Alcoholism Treatments: Alcohol Detox & Rehab

It’s not easy to live with alcohol use disorder. But a lot of people deny that they have a problem in the first place, which keeps them from getting the help that they need. Sometimes, it can be hard to tell whether a person is just drinking socially or abusing alcohol. Drinking is so deeply ingrained into our culture that it’s hard to recognize the problem.

It’s important to look for the signs of alcoholism. Drinking in the middle of the day, drinking alone, and trying to hide your drinking habits are a few of the indicators of an alcohol use disorder. Addicted individuals will also lie about their drinking habits.

Alcohol addiction is characterized by the compulsive habit of drinking even when the person is already struggling from its adverse effects. They will lose interest in things they used to enjoy and will start prioritizing alcohol over everything else. They may even neglect their responsibilities and relationships.

A person who is addicted to alcohol will spend a lot of time thinking about or trying to obtain alcohol. Oftentimes, their loved ones will suffer in the process.

Addiction treatment for alcohol is all about addressing the negative effects of alcohol on the body as well as addressing the root cause of abusive behavior. Alcoholism is a complex medical condition—which is why professional help is necessary.

Addicted individuals should not try to quit on their own, especially those who have been drinking for a long time because it may be dangerous for them. Instead, look for a primary care doctor who can recommend a proper treatment program. They can be an excellent source of referrals.

A primary care physician can also evaluate a patient’s health, craft a personalized treatment plan, and assess if medications are appropriate for their condition.

For those who want to go into alcohol rehab, there are two main options: inpatient treatment and outpatient treatment.

Inpatient treatment is also known as residential treatment and involves staying in a treatment facility for the duration of the program. When people think about rehab, this is what they usually imagine.

But you don’t necessarily have to stay in a rehab facility if your condition is mild or moderate. Outpatient treatment allows the patient to stay at home in between treatment sessions. However, they are required to visit the treatment facility regularly. Outpatient treatment is less structured, but it allows patients to keep up with their responsibilities. They can attend school, go to work, or take care of their children.

Inpatient treatment is highly structured and organized. In the morning, patients are served a healthy breakfast and then attend meetings or morning classes. Afterwards they go through a series of therapy sessions and activities, with more meals served throughout the day. Patients may be given medication depending on their condition. They then sleep in their own living quarters: they may either sleep alone or be assigned a roommate.

Loved ones are allowed to visit regularly. As for phone usage, facilities may have different rules about that.

With outpatient treatment, patients go through the same process, but meals are not served and they get to go home after a treatment session. This can work well for people with a healthy environment and those who can get support from their family members.

Inpatient and outpatient treatment both have their advantages and disadvantages, and it ultimately depends on the patient’s condition.

Because addiction affects people in different ways, the treatment process can be tweaked according to an individual’s needs and progress. Remember, there is no single formula for the treatment of alcoholism. A personalized approach is always best.

With that in mind, there are certain factors that can influence the alcohol addiction treatment process. For example, the frequency of intake, the amount of alcohol taken, and the presence of co-occurring health conditions can influence a person’s treatment plan. The same goes for other factors such as age, gender, medical history, history of alcohol abuse, severity of addiction, and genetic makeup.

The process becomes more complex if the person also abused other substances like drugs at the same time. Alcohol, when mixed with certain drugs, can cause life-threatening effects.

The entire detox process may take anywhere from a few days to several months. That’s how long it takes to clear the body of alcohol and manage all of the withdrawal symptoms. It may take a while for the body to readjust to being alcohol-free, especially if the person has been drinking for a long time.

Withdrawal is normal, but it is still an unpleasant experience. That’s why you need medical professionals to look after you as you go through detox.

It is also important to take note that detox is only one half of the equation. It does not address the psychological effects of alcoholism. That’s what behavioral therapy is for. Recovering from an addiction is a long journey—but it is worth it in the end.

Aside from inpatient and outpatient programs, there are other types of treatment for alcoholism that you should know about. When choosing a program, pick the one that will give you the highest chance of long-term success.

Treatment programs may vary in terms of duration. For example, there are alcohol rehab programs that last for only 30 days, while there are others that go on for 60 days, 90 days, or even longer. Some addiction experts say that 30-day programs aren’t long enough to be effective. However, there have been plenty of success stories that involved 30-day alcohol rehab programs. So again, this depends on the patient’s specific situation.

That said, most people need at least three months in treatment to get sober.

When it comes to different treatment types, one of the most popular ways of getting through alcoholism is with the help of support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous.

Because most people don’t get themselves treated for their alcohol use disorder, there’s a misconception that support groups are the only option out there. Today there are more choices than you might expect. So while support groups play a major role in helping certain individuals, it is not the only way to deal with alcoholism.

Behavioral treatments, medications, support groups, and alternative types of treatment can help a person make progress towards sobriety.

Behavioral treatments are designed to tackle drinking behavior and other self-destructive habits. They are typically led by health professionals and counselors.

