Quick Facts About Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Alcohol abuse and addiction affect millions of people every year, yet few get the help they need to get sober and improve their long term health and well-being. If you, or someone close to you has a severe drinking problem, you need information! The more you know about alcohol addiction the better equipped you will be to get help.
Quick facts about alcohol addiction and treatment
Alcoholism can be treated, but there is no cure.
Because there is no specific cure for addiction to alcohol, it is very important that an individual engage in an alcohol rehab program. Rehab gives people the tools they need to get clean and stop drinking for the rest of their lives. Because a recovering alcoholic can never again engage in even "social drinking", rehab helps them reshape their lives without alcohol.
Alcohol Detoxification
The first step towards treatment for alcoholism is detox. This is the process of removing harmful toxins associated with alcohol completely from one's system. Once detox is complete, the physical dependence on alcohol will be removed and the individual can move on to an alcohol rehab program.
What to expect during alcohol detox
Detox generally brings on a series of withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms are rarely life threatening but still cause the individual to feel sick for a number of days. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms include: tremors (also known as "the shakes"), headaches, vomiting, perspiration, restlessness, loss of appetite and insomnia. More serious effects of alcohol detox can be Delirium Tremors (also known as "the DT's") and seizures (convulsions).
How long does alcohol detox take?
Although it varies by individual, and the extent of the alcohol addiction, generally speaking the detox process takes approximately 3 days to 2 weeks to complete.
Counseling and Alcohol Treatment
One of the primary elements of treatment for alcohol addiction is counseling. When an individual takes part in a treatment program, he or she will be engaged through individual counseling and group counseling. Individual counseling is private time spent with a treatment professional, and provides an opportunity to speak about the root causes of the alcoholism and discuss possible behavior changes needed to get sober. Group counseling sessions are also very beneficial as they provide a chance to talk openly about the individual’s drinking problem with a peer group made of people going through similar issues.
How long does alcohol rehab take?
Many treatment programs promise a quick fix, but the truly effective ones last 30 days or longer. This is considered "industry standard" as the minimum time required to allow the rehab program to take hold. Some people stay in treatment much longer, sometimes for up to a year or more. How long your alcohol treatment program lasts really depends on the extent of your addiction and your commitment to change.
Michael's House offering innovative, personalized treatment for those suffering from alcohol addiction. Experts in dealing with alcohol addiction, the staff at Michael's House knows how to care for the individual and see them through this difficult time. Programs at Michael's House provide the information and counseling needed to re-enter the world and regain control of one's life.
