Alcohol addiction is this country’s most common addiction. It is only right, therefore, that there are also many different treatment options available for alcoholism, helping patients get on the road to recovery. These programs are designed to help alcoholics go through detox in a safe and supportive manner, usually through the use of medication in a controlled environment. After this, they should undergo counseling so that they can address the reasons for their addiction.
The Need for Alcohol Addiction Rehab
Those who want to recover from alcoholism should attend an accredited treatment facility where they can deal not just with their addiction, but also with any co-occurring and underlying issues. Because alcohol addiction is so common, various effective treatment methods have been put in place.
“Alcohol is the most commonly used addictive substance in the United States: 17.6 million people, or one in every 12 adults, suffer from alcohol abuse or dependence along with several million more who engage in risky, binge drinking patterns that could lead to alcohol problems.”
One of the biggest difficulties with alcoholism is that alcoholic drinks are socially acceptable and are readily available. This is why there is such a strong focus in rehab on avoiding triggers and cravings. Obtaining alcohol is simply too easy, particularly for a recovering alcoholic.
Recovering from Alcohol Addiction
Step one of the overall recovery process is to get alcohol out of the system. This must be done in a medically supportive environment, because alcohol detox is one of the few drug detoxes that have the potential to be fatal, through what is known as ‘delirium tremens’.
“About 50% of persons with alcohol-use disorders have symptoms of alcohol withdrawal when they reduce or discontinue their alcohol consumption; in 3 to 5% of these persons, grand mal convulsions, severe confusion (a delirium), or both develop.”
It cannot be known whether or not certain patients will experience a delirium as this is down to many different factors, including the level of abuse, how long they abused the substance, and their body physiology. However, even if they only experience the milder forms of withdrawal symptoms, they can be highly uncomfortable and this can lead to relapse. This is why it is always advisable to detox in a medically supported environment.
Medication for Alcohol Addiction
One of the key benefits of seeking inpatient rehab treatment for alcohol addiction is that the physical aspects can be managed in a medical way. Physicians can prescribe drugs that can have a significant positive impact on the chance of recovery, particularly if used together with therapy. In fact, the success rate is boosted to 50% if medication is provided. Various types of medication can be used, either to help reduce the effects of the withdrawal symptoms or to cause a negative reaction to consuming alcohol.
One commonly used substance is acamprosate.
“Acamprosate affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in a person who is addicted to alcohol. Acamprosate works by restoring this chemical balance in the brain in an alcohol-dependent person who has recently quit drinking.”
Essentially, acamprosate reduces withdrawal symptoms and alcohol cravings. Naltrexone is also commonly used in which it removes the pleasurable effects of alcohol and reducing cravings. Finally, disulfiram is provided to those who have the greatest chance of relapse, as it causes a negative reaction to alcohol consumption, including feeling sick.
Inpatient Rehab
During inpatient rehab, a recovering alcoholic is provided with personalized support and 24/7 care. It is an excellent choice for those who want to be fully focused on their recovery, because they can avoid stressors caused by social obligations, school, or work. During residential rehab, a recovering alcoholic is fully immersed in the process. This type of treatment is particularly recommended for those who have relapsed after having other forms of support.
How long inpatient rehab will last will depend on the individual. Usually, the minimum is 28 days including detox. Others will remain in treatment for six months or even more. The individual needs of the patient will determine how long the treatment should last. While in treatment, they will receive a variety of talking therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which has proven to be particularly useful in the treatment of addictions.
“Cognitive behavior therapy is based on the idea that feelings and behaviors are caused by a person’s thoughts, not on outside stimuli like people, situations, and events. While you may not be able to change your circumstances, you can change how you think about them.”
Usually, patients will also receive other forms of treatment, including one to one counseling, group therapy, and family therapy. Put together, it helps the recovering alcoholics to identify their stressors, which are the external stimuli that would lead them to turn to alcohol. At the same time, counseling is provided to encourage better life skills, including living a healthy lifestyle through nutrition and exercise.
Aftercare and Ongoing Recovery
Once patients are able to complete rehab, be that through inpatient or outpatient treatment, they have taken the first steps towards recovery. It is important that proper aftercare and support are provided to encourage long term abstinence. For recovering alcoholics, this is often done through 12 step support networks, although some find that they have a strong person network instead. What matters is that they continue talk about their thoughts and feelings.
The best-known external support group is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
“Alcoholics Anonymous is an international fellowship of men and women who have had a drinking problem. It is nonprofessional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical, and available almost everywhere. There are no age or education requirements. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about his or her drinking problem.”
AA has around 2 million members in this country alone, which demonstrates that recovering alcoholics are not alone. Furthermore, it has been seen time and again that people’s support networks, namely their friends and family, are incredibly proud of the ongoing recovery work. While it is common for people to feel ashamed of the fact that they became addicted, proper support and counseling can show them to take pride in what they have achieved ever since. Every day, hundreds of thousands of people search for ways to overcome their addiction, and many of them have been highly successful in that.
