Alcohol Rehab Services
Finding the right alcohol rehab services can mean you have the chance at a successful recovery.
If you think you might have a drinking problem or if you know someone who has a drinking problem than you may be considering alcohol rehabilitation as a means of getting help to stop drinking. No matter how difficult it may be to stop drinking or how scared you may be at the thought of living without alcohol, there are various options available to help you overcome this fear and learn how to live sober. Alcohol rehabilitation services incorporate a number of different treatment techniques and modalities to help you overcome addiction to alcohol. The most common alcohol rehabilitation services include alcohol detox, group therapy, individual therapy or counseling, aftercare and various types of relapse prevention.
Alcohol Detox
Alcohol detox is the vital first step of an alcohol rehab program. Without alcohol detox, addicts are still physically dependent on alcohol and are unable to receive adequate treatment for the various psychological aspects associated with addiction. During alcohol detox, an addict will abruptly stop drinking alcohol and will refrain from drinking any alcohol at all. The body will go through a range of mild to moderate or even severe withdrawal symptoms during alcohol detox. These symptoms may include:
- headache
- nausea
- vomiting
- tremors
- convulsions
- seizures
- fever
- increased heart rate
- chills
Group Therapy
During group therapy, alcoholics are placed into a group with their peers to discuss their recovery efforts. Group therapy has been proven to be a very effective means of alcohol addiction treatment and is used in nearly every alcohol rehabilitation center across the country. Group therapy is a safe place for addicts to work through their treatment process, talk with their peers about their addiction and how they are working toward recovery and they can also work with one another and support each other. The safe environment offered at group therapy sessions allows addicts to open up about their drinking problem without the worry of being scrutinized or having fingers pointed at them because of their addiction.
Individual Therapy and Counseling
Individual or one-on-one counseling sessions provide a safe place for addicts to work with their counselor and deal with the emotional trauma that has been caused by alcohol addiction as well as any underlying trauma that may have been at the root cause of the addiction. During individual therapy, the alcoholics will work with a counselor who they can build a trusting relationship with. Anything goes in individual therapy and for the most part, the addict chooses what to talk about under the minimal direction and guidance of the therapist who will help the addict work through their problems essentially on their own. Individual therapy teaches addicts how to work through their problems on their own so that they can later use this skill in daily life.
Aftercare
Aftercare is the plan for how the addict will remain sober after they have completed an alcohol rehabilitation program. Most alcohol rehabilitation centers provide some type of follow up care or aftercare services to assure that addicts have a greater chance of maintaining their sobriety. Aftercare includes counseling and therapy, group support such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings, and medical monitoring to assure that the addict is still healthy and that sobriety is still being maintained.
Relapse Prevention
Alcohol rehabilitation centers provide a range of relapse prevention services to assure that the addict has the best possible chance for maintaining lasting sobriety. Relapse prevention programs may include counseling, therapy, network support systems, group support and medical intervention. Educational services are offered and a range of social support services such as housing assistance, educational guidance and spiritual guidance may also be provided to assure relapse prevention.