Alcohol Treatment

Alcohol misuse and alcohol use disorder (AUD) impact thousands upon thousands of people worldwide. What begins as a way to have fun for many somehow transforms into dependency then addiction for some. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 86.3 percent of people over the age of 18 in the United States report drinking alcohol at least once in their lives. The data also shows that in 2018 there were 14.4 million U.S adults with an AUD.

If you or someone you love is struggling with a dependence or addiction to alcohol finding alcohol treatment centers that can help is the first—and often most difficult—step. Futures Recovery Healthcare can help. At Futures, we understand how important it is to look at several addiction treatment centers and choose the one best suited for you or your loved one. 

When it comes to rehab programs for alcohol, there are a lot of choices. First, it’s important to take an honest look at your drinking. While there are certain signs of a full-blown issue, there are also some signs that warn you an addiction may be on the horizon. The sooner into an AUD you seek an addiction treatment program, the better. 

Some of the early signs to watch for when it comes to AUDs and the need for addiction treatment centers are:

• Drinking more or longer than intended
• Trying to cut down or stop drinking unsuccessfully
• Putting yourself in dangerous situations when drinking
• Experiencing tolerance or the need to drink more to achieve the same feeling
• Continuing to drink despite health, both physical and emotional, consequences
• Giving up hobbies or activities to drink
• Continuing to drink despite issues being caused to family, friends, co-workers, etc. 
• Incurring legal issues associated with drinking
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you don’t drink

If you have experienced one or more of these warning signs, you may want to start looking at an addiction treatment facility for help. The more of these you have experienced, the more serious your issue may be. When searching for an addiction treatment facility for alcohol, there are a few important points you want to consider. 

According to the National Institutes on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 7.7 million people with an alcohol or substance use disorder also have another co-occurring mental health disorder. Mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorders, and more commonly occur along with an AUD or SUD. Alcohol rehab centers that are able to treat co-occurring disorders are important to include on your list, whether you know you have a co-occurring mental health disorder or not. Often an AUD or SUD will mask underlying issues. For this reason, choosing alcohol rehabilitation centers that have experience and expertise in treating co-occurring disorders is important. 

What Is Alcohol Detox?

Alcohol detox is the process of flushing out the toxins out of your body during the cessation of alcohol consumption. As the body gradually removes alcohol from its system, patients will experience withdrawal symptoms due to the development of dependence over time. Withdrawal symptoms and their intensity can vary from one person to another. However, due to the unpredictable nature of withdrawals, patients are highly advised to seek medical support and supervision during their alcohol detox process.

Alcohol detox requires medical treatment of withdrawal symptoms. Since grand mal seizures from alcohol withdrawal can be fatal, the medical staff will use detox medications like benzodiazepines (Valium, Librium, etc.) to keep you safe during withdrawal. This form of detox is part of a medication-assisted treatment program that is ideal for patients with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder.

The recovery team will prepare you to move into a comprehensive alcohol abuse treatment program once you have entered a medically stable condition and an alcohol-free state. While detox is very successful and beneficial for people who want to stop drinking, it is not a substitute for rehab. Alcohol helps patients address and overcome the physical dependence on alcohol, but the psychological dependence can only be addressed and overcome through a comprehensive treatment program at an inpatient treatment center or an outpatient treatment center.

What is an Inpatient Alcohol Rehab Center?

Individuals with severe alcohol addiction/substance abuse, a dual diagnosis, pre-existing medical conditions, or individuals who have relapsed can significantly benefit from an inpatient treatment program. Inpatient rehab programs provide recovering addicts with a stable and structured environment that is void of all triggers and temptations. They also provide around-the-clock medical care and support to help addicts through their recovery process. Inpatient treatment programs provide services such as medically assisted detoxification programs, a variety of therapies, evidence-based treatment programs, as well as individual and group counseling. This rehab program is an effective treatment plan for alcohol addiction and long-term recovery.

In addition, it’s a good idea when searching through alcohol rehab centers to find what types of treatment and services are offered. Most people looking for rehabilitation centers for alcohol want to have inpatient or residential care. However, there are a number of individuals in need of treatment for an AUD who aren’t able to go into residential care for one reason or another. For this reason, alcohol rehab centers that offer other programs such as intensive outpatient or partial hospitalization are good to consider.  

It’s also important to consider what type of aftercare services or alumni programs these alcohol rehab centers offer. Establishing a strong support system after you complete clinical treatment is vital for long-term recovery. Futures alumni program is one of the best around. The team at Futures keeps in touch with patients on a regular basis once they leave treatment and continue to do so for months and years after. 

How Long Does Inpatient Alcohol Rehab Take?

Inpatient alcohol rehabs or residential rehab offer a safe haven away from outside influences and drinking temptations, which can be crucial for certain people in early recovery. Treatment is usually provided over a 28 to 30, 60, or 90-day cycle. If required, longer stays can be accommodated.

The length of care and the level of care varies depending on the needs of each patient. It’s important to find a treatment facility that provides an individualized program that addresses your unique needs and addiction.

According to research, most people who are struggling with substance abuse need to be in recovery for at least three months in order to minimize or avoid relapses; longer treatment commitment also results in the best outcomes.

It’s important to remember that your road to recovery doesn’t end after you leave a rehab center. Since there is no known cure for alcohol addiction, your prolonged recovery depends on your commitment to continuing with treatment through aftercare programs.

If you or someone you love is living with an AUD or SUD, Futures is here to help. Contact us today at 866-804-2098 and start healing tomorrow.