Did you know, that individuals who obtain help with their alcohol addiction were significantly more likely to achieve 3-year remission? They were also significantly less likely to relapse!
If you or someone you love is addicted to alcohol and is considering rehab, it can be daunting to figure out which rehab center is best. The benefits of an alcohol addiction rehab center are overwhelming, but which one will maximize those benefits? The choice is different for each person.
If you’re looking for how to choose the rehab center that’s right for you, read on to learn more!
Is an Alcohol Addiction Rehab Center Right for Me?
The first question on your mind is probably whether you need treatment in the first place. The answer to that question is almost always yes! No matter your personal situation, getting help is always worth it.
Many addicts find themselves wondering if their addiction is bad enough to merit treatment. This is one of the reasons that only 10% of those struggling with substance use receive treatment.
It’s also one of the ways that your addiction lies to you to keep you addicted. By convincing you that your addiction isn’t so bad, you’re more likely to give in to it and avoid treatment.
Sometimes it’s difficult to remain objective, and it’s worth consulting a professional. For example, if you’ve received a DUI or have failed a drug or alcohol test at work, you might have to complete an alcohol and drug evaluation. This evaluation allows professionals to get an insight into your addiction, and make an informed decision about what the best next steps are for you.
From there, depending on the severity of your substance problems, you might be asked to attend inpatient or outpatient treatment and long-term therapy.
Quantify the Severity of Your Addiction
One of the first steps of taking control of your addiction is to understand it. Addiction is graded on a scale of mild, moderate, or severe. Consider the following criteria:
- Lack of control
- Desire to quit, but unable
- Lots of time spent acquiring the substance
- Cravings
- Lack of responsibility
- Problems with work or personal relationships
- Loss of interest
- Use patterns that are dangerous
- Situations that keep getting worse
- Increased tolerance
- Withdrawal when not using
If you experience two or three, you would already have a mild substance use disorder. Any more than that and your disorder would range from moderate to severe. All types of addictions, whether mild or severe, are worth treating.
Format of the Treatment
There are several different formats for alcohol addiction treatments. Now that you understand the severity of your addiction, you can evaluate which program is best for you.
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment programs are found in hospitals. These facilities monitor patients 24 hours a day and are usually used for patients who are not safe to be left alone. Inpatient treatment might be the right fit if you experience withdrawals and extreme alcohol-seeking behavior.
For example, you might have tried to quit alcohol before and experienced strong physical and psychological symptoms. In these cases, you’re experiencing withdrawal and medical supervision is recommended.
Furthermore, you might also have quit alcohol but the symptoms and cravings were so bad you immediately sought out alcohol and relapsed. In these cases, inpatient therapy is a great idea because expert caretakers will keep you accountable and curb any substance-seeking behavior.
One version of inpatient treatment is a residential treatment center which is a health care facility that feels like a home. They provide care with both medical services and therapeutic intervention that can treat the addiction and provide longer-term therapy and care.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment offers tests, therapy, and medical services without care around the clock. This means you can stay in your own home at night and receive treatment during the day.
Outpatient allows you to meet your professional and personal obligations while you overcome your addiction.
If you need new coping mechanisms but can manage your own substance-seeking behaviors, this might be a great option for you. This is also a great way to stay comfortable and in familiar surroundings while you seek treatment.
If your family is a strong support system for you and you can rely on their help during your treatment, outpatient treatment is a great option. If someone in your house drinks or isn’t supportive of your treatment, inpatient might be a better way to limit your temptation.
You might also consider outpatient treatment after inpatient treatment for long-term maintenance of the problem.
Consider Your Finances
It’s easy to say that your health is worth every penny, but budget is a definite limiting factor.
Check in with your insurance company and see what programs would be covered for you and how you can treat your addiction and then manage it long-term without breaking the bank. Some programs are state-funded and can be an option if your insurance doesn’t cover the treatment you need.
When comparing treatment costs, always consider the quality of care your receiving.
Be sure to spend time reading online reviews. Some centers are very affordable and seem too good to be true. Read about the experiences of former patients to get a clearer picture.
If it’s possible to afford better care without going into debt, do it. It’s better to get quality care for half the time than mediocre care for twice the time.
A Note About Alcoholics Anonymous
Some people think that Alcoholics Anonymous, AA, is a form of addiction treatment. This is actually not true. AA is a support group for addicts to share stories and support each other, it offers no therapy, medical support, or clear recovery structure.
It’s been established that AA can be used in conjunction with traditional addiction treatment to increase effectiveness, but isn’t effective on its own. If you’re considering joining an AA group, that’s a great way to support treatment, but it doesn’t replace treatment!
Get Help Today!
This article should have given you a good place to start when it comes to choosing the best care for you. Everyone has different needs and a different addiction, so there’s no one-size-fits-all alcohol addiction rehab center. Be honest in your self-reflection and take control of your addiction.
If this advice helped you, you’ll probably learn something from our other posts too. Check out our blog for more content about health and self-improvement.