Anyone who uses alcohol in a way that interferes with their physical and mental health, relationships, career or other aspects of their life should consider seeking professional help.
Fortunately, there are many options for alcohol rehab that can provide a path to a successful recovery. Let’s explore some of these options and find out if they are right for you or your loved one.
Detoxification
Detoxification is the process by which an individual’s body clears toxins that may have been accumulated over time. It can be a difficult process, and it’s important to get professional help.
It is also important to stay hydrated and eat a healthy diet while going through detox. This will improve the process and lessen depression and fatigue.
Medically managed inpatient detoxification is a safe and effective way to remove drugs from the body and start treatment. However, it is not the only option for getting sober.
Medications
Medications may be used as part of alcohol rehab to help manage symptoms of withdrawal, cravings and potential relapse. They can be a valuable addition to an overall treatment plan that involves counseling, group therapy and social support.
Several medications are FDA-approved to treat alcohol use disorder. These include acamprosate (brand name Campral), disulfiram and naltrexone.
Naltrexone is used to prevent a relapse and limit the amount of alcohol someone drinks. It works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain, so it can reduce cravings for alcohol.
In addition to prescription medications, there are a number of non-pharmacological treatments that can be used as part of alcohol rehab. These treatments can help people attain and maintain motivation to change, learn skills to reduce relapse and improve quality of life.
Therapy
Alcohol rehab includes several forms of therapy, including individual counseling and group therapy. In these sessions, therapists help clients explore the root causes of their addiction.
During these sessions, clients identify triggers and develop coping skills to stop their cravings. They also learn about the cycle of alcohol abuse and how to avoid relapse.
Treatment can also include other therapies, such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). These techniques work to break the link between alcohol abuse and the traumas in your life.
After alcohol rehab, therapists often recommend that clients continue to seek out support groups and attend recovery meetings. These meetings may be part of an inpatient or outpatient program, and they provide ongoing support for people in recovery.
Support Groups
Support groups help to keep people who have been in rehab on the road to recovery. They are an important part of rehabilitation because they allow members to connect with others who have been through similar experiences and can offer insight into their addiction.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are well-known types of support groups. These groups have a 12-step philosophy that focuses on spirituality, with the goal of abstinence from drugs and alcohol.
Other types of support groups include mutual help groups for friends and family of people who have a substance use disorder, like Al-Anon. Those who attend these groups have to obtain a sponsor, a person who has completed the 12-steps and is willing to help new members.
Aftercare
Aftercare is an important part of recovery for anyone who has completed alcohol rehab. If treatment facilities dropped people back into their everyday lives with no support, relapse rates would be high.
Fortunately, most rehabilitation centers have aftercare programs available to help their patients transition from the structured and predictable setting of the treatment facility into their everyday life.
A quality aftercare program will ensure that individuals have stable housing, connect them to a network of resources, and transport them to appointments as needed. They will also help people develop a stronger sense of purpose to motivate them to stay clean and sober for the long term.
