Detoxification

As soon as an alcoholic takes their last drink, the detoxification phase begins. Once the immediate effects of the alcohol have worn off, he or she will begin to crave more alcohol. As the cravings increase, other withdrawal symptoms will appear. One such symptom is a shaking or trembling of the hands. Other symptoms may include:

• Inability to concentrate
• Irritability
• Nausea and vomiting
• Cold, clammy flesh
• Nervousness
• Headaches
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Twitching

The detoxification phase of recovery is necessary before beginning the primary phase of the treatment process. In order for the treatment program to be effective, the alcoholic must be free of the effects of alcohol. It is also important to remember that the detoxification from alcohol is not a treatment by itself. Simply “getting sober” does not mean that the individual is no longer afflicted. The rates of relapse are significantly higher for those who do not follow up with a comprehensive, long-term treatment program.

Alcoholism Treatment Programs

The main phase of the treatment program for alcohol abuse and addiction is usually at least 12 weeks in length. This can be conducted on either an inpatient or outpatient basis and involves many aspects. The use of techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has seen great success in recent years.

CBT is a treatment model that lasts approximately 16 weeks and is designed to help an individual learn new ways to think about situations in their life and their chosen reactions to those situations. CBT can be utilized in either an inpatient or outpatient setting.

Inpatient Alcoholism Treatment Programs

There are two types of inpatient treatment programs available currently. The first is in a medical setting where the alcoholic stays in a hospital, or a treatment facility that is attached to or associated with a hospital. In this setting, the atmosphere is rather sterile; however, all of the necessities are present. The second type of inpatient treatment program is a residential treatment center. In a residential treatment center, the individual being treated for alcoholism will live in a more pleasant, friendly or homey environment. Amenities might include:

• Private or semi-private rooms with comfortable or elegant furnishings
• Community living spaces with television and computer access, fireplaces and other home-like features
• Landscaped lawns and outdoor recreation areas, such as tennis or basketball courts and swimming pools
• Kitchens available to residents as needed

Rather than dining in a cafeteria, the patients in a residential treatment center will dine in a dining room. Instead of sleeping in a hospital bed, those who choose a residential treatment center will sleep in a regular bedroom, sometimes with a private bath.

Other benefits of a residential treatment facility may include alternative therapies that use innovative treatment practices to help the recovering alcoholic learn problem-solving and communication skills.

Outpatient Alcoholism Treatment Programs

In some cases, an inpatient treatment center may not be a viable option for the recovering alcoholic. If the individual has job responsibilities and is the sole wage-earner in a family, for instance, he or she may not have the option to take several weeks off work. Another consideration for outpatient treatment may be the lack of available care for children. The decision to enter inpatient versus outpatient treatment is a personal one, but it should take into consideration the severity of the addiction among other factors.

Aftercare and Support Programs

Once the recovering alcoholic has completed the intensive treatment program, he will enter the aftercare phase of recovery. This part of the process will remain in play for the remainder of the recovering addict’s life. The need for acute care will wax and wane many times depending upon the situations that occur over the years. There may be instances where the recovering addict relapses for a brief time and must repeat the rehab process. There may be other times when the recovering alcoholic will feel the need for more support, and times when he can manage his disease with less interaction.

Making sure that a support system remains in place is crucial to success. When a recovering alcoholic returns home or is no longer in active treatment, he will face many temptations. There are several ways to avoid or withstand these temptations to help protect all of the hard work they have put into their recovery.

One of the best ways in which to help ensure a smooth transition between life in treatment and life on their own is through the utilization of a sober living home. These are privately owned homes in residential neighborhoods where a recovering alcoholic can rent a room for an indefinite period of time. Provided the individual follows the rules, which may include a requirement to attend support group meetings in the home or at nearby facilities, and pays their rent, they can usually stay as long as they feel they need to.

If a sober living home is not available, the addict may need to return to the same living situation they left to enter rehab. When this happens, he or she will need to take steps to reduce or eliminate the temptations to drink. Not allowing drugs or alcohol in the home is a great way to start. The other members of the household may not be suffering from alcoholism; however, if the recovering alcoholic is to live in the same home, steps must be taken to protect them from temptation. If family members are unwilling to make simple changes, an alternative living arrangement may be in order.

There are other changes that a recovering alcoholic can make in this final stage of treatment. For instance, if the route taken to work passes a favorite tavern or bar, a simple solution might be to take another route to work and home each day. A few extra miles may be worth the benefit of not facing temptation to “stop by and say hello” to old acquaintances.