There are over 10,000 different rehab centers for alcohol and other addictive substances in the US. Many of these alcohol rehabs claim to use different forms of treatment. In reality however, a vast majority of these centers have based their treatment programs on the 12 step recovery philosophy. The differences in the programs may be a slight variation in some of the steps such as the types of medication used, the length of time given to each step, or the approach in therapy.
It is therefore important to understand the basic treatments available in alcohol rehabs. These are the treatments that will help you decide which center or program is best for you. Other features such as the approach used in the center ought to be considered as well.
If you or your loved one is not heavily addicted to alcohol and would like to continue with their daily lives while seeking assistance, you should consider outpatient treatment. This is similar to a part-time program. The patient will only attend counseling sessions that may be one-on-one or group counseling for up to four hours. They then return home. The frequency of the sessions and their length will depend on the approach of the center. Some centers will prefer more intensive treatment that may run every day including the weekends. Others may simply require you to attend the sessions for a few days in the week.
A short term Detox program is common in most alcohol rehabs. This involves the hospitalization of the patient for up to 10 days. The program is meant to help in clearing all traces of alcohol from the patient’s system and therefore set them on the road to recovery. This period is very difficult for the patient and is therefore best done under the supervision of medical professionals. It is characterized by severe withdrawal symptoms. This is ideal for those who have a stronger addiction to alcohol or have been abusing it for longer.
In some severe cases, the patient will require long term hospitalization or residential treatment. This is ideal for those who are heavily dependent on alcohol. They are treated under the close supervision of medical professionals and are kept in controlled environments of the alcohol rehabs. They are therefore better able to overcome their addiction as the triggers of the addiction have been removed.
Residential treatment may last for several days, months, or years depending on the severity of the case.
However, the medical professionals are able to get to the root of the problem and assist the patient to overcome their addiction. The professionals will also assist them in developing solutions for long term sobriety when they are finally allowed to return to normal life.
