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Did you know that in 2019 14.1 million adults ages 18 and older had Alcohol Use Disorder?
If you or a loved one are seeking alcohol treatment, you’re not alone. With all the social pressures to drink and the addictive qualities of liquor, it’s difficult to resist temptation. Therefore it’s important to get help if it gets to a low enough point.
There are different alcohol treatment and rehab programs available that use different methods for aiding in recovery. Throughout the country, you’ll find individualized programs that treat alcoholism. They’ll look at your gender, your age, and the extent and length of that addiction to create a customized treatment plan.
The first step is to learn more about the different alcohol treatment and centers, how you’ll be able to pay for it, and what recovery might look like. All of this will help create an informed decision. Let’s dive in.
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There are different treatment options for alcoholism. The first step for most people, however, is alcohol detox. Since it’s dangerous to abruptly stop drinking, the best initial steps to take if you have significant levels of alcohol dependency is supervised medical detox.
During medical detox, the goal is to have alcohol completely flushed from your body. After that, you’ll be able to focus on the other aspects of recovery which include activities and therapy.
When you have a severe alcohol addiction, your body relies on it after years of drinking. Your brain gets used to the chemicals that alcohol produces and stops producing it on its own, this is where the dependency on alcoholism comes from. When you quit drinking, your body has to ‘reset’ back to its original state.
When your body is resetting, it will probably get very sick and go through withdrawal. Withdrawal is incredibly unpleasant and the symptoms can change quickly.
One reason it’s so important to seek help under medical professionals is that going through withdrawal is complicated and going through it on your own has low chances of success. In a rehab facility, you’ll be able to manage pain and cravings through different medications.
You have two different options of treatment programs. The first one is inpatient rehab, and the second is outpatient rehab. While there is some overlap in similarities, there are some important differences to note.
Inpatient rehabs require you to live on the property, and they’re better suited for people with more serious addictions. Outpatient rehabilitation centers allow you to continue your daily life at work or school while receiving treatment part-time.
As you look through the different options, deciding if an inpatient or outpatient treatment program is right for you will be part of that research. Let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of both.
Inpatient Program:
Outpatient Program:
Clearly, there are some substantial differences between these options. The best option for you will depend on your lifestyle and the severity of the addiction.
Another type of treatment used is Medication Assisted Treatment. This is the use of medication and different therapies and counseling to help treat addiction.
The most common medication administered for alcohol addiction is acamprosate, disulfiram, and naltrexone. They aren’t a cure, but they all work by associating alcohol with negative feelings instead of positive ones. This trains the brain to see intoxication as a thing to avoid and helps aid in curbing cravings.
As you look for alcohol treatment centers, be sure to look for those that provide customized, focused care that is designed to meet your specific needs. Avoid any centers that have a generalized program that applies to everyone. That way, you’ll be sure to get the focus and attention that will aid in the path to recovery.
That customization is important because it helps keep you motivated to finish the program when you know that the care is specific to you. It’ll also help you continue the practices you learned and maintain the sobriety you achieved.
As you choose the type of treatment center, also consider if you want to do inpatient or outpatient rehab. Check out if there are any specialized addictions that you might need help treating and see the types of therapy offered.
One of the biggest differences between alcohol treatment centers is the amenities offered. There are luxurious rehab facilities that resemble hotels and there are simple yet functional centers to choose from. This all comes down to what you prefer and can afford.
You’ll know that the treatment and rehab you chose did a wonderful job when you’re able to avoid relapse after treatment. As you go through a quality treatment program, you’ll learn techniques throughout on how to combat your addiction and what happens whenever you’re presented with a dangerous scenario.
The best treatment and rehab will also stay updated with you throughout sobriety. This means phone calls as well as follow-ups.
The best thing you can do when seeking help for alcohol addiction is to do what you’re doing now, researching your options. Luckily, there are plenty of options for alcohol treatment that can help you combat your addiction. Find a medical professional that can answer any individualized questions and guide you toward the right path.
If you found this useful and are looking to find the right rehab, check out our guide!
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.
