Alcohol Rehab

For some people, recovery from alcohol addiction can be impossible without rehab.

Alcoholism can reach severe levels where it becomes impossible for a person to recover without outside help.

These programs are designed to help a person recover from addiction by going to the root of the problem and exploring what that led and contributed to the addiction. There are various kinds of rehab programs.

However, people who are suffering from alcohol addiction will need to choose which program suits them best, since not all programs are suitable for each person.

Reasons to Enter a Rehab Program

There are many practical reasons to join a rehab program. In fact, it could be the only way for a person to break away from addiction. Rehab programs are not band-aid solutions for an addiction. These are often holistic, multi-faceted programs that incorporate medication, psychological treatments, as well as meditation and relaxation techniques to help a person overcome addiction.

These treatments have one goal and that is to discover the main cause of the addiction and help the client recover from it by using a variety of techniques. Although recovery facilities may differ in their treatment approaches, most of them utilize treatments which go through three stages: detox, counseling, and aftercare.

Rehab Facilities

Alcohol rehab programs often differ in the kind of treatment programs they offer, but most can be categorized under two broad groups “Inpatient and Outpatient Programs”.

Inpatient Rehab

Inpatient centers is recommended for those who are suffering from severe alcohol addiction and those who have tried outpatient rehab without success. Inpatient programs offer 24-hour supervision, which is needed especially during the detoxification stage. Inpatient programs also allow clients to physically remove themselves from the environments that fostered the addiction, making it easier for them to focus on their rehabilitation without the negative influences that are present in their old environments.

Outpatient Rehab

Outpatient programs allow clients to attend treatment during the day and go home once their session is done. These programs are better suited for those who were suffering from mild to moderate forms of addiction, or for those who came from inpatient rehab programs and want to continue supervised treatment even while they are living at home. This is also better suited for those who have obligations or those who have work responsibilities that they would otherwise have to leave behind if they enrolled in inpatient programs.

Types of Rehab

Rehab programs may also vary according to purpose and according to the clientele that they focus on. For example, there are 12 step programs or traditional addiction programs, adolescent programs, gender-based addiction programs, holistic programs, and religious addiction facilities. The 12-step program is based on programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous, which is highly successful for treating alcoholism. This is a long and tedious process but has a nice success rate.

There is a spiritual component when it comes to traditional treatment, but these programs are tailored to cater to clients of different faiths. Clients are encouraged to identify a higher power working in their lives that guides them on the road to recovery. Traditional rehab programs also encourage the use of sponsors or people who act as counsels and guides to help a person keep on track when he is feeling the temptation to drink again.

Regular group meetings are one of the main features of traditional rehab programs and are a way for the person to vent his frustrations or share his triumphs with others. There is a very therapeutic quality when one is involved with a group. Holistic treatments for alcohol addiction have also recently been gaining momentum due to the popularity of natural treatments designed to treat a person’s emotional, physical, and spiritual wounds which contributed to the addiction.

Holistic treatment does not look at removing the addiction alone. It seeks to heal all the broken parts of the person since it is this brokenness which led the person to drinking alcohol. Holistic treatments are often alternative methods of treatment and may include art and music therapy, outdoor adventures, pet therapy, meditation, yoga, and relaxation techniques. In some cases, hypnosis may be utilized to unlock certain portions of a person’s past which could have contributed to the addiction.

Adolescent programs are tailored for teens and young adults who have alcohol addiction problems, and are a separate class of programs due to the specific sets of problems encountered in adolescence which could have contributed to the alcohol dependence. Religious addiction programs are often Bible-based, and may tailor their treatments with the goal of restoring a person’s personal spiritual relationship with God. Proponents of religious addiction treatment believe that lack of a deep spiritual connection with God creates a hole in the life of a person, which he or she tries to fill using alcohol.

How to Know Which Programs Are Right for You – Rehab programs are not all made the same. One program or facility may be better for one person and not for another. There are several factors which can affect how a person should choose a rehab program. These include the severity of the addiction, the presence of other disorders which could affect the severity of the addiction, responsibilities of the client, and a client’s ability to avoid relapse without strict supervision.

Clients who are suffering from severe addictions may need the strict monitoring of residential treatment programs. This is true for those who tried doing an outpatient program with no success. Clients suffering from other disorders such as eating disorders or psychological disorders may also benefit from dual diagnosis alcohol treatment facilities.

Some patients may be suffering from other kinds of illnesses and started using alcohol as a way to self-medicate. These facilities specialize in treating the concurrent disorders that may occur along with alcoholism. By eliminating the real cause of the dependence, it becomes easier to eliminate the addiction and prevent a relapse. Then some clients may not be too comfortable with the Bible-based approaches used by some treatment centers, and may opt for centers that offer a more traditional or holistic approach.

Finally, it is also important to consider staff credentials, facility licensing and certifications to perform the therapies they offer, as well as the types of aftercare programs offered to prevent relapses. For those who may be confused about how to get started in the search for a good recovery program, talking with a medical doctor can give them basic information and help them get started. Also if they know anyone in recovery, that can be a great resource.

Private vs. Public Rehab Programs

When it comes to privacy, rehab programs can be divided into two: private and public. Private facilities are often more expensive, but offer privacy and anonymity that some people may require. These private facilities are often located in secluded, out-of-the-way locations to ensure that clients are given a place where they can focus on recovery and healing.

Often, these programs also offer luxurious amenities and may resemble posh 5-star resorts. Exclusive facilities have the advantage of short waiting lists since only a handful of people are able to afford them.

The presence of better amenities and professionally trained staff mean that services are ideal for drug rehab and recovery.

It is important to note that the help offered is not considered necessarily better. Luxury rehabs just offer rehab in a luxurious environment.

Public facilities are often state-run or federally-funded rehab programs. These do not offer the same degree of exclusivity and privacy offered by private institutions, and the waiting list could be long as well. State-run alcohol rehab programs still do offer the right kind of treatments proven to facilitate alcohol recovery and they are more affordable. There are financial aid services available, and the services in public facilities are very effective. An individual who wants to get sober can truly do so in any type of facility.

Therapies Offered by Rehab Programs

Although most rehab programs vary in their approaches, they are often similar in the therapies they administer. Most programs offer medications followed by psychological and cognitive behavioral therapy as the main therapies for alcoholics. Medications are given to lessen the intensity of withdrawal symptoms and to lessen a person’s craving for alcohol.

Clients are also required to undergo counseling, whether one-on-one or in a group. Monitoring is done to ensure that a person does not relapse, has no health issues left unaddressed and takes his medications on time. Programs may also offer recreational and diversionary activities as a way for patients to get their mind off their addictions. Meditation and relaxation therapies are also staples in most programs and can greatly help those who started their addiction by using alcohol as a way of dealing with stressful situations.

Recovery from a severe addiction may be impossible without the help of a professional and a proven program designed to treat that addiction. This is the reason why a good rehab program is always necessary if a person truly wants to get better. Fortunately, modern addiction programs consider the person above all else and focus on individualized forms of care and therapy for a higher chance of a successful recovery.

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