Doctors at the Mayo Clinic report that many alcoholics enter alcoholic treatment centers against their will because they are in denial that they have a problem. Denial is one of the traits that characterizes the disease. Intervention, health or legal problems often precipitate treatment for alcoholics who then must face the withdrawal pain and find a way to reconcile with the fact that they have a problem.
Abstinence
Most alcoholic treatment centers focus solely on abstinence from drinking. Once addicted, it is not possible for alcoholics to merely cut back on their drinking, report doctors at the Mayo Clinic.
Withdrawal
Alcoholic treatment centers provide a medically-supervised detoxification program because withdrawal from long-term alcohol abuse can lead to seizures, delirium tremors (DTs) and coma, in addition to nausea, vomiting and shaking.
Assessment
Both a medical doctor and psychiatrist must assess patients for other diseases such as cirrhosis of the liver or dehydration, as well as mental conditions like bipolar disorder and depression. Treatment for the co-occurring conditions must begin.
Counseling
Once through withdrawal, alcoholics are introduced to individual and group counseling that can range from changing behaviors through cognitive therapy to aversion therapy that utilizes alcohol-adverse medication such as Antabuse, which makes a person sick if he takes a drink.
Family
Many alcohol treatment centers provide family counseling, particularly for spouses, who must deal with their own issues and be prepared for the alcoholic to return home.
Community
Before being discharged, alcoholics typically are introduced to community support systems that can help them maintain their sobriety, such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
