Choosing the best inpatient alcohol rehab center for yourself is easier than you may think. Of course, choosing an addiction treatment facility is a very personal decision that depends on many factors. Things like insurance coverage, location, and types of treatments provided all come to play when choosing an inpatient alcohol rehab facility.
What is Alcoholism?
Let’s start with the basics to understand the different types of alcohol rehab options available better. Alcoholism is also commonly referred to as alcohol dependence or alcohol use disorder. It is a chronic condition that can last for years or can be a lifelong battle in many cases.
Alcohol dependence is a chronic disease characterized by uncontrolled drinking and a preoccupation with alcohol. Thus, once a person starts to drink, they have a difficult time stopping drinking despite an overwhelming desire to do so.
In the United States, there are approximately 3 million cases a year of alcoholism. In most cases, individuals are usually able to diagnose the problem on their own if they are honest with themselves.
Risk Factors of Alcohol Abuse and Addiction
Alcoholism is a mental disorder that affects millions of people, regardless of their age, gender, sexual orientation, or status. Specific characteristics increase the risk of alcoholism, including:
- Mental illness
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Susceptibility to peer pressure
- Low self-esteem
- Regular binge drinking practices
- Family history of alcohol abuse
- Underage alcohol abuse
- Early exposure to alcohol
Signs of Alcohol Use Disorders
Typically, one individual suffering from alcoholism will feel guilty over how much they drink. They will have a desire to cut down on the amount of alcohol they are consuming. Often at this stage, there might be some signs of emotional or behavioral signs of alcohol addiction as well. There can be a lack of control when you drink or increased tolerance for alcohol.
Additionally, there may be depression or irritability. Finally, dramatic changes in personality while drinking may occur. Changes include lying about drinking or hiding bottles around the house and even repeated failed attempts to quit drinking altogether.
Health Risks of Alcoholism
The effects of alcohol abuse are both short- and long-term. The severity of the health effects will depend on various reasons. Age, the severity of the addiction, the longevity of the addiction will all play a role in how severe someone experiences side effects from their alcoholism. The most common health complications of alcohol abuse include:
- Slow reaction time
- Poor reflexes
- Lowered inhibitions
- Blurry vision
- Difficulty breathing
- Liver damage and disease
- Heart problems
- Bone loss
- Brain damage
- Increased risk of various cancers
Alcoholism Facts Everyone Should Know
According to two major studies in 2015 from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), the drinking rates are alarming. The first study showed that over 26.9% of people aged 18 and over had self-reported they had engaged in some form of binge drinking within the last 30 days.
The second major study stated that in 2015, more than 15 million adults suffered from alcohol use disorder in the United States, 1.3 million of those adults received treatment at alcohol rehab.
Alcohol-related deaths are one of the leading preventable causes of death in the United States. Thus, Alcoholism has become a national health crisis. Moreover, the number of individuals seeking inpatient alcohol rehab has similarly climbed.
Alcohol Addiction Treatment Options
Drug rehab offers multiple levels of care. After a stabilization from the detox center, you will then be able to begin your journey with therapy. These include inpatient treatments, partial hospitalization treatment, intensive outpatient treatment, and outpatient treatment.
Upon admission to the rehab center, a primary therapist who will best meet your specific needs begins working with you. Then, addiction therapists will recommend the right combination of therapies and comprehensive treatment options to help with your alcohol addiction. Finally, an aftercare rehab plan will help you maintain long-term sobriety and offer ongoing recovery support.
Finding the Right Inpatient Alcohol Rehab Center
If you are seeking treatment for Alcoholism, it must be the best fit. It often takes individuals suffering from alcohol dependence many years before they are willing to admit they have a problem. You want to make sure that you have done your due diligence on selecting the best rehab. Alcohol treatment is not a cure for alcoholism; however, in most cases, it is necessary if recovery is going to be possible.
Consider the Cost
The first thing you need to consider is the cost. Inpatient rehab can be costly for some families, which is why finding a treatment center that fits within your financial means is essential. However, the cost shouldn’t hold you back.
