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What is Alcohol Rehab?

Alcohol rehab is a facility or program, which is designed to help alcoholics and their families find effective treatment and intervention services for alcoholism.  Alcohol rehab offers the alcoholic a safe, supportive environment in order to heal the devastating effects that chemical dependency has wrought on their lives.  Alcohol rehab is available on both an inpatient and outpatient basis and includes a variety of locations and programs.  The type of program that you choose would depend in large part on the treatment that you may require.

A good alcohol rehabilitation program must accommodate all alcoholics.  Physical symptoms of the disease will be monitored throughout and specific portions of the rehab treatment will address the psychological effects of addiction.  Gone are the days where the physical effects of the addiction and the withdrawal process were the only focus.  Now, alcohol rehabilitation programs also address the core issues or reasons why the individual has the addiction.  Alcohol rehab focuses not only on the physical symptoms of alcoholism but also on changing the behaviors and thought processes that made the individual try alcohol in the first place.

Ultimately, a good alcohol rehab program will be a complete lifestyle change for the individual suffering from an addiction.  Alcohol rehab strives to change the alcohol-using behavior and teaches the alcoholic how to cope with the recovery of a normal life and establish healthy, supportive relationships.

There are two main types of alcohol rehabilitation.  In-patient and outpatient rehabilitation.

In-Patient Alcohol Rehabilitation

In-patient rehabilitation is the most aggressive of the two rehab approaches.  In-patient rehabilitation is generally best for alcoholics who cannot obstain from alcohol on their own and involves a stay at a treatment facility or hospital for detoxification purposes.  The length of the stay depends on the severity of the person’s alcohol dependency and can vary from a few days to a year.

In-patient programs are especially helpful for alcoholics who lack healthy social relationships, have previously failed in other types of treatment programs and/or those who suffer from severe medical or health conditions as a result of their addiction.  In-patient programs offer a structured environment for the alcoholic while providing them with a variety of therapy sessions (including individual, group and family counseling) and addiction education techniques. 

In-patient programs typically take place in a residential treatment facility or hospital/medical facility where medications can be administered if needed.  Most in-patient programs also utilize a 12-step recovery process.

In-patient addiction treatment programs are considered to be very effective and have a very high success rate.

Out-patient Alcohol Rehabilitation Programs

Outpatient alcohol rehab programs are designed for those alcoholics who do not suffer from severe physical effects of their addiction.  Outpatient alcohol treatment programs are designed for those individuals who either cannot or will not be able to attend an extended-stay in-patient treatment program and allow the individual alcoholic to maintain some stability and familiarity during the treatment process.  Many outpatient alcohol treatment programs have day or night treatment options, which allows the individual to maintain employment and or stay in their current living situation.  Outpatient alcohol rehab programs work best for individuals who have healthy, supportive social relationships.

Whether you choose in-patient or out-patient care for your alcoholism, you are taking the first step in living a life of sobriety—and that is something to be truly proud of.

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