Inpatient Alcohol Treatment

Substance abuse programs can be found across the globe. With all the choices in both outpatient and inpatient alcohol treatment, choosing the right facility can be confusing. There are even facilities that combine methods of care. Some take a holistic approach while some offer a traditional approach that implements the 12-step program. There are a number of types of treatment that are created to suit individual needs.

The kind of care selected should be based on personal preferences. Some individuals embrace a holistic approach that considers the mind and body as a combined unit. With a holistic approach to care and recovery, where medications are likely to be used less, while there may be more focus on optimal nutrition and maintaining a balance of nutrients, along with some alternative methods towards recovery.

At the same time inpatient treatment will offer encouragement and support, with the possible addition of classes in meditation and biofeedback.

All the methods combined help the person in treatment and recovery to heal from within and live a life that is more positive and healthier.

Some practitioners and counselors strongly believe that a strong mind and body are the best defenses against possible relapse. Withdrawing from alcohol can often cause unwanted side-effects such as tremors, irritability, and even depression or lethargy.

Those who want to stop drinking may be reluctant due to fear of these side-effects. An effective facility makes use of different resources available to help ease the transition when the individual stops consuming alcohol.

For many people starting inpatient treatment, managing symptoms is critical. Symptoms such as tremors can often be managed with prescription medications. However, the individual must be closely monitored to assess the effectiveness of medications and to possibly have adjustments made when necessary. While medications are effective in managing physical alcohol abuse symptoms, those seeking alcohol abuse treatment will also need emotional support and counseling.

This is done in several ways. Group sessions similar to AA meetings offer emotional support from peers and those experiencing the same challenges. There will also be individual counseling and therapy sessions, and in some cases actual AA meetings. Today, many facilities that provide inpatient treatment will offer additional support. Biofeedback is sometimes offered in a one-on-one setting with the person seeking treatment and a counselor.

This approach focuses on the unique challenges and behaviors of the individual, which may tend to trigger the need for alcohol consumption. By working with an individual, the behaviors that trigger the need for alcohol can be addressed, with solutions or alternative behaviors practiced in their place. Biofeedback and similar types of counseling are effective over a longer period of time. They are not as likely to work for treatment of a shorter duration as changing behaviors takes time.

A suitable inpatient treatment facility should be able to offer individualized treatment based on a person’s experiences and motivations for wanting to consume alcohol. Every individual may have different underlying issues that tend to increase the tendency toward drinking. Often drinking becomes a way to drown memories or negative thoughts. Trained addiction counselors recognize that the underlying issues must also be addressed for the individual to begin the recovery phase of treatment.

Personal experiences of a person who abuses alcohol can range from physical and emotional abuse, to underlying mental health issues, to physical illness that is difficult to manage. It is important for an inpatient treatment facility to be able to manage any of these circumstances to truly help the individual maintain an alcohol-free lifestyle.

If a loved one is in need of treatment and has some underlying health or mental health issues, it is always best to check with the facility being considered before agreeing to treatment. Some facilities are not equipped to handle additional medical conditions, especially if they are severe or tend to cause a great amount of pain and suffering. Those with additional psychiatric issues will want to look into a dual diagnosis facility.

For any treatment facility being considered, counselors should be licensed and experienced in treating those who want and need to recover from alcohol addiction. It is often believed that the best counselors are those who have gone through similar experiences and who have recovered from alcohol abuse. While this is often true, there are many effective counselors who have not had personal experiences with alcoholism and recovery.

The main consideration should be expertise and a willingness to work with recovering alcoholics. Facilities that offer inpatient alcohol treatment can be simply furnished places that are clean and comfortable. For some people, not having amenities may make life more difficult or stressful. For others such places are perfectly acceptable. Usually the well-appointed facilities take patients with private insurance or who have financial resources to pay for treatment themselves.

The more basic facilities will often accept payment on a sliding fee scale or may receive state and federal funds for treatment. They should not be overlooked if an individual has few resources to pay for inpatient alcohol treatment. Many of them offer the same competent treatment and care, with licensed medical personnel and counselors available around the clock.

When choosing a suitable treatment facility, reputation of the staff and the ability to meet the individual’s specific needs should be the first consideration. It is always a good idea to ask about specific approaches and philosophies of treatment so the individual can receive successful treatment and develop healthy relationships with those who work in the treatment center.

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