According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, in 2019, more than 14 million people from 12 and above suffered from alcoholism. Unfortunately, only 7.2% of them were able to get the needed treatment. One of the things this low number has been attributed to is the lack of awareness for Alcohol Rehab Programs.
This lack of awareness has led to the spread of several lies and myths about alcohol rehab programs. One of these myths is that patients will be tied to a bed in a secluded room alone. This is false; simply because not all programs require you to be admitted to their facility. That being said, in case you are thinking of registering with an alcohol rehab but you are not sure of what to expect, then you are in luck, as you will learn all about alcohol rehab here in this article.
What Is A Rehab Center?
Rehab centers are facilities committed to helping people stop addiction. Typically, they design different treatment programs to help people recover from their addiction.
There are different categories of rehab centers. While some specialize in helping patients with certain drug addictions, others provide a broad range of substance addiction services. Some rehab centers are also age or gender-specific to help patients feel comfortable. There are rehab centers that offer inpatient and outpatient services.
How To Know When It Is Time To Join A Rehab Program
A major sign that you need rehab is when substance abuse impacts your relationships, hobbies, mental health, physical health, and job negatively. It would be best if you determined what substance abuse has taken from your life and how often you think about using it.
Using substances to suppress mood disorders like anxiety or depression symptoms is another major sign that you should consider rehab. A rehabilitation center can properly diagnose any mental condition which could be the reason behind your substance use disorder. They can also treat both appropriately.
What To Expect From An Alcohol Rehab Program
Even though people avoid getting treatment for their alcohol abuse for a variety of reasons, a host of them don’t get help simply because they are not sure of what to expect when they join an alcohol rehab program.
For a treatment program to be successful, patients need to be motivated all through. So knowing what to expect from each stage of the program can help prepare them ahead and motivate them.
So what should you expect on your first visit?
Checking In for Alcohol Rehab
Your recovery process will start as soon as you enter an alcohol rehab center. You’ll be asked questions about your health and addiction issues. This can be done via a series of questionnaires or a personal interview. The aim of these questions is to find out more about the nature of alcoholism and any other underlying conditions associated with it.
Typically, the answers you give to the question provided are what will be used to customize treatment for your specific physical and psychiatric needs.
After the intake process is done, the next step is to undergo a medical detox as required.
Detox and Withdrawal
The second step in an alcoholism treatment program is alcohol withdrawal. It’s usually the hardest aspect of physical rehab since it can cause uncomfortable and dangerous psychological and physical symptoms.
The psychological symptoms include hallucinations, anxiety, mood swings, agitation, depression, insomnia, and nightmares. Some of the physical symptoms include seizures, headache, shakiness, fever, nausea, irregular heartbeat, and sweating.
The most dangerous of all these withdrawal symptoms are seizures, fever, and hallucinations. They are usually part of a chronic withdrawal reaction known as delirium tremens (DTs). DTs can become life-threatening. This is why a medical professional is needed on the ground to monitor patients during medical detox. It would be best if you never tried to do an alcohol detox by yourself.
Treatment Types & Therapy
After a patient has finished the detoxification process, therapy will commence.
This includes family or couples therapy, behavioral therapy, and skill-building workshops, which prepare patients for life after treatment.
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy involves the use of group or individual therapy to help addicts know what’s motivating their behaviors and their alcohol abuse triggers. As a result, it helps them work towards developing coping skills to deal with these triggers.
Family or Marriage Therapy
For family or marriage therapy, patients are allowed to have sessions with their loved ones. These sessions serve as a reminder that you have support from your loved ones and that they believe in your ability to bring about the desired behavioral change.
Education & Aftercare
This session is designed to educate patients on addiction and help them prepare for life after treatment. Even though transitioning from treatment to life after rehabilitation can be rough, support and proper preparation can help smoothen the path.
During these sessions, patients can learn about post-treatment support resources available in their community. They can also be taught coping and motivational strategies which can help prevent relapses after rehab.
In summary, knowing what to expect in an alcohol rehabilitation program helps to prepare your mind ahead and enjoy the full benefits of the program.
