Identifying the Problem

The very first thing to be done when trying to overcome addiction is identifying and acknowledging the illness. Often, individuals who drink too much or too often have a difficult time translating that to alcoholism. However, personally admitting to that addiction is integral to comprehensive and successful recovery.

It may help to look at the signs and symptoms of an alcohol addiction. In doing so, it becomes impossible to ignore the reality of the situation. Alcoholism can manifest itself as the inability to stop drinking, an increased tolerance for alcohol or negative consequences that stem from excessive alcohol consumption. Individuals struggling with an addiction to alcohol may have obsessive thoughts about drinking, or they might face legal, financial and career problems as a result.

Individuals should also be ready to understand and acknowledge what addiction truly is. Addiction to alcohol is not a choice, a decision or a character flaw. It is an illness, and it must be treated and diagnosed like any other.

Exploring the Need for Professional Assistance

Alcohol and drug addiction recovery is not something that can be done solo. It requires professional assistance, including things like trained therapists, medical professionals and staff who can offer 24/7 accountability as well as support.

There are many steps of recovery from addiction that require medical attention. To start, it is common for alcoholism to create physical health problems, and those need to be addressed as quickly as possible for maximum healing. In addition, everything from detox to rehab may include a need for physical monitoring and medical attention.

Imagine, for a moment, that individuals are trying to recover from alcoholism alone. They may be severely dehydrated and in pain, but they won’t have the resources or medical support available. In a professional facility, however, staff will be ready around the clock to care for these needs and ensure that patients are as healthy as possible throughout the process.

Completing an Alcohol Detox

Committing to an addiction treatment program often means starting out with a detox from alcohol. This integral step of the recovery process involves the cessation of all alcohol consumption. It can create some withdrawal symptoms, but it will have the intended effect of freeing the body, the brain and the nervous system from a chemical dependence on a foreign, addictive substance like alcohol.

Typically, a detox from alcohol will last under 10 days. It should be mentioned, however, that the exact duration of a detox can depend heavily on things like the health and average alcohol intake of patients. Withdrawal symptoms can begin within hours of the start of the detox, but they tend to peak around 72 hours into the process. Thankfully, that peak marks the beginning of a gradual decline of symptom intensity.

Many prospective patients are concerned about the prospect of withdrawal and any unpleasant symptoms it may bring. While it is true that these symptoms can be uncomfortable, it is worth noting that professional detox centers can mitigate any pain or discomfort. Medications and hydration methods can cut down on pain while still helping patients break their physical reliance on alcohol.

Treatment Methods Used to Recover From Addiction

After a detox from alcohol is complete, patients can begin treatment to ensure that sobriety is maintained for life. Some of the many treatment methods that can be used in recovery are group therapy, dual diagnosis treatment, behavioral therapy and experiential therapy.

Behavioral therapy is also known as talk therapy, and it can include things like cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy. The objective of these types of  therapy is to help patients boost their self confidence and change their destructive patterns of behavior. It may also look to the past to deal with underlying issues like a history of trauma.

Group counseling, or group therapy, is a wonderful way for patients to communicate freely with their peers. It allows participants to share their experiences and learn from others who are going through a similar experience. It allows them to express themselves in a way that might not be possible otherwise, and it can help teach how to interact socially when sober.

Dual diagnosis treatment is treating mental health disorders at the same time as treating addiction. This is an increasingly popular and necessary approach, because there are staggering numbers of patients dealing with both issues simultaneously.

Experiential therapies are less evidence-based, but they can supplement recovery. Things like fitness and equine therapy have the potential to improve the health and happiness of patients, both of which can go a long way in preventing a future relapse.

Ongoing Support for Continuing Sobriety

Recovery from an alcohol addiction doesn’t end the day that patients leave rehab or treatment programs. To maintain sobriety, ongoing support and care is required.

To start, those struggling with alcoholism need to acknowledge that moderation can’t ever be a realistic approach. Complete abstinence from alcohol is necessary to prevent relapse moving forward.

In addition, many individuals can benefit from ongoing therapy. This could be one-on-one behavioral therapy, but it can also be ongoing group therapy. Programs like local 12-step meetings, for example, may have their place in continuing care for alcoholism recovery. Alumni groups for rehab patients can also be a great means of staying in touch and providing ongoing accountability in the years to come.

Finally, ongoing support can come through extended programs. Things like outpatient care or sober living, for example, may serve as transitional phases between residential care and a completely independent lifestyle.

