A Guide to Alcohol Rehabilitation
Alcoholism can happen when you very least expect it. It can take over your life and have a negative impact on your health and your relationships. Going to alcohol rehab can break the addiction to alcohol. This process includes a detox, followed by therapy treatment which helps understand the underlying issues and causes of the alcohol abuse.
What is alcoholism?
Alcoholism, also known as alcohol addiction or dependence, is an illness. It is characterised by a strong and uncontrollable desire to drink alcohol. The sufferer will have little power in stopping the progression of alcoholism, and their body will become dependent on it for daily functioning.
Having an addiction to alcohol affects your daily life. It determines the decisions you make on a regular basis, including where and who you visit. Alcoholism also interferes with the relationships you have and your work performance.
What are the symptoms of being addicted to alcohol?
Some common symptoms of being addicted to alcohol include:
- being unable to control when you drink alcohol
- experiencing shakes
- lying to others about your drinking habits
- craving your first drink of alcohol of the day
- experiencing blackouts and memory loss caused by drinking
- having withdrawal symptoms between periods of drinking
- having less interest in social activities and hobbies
- family members and/or friends frequently have concerns over your drinking
What is alcohol rehab?
Alcohol rehab is a facility that treats the addiction to alcohol. This treatment process will include a detoxification period where the body will rid itself of the alcohol within it. This may have to be a medicated detox if the addiction is physical and strong.
The next step will be to tackle the behavioural addiction to alcohol. This is where the addict will learn to train their brain to respond differently when faced with a trigger. Most rehabs also have therapy sessions that help understand what caused the alcohol abuse in the first place.
When should an alcoholic go to rehab?
There are signs which suggest that someone would benefit from alcohol rehabilitation. Alcoholism could be having a negative impact on their relationships and their social life. They have changed as a person, becoming irritable and dishonest, and it could be having an effect on their work life.
Having financial problems is also a key sign that alcohol use is getting out of hand. This is accompanied by the person missing out on things in order to sustain their addiction. It can cause them to have health issues and behavioural issues which is a big concern to those around them.
How long does alcohol rehab take?
How long alcohol rehabilitation takes depends on the programme you choose. This can vary from anywhere between two weeks to months or even a year. The level of addiction and willingness to recover also has an impact on the length of rehabilitation.
A detox programme alone would need a minimum of two weeks. However, these are more successful if followed up with therapy and psychological support. The longer you stay in the rehabilitation centre is usually the better in keeping you off alcohol.
Are There Success Rates for Alcohol Rehab?
While there are success rates for drug rehab centres, alcohol rehab centres and other addiction programs can vary widely in their success. One study of alcoholism treatment programs found that 28 per cent of participants were sober five years after entering treatment and 7 per cent were sober after 20 years. A study of drug abuse patients found that 57 per cent had stopped abusing drugs after 20 years, but 90 per cent had relapsed at least once before then. Another large study found that only half of those in alcohol-only treatment remained sober over a five-year period. Drug abusers also often relapse when they end therapy, according to a study of opiate users.
How Much Does Alcohol Rehab Cost?
Just as it’s impossible to answer whether or not alcohol rehab is worth it, one can’t really answer how much alcohol rehab costs, until they’ve answered, is alcohol rehab worth it first. Once you and your doctor have determined that you require treatment for a drinking problem, your next step is finding a program that fits your budget. How much does an inpatient program cost, compared to an outpatient program? What’s included with each option and what do I need to pay for myself? Asking these questions will help you come up with a number for how much alcohol rehab costs.
