Healing from addiction to alcohol begins when you are ready to take the step and ask for help. An alcohol rehabilitation center will offer you the chance to heal from your addiction, to withdraw safely, and to move forward in the process of learning how to live without alcohol to cope with life. When you are addicted to substances, asking for help is a brave step. Once you are ready to start the work of recovering from your addiction, nothing can stop you from getting your life back.

The Types of Alcohol Rehabilitation Programs You'll Encounter

When you begin to investigate the types of programs available to you, it can be a bit overwhelming to hear about the different treatment options you have in front of you. It is important to understand that the first type of program is a supervised detox facility, while treatment after that can be either inpatient or outpatient, depending on your needs. A supervised detox program will allow you to withdraw from substances while being carefully monitored for dangerous symptoms. Withdrawing from alcohol at home can lead to serious, even life-threatening side effects and it is never recommended to detox from alcohol alone.

Once you leave an alcohol rehabilitation center for detox, you have further choices. You can move on to a short-term rehabilitation program to gain more confidence in your sobriety. If you are new to recovery, a short-term residential program can give you the break you need to learn more about the emotional aspect of recovery. Once you have removed alcohol physically from your body, you will start to work on the emotional and behavioral components of addiction.

For people who aren't ready to return home after short-term rehabilitation, a long-term residential program is an option. You can go to a long-term program if you aren't ready to return home and you don't feel safe being back out in the community. People who don't have a home to return to or who are at high risk of a relapse if they return home often choose a long-term residential program. In this type of program, you will have the support you need as you work on your recovery and begin the process of building your life once again.

When an Intensive Outpatient Program is an Option

Some individuals have an excellent support system at home and are ready to return to their home environment right after time in a detox program. An Intensive Outpatient Program provides treatment during the day that is highly structured. During the day in an IOP, treatment includes group counseling sessions, individual therapy, and a scheduled day to help you build on the work you began in detox. While you have support during the day to work on your recovery and ask plenty of questions, you return home each night.

If you don't feel comfortable returning home after time in a long-term residential treatment program for addiction, you can move on to a sober living community. This type of residence is a supportive place for individuals who aren't ready to return home but don't need the intensive programming offered in an alcohol rehabilitation center. There are rules in a sober living community, and you must follow the rules or you will be asked to leave. The goal for everyone living in the program is to become more independent, to work, and to learn how to integrate into the community in a safe way.

How to Avoid a Relapse While You are in Recovery

Finding your sobriety is a process, and you might relapse while you work hard to remain sober. You will hear that relapse is a part of sobriety, and this is generally true. If you relapse, your best option is to get back to work and find your sobriety again. You haven't lost everything you worked for, you made a mistake and can get right back to the work of recovery after a relapse. When you pay attention to the signs that indicate a relapse could be close by, you have a better chance at staying sober over the long term.

Signs of a relapse getting close can include a lack of commitment to your sobriety, or no longer being interested in going to meetings. When you stop feeling as if you don't need recovery, this is when you are most at risk. Attitude makes a big difference when you are in recovery, and if you find yourself wondering if you could use alcohol just a little bit, you probably need some help from your support network to get back on track.

Why a Support Network Matters

While your friends and family will support you in the ways they can, true support generally comes from the people who understand exactly what you are going through. Other people who are in recovery will be an excellent support to you if you are able to open up and engage with these people. As you build your support network, look for individuals that inspire you. In recovery, when you find people who give you hope about your future, it is very useful to get to know these individuals further. Your support network is going to be there for you when you are feeling down and close to abusing substances.

Strategies to Help You Stay Sober and Prevent a Relapse

Sobriety is a process. When you are home after time in an alcohol rehabilitation center, learning new ways to prevent a relapse will benefit you. Abusing alcohol often occurs when you are stressed out and having trouble managing your life day to day. Strategies to help you stay sober are those that help you feel less stress and give you positive things to do instead of abusing substances. When you are new in recovery, this is an excellent time to start learning new activities that help you feel more grounded. Try taking an art class, or join a walking group. Meet people who have a positive mindset and don't be afraid to try something new. When you have a routine and you are better able to manage your stress, it will be easier for you to avoid a relapse in the future.

Is It Time to Get Treatment for Addiction?

The right time to seek treatment for your addiction to alcohol is now. It is never going to feel like the perfect time to get treatment. When you wait to go to an alcohol rehabilitation center, you are only prolonging the time you spend living the life of addiction. You can find the time to go to treatment before you are forced to because of a court order. Once you make the decision to seek treatment for your alcohol addiction, you will discover a world of help that is available to you.

Why People Addicted to Alcohol Often Wait to Get Help

It isn't always easy to tell the difference between social drinking and an addiction to alcohol. Drinking socially is both acceptable and legal for adults, and many people cross the line into alcohol addiction without being able to admit it. For social drinkers, it's possible to have a few drinks and have fun with friends. There are times when social drinkers take it too far. For people who struggle with an addiction to alcohol, the relationship with alcohol is different. Social drinkers don't get mad if plans to drink get changed, while an addict will. Social drinkers can stop in plenty of time to drive home sober, while those with an addiction to alcohol won't.

If you believe you have an addiction to alcohol, it's time to investigate your beliefs further. Take the time to look at how you respond if an event to go out drinking is canceled. Talk with your spouse if they have been complaining about your alcohol abuse. You may be surprised to learn that your loved ones have wanted you to get help for years, and you are the last one to recognize that you need an alcohol rehabilitation center.

Recovery from addiction to alcohol is possible. With the help offered at treatment programs throughout your area, you will discover that you can have a great life free from addiction. As you go through the process of detox and then early recovery, you will begin to see the light that is being offered to you. Sobriety is a real goal for anyone who has an addiction to alcohol, but you have to be willing to reach out and accept the help that is being offered to you.

Treatment for an addiction to alcohol begins with you. It's a choice you make to take your life back from alcohol addiction. Sobriety takes work, but over time you will find that sobriety becomes a lifestyle that brings you health and prosperity. Being sober is going to change your life, but you have to make the commitment to start a recovery program. From detox to sober living communities, there is a wide range of treatment you can find to help you get your life back and move forward.