Treatment navigators are ready to guide you. Take the first step and call:

Search

Alcohol Rehab and Treatment

Recovery from alcoholism is possible with the right treatment. Learn about inpatient and outpatient alcohol addiction rehab and the treatment option available.

Take the first step toward recovery:

Alcohol Rehab

Table of Contents

Related Information
Questions about treatment?
Get 24/7 confidential help now:
We accept most insurances

Why Alcohol Rehab

Alcohol abuse is the most common addiction in America, with tens of millions of people suffering from alcoholism. Overcoming alcohol addiction can be difficult, overwhelming, and dangerous. To combat these risks and barriers to treatment, it is best to seek professional help through an alcohol rehab center.

Understanding the different alcohol abuse treatment options available makes it easier to select the rehabilitation treatment program with the best chance of success.

Types of Alcohol Rehab

There are two ways to receive treatment for alcohol addiction. The patient can choose to seek help as an inpatient, where they will be at a treatment center for a set period of days.

Alternatively, they can be treated on an outpatient basis. It is not recommended for someone suffering from alcoholism to attempt to treat themselves at home. Failing to seek professional treatment puts the patient at risk of uncomfortable and even dangerous side-effects from alcohol withdrawal. The risk of relapse is also much higher when done without being under the care of a professional facility.

Inpatient Rehabilitation

Inpatient rehabs are an excellent choice for anyone who wants to devote themselves fully to sobriety. Without the distractions of work, school, or other obligations, the patient can focus solely on the recovery process.

Inpatient treatment may last anywhere from 30 days to six months or even longer depending on the severity of the abuse. Recovery times and success rates depend on the needs and circumstances of the individual. Treatment at an inpatient alcohol rehab center usually includes various behavioral therapies, the most popular of which is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

Many alcohol detox  programs are built into the more extensive treatment model of inpatient rehab. An inpatient rehab program is the most effective means of recovering from alcohol addiction. The program will offer the patient a long-term roadmap to recovery, treating both the physical and psychological effects of alcohol addiction.

What Happens During Inpatient Treatment:

Upon admission, the patient will undergo a physical and psychological assessment. The physical examination is to determine the level of alcohol in the system. The physician will also note any other health issues or prescribed medication that the patient is taking. The rehab center needs to know if there are any health considerations before prescribing medication to manage the dangerous alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

The psychological assessment is to determine the best type of therapy for the patient. Many patients battling alcoholism have co-occurring disorders that led to the addiction in the first place. Any mental illness needs to be considered before prescribing alcohol withdrawal medication and determining the best course of treatment and rehabilitation.

Depending on the rehab center, the patient will be assigned a counselor who will work with them to develop their rehabilitation plan. This treatment plan is usually done collaboratively with the patient and will address their alcohol addiction, as well as all physical and psychological needs.

During inpatient treatment, the patient will undergo an alcohol detox, counseling, and therapy. Most alcohol rehab inpatient programs follow the 12-step treatment model and focus on a holistic approach to recovery.

Outpatient Rehabilitation

Another option for individuals suffering from alcoholism is to seek outpatient treatment.

Too often, those who need help shy away from it for fear of having to sacrifice their job and other obligations. They are unable to take the large amounts of time away from work or school, their families, and other interests that is usually needed. Outpatient programs for alcohol addiction offer flexibility, along with a high standard of care and support throughout the recovery process.

To sum up, with a quality outpatient rehab program, recovering adults and adolescents can work through alcohol addiction without putting life on hold. 

Outpatient alcohol treatment includes several protocols such as professional psychotherapy, peer discussions, counseling services, peer group support, vocational therapy, marital therapy, and cognitive therapy. In an outpatient scenario, the individual will be required to visit their rehab clinic of choice at regular times during the week or even daily depending on the addiction.

Outpatient recovery treatment plans offer individualized treatment sessions that help people understand and overcome alcoholism. Outpatient treatment programs are the best choice for people who would react poorly to the significant life change of enrolling in inpatient treatment.

Can Alcoholism be Treated at Home

Abrupt alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable and can lead to relapse if symptoms are too much to bear. In a professional treatment facility, withdrawal symptoms can be monitored and managed with alcohol withdrawal medication, and severe withdrawal symptoms can be safely monitored and managed.

