Treatment for Alcohol Problems: Finding and Getting Help

Realizing that your alcohol use has spiraled out of control is an important first step to healing. But if you have tried to quit on your own before, you know it’s easier said than done.

As an alcoholic, stopping alcohol abruptly can cause powerful cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Both of which can raise your risk of relapse and put you in harm’s way.

Getting treatment for alcohol addiction not only makes recovery possible, but it means that you don’t have to go it alone. If you are interested in getting help to quit alcohol and other drugs, read on to discover the benefits of addiction treatment and where to get help to quit.

Treatment For Alcohol Problems

Alcohol programs come in many forms: drug detox, AA meetings, residential inpatient care and more. While the amount of addiction treatment options can seem dizzying, it is helpful to know that most programs exist to provide critical support during a specific period in recovery. The use of programs as steppingstones (or levels) to increase treatment efficacy is called, the continuum of care.

Structuring alcohol recovery in this way makes it possible for clients to gain experience, develop support networks, and build the confidence necessary to transition to independent sober living.

Read on to learn more about the different kinds of programs for alcohol and substance abuse.

Detox

Before an individual can formally begin the rehab process, they must first detox or cleanse their body of alcohol and harmful drugs. While in an inpatient detox treatment, clients are given a bed, around the clock medical supervision, medication assisted treatment, and a secure facility in which to get clean.

Severe alcohol addiction demands a quality detox program that relies on experienced medical staff and the use of evidence-based practices. Anything less and the withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting alcohol can cause psychological distress, physical discomfort, and even death. For this reason, it attempting to detox without medical supervision is highly discouraged.

A typical detox program lasts 2-7 days but can be extended due to complications like seizures, hallucinations, or delirium tremens (DT).¹ Delirium tremens is the most severe form of alcohol withdrawal and requires medical intervention to protect the life of the patient. Symptoms of DT can occur as early as 2 days after abruptly stopping alcohol and can result in extreme agitation, seizures, cardiovascular problems, hyperactivity, and more.^2,3

Inpatient Rehab

Once detox has been completed, the pathway to recovery for those with alcohol use disorder (AUD) or alcohol addiction becomes healing the wounds of abuse and restoring self-confidence and self-control.

Inpatient patient rehab treatment programs are typically held in residential rehab centers where a person lives in housing owned by the facility with other peers. Depending on the program, clients may receive group and individual counseling, educational workshops, guest speakers, art therapy and assistance with social support and employment opportunities.⁴

These residential programs can be either short or long terms lasting anywhere from 3-6 weeks or 1-6 months.⁴ To continue treatment, clients are expected to stay on the premises and cannot leave unless it is part of their treatment. But don’t let that worry you, alcohol rehab centers provide all the amenities that you would need like games, a place to exercise or play sports, and television. Other items like clothes and toiletries you will need to pack yourself.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment programs are for those who have completed detox and inpatient rehab and are stable enough to continue addiction treatment while living at home.

There are a few levels of outpatient care. Ranking from the most to the least intensive, they are partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), and standard outpatient programs.

Outpatient programs, especially IOP’s, are tailored to the client’s needs. This may include changes in treatment focus or an increase (or decrease) in the frequency of care.

While less intensive outpatient programs only meet for a couple of hours a week, individuals in IOP’s could spend 6-30 hours a week in treatment.⁵

Get Help to Quit Alcohol Addiction

People arrive in substance abuse treatment for several reasons, some begin rehab at the behest of family, friends, or for personal reasons. Others have committed a crime and are required by law to go.

If you or a loved one are unsure of where to go for help, there are things you can do to locate the best treatment for alcohol addiction.

Call SAMHSA’s national helpline.⁶
Do a google search on substance abuse centers in your area; look at reviews and call for a free consultation.
Talk to your doctor or call your insurance provider to figure out which addiction centers in your area are covered by your insurance.

Can You Come Out of Alcohol Addiction?

Addiction like diabetes, cancer or heart disease Is treatable but not curable. While it isn’t possible to cure addiction outright, it is possible to achieve remission of your symptoms; a place where alcohol addiction no longer impacts your quality of life.⁷

Can One Quit Alcohol Permanently?

The first year of alcohol and substance abuse recovery can be quite difficult and can give rise to thoughts like: “Is this sustainable?” or “When does the work get easier?”

In early recovery you are adapting to a new lifestyle, leaving your comfort zone, and relying on others, as well as, your own inner strength more than ever before. As time goes on, what you learn in treatment becomes your regular mode of being, while the desire to drink also diminishes.

For this reason, many in long-term recovery will say that sobriety get easier. And while some days are challenging, there is no reason why a person can’t stop drinking for good– especially when a sober lifestyle promotes self-confidence, healthier relationships and a lifestyle that is more spiritually fulfilling.

Conclusion

Getting treatment for alcohol addiction makes sobriety possible for those with serious substance abuse problems.
Alcohol treatment works in stages starting with detox, residential inpatient care, and outpatient treatment.
Looking for care? Call the SAMHSA hotline; search alcohol rehabs near you; ask your insurance providers for in-network rehabs in your area or ask your doctors for recommendations.
Recovery is an ongoing process, but it is possible to achieve a remission of symptoms and attain sobriety with the help of addiction treatment.

Get Help Today

Are you or a loved one struggling with quitting drugs or alcohol? Golden Road Recovery is an inpatient drug and alcohol rehab center in LA offering effective treatment in an amazing location. To learn more about how we can help, call us today at (877) 372-0536.