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alcohol rehab

How Do You Pick the Best Alcohol Rehab for You?

Alcoholism is a disease that impacts the lives of millions of individuals and families each year. Overcoming an addiction to alcohol is never easy, even if you are committed and motivated to live a life of sobriety. Choosing an alcohol rehab center or program that is right for you greatly depends on your needs, personality, and the severity of your addiction.

Not all alcohol rehab solutions are ideal for individuals who are struggling with addiction. While inpatient rehabilitation treatment programs are optimal for those who require a stable environment and the assistance of medical professionals, an outpatient program or support group may be better for those who wish to maintain their job and current living situation.

Types of Alcohol Rehab Programs and Facilities

Before choosing an alcohol rehabilitation program, it is important to consider the different types of solutions that are most common. Some of the most prominent types of alcohol rehab include:

Inpatient Rehabilitation Treatment Centers and Facilities (Short and Long-Term Solutions)

Intensive Outpatient Programs and Guidance

Outpatient Support Groups and Programs

Individual/Group Therapy Sessions

Not all rehabilitation solutions are ideal for anyone struggling with an addiction to alcohol. Consider the severity of your addiction and whether or not you are capable of abstaining from purchasing and consuming alcohol when left to your own devices. If you lack self-control when it comes to consuming alcohol, an inpatient rehabilitation program or an intensive outpatient solution is likely your best option. For individuals who have only just recently become dependent on using alcohol more frequently than just socially, outpatient programs and local support groups may be more suitable.

Determining the best alcohol rehab solution for you highly depends on the current severity of your addiction and whether or not you have struggled with extreme addictions throughout the entirety of your life. Most individuals who have struggled with consistent addictions are more prone to relapsing and giving into temptation when not monitored and guided using an inpatient rehab center or treatment facility.

Choosing an Inpatient Rehabilitation Center

Inpatient rehabilitation centers and treatment programs require individuals to complete 30, 60, or even 90 days of their program while living within the facility itself. Inpatient programs are ideal for those who have a serious health risk of quitting their addiction “cold turkey” and without medical guidance. Inpatient programs not only provide monitored detoxing, but also offer the assistance of both medical professionals and addiction counselors who specialize in alcoholism and treating it effectively.

Intensive Outpatient/Outpatient Programs

Intensive outpatient solutions and outpatient programs work for individuals who are currently employed or unable to move from their home or place of living. Intensive outpatient programs may require an individual to visit a medical facility for checkups while working together with both doctors and therapists who specialize in helping those with severe alcohol addictions.

Outpatient programs do not typically require individuals to live within a rehabilitation treatment center or facility. Instead, outpatient programs may require attendance to various meetings, checkups, and therapy sessions depending on the program you have selected and the type of assistance and support you are seeking.

Support Groups and Group Counseling

Attending local support meetings and sponsor groups is another way to obtain the necessary mental and emotional support required to overcome a serious addiction to alcohol. Obtaining a sponsor is one way to stick to your goals without giving into temptation and indulging in bad and detrimental habits. Support groups are optimal for those who have not yet developed a physical addiction to alcohol but want additional emotional and mental support to stop overindulging.

Support groups provide a safe space to communicate openly and honestly about the challenges and obstacles you face each day. Connect with others who steer clear from alcohol to prevent falling back into bad habits. Share your story while listening to the stories of others who have experienced similar situations.

Understanding the most common types of alcohol rehabs and treatment programs that are currently available is essential when you want to stop using alcohol altogether. With a complete understanding of various alcohol rehab solutions, select a treatment center or program that is right for you and the future lifestyle you envision for yourself.

Are you ready to make a positive change in your life while eliminating your addiction to alcohol? Our counselors are available 24 hours a day.

Will an Alcoholism Treatment Center Treat Other Addictions?

You’ve made the decision to get help for your addiction, but most of the centers that you’re considering seem to focus on treating alcoholics. Maybe you want to enter treatment as a couple, but you’re each addicted to different substances. There’s no need to worry. In almost every case, an alcoholism treatment center will treat other addictions.

How is Alcoholism Treatment Different From Drug Addiction Treatment?

Alcoholics and addicts share many things, but there are a few key differences that affect treatment for them.

Withdrawal from alcohol is more dangerous than withdrawal from other drugs.

Alcohol is more readily available and more socially acceptable than drugs. This can make alcohol harder to resist when people complete treatment.

Most addicts don’t engage in the “binge” behavior that some alcoholics do.

Will an Alcoholism Treatment Center Treat Other Addictions?

Any treatment center that specializes in substance abuse will treat both drug addiction and alcoholism. There are good reasons for this.

Some Addicts Use Both Drugs and Alcohol

Although some alcoholics and addicts prefer their favorite mind-altering substance, it’s also true that many of them will “cross over” if they can’t get access to their favorite.

The bottom line is that for a desperate addict, any substance will do. Chronic alcoholics and drug abusers have been known to use household chemicals and toiletry items to get their high. The pattern of addiction are the same.