Recovering from an alcohol addiction is no easy feat, and it may require commitment and support for a lifetime. However, that effort is well worth the health, happiness and sobriety on the other side.

Alcohol Detox

The first step in treating an alcohol addiction is typically a detox. This is a medically supervised program where patients cease all alcohol consumption. Generally, patients will experience withdrawal symptoms that range from mildly unpleasant to painful.

A detox can come in many forms, but the duration tends to be between seven and nine days for the average patient. Treatment facilities can opt to go natural for a detox, which means there are little to no pharmacological remedies offered, or they can opt for more prescribed medications and even sedatives to minimize discomfort. After the detox is complete, patients will be ready to explore their next options on the road to recovery, which will include a rehab program.

Short-Term Residential Rehab

Residential rehab, also known as inpatient rehab, is a 24/7 treatment option that includes virtually everything that a patient will need for the duration of the program. This will include accommodation in a sober environment where alcohol isn’t permitted, and it also includes meals, therapies and various treatment methods.

Although the exact duration of residential rehab can vary, short-term programs are the most common. These programs tend, on average, to last 30 days. This gives patients a foundation upon which they can create healthy habits and routines on their journey to recovery.

There are a number of different therapies and treatment methods that can be administered during a short-term residential rehab program. Individual counseling is often the bedrock of the curriculum, and it involves a one-on-one meeting between a patient struggling with addiction and a counselor, therapist or psychologist. Group therapy may also be included as a way to share experiences with others, learn from past mistakes and generally feel less isolated in the environment.

Long-Term Residential Rehab

In many ways, the format of a long-term residential rehab program will be the same as a short-term program. There will still be structure and accountability around the clock, and patients will still have all or most of their needs met right on the premises. However, long-term programs tend to last for six months or longer.

Long-term residential rehab programs can be beneficial for patients who struggle with a more severe alcohol addiction. They might also be recommended for people who have been through rehab several times in the past but need to make a serious time commitment to reshape habits, routines and perspective. Living in a controlled environment for an extended period of time can help to re-frame people’s worldviews, helping them to create coping strategies without the temptation of alcohol anywhere in the vicinity.

Partial Hospitalization Programs

Patients who have a stable living situation, and the support of family or roommates, may do well in a partial hospitalization program. This type of program allows for daily treatment in a facility that offers therapy as well as medical monitoring. There’s a daily accountability at play in this type of treatment, mandating that all participants retain their sobriety throughout the process. However, patients are free to go home each night after their 4–8 hours of curriculum is complete.

Partial hospitalization programs can be ideal for patients who need medical attention and a daily routine for structure. It’s also suited to those with families who don’t want to leave their spouse, their children or their parents for weeks or even months at a time.

Outpatient or Intensive Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment programs for alcohol addiction are the primary alternative to residential programs. There’s no accommodation provided for patients in outpatient programs, so they spend each night independently in their own residence. During treatment, however, patients will participate in group counseling, individual therapy sessions and other treatment methods designed to help with their recovery.

The main difference between outpatient treatment and intensive outpatient treatment is the time commitment. Intensive outpatient treatment is the bigger commitment, often requiring patients to come in three or four days a week for several hours each time. Outpatient treatment, on the other hand, may only take place once or twice a week, and possibly in the evenings. Outpatient and intensive outpatient treatment may be best for those who need to take care of family during the day, attend school or maintain their careers while seeking sobriety.

Sober Living Facilities

Another option for alcohol addiction is sober living. When patients reside in sober living facilities, they are in a type of transition period between residential rehab and independent living. The environment is alcohol free, and residents are surrounded by other like-minded individuals with the goal of sobriety. Sober living facilities seek to eliminate temptations, and increase accountability, which makes it easier to stay on the right path and work toward a lifetime of sobriety.

Sober Companionship

An infrequent means of alcohol addiction treatment, but certainly an effective one, is sober companionship. This is the opportunity to have a sober counselor, or someone trained in addiction treatment and alcoholism, spend most or all of the day by your side or on call. This individual is someone that patients can talk to when they’re struggling with temptation to avoid falling into a relapse. Sober companionship can work best for those individuals who want to return to their careers quickly, but who don’t want to fall into old habits.

Alcohol addiction simply isn’t a condition that can be treated solo. Since there are so many different types of programs available, individuals struggling with an alcohol addiction can easily find a program or treatment method that fits their needs and their schedule.