What Treatment is Available?
Most effective current alcoholism treatment plans involve detoxification, counseling, education and follow-up care.
Detoxification — The first step in overcoming alcoholism is chemical withdrawal from alcohol. The time it takes and the severity of symptoms varies according to the individual. Detoxification usually takes place under medical supervision so that you can receive the necessary medications and interventions if serious symptoms, such as delirium tremors, develop.
Counseling & Education — The second step includes group and individual counseling, classes in how to handle cravings and relapses, education about alcoholism as a disease, and workshops. At your treatment center, you follow a structured schedule with regular times for meals, exercise, recreation, and sleep. This helps your body to get stronger and healthier. Your counseling staff decides how long you have to remain at the treatment center.
The length of time spent in a treatment center depends on the severity of the individual’s problems. Adults often need to take leaves of absence from their jobs. Teenagers can continue their education by entering therapeutic boarding schools, which offer both alcohol recovery treatments along with academic classes.
With a day treatment program, clients come to the center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and return to their home at night. Residential programs require that you live on the premises 24-hours a day while you are in treatment. The idea is that you have to spend at least a month or more in intense, full-time therapy to acquire the necessary change of direction and life skills you need to avoid relapses and remain sober.
Follow-up Care — Once you return home, you enter the third phase, or follow-up care, which usually includes continuing counseling and attendance at local support meetings.
Alcohol recovery treatment can look like an intimidating process — but effective treatment programs are staffed by highly trained supportive professionals whose jobs are focused on helping you achieve the success you deserve in order to live the life you desire.
If you or a loved one needs help for a problem with alcohol, please don't put it off any longer.
Contact us by calling the toll-free number above or by completing this form.