Treatment Options for Alcohol Addiction
“Any alcoholic considering treatment should understand that inpatient programs are more intensive and have higher chances of success than outpatient programs.”
Substance abuse treatment is designed to address both the physical and the mental aspects of the patient’s health. Alcohol rehab centers focus on addressing every known aspect of the addiction, from the mental triggers to physical dependence. The length, cost and extent of treatment in alcohol rehabilitation programs depend on the severity of the addiction and other factors, and they vary from one patient to another. Any alcoholic considering treatment should understand that inpatient programs are more intensive and have higher chances of success than outpatient programs.
Residential Treatment Centers vs. Outpatient Services
Inpatient alcohol treatment facilities provide addicts with a place to live throughout the treatment process, from detoxification to aftercare. At a residential center, the patient’s mental and physical health will be closely monitored during and after treatment, ensuring the recovering addict stays sober. Outpatient care does not come with the same level of security and intensity that inpatient care does, and it does not remove the patient from the environment that may have contributed to the development of the addiction. Outpatients usually must travel to seek medications or psychiatric treatments, often making visits several times a week, and they need to keep themselves on the recovery road and make their own schedule for appointments.
Do I Need an Inpatient Alcohol Rehab Facility?
Though outpatient care may work for some people, inpatient care is recommended in most cases. Treatment on an inpatient basis is especially advisable if your addiction involves heavy use. Alcohol withdrawal without appropriate care can have severe effects on the body and mind. From tremors to vomiting and even seizures, alcohol withdrawals can be dangerous to cope with alone, especially for long-term users.
Inpatient care is also recommended for alcoholics who have tried and failed to kick the addictive habit on their own. The segregation from the environment that led to the destructive behavioral patterns is one way to help prevent a relapse and allow the patient to fully focus on the recovery process.
Alcohol Rehabs and Confidentiality
Like any medical facility, treatment centers are required by law to keep the details of patients confidential. Private alcohol rehabilitation facilities deny any inquiries about any patient in the program and prevent unauthorized access to any information on a patient’s medical history.
How Long Does Inpatient Alcohol Rehabilitation Take?
A typical stay for alcohol rehabilitation is 30 to 60 days. However, severe cases may require lengthier stays of up to 180 days in an alcohol rehab center. The treatment program usually includes detox, addiction therapy and mental health care. The shortest alcohol rehab program is 30 days, which is the minimum amount of time addicts need to fully detox and learn the strategies needed to avoid relapse.
What Happens During Treatment?
The first thing any addict does upon entering the treatment facility is undergo an intake interview that documents the patient’s recent usage history. The next stage is detox, which includes medication or another form of care for withdrawal symptoms while the alcohol is working its way out of the body. Detox lasts a few days and is followed by addiction therapy, which is the longest part of any alcohol rehab program. A comprehensive treatment plan, which may include anything from group and individual therapy to physical therapy and sometimes pain management, is designed to address any underlying physical and mental health issues that the patient may be struggling with. The last phase of treatment is aftercare.
Paying for Alcohol Addiction Treatment
The cost of treatment can be as little as zero dollars at some alcohol rehab centers and as much as tens of thousands of dollars at a luxury facility. The free facilities are usually run by religious, governmental and other nonprofit agencies that were designed to help those struggling with alcohol addiction. Several special programs for teens, women, people with families, and veterans are either free or income-based. Insurance is another way to pay for alcohol rehab.
Treatment Near Home vs. Different City or State
The choice between a nearby treatment center and a more distant one really depends on the patient’s needs and preference. Some people prefer the change of pace and scenery that a remote inpatient alcohol rehab center can provide. Other patients who would like to get frequent support from their loved ones during treatment, however, choose to recover in facilities that are closer to their hometown.
Starting a Life of Recovery
Rehab doesn’t end when you leave the treatment facility. Sobriety requires that you put to use those techniques you learned during rehab in your everyday life. These techniques include alternate ways to cope with stress, ways to avoid triggers, and methods to make healthy lifestyle changes. Aftercare programs and family support are also important parts of staying sober after you leave the treatment center.
Helping a Loved One with Alcoholism
If you’ve already made the first step and convinced your loved to enter a treatment facility to get help for alcohol addiction, you don’t have to stop there. The recovering individual needs your support during and after rehab. Family members are often encouraged to attend counseling sessions, and their participation in aftercare is sometimes key to maintaining the results of alcohol treatment after rehab.
More About the Alcohol Treatment Process
In some alcohol rehab programs, medications may be used to control the cravings that addicts may face during and after rehab. These medications may include drugs such as naltrexone, disulfiram and acamprosate, which are usually administered by a doctor about once a month to help maintain abstinence as well as to dull the effects of alcohol.
Aftercare usually includes visits to a therapist to help the addict work on staying clean. Some patients receive this care while in a homelike sober living establishment that allows them to slowly blend in with society. Many recovering addicts, however, receive this medical treatment while living at home and continuing their treatment on an outpatient basis.
Let’s verify your coverage for treatment at an American Addiction Centers location. Your information is always confidential.
Make the Call and Get a Fresh Start Today
You can help yourself or your loved one get on the road to recovery by calling us today. Our support staff is available 24 hours a day to take your call and answer your questions. We can help you find the best alcohol rehab center for your needs. Just call us today to get started.
For the best treatment options, call 1-888-851-2649 Who Answers? .