Many people hesitate to go to drug and alcohol rehab because of all of the unknown factors. There are many fears concerning admitting to a treatment center for the first time. Generally, alcohol rehab is for individuals that use alcohol in excessive amounts and wish to discontinue use. What is rehab like anyways? Let’s take a look at some of the things someone can expect from alcohol rehab.
The First Step: Detox
There are many types of alcohol rehab programs out there. However, no matter their structure, most of them start with medical detox. Because alcohol addiction causes severe withdrawal symptoms when someone stops drinking, detox can help ease the symptoms.
During alcohol detox, people have the medical attention and supervision they need to ease withdrawal symptoms and prevent any life-threatening side effects. The time of detox will depend on the severity of the symptoms. Sometimes, the specialists will recommend a medication-assisted treatment to incorporate withdrawal prevention drugs that can help patients detox from a substance better and more safely.
Finding the Right Path
One of the first goals of treatment is to help the addict discontinue alcohol use. Thus, when a patient first enters alcohol rehab, they will undergo a thorough medical and psychological exam. The purpose of these exams is to treat any psychiatric disorders or psychological problems. Additionally, the goal of this is to rule out any underlying medical issues or identify if dual diagnosis treatment is necessary.
Rehab offers different levels of care that depend on the individual’s needs. Upon beginning alcohol rehab, the medical staff will assess each patient to create an individualized treatment plan and determine the proper level of care. Generally, assessments include a psychological screening, alcohol screening, drug test, and determine physical dependence. A typical day in rehab is not as intimidating as you think.
Inpatient Programs
Alcohol rehab offers a lot of structure, and the most rigid programs are inpatient ones. Here, patients move into a rehab facility and are surrounded by others in rehab and the rehab center staff. Inpatient treatment programs are often an excellent choice for those who don’t have a safe and sober environment back home.
Intensive Outpatient Programs
Sometimes, people’s addictions aren’t as severe, or they’ve undergone a detox program and are stable enough to stay home. Intensive outpatient rehab programs (IOPs) are there as a structured rehab program with more flexibility. Sometimes known as residential rehab. In this style of rehab, people have the flexibility to stay home, maintain responsibilities like work, school, and family. However, they do have the structure of attending meetings and therapy sessions several times throughout the week.
Outpatient Programs
After someone completes an inpatient rehab program, they’re often placed into outpatient treatment programs. To prevent relapse after treatment, outpatient programs offer a similar structure where people have access to therapy sessions every other day, and access to a therapist, among other resources.
Attending Therapy Sessions
When most people wonder what rehab is like, they’re asking about the type of sessions or meetings they’ll be attending. However, each rehab journey is entirely different. At Lighthouse Recovery Institute, we believe in offering tailor-made treatment plans that suit your unique needs rather than following a cookie-cutter structure for rehab.
After your admissions process is complete, and you go through orientation, our team of addiction specialists will create a unique treatment plan to help you recover. These treatment programs will likely incorporate one or more of these therapy sessions.
Individual Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective treatment options for addiction. CBT works in your behavioral responses to different triggers. Once you and your therapist identify these triggers, together, you can work toward developing new and healthier responses to these triggers. These individual therapy sessions offer a safe environment that allows people to share their fears and concerns openly.
Group Therapy
Group sessions allow for emotional healing. When participants share their experiences with alcohol abuse, it helps free-up build-up feelings, fears, and more. It’s also reassuring to know that those in the room are also struggling with the same issues. Over time, those in the group develop a sense of fellowship during rehab, which grows into team support and encouragement.
Specialized Therapy
Those struggling with alcohol addiction often struggle with other issues. Incorporating special therapy sessions that address trauma, anger management, grief counseling, and others is paramount to help those in addiction recovery build the skills they need to cope.
Family Therapy
It’s no secret that addiction breaks havoc in the family unit. For those in recovery, going through it all without the support of their family members can be devastating. However, in many cases, the family unit is shattered, and they don’t know how to be helpful. For these cases, family therapy can provide a safe and supervised environment to start working on regaining family trust and building back a supportive family unit.
Alternative Therapy
Part of comprehensive and holistic addiction treatment includes alternative therapies. These therapies might not be the traditional rehab route, but they can help improve recovering addict’s well-being and overall health. These therapies can be art or music therapy, neurofeedback, exercise programs, yoga, acupuncture, and more.
Building a Community
Some people believe rehab is only meetings and therapy sessions. While these are a massive component of the program, there’s so much more than that. Whether patients attend an inpatient or outpatient program setting, a huge part of rehab is building a supportive community.
Those in rehab have some free time available in between therapy sessions that they can use however they choose. Most treatment centers have activities like pool, ping-pong, basketball, volleyball, and others.
At Lighthouse Recovery Institute, our proximity to shopping areas and the beach make these activities even more exciting. We organize beach trips, shopping days, barbeque nights, karaoke parties, and more. The idea is to set the stage for patients to build a community that will quickly become friends and recovery partners.
Attending 12-Steps Meetings
Most 12-step program meetings are held in the evening, and these are highly recommended. AA meetings are a safe, respectful, and encouraging environment that fosters community. Building a sense of fellowship is key for long-term sobriety. Most addiction treatment centers will provide transportation and make all the arrangements to help patients attend these meetings.
12-step meetings are also a considerable part of after rehab recovery and aftercare planning. Most patients continue to attend these meetings way after they complete rehab, sometimes they’ll move on to become sponsors for others in recovery.
Choosing Rehab
Choosing treatment facilities is an integral part of your recovery journey. It’s essential to look at the different variables and that you find one that connects with your beliefs. At Lighthouse Recovery Institute, we structure personalized treatment plans that target your unique needs. We believe no two recovery journeys are alike, so why should rehab be the same for everyone?
If you or someone you know is struggling with drug and alcohol abuse, contact us today to learn more about our substance abuse treatments. In the meantime, we invite you to read more about what to expect from rehab and how to get ready for rehab. Our therapists and specialists are always prepared to help answer any questions you or your family may have.
Addiction is a horrible disease that can be treated with the right help. If you are ready to make that change and leave your addiction behind, reach out to learn more about how to enroll in a rehab program today.
