What Is An Alcoholism Rehabilitation Program

Treatment methods for alcoholism have come a long way since the days of “drunk tanks.” Detentions centers designed to house drunks while they sobered up and suffered through their symptoms. Alcoholism is now recognized and treated as a chronic disease. Alcohol addiction treatment programs attack that disease. The goal being to give alcoholics the tools and techniques to live with and manage that disease. Alcoholism rehabilitation programs can have unique personalities and characteristics. They are often designed for certain demographic or gender groups. At their core, almost all alcoholism rehabilitation programs will include a combination of the same or similar elements. The program’s goals are to help individuals who suffer from the disease of alcoholism to find true and long-lasting sobriety.

Our Alcoholism Rehabilitation Program

Rehab programs typically offer both an inpatient and outpatient treatment option. Addiction treatment counselors often recommend inpatient treatment over outpatient. This is because it provides a better opportunity for direct observation and daily behavioral therapy. Alcoholism rehabilitation can be very uncomfortable and potentially deadly. Undergoing medical detox and treatment can alleviate many of these concerns. Should any complications arise you have a full medical staff at your disposal.The first several days of most alcoholism rehabilitation programs are used to gauge the alcoholic’s addiction. Detox begins shortly after to clear the body of the substance. Detox can be physically and mentally exhausting. Especially if an alcoholic has suffered from his addiction for an extended period of time. Counselors and physicians may use sedatives and other pharmacological treatments to ease more severe physical withdrawal symptoms. Most alcoholics will complete detox in less than ten days and begin therapy shortly after.

Treatment Options for Alcoholism

The core of an alcoholism rehabilitation program is the behavioral therapy, which follows the initial assessment and detox. Behavioral therapy seeks to understand the stresses and conditions that initially created an individual’s alcohol addiction. Counselors and therapists will determine if the alcoholic possesses any underlying depression or anxiety. Addiction occurring with such psychological disorders require special treatment. Using both individual and group therapy to address the alcoholic’s addiction, he or she will begin to learn new tools to use when the temptation to relapse strikes. Many recovering alcoholics in rehabilitation programs will experience mood swings. These can range from relief and elation to boredom. Alcoholics will often be most tempted to relapse when boredom strikes. As simple as it may sound, therapy will teach alcoholics to find new and creative ways to alleviate boredom. Utilizing alternate activities for entertainment, such as pursuing artwork or hiking. Recovering alcoholics all need to learn new activity patterns. New patterns can take them away from the old habits that led to their drinking.

Life After Treatment

Most rehabilitation programs last for twenty-eight days. This time period can be adjusted depending on the case and the alcoholic. Although an alcoholism rehabilitation program ends after a period of time, the recovery process is really only beginning. Alcoholism is a chronic, lifelong disease and recovering alcoholics need to work on their recovery every day in order to achieve real, lasting sobriety. Some alcoholics are able to stay away from alcohol after exiting a rehabilitation program, but if they retain negative attitudes and bad habits, their recoveries will always be at risk. Effective rehabilitation programs will put an alcoholic on a path of long-term recovery and will impress him or her with the need for constant vigilance against the risks of relapses.

Please call the Last Resort Recovery Center near Austin, Texas, at 512-750-6750 for more information about alcoholism rehabilitation programs and for advice and recommendations on programs will best suit your needs.