If you have an alcohol use disorder (AUD), it’s important to seek treatment. Depending on your specific needs, you may require medical detoxification, residential inpatient treatment, outpatient programs, or step-down treatment.

In rehab, you’ll have access to a wide range of therapeutic techniques and support systems that will help you stay sober. These may include group therapy, one-on-one sessions with a counselor and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Addiction Medicine

Addiction medicine is a medical subspecialty that deals with the diagnosis, prevention, evaluation, treatment, and recovery of people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. It combines elements of public health, psychology, social work, mental health counseling, and psychiatry.

It also includes addiction psychiatrists, who are physicians with specialized training in addiction diagnosis, treatment, and management. They often prescribe medications to treat symptoms and reduce the likelihood of relapse, while working with counselors and social workers who provide therapy.

They can also use behavioral techniques to help a person change the way they think about drinking and interacting with others. They may also involve family members in the treatment process.

The goal of addiction treatment is to achieve and maintain long-term abstinence from chemicals. During and after treatment, it is important to address problems that might lead to relapse such as family stress or job stress. Medications are also used to prevent withdrawal and cravings.

Detoxification

The detoxification process is designed to safely and quickly remove toxic substances from the body. Detoxification is a vital part of any alcohol rehab program.

It should occur in a medically-supervised setting and involve a team of health professionals who will help you safely manage withdrawal symptoms. They will also provide a continuing care plan to support your recovery and prevent relapse.

While undergoing detoxification, it is important to stay hydrated. Not only does this help to alleviate the symptoms that come with alcohol withdrawal, but it also helps your body heal more efficiently.

In addition to detoxification, many alcohol rehab programs will also include a number of other therapies to help you get better. These may include counseling, family therapy, and education sessions.

Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral therapy consists of a wide variety of techniques that aim to change unhealthy behavior. These include reinforcement, punishment, shaping, modeling and other methods.

Often, behavior therapy is combined with other forms of treatment for substance use disorders. It can also be used to treat other mental health problems that may lead to addiction.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a highly effective type of behavioral treatment that can be used to help individuals overcome alcohol and drug addictions. CBT focuses on empowering individuals to understand and change their thought patterns that lead them to engage in addictive behaviors.

Behavioral therapy can also help people who are dealing with phobias, including those related to elevators. For instance, a client who has been experiencing intense anxiety when in an elevator can learn how to control his urges through exposure therapy. This is a process that involves exposing the client to fear-invoking objects or situations repeatedly over time.

Counseling

Alcohol rehab offers a variety of counseling options to help you recover. Counselors can provide emotional support, identify underlying issues that may be fueling your addiction and help you learn new ways to cope with stress.

In some cases, counselors can recommend medication to help you overcome your addiction and prevent relapse. However, these treatments are often only recommended as part of a full treatment program.

You can also attend a 12-step program like Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous as part of your recovery process. These groups are a good place to get counseling, but they aren't led by trained psychotherapists.

Family therapy is another option. This type of counseling allows spouses, partners, parents and children to get involved in the rehab process and helps them understand their loved one's drinking problems.

Family therapy can be an effective way to build healthy relationships and avoid relapse. Studies have shown that families who participate in therapy have lower relapse rates and increased happiness.