It is also difficult to help and look after someone who is withdrawing from alcohol. Family members or friends may not be emotionally equipped to deal with the withdrawal process. They also may not have the medical expertise required to minimize uncomfortable symptoms or recognize signs of a medical emergency.

Another consideration is that alcohol detox alone can take a week or more. After that, some form of counseling is needed to manage the psychological effects of addiction.

What Happens During Treatment

Treatment therapies differ for each individual, depending on how long the individual has been abusing alcohol and in what quantities. Alcoholism treatment most commonly begins with a combination of alcohol detox and therapy.

Alcohol Detox

Ceasing to drink all alcohol products is a preliminary step in the treatment of alcoholism. Removing all traces of alcohol from the system is done through a medical detox process. Attempting to detox from alcohol at home is dangerous and comes with a high risk of failure. Therefore, it is recommended that alcohol detox is only done in an inpatient program at a professional facility.

Alcohol detox typically requires a clinical stay of 7 to 30 days in an alcohol rehab center. In a detox facility, patients have access to on-site medical and nursing staff 24/7. Depending on the severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms, patients may be administered prescription medications. These medications will alleviate discomfort and prevent dangerous side-effects like seizures.

The primary medications used to manage alcohol withdrawal are benzodiazepines or barbiturates.

Therapies Used in Alcohol Treatment

There are various types of therapy used to treat alcohol addiction. The kind of therapy and its duration depends on the individual and their addiction’s nuances.

Individual Therapy

Individual behavioral therapy is done during private, one-on-one sessions. The patient will work with a qualified therapist to understand what caused the addiction. They will learn to identify triggers and develop healthy coping mechanisms to combat addictive behavior and prevent relapse.

Specialized psychotherapy treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy are often used in addiction treatment.

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is widely used as addiction therapy. CBT teaches the recovering addict to understand their thought processes. The therapy encourages the patient to be aware of how the connection between their feelings, thoughts, and actions impact recovery. In addition to helping overcome the psychological aspects of alcohol addiction, CBT also treats co-occurring mental health disorders. Common co-occurring conditions treated with CBT include anxiety, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Bipolar Disorder, eating disorders, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): Dialectical Behavioral Therapy is a highly effective form of therapy used to treat patients with mental illness such as Bipolar Disorder. Many patients who have a mental illness will be more likely to use substance abuse as a coping mechanism. Used as a form of addiction therapy, DBT helps the patient build confidence, improve coping skills, communication skills, and self-image. Developing these skills in the patient is crucial for rehabilitating them and preventing future relapse.

Group Therapy

Attending group therapy sessions is an excellent way for recovering alcoholics to feel supported. Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous offer encouragement, guidance, and a sense of community with other individuals who understand the challenges of maintaining sobriety.

Attending regular support group meetings helps the recovering addict stay motivated and reiterates the guidance received during treatment. Many alcoholic support groups will follow the 12-step program. This consistency offers the individual the stability and structure required to reduce the risk of relapse.

Duration of Alcohol Rehabilitation

There are a few factors that are considered before the duration of treatment is determined. Factors affecting treatment duration include the length and severity of the addiction, any co-occurring disorders, and the individual’s personal and medical history. The average duration of addiction treatment is 30 days, although some facilities offer treatment of 60 days, 90 days, and all the way up to 6 months.

Recovery from Alcohol Addiction

Due to America’s deep-rooted social drinking culture, triggers are lurking around every corner for recovering alcoholics. Even after rehab, the recovering addict must seek support for controlling their addiction and staying sober.

Finding the right facility and treatment can be difficult. That’s why Addiction Rehab Treatment has our Treatment Navigators. They will help guide you on the road to recovery and find you the right facility and treatment you need for your unique situation. Reach out today.

Get Help Today

Don’t go through the process of recovery alone. There are people who can help you with the struggle you’re facing. Get in touch with one today:

MAKE A CALL

Get a Call

Enter your phone number below to request a call from a Treatment Navigator:

REQUEST A CALL