Alcohol Treatment

Alcohol treatment can come in many different forms: rehab, support groups, counseling/therapy, etc. Choosing which type of recovery process for yourself or a loved one can be a daunting task, especially if you are unfamiliar with what alcohol addiction is and the different techniques utilized in helping addicts obtain lasting sobriety. Use can quickly turn into abuse if the person consumes alcohol on a regular basis, as a means of escapes from life’s problems, or even under specific conditions (i.e. social functions). Because alcohol abuse gradually turns into addiction the addict will often not see the extent of his or her problems. The development of one’s alcohol addiction is typically a slow process causing the addict to believe that they have a handle on their drinking and that they can stop at any point.

Inevitably, the addict finds that they are unable to stop drinking on their own no matter how strong their willpower is. It is at this point that alcohol treatment is the best option in achieving lasting sobriety. How do you choose which program to attend with so many types of alcohol treatment programs and methods available? Research and having an open dialog with the rehab programs you are considering is the best way to come to a decision. As you research treatment options you will find that there are many different types of programs, the length of the different programs vary, their treatment methods differ and their views on addiction and recovery may be different than those you have heard before.

Let’s look at some of the more common types of alcohol treatment rehabilitation programs:
Inpatient – Just as the name implies the addict lives in the rehab facility while they are receiving treatment. Inpatient alcohol treatment is ideal for addicts who have struggled with alcohol addiction for a long period of time, may have made multiple attempts at sobriety in other rehab programs and feel that the structure, support and strength of an inpatient program is needed to achieve sobriety.
Outpatient – Addicts attend group meetings and counseling sessions but continue to live at home. This type of treatment works well for addicts who have less severe alcohol addiction problems, have attended inpatient treatment and continue their recovery process by enrolling in outpatient care and/or have social/family obligations that do not allow for them to leave their home life for an extended period of time.
Residential – Residential treatment has similarities to inpatient treatment. The addict resides at the program location and receives care 24/7. The main difference is that residential programs are centered around using the entire treatment community (the staff and current recovering addicts) to assist those in recovery with meeting their treatment needs. These programs are focused on the re-socialization of the addict into a drug and crime free lifestyle.
Short-term – Programs that are classified as short-term usually last fourteen to twenty-eight days in length. They can be inpatient or outpatient depending on the type of program.
Long-term – Long-term programs typically last four months or longer. There are some treatment programs that take six months or more to complete. Long-term treatment programs are usually held at inpatient rehabs or residential/therapeutic communities.

There are also a wide variety of treatment methods to choose from when considering alcohol treatment. Some programs are based on faith and have a lot of religious elements in their recovery process. This may work well for those who have a strong religious background or are open to finding faith. Another method utilized by rehab programs is outdoor or wilderness therapy. These types of programs have the recovering addicts reconnect with nature and discover their inner strength through being outdoors and getting physical. Another treatment method is using medication. While medication can have its place in recovery from alcohol addiction (during the withdrawal process to prevent serious health issues) it is not a method to rely on for lasting sobriety. Using one drug to help avoid another substance is not a long-term solution.

We would also like to point out that there is more than one way of looking at alcohol addiction and recovery. A very well respected treatment philosophy has arisen that holds the addict accountable for their addiction and their actions. While some alcohol treatment philosophies are founded on the belief that addiction is a disease that the addict contracts or develops, we believe that addiction is the result of a series of poor decisions and actions made by the addict over a period of time. That lasting sobriety is theirs to achieve if they take responsibility for their actions and learn the necessary tools on how handle life alcohol-free.