Identifying the Best Option for Alcohol Treatment

When faced with an addiction to alcohol, professional treatment is undoubtedly the best course of action. However, trying to determine the best option for treatment can be difficult. Prospective patients struggling with alcohol addiction, as well as their loved ones who want to help, should look at some of the following key factors when identifying the best option for alcohol treatment:

Treatment for Alcohol

Perhaps the first step in identifying the best course of action for the treatment of an alcohol addiction is to confirm that a facility or program deals with alcoholism. Many rehab, detox and recovery centers focus exclusively on drug addiction, so it’s important not to assume that they can also treat alcohol addictions. Treating alcohol addiction, particularly in the detox phase, can be very different from treating a drug addiction. While many facilities can successfully treat both conditions, it’s vital to check this before getting admitted to a program.

24/7 Medical Supervision

Withdrawing and then recovering from an alcohol addiction is challenging, but it can also bring about a number of health concerns for patients. Therefore, it’s crucial that any option for alcohol addiction treatment is staffed with medical professionals who are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

There are a number of reasons that patients in treatment may need 24/7 medical attention. During detox, things like dehydration or depression are common. It’s even possible to suffer from DT, or delirium tremens, and experience confusion, hallucinations or seizures. Medical professionals will recognize these conditions immediately and understand how to respond, whether that is with treatment on the premises or with emergency care in a nearby hospital.

Accreditation and Reputation

Not all treatment centers for alcohol addiction are of the same quality. Some may be brand new and still working on the development of their treatment plans, and others might have decades of successful experience treating patients. Some treatment programs might heavily emphasize spiritual development, and others may allow patients to choose their own approach to religion in recovery.

One important difference to note is that not all rehab facilities are accredited or recognized by major medical governing bodies. To secure the best possible care for yourself or for a loved one, individuals should look for the stamp of approval from the Joint Commission. This guarantees that the program follows industry protocol, meets certain levels of quality and is monitored to ensure things like safety and hygiene for patients.

Suitable Treatment Programs

There are multiple levels of care available for those seeking treatment for an alcohol addiction. There’s no perfect program that suits all individuals, so it’s up to each prospective patient to determine what kind of recovery program will best suit their needs. Then, patients should confirm that the facility they are considering offers their ideal program.

The first option is a detox program, where patients begin the withdrawal process from alcohol. This typically lasts for fewer than 10 days, and it can happen in a dedicated detox facility or a rehab facility that offers both detox and rehabilitation treatment. Some patients may require detox as the first step, but others may have already completed this withdrawal process and are ready for the next step on the journey to recovery.

Inpatient rehab is also known as residential care. As the name implies, these programs offer accommodation to patients as well as around-the-clock support and treatment. Patients will be in a controlled environment, which can deliver greater accountability.

The alternative to inpatient care is outpatient rehab. These programs offer daily treatment times and may be very similar to the typical schedule of an outpatient program. However, there is more flexibility and independence for patients. For example, some patients care for their children in the evenings, sleep at home or even attend work and school while fitting treatment into their schedules.

Availability or Acknowledgement of After Care Service

When searching for the best options for alcohol addiction treatment, aftercare services are often overlooked. Although what happens during the rehab or recovery programs is certainly integral to sobriety, maintaining sobriety for years to come is an ongoing process. Therefore, patients should be given the tools and resources needed to continue their journey.

Many rehab facilities will offer some form of aftercare for patients. This could be the provision of transitional living facilities, such as sober living communities. It might also be the option of an ongoing relationship with a rehab therapist or the chance to connect with other alumni who live locally and still attend group meetings. All of these options provide support and acknowledge the need for ongoing care when dealing with an alcohol addiction.

Emphasis on Evidence-Based Treatment Methods

Treating an addiction to alcohol is a multi-faceted approach, and there are many different types of therapy and treatment that might be used. However, the best facilities should absolutely place an emphasis on evidence-based treatment. This form of treatment has been tested and studied at length and isn’t based on anecdotal evidence.

However, that doesn’t mean that alternative methods aren’t welcomed in addition to treatment-based approaches such as behavioral therapy and pharmacological therapy. Some holistic therapies like equine therapy, art therapy or music therapy can be extremely helpful tools for relieving stress and embracing sobriety.

Clear Insurance Acceptance or Payment Protocol

For many prospective patients and their families, cost is an important factor in choosing a center for alcohol treatment. Thankfully, many reputable and accredited facilities accept health insurance. However, it’s important to confirm that a facility accepts specific types of health insurance, which can easily be checked online or over the phone with rehab staff. In cases where patients don’t have medical insurance, facilities should be able to define price points and payment plans to help patients get the right help for recovery.

There are many factors to consider when identifying the best option for alcohol addiction treatment. Things like cost, after care services, treatment methods and program type can all play a role in determining whether a facility is right for prospective patients.