In Wisconsin in 2001, 10,892 people commenced alcohol treatment. There are several treatments for alcohol abuse and alcoholism, including inpatient treatment, where the patient spends at least one overnight stay in the facility. In 1991, Dr. Diana Walsh of the Harvard School of Public Health found that inpatient alcohol treatment combined with Alcoholics Anonymous was more effective than Alcoholics Anonymous treatment alone. Wisconsin has a diverse selection of inpatient alcohol treatment facilities and hospitals available.
Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Alcohol abuse is not considered to be the same as alcoholism. Alcoholism is an addiction to alcohol that can be treated but is not considered to have a cure, while the drinking patterns associated with alcohol abuse can be both treated and cured.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism considers that a strong urge or need to drink, inability to stop drinking, presence of withdrawal symptoms and an increasing tolerance to alcohol may mean that alcohol abuse has progressed to alcoholism.
Alcohol Consumption in Wisconsin
A 2008 report by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services found that Wisconsin arguably had the highest rate of alcohol use in the country. Wisconsin high school students had the highest prevalence of current alcohol use from all states that reported in 2007. In 2006, Wisconsin adults had the highest rates of current alcohol use, binge drinking and heavy drinking. The per capita consumption of alcohol was 2.92 gallons per person, among the highest in the nation in 2005.
Inpatient Treatment
Also known as "detox," an initial inpatient treatment is the start of the rehabilitative process. It is a controlled environment where withdrawal symptoms can be monitored and the patient supervised. Drugs may be given to minimize the shaking, nausea and sweating that are common symptoms of withdrawal. By checking in to a hospital, it is more difficult to relapse and start drinking again during this withdrawal phase.
How to Find Inpatient Hospitals
In addition to listing of treatment options in all 50 states, Rehab International offers information on methods of drug rehabilitation and the most commonly abused substances.
The Agape Center, an alcohol abuse and addiction support center based in Georgia, offers an alphabetical directory of those treatment centers and hospitals in Wisconsin, with websites.
The Alcohol Abuse Drug Addiction Information Website gives listings for both hospital-based and residential drug and alcohol abuse treatment programs.
The Wisconsin Department of Health services offers a directory of mental health and substance abuse facilities on its website.
After Inpatient Treatment
Rehabilitative treatment must be continued after initial inpatient therapy, or you are likely to relapse. This may be outpatient treatment, where you work with a professional without being resident in a facility, or further residential rehab, where distance from your old environment can help to break the cycle of addiction. Other popular treatment programs include Alcoholics Anonymous.
