What Are Alcohol Addiction Treatment Centers?
A first-time alcohol addiction treatment experience can be intimidating because you don’t know what to expect. However, understanding what an alcohol addiction treatment center is and what a typical day in one looks like might help put your mind at ease. Here are some of the things you need to know.
What It Is
An alcohol addiction treatment center is a facility devoted to treating alcohol addiction. There are a few different types of alcohol addiction treatment centers. A doctor, social worker, or mental health professional can assess your unique circumstances to determine which facility best meets your needs. The two types of centers are inpatient and outpatient.
Inpatient Alcohol Addiction Treatment Centers
As the name suggests, an inpatient treatment center provides a place to live while you receive treatment. It could be either a long-term or short-term residential treatment plan. With the former, you receive 24-hour care in a residential setting for about 6-12 months. Treatment includes group and individualized therapy sessions, socialization with other residents, educational programs for addiction and mental health, and much more.
A short-term residential treatment plan goes for 3-6 weeks. It is usually followed by outpatient therapy and support groups to reduce the risk of relapse.
Outpatient Alcohol Addiction Treatment Centers
An outpatient treatment center will provide treatment but not a place to live. The treatment plan is more or less similar to an inpatient center, except you live at home. Levels of outpatient care include:
- Partial hospitalization programs
- Intensive outpatient programs
- Substance use counseling
- Outpatient rehab programs
Since you live at home, you can continue with your day-to-day activities, like work and school, while still on treatment. However, there is a risk that you might find yourself around people or places that support alcohol abuse. For that reason, most outpatient programs act as a transition from inpatient treatment. That way, the risk of relapse is low.
Are Alcohol Addiction Treatment Centers Effective?
This is a common question with no direct answer. Here’s why: whether or not the treatment is effective depends on several factors. The first and most important factor is your willingness to participate. Only you can allow the program to change your way of life. Other factors include your social support, your health, and co-occurring disorders. It’s also important to acknowledge that recovery is a lifelong process, and you might need continued care to maintain sobriety.
How to Find Quality Alcohol Addiction Centers
Your journey to sobriety is an important one – life-changing, even! That’s why choosing the right alcohol addiction treatment center is essential.
When choosing, the first thing you need to do is define what success means to you. Would a year of sobriety be a success? Or should you start with a shorter timeline, like half a year? Once you decide what you want to achieve, the next step is doing your due diligence on various treatment centers. A reputable treatment center should be happy to answer all your questions.
You also need to consider the location. Some argue that picking a facility far from home can break your connection with your former life, allowing a full "reset" from your past lifestyle. Others believe that a nearby center is convenient. It’s essential to weigh the pros and cons of each option. If you feel like you are surrounded by toxic relationships and routines that encourage drinking, a center far away from home may be a good idea. If, however, you need a reliable support system from your family and friends, you may benefit greater from staying close to home.
Parting Thoughts
Everyone has different needs when it comes to treating alcohol addiction. No matter your individual needs, qualified professionals can help you get back on your feet. Find the right treatment center, and start your recovery journey today.