Alcoholism is a serious disease. It destroys families, careers and the self-worth of the addicted individual. Some alcoholics manage to quit drinking on their own but most will need intervention, whether through a self-help group or an inpatient treatment program.
The first step in the treatment process is for the addicted person to admit there is a problem. No recovery program will work without it.
Inpatient treatment can come in many different forms, such as being focused on teenagers or one particular gender. Some are actually wilderness retreats which can aid in the recovery process by focusing on survival skills.
Inpatient alcohol addiction treatment begins with an evaluation. A medical and mental health history is taken and the patient is advised on what to expect from the program and what is expected of them. The next and most often difficult stage is detox. The detox process takes from one to two weeks, depending on the individual. The patient may become quite ill during this stage, suffering from shakes, nausea and even hallucinations. Detox is always best done in the inpatient setting in case there are medical complications.
After detox comes therapy, either in a group or one-on-one or both. Inpatient treatment programs can differ but most are based on 12 steps. The Steps help the patient to better self-awareness about their addiction and healthier ways of thinking and dealing with life, especially overcoming denial about how their addiction is affecting them and others. The patient may also be assigned daily work tasks and participate in exercise and art.
At a later point, the patient’s entire family is encouraged to become involved and learn how to be a positive support system in the recovery process.
The long-term goal of alcohol addiction treatment is to help the patient realize there is more to sobriety than ceasing to drink. A truly sober life involves daily self-reflection, acceptance of limitations and setting realistic goals.
Many inpatient treatment programs are covered by insurance and some employers may pay for it, as well. The alcoholic must take the first step in admitting there is a problem so they can move on to a better life.
Tags: alcohol addiction treatment, inpatient treatment program, inpatient treatment programs, long term goal, medical complications, self reflection, sober life, survival skills, wilderness retreats, work tasks