Medications help make the treatment process more comfortable for an addicted individual. Whether it’s to reduce the effects of withdrawal or limit a person’s cravings, medications can make alcohol detox safer. Some of the medications used in alcohol addiction treatment are addictive themselves—that’s why they are only prescribed and taken in medical settings.

Finally, support groups and 12-step programs provide peer support for people who are struggling to cut back on their drinking. Receiving support from people who know exactly what you’re going through can be very powerful. It brings in a sense of community and belongingness, which gives the patient confidence. It can motivate them to keep going even when it’s difficult.

Alcoholics Anonymous or AA is a support group that helps people recover from alcohol dependence. The group is often called a “sober support” network. AA lets people attend group meetings and go through a 12-step program that helps them achieve and maintain sobriety. Due to the anonymous nature of mutual-support groups, it is difficult for researchers to determine their success rates compared with those led by health professionals.

There are plenty of other support groups for alcoholics out there, and all you need to do is reach out to them for help.

Aside from the usual therapy sessions, there are facilities that offer alternative forms of therapy. This includes music therapy, dance therapy, art therapy, hypnotherapy, yoga, medication, acupuncture, exercise programs, and equine therapy.

Some of these may sound unorthodox, but they can help individuals who are responsive to these types of treatment. These alternative forms of therapy may even surprise you by how well they work.

These treatments work best when used in conjunction with traditional treatments like detox and behavioral therapy. Different facilities offer different programs. During your search for a rehab facility, make sure you ask them about the therapies they offer.

These therapies can improve a patient’s quality of life and teach them other ways to cope with their cravings. It can even teach them productive ways to channel their energy, so they can adjust to the alcohol-free lifestyle faster.

One controversial form of treatment is called aversion therapy or aversive conditioning. This type of therapy is used to help people give up their unhealthy behavior by having them associate alcohol with unpleasant stimuli.

This therapy is based off the theory of classical conditioning, wherein behavior is unconsciously learned because of particular stimuli. The idea behind aversion therapy is that if a person can associate alcohol with something negative, they won’t keep abusing it. Aversion therapy will use different negative stimuli such as negative imagery, shame, an unpleasant smell, or even an electric shock.

But this type of therapy is controversial because the negative stimuli used are comparable to punishment, which is considered unethical. The research is also mixed on whether or not it is actually effective. Outside of therapy, relapse can occur, which suggests that the effects of aversion therapy do not last long. Other therapies are preferred.

One example of a type of treatment for alcoholism that actually works is family therapy. This is useful if the patient has a strong support system, but it can also address family matters that prevent the patient from getting sober. The therapy involves helping family members improve their communication and resolve their conflicts. Family conflict is a common cause of alcohol abuse because some people try to cope by drinking.

Family therapy is provided by a trained psychologist and is offered in a lot of rehab facilities. It can also be facilitated by a social worker or licensed therapist. Family therapy may include all family members, but if that’s not possible, it can involve just those who are willing to participate. The therapy process will be based on the family’s particular issues.

There are many different treatment therapies and programs out there, but to keep it simple, let’s look at the steps on how to treat alcoholism.

The first step is to admit that you have a problem and to decide that you are going to seek help. After that, you can choose a good rehab facility, ask for your doctor’s recommendation, and find a program that’s good for you.

There’s a stage called intake wherein the patient undergoes a series of tests and interviews that are designed to flesh out their medical and psychiatric histories. This is a comprehensive view of their condition. It helps create a personalized treatment plan for the patient.

After entering the appropriate treatment program, you will then go through medical detox. Detox can be considered a “preparatory step” before an intensive treatment program. Detox can be done safely in both inpatient and outpatient settings. However, round-the-clock monitoring is recommended for most people.

During detox, the patient will go through withdrawal, but their symptoms will be managed by medical professionals who can also administer medications when necessary.

During, or sometimes after, detox, the patient will also go through therapy and counseling. This is a crucial step that addresses their alcohol abuse. At a certain point, the patient’s condition will begin to stabilize.

After the rehab program comes aftercare. This is a normal part of the rehab experience and it is all about helping the patient avoid relapse by providing continued support. Most alcohol rehab facilities offer their own aftercare services and sober living facilities. But if it’s not available, they may recommend an aftercare facility nearby.

Cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT is a type of treatment that can help with a wide range of mental health problems. This includes anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and alcohol use disorder. CBT has been shown to improve a patient’s functioning and quality of life.

CBT is different from other forms of therapy because of its core principles. According to CBT, psychological problems are partly based on unhelpful ways of thinking. It means that these thoughts lead to unhelpful behavior—which is what CBT helps to unlearn.

CBT is all about teaching people better ways to cope with problems, particularly by coming up with better ways to cope with difficult situations. Going through CBT means patients have to challenge their own way of thinking: to face their fears instead of running away from them.

Cognitive behavioral therapy may teach patients problem solving skills that can help them once they step outside of rehab. This will essentially allow them to become their own therapist. Recovering individuals need to become self-reliant so they can stay sober even after rehab.