There are also addicts who use alcohol to intensify the effect of their drugs, and vice versa. If you have difficulty with any type of substance abuse, you’re facing the same problems.

The Treatments for Addiction Rely on the Same Principles

Just as the patterns of addiction are similar, treatment of alcoholism and drug addiction are dependent on the same basic principles.

  • The addict or alcoholic must be committed to recovery and sobriety.
  • Individual therapy is a proven method for helping addicts overcome their addiction.
  • Peer support and family support are key to ongoing sobriety.
  • Addicts and alcoholics need to learn new ways of coping with daily stress and other triggers.

Alcoholics and Addicts Can Help Each Other

At a treatment or detox center, you’ll find other people who are going through the same thing that you are. While there may be differences in your substances of choice, you are all in this together.

Peer support is an important part of getting and staying sober. By talking with others, you’ll get ideas that you may not have thought of on your own. You’ll also be able to share insights from your own experience. That mutual help makes everyone stronger.

What You Should Look for in a Treatment Center

If you’ve made the decision to get help, the next big step is finding an inpatient or outpatient facility. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

At an inpatient center, you’ll be away from the temptations to drink or take drugs, but you’ll have to leave your family, job and other responsibilities. At an outpatient center, you’ll have more daily temptations to abuse substances, but you’ll also have your family nearby and keep your job.

A Proven Program

Whether you’re considering inpatient or outpatient treatment, you should look for a facility or rehab center that provides the following things that are proven to help with addiction:

  • Individualized treatment plans.
  • Therapy based on proven techniques.
  • Group therapy.
  • Family therapy.
  • Couples counseling if you are attending as a couple.
  • Relapse prevention training.
  • Attendance at peer support groups.
  • Follow-up care to help you maintain sobriety.

What About Withdrawal?

It’s natural to be concerned about the effects of withdrawal. You should ask if the center you’re considering provides safe, medically-supervised detox.

  • Medical detox means that you won’t have to suffer the pain, sickness and other symptoms of withdrawal.
  • Medical detox is especially important if you’re addicted to alcohol, because sudden withdrawal from alcohol can be dangerous.
  • It is harder to get sober if you still have alcohol or drugs in your system.
  • Medical detox is done in complete privacy.

Find a Treatment Center for Alcoholism and Drug Addiction

There are many choices out there when it comes to treatment centers for addiction. Our knowledgeable counselors can help you make the right one. If you’re ready to start a new and better life, call us anytime.

Who Can Seek Treatment at a Recovery Center?

While getting help for your addiction should be your number one priority, there are several things that you should be mindful, including finding the right treatment center for you. The programs offered at most facilities are co-gender; however, some drug rehab programs are gender-specific and will provide services that are exclusive to men or women. In addition, some facilities will go as far as limiting drug rehab services to teenagers only. In this article, we will detail some of the fundamental differences between these specific drug recovery programs and why some may be better than others.

WHY DO SOME DRUG REHABS LIMIT TREATMENTS TO MEN OR WOMEN?

Anyone who has undergone a drug addiction recovery can attest to how difficult such a process can be. An environment where men and women can indulge in flings or full-on relationship may very well complicate matters and even detract from the primary objective, overcoming drug addiction. Of course, this is not to suggest that a co-gender environment is inherently bad as many patients have successfully overcome their addiction while in a co-gender facility. Nonetheless, we should keep in mind that any form of distraction while undergoing treatment could impede one’s ability to remain drug-free. So what are the differences between treatments offered at men-only facilities versus women-only facilities? Well, some of the most notable differences include

TREATMENTS EXCLUSIVE TO MEN

Male patients have the freedom to communicate and express thoughts without being distracted by women.

Most male exclusive facilities will place a strong emphasis on physical fitness as part of the recovery efforts.

Male-oriented facilities tend to spend more time assessing the psychological component of a patient’s addiction.

TREATMENTS EXCLUSIVE TO WOMEN

Similar to male-oriented facilities, female-oriented facilities provide an environment where women are free to speak on a variety of topics without being distracted by men.

Many women-only drug treatment facilities will offer childcare.

Female-oriented facilities will often place a strong emphasis on creating a comforting and nurturing environment.

Female-oriented facilities will often include treatments that address problems that are generally exclusive to women including eating domestic abuse and post-partum depression, for example.

Having detailed some of the unique treatments offered to men and women. It is important to reiterate that these treatments are intended to complement traditional services and programs aimed at helping patients overcome addiction.

TREATMENTS EXCLUSIVE TEENAGERS

Studies have shown that treating teens with drug addiction is vastly different than treating adults. As such, most teenager-exclusive facilities have adopted treatment protocols that reward teens based on how well they are progressing through each phase of the recovery process. Counseling, especially cognitive behavioral therapy, is also an integral part of treating teenagers. That said, most of these facilities will emphasize the importance of the patient-therapist relationship as it will invariably dictate how successful teenagers are in overcoming their addiction.

