March 28, 2022
Today’s blog post hopes to help with alcohol rehab misconceptions and provide info on the different alcohol rehab programs you can get in rehabilitation centers.
Acknowledging that you or a loved one needs an alcohol rehab program is quite scary and often steeped with misconceptions. Some of these are from often negative or inaccurate stereotypes portrayed in films, series, and other forms of media. Additionally, the stigma that surrounds rehabilitation programs results in uncertainty. This brings a lot of anxiety and fear to supposedly helpful substance abuse recovery programs.
These misbeliefs contribute to the general hesitancy when it comes to seeking help and this is supported by fact sheets released by the National Alliance on Mental Illness. According to a 2020 survey, less than 50% of people diagnosed with mental health illness like; anxiety, depression, and substance use disorder receive treatment.
In today’s blog post, we hope to help with these misconceptions and give you a general overview of alcohol programs you can get in rehabilitation centers.
Alcohol rehab centers provide help for people with alcohol use disorder, assisting their recovery and improving the way they live. They provide treatment programs and services that help people with alcohol addiction reduce their use of the said substance. Here are some of the common programs you can get in rehab facilities.
An inpatient alcohol rehab program is a common type of alcohol rehab program. This involves a patient checking into a treatment center and staying there for a couple of weeks or months so they can focus on their recovery. Inpatient rehabilitation programs provide 24/7 patient monitoring conducted by medical personnel, and they often consist of various therapy or counseling sessions. This type of program removes the patient from sources of substances. It is commonly recommended for more serious cases of alcohol abuse and for patients with no access to a stable home environment.
This program is a type of outpatient program which means patients are not required to stay or reside in the alcohol rehab facility. It is considered as a cross between inpatient and outpatient program, and the services provided depends on the situation of the patient. For example, a partial hospitalization program can be as intensive as an inpatient program, but it allows patients to be home every night. Though patients are not required to reside on location, they are still closely monitored by medical professionals for symptoms of withdrawal, signs of potential relapse, and other health conditions.
Partial hospitalization programs provide structure and support to begin a patient’s stabilization process, with sessions lasting 4-6 hours a day, 5 days a week. This program can last from a week to a month depending on the patient’s needs.
This outpatient alcohol rehab program is a step down from partial hospitalization or full inpatient rehab. This provides a comprehensive treatment plan that is structured for patients who have some stability. Intensive outpatient programs or IOP consist of one-to-one and peer sessions that usually last 3 hours a day, 3-5 days a week.
Among the alcohol rehab treatment programs mentioned, an outpatient program or OP is the least structured. This rehab program is similar to IOP, consisting of individual and group sessions that last 1-3 hours a week. This treatment program is for patients who have some stability and have developed their transition plan.
Groups like AA or Alcoholic Anonymous provide mutual support to peers alike to reduce or completely stop drinking. Another example is the 12-step Program, a tool to aid people in understanding the journey into, during, and after recovery. These group programs are helpful to people who are at a high risk for relapse and add a supplementary layer of support to prevent it.
NOTE: Support groups offer continuing care after completing rehabilitation, but they cannot be used as a substitute for a strategic well-planned treatment.
Counseling or talk therapy is a process by which mental health professionals apply scientifically validated procedures to help people develop their own healthier and more effective ways of coping. It is a form of behavioral treatment that can be integrated with other programs. It can also be considered as a follow-up support for patients transitioning from intensive to less structured rehab treatment programs.
DUII or Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants program offers services that assists people with DUI or DUII citations. It is often a mix of inpatient and outpatient treatments depending on the situation of the patient to ensure the recovery process. Some of these are education classes, counseling, and post-program support.
Depending on the case, the right treatment program in your alcohol rehab clinic can be a mixture of the following services to help you or your loved one recover from alcohol addiction.
Psychotherapy or counseling is a collaborative treatment between the patient and the mental health personnel based on dialogue. It provides a safe space for an individual to talk openly with someone who is objective, neutral, and non-judgmental. Common approaches to psychotherapy are
Patients with more serious cases of alcohol abuse often need medications to regulate chemical imbalances and prevent severe withdrawal symptoms. Medications are helpful, but they are not magic pills that will just instantly remove problematic alcohol use. They should be taken with care and monitored by trained professionals. They should also be integrated in the right treatment strategy for recovery.
Rehab programs vary per location and treatment center. With the advice of a mental health professional, they can be utilized simultaneously or integrated with one another to deliver the best result. More holistic programs are now available to better fit your needs, and this is our pledge here at Another Chance. If you are unsure about the right alcohol rehab program for you or a loved one, we at Another Chance are here to help. Here at Another Chance Drug & Alcohol Rehab Center of Portland, we offer evidence-based treatments and services to help our patients heal and experience life to the fullest. We create a unique and safe environment to address the specific needs of young adults and professionals on their road to healing.
.svg)
