coordination.

Psychological signs include significant mood swings, persistent depression or anxiety, increased irritability and aggression, difficulty concentrating, and memory gaps or blackouts.

Social signs include declining performance at work or school, strained or broken relationships, financial problems related to drinking, and legal consequences such as DUIs or public intoxication charges.

Not everyone with alcohol use disorder looks the same. Many people maintain jobs, relationships, and daily routines while still meeting the clinical criteria for AUD. If any of these patterns feel familiar, speaking with a clinician is a worthwhile step.

For some people, yes — and this is one of the most important things to understand about alcohol use disorder before taking action. Unlike most substances, alcohol withdrawal can be medically serious and in some cases life-threatening. Symptoms can include severe anxiety, tremors, hallucinations, and in more serious cases seizures or delirium tremens — a dangerous withdrawal syndrome that requires immediate medical attention.

The risk is higher for people who drink heavily every day, have been drinking for a long time, or have previously experienced withdrawal symptoms when stopping. If any of these apply, stopping abruptly without medical supervision is not safe.

BIG SKY Treatment does not provide medical detoxification services. If you or a loved one may need medically supervised detox before beginning behavioral treatment, call (406) 309-7500 and our admissions team will help connect you with the appropriate level of care. Once medically stable, BIG SKY Treatment can provide the structured behavioral programming that supports lasting recovery.

No. BIG SKY Treatment specializes exclusively in behavioral addiction treatment therapy. We do not provide medical detoxification or medication-assisted treatment (MAT) such as naltrexone or Antabuse.

If medically supervised detox is needed before behavioral treatment can safely begin — which is often the case with significant alcohol dependence — our admissions team can help coordinate a referral to an appropriate detox facility. Once you are medically stable and cleared for outpatient care, BIG SKY Treatment can provide the evidence-based behavioral programming that addresses the psychological, emotional, and behavioral dimensions of alcohol use disorder.

Not sure whether you need detox first? Call (406) 309-7500 and our clinical team will help you assess your situation and identify the right first step.

BIG SKY Treatment’s alcohol use disorder program is built around evidence-based behavioral therapies with strong clinical track records for AUD specifically. These include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which identifies and restructures the thought patterns, triggers, and coping mechanisms that drive drinking; Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which builds emotional regulation and distress tolerance skills that reduce reliance on alcohol to manage difficult feelings; Motivational Interviewing (MI), which strengthens the person’s own motivation and commitment to change; and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which is particularly effective when alcohol use is rooted in unresolved trauma or adverse childhood experiences.

Treatment is delivered through individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy sessions within a trauma-informed clinical framework. For clients at our Kalispell location, Experiential Therapy — including equine therapy, wilderness therapy, art therapy, and music therapy — is integrated directly into the program, providing hands-on healing that complements clinical treatment in meaningful ways.

Alcohol and mental health have a particularly close and complicated relationship. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant — meaning it chemically worsens depression, anxiety, and mood instability, even as it temporarily feels like it relieves them. Many people with alcohol use disorder drink to manage anxiety, numb depression, or dull the effects of trauma, creating a cycle where the substance that provides short-term relief drives long-term worsening of the very symptoms it was meant to treat.

Research shows that people with alcohol use disorder are significantly more likely to experience depression, anxiety, PTSD, and trauma-related conditions, and that these conditions frequently go undiagnosed and untreated. Treating the alcohol use without addressing the underlying mental health condition leaves the engine of the drinking untouched — which is why relapse rates are significantly higher when only one condition is treated.

BIG SKY Treatment specializes in dual diagnosis care, treating alcohol use disorder and co-occurring mental health conditions concurrently within the same integrated program. This approach produces significantly better long-term outcomes than treating each separately.

Yes — that is one of the primary advantages of outpatient treatment. BIG SKY Treatment’s programs are specifically designed for people who need to maintain work, family, and daily commitments during recovery. Sessions are scheduled to minimize disruption to daily routines, and our Virtual IOP extends that flexibility to people across our service states who may not be able to travel to Kalispell.