So why is therapy such an integral part of most teenager-based drug recovery programs? Well, young adults are still relatively impressionable, which means that the lessons learned while in treatment are more likely to extend into adulthood. As such, teens are not as likely to relapse after completing recovery and, more importantly, they are less likely to relapse once they have become adults.

While we are the topic of therapy, it should also be noted that motivational interviewing is also a critical part of the recovery process for teenagers. If you are not familiar with motivational interviewing, it is an evaluation process that is conducted by a therapist and used to identify the cause of a patient’s drug addiction. Also, it helps in keeping teens motivate to not only continue therapy but also to succeed.

WHO CAN SEEK TREATMENT AT A RECOVERY CENTER?

If you believe you have a problem with drugs or alcohol, you’re encouraged to seek treatment as soon as possible. In saying that, some facilities may be a better choice than others when it comes to auxiliary services like those aimed at men, women, and teenagers. Nonetheless, your goal should be to choose a facility that ensures your success as you work towards freeing yourself of your addiction. Lastly, it is always a good idea to visit some prospective facilities to get a real feel for the environment, staff, and the programs that they offer. Regardless of which facility you ultimately choose, you should take pride in knowing that you’re one step closer to sobriety.

Is Drug and Alcohol Rehab Really Better than Quitting Cold Turkey?

Admitting to yourself that you have a drug or alcohol problem is the first step toward liberation from a dangerous and unhealthy lifestyle. If you are like most people afflicted with a substance abuse disorder, you probably went through some tough times that led you to this conclusion. Now that you realize that you have this problem, you are probably wondering what the next step is to arrest your addiction for good. Perhaps you have heard about drug and alcohol rehabs and are questioning if they are necessary or whether you can stop cold turkey by yourself without any assistance.

Usually, when you reach the point where you recognize the severity of your problem with drugs and alcohol, your situation has become untenable. Recovery from substance abuse is a significant undertaking, and you should leverage all available options towards a successful outcome. While some addicts and alcoholics can stop cold turkey, they are the exception, and most require some help professionally to recover from addiction.

Below are some reasons why utilizing the services of a drug and alcohol rehab is a better idea than quitting cold turkey by yourself.

Rehabs Manage Your Withdrawal Symptoms.

Depending on your drug of choice, you could experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms that make quitting extremely difficult by yourself. Often, when a chemically dependent person begins to encounter the effects of withdrawal, they feel so horrible physically and mentally that they are compelled to use again. Also, abruptly quitting some substances can be life-threatening. Immediate cessation of alcohol or benzodiazepines, for example, can result in grand mal seizures, even after days of sobriety.

Conversely, drug and alcohol rehabs specialize in addressing withdrawal symptoms medically, so that the patient is safe and does not go through the horrible discomfort that they would when quitting cold turkey. Doctors in treatment facilities prescribe medications for a detoxification protocol, and these meds differ according to your drug of choice. Nurses monitor your vital signs on a regular schedule and adjust medications accordingly with the oversight of the physician. The goal is to prepare you physically and mentally for the remainder of your treatment.

Rehabs Teach the Skills to Stay Sober for the Rest of Your Life.

If recovery from drugs and alcohol were easy, then every addict and alcoholic would be sober. Just like any other job that you are unfamiliar with, there are instructions to follow for a favorable result. In a drug and alcohol rehab, you will learn life skills that will help you to stay sober from trained professionals that specialize in addiction. If you were to try and stop using by yourself, you would not receive any instructions on how to stay sober, and, at this point, you probably realize that your ideas in this regard have proved futile.

Rehab also gives you the opportunity to interact with other addicts and alcoholics that are in the same position. There is a comfort in spending time with others that understand what you are going through and can relate to your struggle. Sharing your experience with others and listening to theirs is particularly therapeutic and lightens the load of your concerns. Trying to quit cold turkey is frightening because no one can empathize with your position. Addiction is a disease of loneliness, so trying to tackle it by yourself does not make sense.

Rehabs Give You the Time that You Need for Your Brain and Body to Heal.

Substance abuse wreaks havoc on the organs of your body, and your brain. Neurotransmitters, synapses, and other components of cerebral functionality are all adversely affected by addiction. Your liver, kidneys, heart, and lungs might also have issues to address. Drug and alcohol rehabs specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of addiction-related illness. Anxiety and depression are common conditions reported by recovering addicts, and staff mental health professionals can treat the symptoms. Ailments, such as liver disease, are subject to monitoring and medical care.

Also, the time spent in a drug and alcohol rehab is a critical reprieve from the stresses and agitations of your everyday life, many of which contribute to your addictive behavior. This time of healing is vital for the personal reflection and soul-searching that is so essential at this juncture of your life. Trying to manage your stressful daily affairs is exceptionally challenging, to begin with, let alone while you are trying to get sober. You need to take a break and allow people to help you because trying to manage your life under these circumstances is not working.

Now, it is not impossible to quit drugs and alcohol cold turkey, and people have done it before. The problem with this approach is that the odds are stacked heavily against you. Will power alone does not work against chemical dependency, and thousands of addicts have found this out the hard way. We can help you to win the battle with your addiction.