Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction is a growing problem in the United States with the potential to impact life in many negative ways. One of the evident symptoms of this addiction is continuous alcohol consumption, despite the situation causing an array of health and social issues. Considering that addiction to alcohol is a medical condition, it is best to seek treatment from an expert at the earliest.

Individuals grappling with an alcohol problem can undergo treatment at rehab centers, where they can stay for a specific period and receive a mix of various customized therapies. The rehabs develop patient-tailored treatment plans after thorough assessment on the basis of factors like age, gender, the severity of the problem, underlying issues, mental health conditions and the duration of addiction. The assessment also helps understand the root cause of the problem, such as a mental health disorder or a social issue. 

When embarking on the journey of giving up alcohol, the body first needs to get rid of alcohol through detox. The process removes all the addictive substances from the body and prepares it for treatment for alcohol addiction. It might appear to be a simple process, but the fact is that this takes a lot of effort and is thus best performed under professional guidance. If detox is not done the right way, other complications and health issues might ensue and even hamper the treatment procedure. In severe cases, individuals might need medication to undergo safe detox. On this occasion, the experts at rehab centers also help manage the withdrawal symptoms, for if not tackled, the symptoms can cause a relapse.  

Alcohol rehab centers also offer aftercare services, as part of ongoing recovery, that play a vital role in increasing the chance of a sustained recovery. They also provide counseling services and teach coping mechanisms to keep away from triggers, avoid a relapse and experience holistic wellness. 

Depending on the kind of addiction treatment required for alcohol addiction, there are two types of alcohol rehab programs – inpatient alcohol rehab and outpatient alcohol rehab.

What is Inpatient Alcohol Rehab?

As part of an inpatient alcohol rehab or residential treatment, individuals receive treatment for alcohol addiction while living in a clinic or a hospital for a specified period of time. In severe cases, the stay can even last for over six months. Here, individuals receive round-the-clock support and have no contact with the outside world. This feature helps take care of triggers while putting the focus wholly and solely on recovery.

The residential treatment often includes a series of treatment programs like counseling, experiential therapy, holistic therapy, medication, yoga, coping mechanisms and food management.

Another course of action could be the use of prescription drugs, along with other therapies, to rein in the problem quickly. The use of medications in an inpatient rehab becomes easy because of constant supervision and guidance. This kind of treatment offers a high level of care along with continuous support. It is also ideal for supervised and assisted detox and management of withdrawal symptoms.

Individuals also have the option of choosing a luxury rehab facility where they receive top-notch alcohol addiction treatment. The services could include customized treatment plans tailored to suit individuals’ needs and conditions.

The private facility caters to the class of people who would not want to give up on their luxurious lifestyle while undergoing addiction treatment. The activities like guided meditation, ocean activities, spa and gourmet dining, also keep individuals away from triggers and help in boosting total wellness.

What is Outpatient Alcohol Rehab?

An outpatient alcohol rehab is a more flexible kind of program. Here, individuals visit the rehab on certain days to receive the treatment as they continue to live at home, attend work and fulfill other responsibilities, if they are in a condition to do so. This rehab program is apt for people with mild alcohol addiction problems or for those who have already attended an inpatient rehab program.

Cost is another factor that differentiates an inpatient rehab from an outpatient one. An inpatient rehab is usually costlier than an outpatient one. However, given that substance addiction is a complicated issue, more emphasis should be given to the quality of the treatment program instead of the cost. Another feature of the outpatient rehab is partial hospitalization and group and individual counseling sessions that help steer clear of relapses and triggers.

Ongoing Recovery

Alcohol rehab centers prepare individuals to become strong-willed, and take on a healthy and fulfilling life once again. They assist individuals in nurturing sustainable and healthy lifestyle habits in order to prevent a relapse in any form. However, in the initial stages of recovery, certain weak moments might force individuals to succumb to alcohol. To help patients get over such temptations and maintain sobriety, rehab centers provide ongoing recovery sessions as part of aftercare services.

These sessions can include individualized or group therapy, family therapy, meditation, counseling and much more. Regular visits to rehab centers play a vital role in keeping individuals focused and motivated. They get a chance to discuss various life scenarios and learn how to maneuver situations accordingly in order to stay on track. Helping to connect with support networks is another aftercare feature, and this plays an integral role in strengthening the desire to stay sober. Therefore, in no way should ongoing recovery be neglected.

There is no lack of substance rehab centers to guide and help you. However, an alcohol rehab should be chosen with a lot of care, for the quality of the alcohol rehab program can make a massive difference on the treatment outcome. Cost and location are two critical points to be considered when scouting for a good rehab. But not everyone can travel to faraway rehab centers. To find centers near you, search online for alcohol addiction rehab near me. Some of the other not-to-be-ignored factors are:

• Center should have a license.
• It should be managed by a professional trained to manage addiction and substance abuse issues.
• It should offer individualized treatment.
• An array of therapy options should be available.
• Aftercare services should be available to enhance the recovery success rate.
• It should be able to handle co-occurring disorders.
• Counseling, both individual and family, should be available.

The first step to recovery from alcoholism is to acknowledge that you have a problem with alcohol. It clears the path to a smoother recovery journey. When planning to get alcohol addiction treatment, always opt for professional treatment as that is a step in the right direction. Individuals should never try to quit alcohol on their own, as that might have drastic consequences. Going cold turkey or suddenly stopping the addictive substance is another mistake that many people tend to make. It is important to understand that managing the situation at home could even turn fatal.

Quitting alcohol under expert guidance would ensure that you remain safe and the withdrawal symptoms are handled well. The treatment procedure usually starts with an in-depth analysis and review of the severity of the problem. It offers an insight into the best course of action to be taken.

Treatment for alcohol use disorder starts after the alcohol detox process. Here, alcohol is eliminated from the body to prepare the body for further treatment. The amount of time needed for detox depends on the severity of the alcohol problem, mental health issue, additional drug use, age and family history. The detox can be given through both inpatient and outpatient rehab programs. However, an inpatient program is preferred more because it provides 24*7 observation and allows the experts to tweak the program as per the response.

In some extreme cases, medication might be needed to manage the uncomfortable side effects and complications arising from the detox process. It is called medicated detox, which helps reduce the complexity associated with alcohol withdrawal.

Alcohol withdrawal refers to physical and mental problems that heavy drinkers experience after suddenly stopping or reducing alcohol intake. The problems can range from mild to severe and are called alcohol withdrawal symptoms. The problem arises because months and years of drinking makes the brain dependent on alcohol and a sudden halt to that practice is not acceptable to the brain.

Thus, when planning to stop drinking, it should be done under medical supervision so that experts can manage the symptoms and provide the required medication and support. Lack of help and support at this juncture could increase the chance of a relapse, forcing individuals to take to drinking again.

Here are few alcohol withdrawal symptoms to be taken care of.

• Shaky hands
• Anxiety
• Agitation
• Insomnia
• Nausea
• High blood pressure
• Palpitations
• Sweating

A good rehab program is the key to a successful and sustainable recovery from alcohol addiction. An ideal environment of a rehab center, and support from family and community, can contribute to achieving long-lasting sobriety and regaining normal life and good health. If not in a condition to travel, use the online search option – alcohol addiction rehab near me – to book a rehab center that would take all possible steps to manage your cravings and triggers, along with taking care of any underlying issues.