The Different Types of Alcohol Treatment Centers Available

Almost 30% of people in the United States alone suffer from a binge drinking disorder. Alcohol abuse is a very common problem, and it can cause serious damage to the affected person. Not only can excessive alcohol consumption harm the user physically, but it can also damage the person’s work life, social ties, and more. 

Fortunately, there are alcohol treatment centers that can help alcoholics get their lives back. What many people don’t know is that there are actually several different types of alcohol treatment centers available for this kind of substance addiction. But what are the different types, and how are they different from one another?

Which type might be the best choice? Keep reading and learn more about the different types of alcohol treatment centers below.

Outpatient Alcohol Treatment Centers

Some treatment centers focus on outpatient programs. An outpatient program means that the alcoholic will not stay or live in the center. Rather, the patient will go to the center a certain number of times every week. 

Then the alcoholic goes to the treatment center; they will go through treatment that is designed to help them overcome their addiction. Usually, outpatient treatment programs consist of therapy and possibly the use of medication to make the process of recovery easier. Therapy is a very important part of helping a person recover from a serious addiction. 

Most outpatient treatment centers offer several different types of therapy. Sometimes, they may combine these different types of therapy to help a certain person. This is important because certain types of therapy may work better for some people than others. 

For example, there are three main types. The first is individual therapy. The second is group therapy. 

The Details

The third is drug therapy. Individual therapy is arguably the most important. It allows the therapist and the addict to converse one-on-one. This will allow the patient to feel more comfortable when sharing information about their addiction and life. 

Group therapy is also very important. It involves the patient sharing their experience with other people in the same situation. Drug and alcohol counseling is more specific to the addiction problem at hand. 

In some cases, it may be necessary to supplement these sessions with medication. For example, if a person’s alcoholism is caused by depression, antidepressant medication may be a good choice. This is also true for other mental conditions like anxiety. 

Inpatient Alcohol Treatment Centers

For those seeking help for alcoholism, an inpatient program is designed for those who have severe addiction problems. An outpatient program is for people who still have some control over their lives. They may be able to control their addiction to a certain extent. 

On the other hand, some may be so reliant on alcohol that they have completely lost control of their lives. They may have lost their job and severed social ties due to their addiction. They may also have serious health problems due to the use of excessive alcohol. 

Whatever the case, an inpatient alcohol treatment program, in general, is much more intense than an outpatient program. An intensive inpatient program, for example, involves supervising the patient 24/7. While this may sound excessive, it is often necessary for those with severe addictions. 

If the patient was not always supervised, they may try to sneak in some alcohol or sneak out of the program. Inpatient programs also have an emphasis on the medical side of things. People with severe alcohol addictions may have health problems. 

What You Need to Know

More than that, the withdrawal symptoms for severe addicts could be very dangerous. So, having medical professionals on hand will make the entire process safer for the patient. Inpatient programs can be difficult for the patient to deal with at first. 

This is because the person will have to adjust to their new environment. Not only that, but the patient will also have to go through the withdrawal process. The withdrawal process can be particularly painful to go through for long-term addicts. 

But whatever the case, inpatient programs are often necessary for those who have not improved with normal therapy and treatment options. This more intensive program often helps even the most serious of addicts. 

Partial Hospitalization or Intensive Outpatient Programs

In some cases, a patient may not need an inpatient program, but they may need more than an ordinary outpatient program. In this case, an intensive outpatient program may be necessary. For some, partial hospitalization may also be necessary. 

These programs are usually designed for addicts with more complex addiction issues. For example, the patient may have made a full recovery in a regular outpatient program. However, after a period of time, the patient may have started drinking alcohol again and gotten much worse. 

This program is similar to an outpatient program but involves more intense treatments. For example, the patient may need to attend more sessions or take certain medications to get back on track. Often, more therapy sessions can be very helpful for those who are unable to stay sober. 

The support from the therapist and from fellow addicts can be very helpful for a patient making their way toward recovery.

All About Different Types of Alcohol Treatment Centers

There are many different types of alcohol treatment centers, and while they are all good choices, some may be better than others for specific alcohol abusers. For example, inpatient programs are best for those with severe addictions. On the other hand, outpatient or intensive outpatient programs are better for those who still have some control over their lives.

To get help with your addiction, click here. We don’t accept Medi-Cal at this time but do accept self-pay options.