What to Expect in Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Alcohol addiction treatment helps thousands of alcoholics across the United States make lasting recoveries each year. Although many laypeople still believe alcoholism to be a matter of willpower rather than a disease, it is a neurological condition which requires clinical alcohol addiction treatment. Like other addictions, alcoholism causes permanent changes to sufferers’ brain chemistries and makes them dependent on alcohol for daily activities.

Despite the widespread success of rehab, many people still don’t understand what goes on at treatment clinics. Since alcohol use is so prevalent in American society, communities across the country need to gain a better understanding of the ways rehab specialists treat alcoholism. Here are few of the most important aspects of alcohol addiction treatment.

Detoxification

Most people associate detox with heroin, meth, and other narcotics, but it is an essential step in addiction recovery for anyone who is physically dependent on a substance. By depriving addicts of drugs for one to two weeks, rehab clinicians are able to remove their immediate physical dependencies. Detox doesn’t cure alcoholism – nothing does. However, it does allow alcoholics to manage their cravings enough to productively engage their therapies.

Inpatient, Partial Hospitalization, and Outpatient Programs

These are the three most common treatment plans in rehab clinics, and each one is suited for a specific set of life circumstances. For alcoholics who are seeking help for the first time, inpatient programs are typically the best choice. They require patients to live at their treatment facilities for thirty to ninety days, during which they receive fifty or more hours of intensive therapies per week.

On the other hand, outpatient and partial hospitalization plans involve only a few hours of therapy per day, though the latter sometimes requires full days of treatment. Outpatients are free to spend the rest of their time as they see fit, while partial hospitalization patients must spend their evenings under the supervision of clinic staff. In both cases, patients receive the same evidence-based therapies as people attending inpatient programs.

Personal Discoveries

The main component of alcoholism therapy is one-on-one counseling with an addiction specialist. Alcoholics work to discover the root causes of their addictions – why they started drinking, why they abused alcohol, and how they develop their physical dependencies. They also gain a better understanding of the people, places, and things which trigger their addictions.

Coping Strategies

Since alcoholics will experience at least occasional cravings for the rests of their lives, they must learn to cope with tempting situations. Using what they learn in their counseling sessions, rehab patients develop personalized strategies for dealing with the stressful situations that most often drive them to drink. These strategies are crucial for long-lasting sobriety.

Avoidance Techniques

Alcoholics also learn ways they can avoid cravings altogether. The best way of doing this is to simply avoid their addiction triggers. Avoiding bars, clubs, and other places where alcohol abuse is encouraged is a simple first step. Patients can also practice relaxation techniques which allow them to stay calm in difficult situations and avoid stress-related cravings altogether.

These are a just a few of the proven ways in which alcoholics make progress towards sobriety at rehab facilities. If you or a loved one is currently struggling with alcoholism or any other addiction, click the links below to find a rehab center near you. Alcohol addiction treatment can help take back control of your life.

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