Treatment at an alcohol rehab starts with time in supervised detox. You'll begin by physically withdrawing from alcohol in a safe environment. Withdrawal symptoms from alcohol can be harsh, and you are not safe if you try to detox at home alone. Treatment takes time, and you will discover a variety of programs that will help you as you go through the recovery process.

Potential Programs for Alcohol Rehab

Supervised detox is the first step, but you can then find a number of other programs to meet your recovery needs. Treatment can include residential treatment both short and long-term, Intensive Outpatient Treatment, sober living residential and outpatient services for aftercare. How you go through your recovery will be designed by you and your counselor. Together you will develop a treatment plan that is specific to your needs both in residential treatment and back out in the community. You will talk with a counselor about all of your options and you will write a treatment plan that will guide you through treatment.

Outpatient Treatment Services for Rehabilitation

Any type of treatment you receive that is not in a residential alcohol rehab is considered outpatient treatment. This can include group therapy sessions to learn more about addiction, individual counseling, and an Intensive Outpatient Program, or IOP, to have a structured day in recovery. You might try various exercises, or work with a nutritionist to boost your overall health. When you are in recovery, the more you can learn about wellness, the better you will feel overall.

Strategies to Prevent a Relapse

Relapse prevention strategies are taught early on in the recovery process. You will hear about relapse prevention, but you may not always know what people are talking about. Strategies to help you prevent a relapse can be almost anything that keeps you sober and helps you keep your stress levels down. These techniques can be different for almost anyone and what works for you, in the beginning, may not be as useful down the road. Some strategies can include:

Having a set meeting to meet a friend for coffee each week to talk. Taking a yoga or meditation class. Writing in a journal. Volunteering in your community. Attending AA/NA meetings on a regular basis.

Over time, you will discover what helps you maintain the sobriety you gained while in an alcohol rehab. It is important to try a variety of activities, as you never know what is going to help you feel better. When you gain control of your stress levels, you are going to be less likely to suffer from a relapse.

Finding the Right Support System

When you are in an alcohol rehab, you will hear people talk about finding your support system. You will want to start building your network right from the start, as building a strong team of support takes time. As you talk to people in recovery, you'll discover that you have a lot in common with others who are struggling with addiction. Don't be afraid to ask for contact information, as this is usually encouraged among peers who are in recovery. Once you leave an addiction treatment program, you'll want to continue finding peers by going to meetings out in the community.

Pay Attention to Your Interactions With Others

As a person in recovery, you may be used to trying to hide the truth about who you are. When you go to an alcohol rehab for treatment, you will be encouraged to be honest in your interactions with others. If you don't feel comfortable sharing in a group, don't feel as if you have to be dishonest about who you are. While the discussion may get very personal, you always have the option to pass and simply listen to what others have to say. As you become more honest in your interactions, you will find that it becomes easier to be yourself.

Signs That a Relapse Could Be Close

You will hear over and over that relapse is a part of the recovery process. While no one plans to relapse, it is important to remember that it is common. There are signs to watch out for that can indicate you are headed towards a relapse. The problem is, most people refuse to recognize the signs until it is too late and a relapse occurs. If you do relapse, get back to treatment and begin working your program of recovery again. Signs that a relapse is close include:

You have no desire to go to meetings in the community and you have been staying away from meetings. You are haven't talked to anyone in your support network for a while. You believe you won't become addicted again if you just have a few drinks. You have stopped believing that you have a problem with alcohol. You are dreaming about going out and having a few drinks. You aren't sure why you got sober in the first place.

While you could relapse at any time, paying attention will help you stay sober. If you find yourself sick of therapy and counseling meetings and wondering if you can handle a few drinks, it's time to reach out to a member of your support team. If stress has you overwhelmed and you want to calm your nerves with a few drinks, get the help you need.

Is It Time for an Alcohol Rehab for Detox?

If you are asking yourself if it is time to go to a detox program for alcohol addiction, you are probably past the time you needed to go. By the time most people who struggle with an addiction to alcohol area ready to go to a program, the addiction has taken over their lives. If you are tired of living as an addict, if you are always wondering where your next drink is going to come from, you need help to beat your addiction to alcohol. There is never a perfect time to seek treatment, but the sooner you get treatment, the healthier you will become.

What It's Like Inside a Treatment Program for Addiction

The environment you encounter in an addiction treatment facility may surprise you. The environment should be professional, clean, and supportive of your healing. You will meet staff who understand what you are going through and who are ready to help you break free from addiction. You will have the comforts you need, and you will be able to meet others who are in similar circumstances that you are. Treatment in a facility is generally not something to fear, and you will feel safe in the environment.

Stay Strong in Your Recovery

When it comes to your own sobriety, you have to maintain your commitment to your overall health and recovery. In the beginning, you may be highly committed to staying strong and you are prepared to meet the months ahead without abusing substances. As you go through the process of recovery, you may find your commitment levels go down. If you discover that you aren't very committed to your sobriety, remember why you became sober in the first place. Identify your reasons why you want to live a better life and always look back at how far you have come. You have done work if you are already in recovery, and you are worth keeping your sobriety intact.

Why Alcohol Addiction Is Treated Late

People who are addicted to alcohol often struggle with both recognizing and admitting they have a problem. Using alcohol is legal, and there can be a very fine line between social drinking and drinking to excess. For individuals who aren't sure if they are addicted, it's time to take a look at some of the signs that indicate alcohol is a problem. If you can answer yes to some of these questions, you may need an alcohol rehab for treatment.

Do you always look for the next opportunity to drink? Do you get mad if your plans to go out drinking change? Do you drive while intoxicated? Does your spouse get mad at your drinking habits?

When you have a problem with alcohol, you generally know it but don't want to admit it. Many also believe that treatment is not necessary because everyone else is drinking. People don't always see that there is a destructive pattern to their behavior and believe that it is socially acceptable. If you think you have a problem with drinking, it is very likely that you do.

The time to get treatment for your addiction to alcohol is now. While you may want to wait until the time is right to go get treatment, the time is never going to be perfect. Reach beyond your fears of going to a rehab facility and make the move to change your life for the better. The longer you live life addicted to substances, the more damage you are doing to your body. You can heal from your addiction, but you have to make the decision to get the help you need to recover.