Many addiction treatment facilities offer financial plans to help people address their disorders. Also, most health insurance has plans that can cover mental health and substance abuse treatments. It’s a matter of contacting the treatment center and verify your insurance coverage to get started.
Make Sure They Have Detox Programs
When someone abruptly stops drinking alcohol, they’re likely to experience withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can be uncomfortable and, in some cases, life-threatening. Ensuring you go through this process with medical supervision is paramount for recovery.
When you’re looking for the right inpatient rehab program, ensure they offer a detox program that also uses medication-assisted treatment. The idea is to help you detox the most comfortable way possible to set you off to a positive start.
Addiction medications can help ease withdrawal symptoms and control some of the withdrawal symptoms. While drugs can offer balance, they come at a high price for recovering addicts. Again, inpatient programs are the best course of action for managing this type of dual diagnosis. A licensed doctor will determine the right kind of drugs to help ease with alcohol withdrawal.
Opt for Comprehensive Approaches
There’s no one single treatment option for alcoholism. It’s vital to find rehab centers that offer various levels of care, and that can pivot to meet your unique needs. Beyond the detox process, it’s paramount to tackle the addiction. Through individual therapy, people can understand what drives addictive behavior and see if there’s an underlying cause of addiction.
Additionally, building a sober and robust support team is a critical element of addiction recovery. By attending group meetings or 12-step programs, individuals can continue their sober life and continue to learn relapse prevention techniques, even months after detox.
Finally, addiction isn’t one thing people can shove under the rug. The remnants of addiction often stay with them for the rest of their life. To help users find happiness and purpose in their lives, aftercare programs offer relapse prevention classes, life skills, and other essential tools for a successful life after treatment.
Ask about Dual Diagnosis Programs
Although substance abuse isn’t the sole cause of mental illness, it plays a role. Frequent drug use creates physical changes in the brain’s structure and chemistry. Drugs can rewire various brain parts that affect mood and behavior, which can lead to co-occurring disorders.
Dual diagnosis programs ensure patients receive an integrated treatment plan that looks at both disorders as interconnected. Not treating both mental illness and addiction simultaneously increases the risk of relapse and other side effects.
Look for Evidence-based Therapy Offerings
Part of an active substance abuse treatment will likely include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Through this form of treatment, patients face their thoughts and feelings, both for their mental illness and struggles as an addict. By understanding what triggers a manic and depressive episode, addicted people with a mental disorder can better grasp their actions. Finding a way to control these emotions will help them prepare for craving episodes or withdrawal symptoms from the addiction.
What a Day in Alcohol Inpatient Rehab Looks Like
While everyone’s daily schedule might look a bit different, overall, they all follow a similar structure. Mornings often start with a nutritious breakfast, followed by morning activities like daily meditation. Then, most patients attend individual therapy sessions before engaging in other activities.
In the afternoon, patients have the option to enjoy a healthy lunch by themselves or with a group. Afternoon counseling sessions can be private or in a group setting, depending on your unique needs and preferences. Afterward, patients are encouraged to participate in holistic activities that complement their addiction treatment, such as yoga, acupuncture, swimming, hiking, and other activities.
In the evening, everyone enjoys a healthy and freshly-cooked meal. Some people choose to stay in their bedrooms, reading inspirational books, journaling, or sleeping early. Others decide to trend 12-step meetings to build a fellowship with other recovering addicts.
Finding Substance Abuse Treatment
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use disorder, don’t wait any longer. Countless treatment options can help them conquer their addiction and manage any withdrawal symptoms. Remember, quitting potent drugs alone can be life-threatening. It’s essential to have the support and supervision of drug addiction specialists by your side.
At Lighthouse Recovery Institute, we believe in offering customized drug addiction treatment plans for those struggling with drug or alcohol abuse. We look at each treatment program on a case-by-case basis to cater to whatever your needs are to get better and walk towards recovery. From detoxification programs to group meetings and more, everyone in our team is committed to helping you win the struggle with addiction.
