Detox Stage
People who need help in overcoming their addiction to alcohol will use alcohol rehab to go through detox, counseling and follow-up treatment. They might be treated for physical and psychological dependence on alcohol. The recovery process often begins with alcohol detox, when the person might experience withdrawal symptoms, because the body is no longer receiving the alcohol to which it has become accustomed. The body must cleanse itself of harmful toxins from excessive alcohol consumption. As a result, the patient could experience symptoms, such as irritability, sweats, depression, anxiety, and seizures or even blackouts in severe cases. The detox period could last for several day or weeks and is the first step in the recovery process, according to Michael's House, an alcohol rehab facility in Palm Springs, California.
Medication
Medications also are used during the rehab process, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Some drugs are prescribed to help manage withdrawal symptoms. They are used during the detox period to prevent the shakiness, nausea or sweating that often happens to alcoholics who quit drinking. Oral medications and injections can be used to help a person reduce alcohol dependence and avoid a relapse. The longer people abstain form alcohol the better the chances that they will remain sober.
Types of Care
Alcohol rehab includes outpatient and inpatient, or residential, treatment. In outpatient rehab, people might attend a program at certain times of the day but continue living at home and working at their jobs. Inpatient rehab puts the patient in a hospital or clinic center, where round-the-clock care can be provided. This might be the best setting for people with serious alcohol addiction, who need to pay attention to their symptoms and the recovery process. Religious and spiritual treatment is available for addicts who need to draw strength from their faith. Some rehab programs deal exclusively with teenage alcohol problems. Counseling could include one-on-one sessions or group counseling. In individual counseling, the person might learn to understand the cause of his alcoholism and ways to find solutions to the problem. In group counseling, people might share stories about their particular addictions. Group therapy helps provide support for all participants, who learn they are not alone and that others have similar difficulties.
Aftercare
Follow-up, or aftercare, might occur when the person leaves the rehab center and returns to a normal life, this time without alcohol. Temptations and stressful situations can pose risks of relapses. People are encouraged to get involved with support groups, including 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous. They also might continue counseling as they try to adjust to a new way of life. Alcohol rehab is not just for people described as alcoholics. It can help people who abuse alcohol, too, he NIAAA explains. They may not be dependent on alcohol, but they use it too often, leading to problems in their lives. People who abuse alcohol often go through counseling programs to help understand why they drink too much and to develop strategies to prevent this problem in the future.
