The information provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment options. Though some believe the duration of rehab treatment should be at least three to six months, most alcohol rehab sessions last 30, 60, or 90 days. For long-term recovery, multiple sessions and different levels of treatment may be necessary over the long haul. For example, after completing a 90-day program, ongoing aftercare services may be necessary to experience healing and lasting recovery success.
Many others substantially reduce their drinking and report fewer alcohol-related problems. Take our free, 5-minute alcohol use self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with alcohol misuse. This evaluation consists of 11 yes or no questions that are designed to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of an alcohol use disorder. The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result. As part of our comprehensive outpatient services, our detox program provides completely personalized care, focusing on the needs of each patient. Theoretically, at this stage the addiction is conquered completely.
We usually experience setbacks along the way, learn from them, and then keep going. Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and what may work for one person may not be a good fit for someone else. Simply understanding the different options can be an important first step.
E-Health Alcohol Treatment Tools*
- You may want to take a family member or friend along, if possible.
- Furthermore, alcohol abuse increases the risk of various types of cancers, including those of the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, liver, and breast.
- The action stage is where a person takes measurable steps to address and overcome their alcohol addiction.
- Engaging in healthy lifestyle changes is also crucial for sustaining sobriety.
- Discover how rehab helps drug addicts overcome addiction through trusted rehab services, therapy, detox, skill-building, peer support, and aftercare for lasting recovery.
Thus, abstinence rates may be higher among individuals with problem recognition versus those who meet criteria for SUD based on a structured clinical interview (e.g., First et al., 2015), but who may not recognize a problem. Indeed, 54.0% in the National Recovery Study also sought lifetime assistance for their substance use problem (Kelly et al., 2017) versus 19.8% among those with alcohol use disorder in the NESARC (Grant et al., 2015). National Recovery Study rates of abstinent recovery were lower, however, relative to the Sober House Rules: A Comprehensive Overview 88.0% with alcohol problems in the What is Recovery Study (Subbaraman and Witbrodt, 2014). Dealing with alcohol addiction in a family member can be an overwhelming and emotional experience.
Additionally, alcohol can weaken the heart muscle, causing conditions like cardiomyopathy, which impairs the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively. Alcohol abuse and addiction doesn’t just affect the person drinking—it affects their families and loved ones, too. Watching a family member struggle with a drinking problem can be as heartbreakingly painful as it is frustrating. But while you can’t do the hard work of overcoming addiction for your loved one, your love and support can play a crucial part in their long-term recovery. Whether you choose to tackle your alcohol addiction by going to rehab, getting therapy, or taking a self-directed treatment approach, support is essential. Recovering from alcohol addiction or abuse is much easier when you have people you can lean on for encouragement, comfort, and guidance.
Residential treatment programs
When you drink, alcohol releases chemicals like dopamine that create feelings of pleasure. Over time, your brain gets used to this high and starts needing alcohol to feel good. This can change the way your brain functions and make it harder to quit drinking. A drinking relapse doesn’t mean you’re a failure or that you’ll never be able to reach your goal.
You can also benefit from the shared experiences of the group members and learn what others have done to stay sober. Lean on close friends and family – Having the support of friends and family members is an invaluable asset in recovery. If you’re reluctant to turn to your loved ones because you’ve let them down before, consider going to couples counseling or family therapy. Make a note about how you feel physically and mentally on these days—recognizing the benefits may help you to cut down for good. Let friends, family members, and co-workers know that you’re trying to stop or cut back on drinking.
What to Know About Alcohol Treatment
Research the kinds of treatment that are available and discuss these options with your friend or family member. Express your concerns in a caring way and encourage your friend or family member to get help. Try to remain neutral and don’t argue, lecture, accuse, or threaten. Choose a limit for how much you’ll drink, but make sure your limit is not more than one drink a day if you’re a woman, two drinks a day if you’re a man—and try to have some days each week when you won’t drink alcohol at all. Write your drinking goal down and keep it where you will frequently see it, such as on your phone or taped to your refrigerator.
For Loved Ones
It’s a disease that typically develops gradually over time as a person drinks more and more regularly, which causes chemical changes to occur in the brain. It stands to reason that alcohol recovery is also a gradual process with no set timeline. You might think that this time, you can have the control over drinking that you lacked before, or even start to question whether you had a use disorder.
Fully committing to the action stage takes significant effort and commitment, but it is essential to ending the cycle of alcohol addiction. It is characterized by an ongoing struggle to control the amount and frequency of your drinking, despite the negative physical, social, or professional consequences it causes. Other terms for AUD include alcohol addiction, alcohol dependence, and alcoholism. Clinicians classify AUD as mild, moderate, or severe depending on how much the condition affects a person’s life.
Lancaster Outpatient
We provide evidence-based treatment tailored to your unique needs, ensuring a holistic approach to recovery. Finally, people enter the Growth stage -new life skills acquisition and significant emotional development- three to five years following recovery. People use this stage to break cycles, overcome negative events, and define reasonable boundaries. Group therapy or a support group can help during rehab and help you stay on track as life gets back to normal.
Treatments Led by Health Care Providers
They may begin this stage by taking small steps away from negative habits. Researchingalcohol recoveryis also common and extremely helpful during this time. In fact, jumping into recovery without understanding what it entails can make it harder than it needs to be. For example, the detoxification process can causesevere physical effectsif not approached in the right way. It’s important for people to have an idea of what they’ll be experiencing during treatment. Psychologically, addiction often involves a mix of factors such as genetics, environment, and mental health.