Many people with alcohol use disorder are still employed, still parenting, and still functioning in daily life — and the ability to continue those responsibilities while receiving treatment is clinically valuable. Practicing recovery skills in real-life contexts between sessions, rather than in a controlled residential environment, helps build genuine resilience that carries forward after treatment ends.

Yes. BIG SKY Treatment’s Adolescent Outpatient Program addresses alcohol use disorder in teens with an approach specifically designed for their developmental stage. Adolescent alcohol use carries distinct risks compared to adult drinking — the adolescent brain is still developing, making it significantly more vulnerable to the effects of alcohol on cognition, memory, and long-term mental health. Early intervention is especially important.

Our adolescent program uses age-appropriate therapeutic approaches with structured family involvement throughout, recognizing that family dynamics play a central role in both the development and the resolution of adolescent alcohol use. Treatment is available in person at our Kalispell, Montana location and via Virtual IOP across our full service area.

Most major insurance plans cover adolescent outpatient alcohol treatment. Call (406) 309-7500 or submit our verification form to confirm coverage under your specific plan.

It depends on the severity of the alcohol use disorder, whether co-occurring mental health conditions are present, and how the individual responds to treatment. At BIG SKY Treatment, most clients engage in outpatient or IOP programming for eight to sixteen weeks, with progress assessed regularly and plans adjusted throughout.

Alcohol use disorder is a chronic condition for many people — not something resolved in a fixed number of sessions. The primary treatment phase is followed by aftercare and alumni support, which help maintain the gains made in treatment and reduce the risk of relapse over the long term. The goal is not program completion — it is lasting, sustainable recovery.

es. Most major insurance plans cover outpatient alcohol use disorder treatment, and BIG SKY Treatment works with a broad range of carriers including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana, PacificSource, Allegiance by Cigna, Montana Medicaid, TRICARE, and TriWest. BIG SKY Treatment is an in-network provider with PacificSource Health Plans. Federal mental health parity laws require most plans to cover alcohol use disorder treatment at the same level as other medical care.

Submit our confidential online verification form or call (406) 309-7500 – our admissions team will contact your insurance provider directly and confirm your benefits within one hour. There is no obligation to begin treatment after verification.

The first step is a conversation — and we make it as easy as possible. Call (406) 309-7500 any time, day or night, or reach out through our website. Our admissions team will conduct a free, confidential clinical assessment to understand your situation, evaluate whether medical detox is needed before behavioral treatment begins, identify any co-occurring mental health conditions, and determine the right level of care.

We verify your insurance before your first session so there are no financial surprises. Alcohol addiction treatment is available in person at our Kalispell, Montana location and via Virtual IOP across Montana, Colorado, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Massachusetts, including members of Indian Reservations in those states. Same-day consultations are often available.

Sources

  1. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (n.d.). Alcohol facts and statistics. Retrieved July 3, 2024, from https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/sites/default/files/publications/NIAAA_Alcohol_Facts_and_Stats_0.pdf
  2. Statista. (n.d.). Binge drinking rate among U.S. adults by state 2021. Retrieved July 3, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/378966/us-binge-drinking-rate-adults-by-state/
  3. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (n.d.). The cycle of alcohol addiction. Retrieved July 3, 2024, from https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/cycle-alcohol-addiction

BREAK FREE FROM MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESS AND ADDICTION

At BIG SKY Treatment, we are committed to helping you recover, heal, and move forward. Our evidence-based programs provide the guidance and support you need to break free from addiction and build a healthier, more fulfilling life. Calls are answered 24/7.

FINALLY BREAK FREE FROM MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESS AND ADDICTION

Let BIG SKY help you recover, grow, and thrive with proven evidence-based treatment programs that
empower you to break through mental health and addiction challenges. Calls answered 24/7.