Alcohol Abuse Treatment Centers

Many people consider alcohol to be different from other drugs. Alcohol is legal and it is socially acceptable. However, alcohol is a drug. In fact, a recent study listed it as the most harmful drug of abuse on the market today. The study ranked drugs based on their potential harm to the person ingesting it and the potential harm to others. Alcohol beat out both crack and heroin to take the top spot. Likewise, alcohol is one of, if not the most, dangerous substance to quit. Once the body has become dependent on alcohol, withdrawal can be deadly.

The first step in addiction recovery is admitting that you have a problem. If you have been neglecting your responsibilities at work, school, or in your home life, you may need an alcohol abuse treatment center. Likewise, if you continue to drink even in the face of legal or financial consequences, you may need an alcohol abuse treatment center.

An important part of the program at an alcohol abuse treatment center is a safe, medical detox. When you are physically addicted to alcohol, withdrawal can not only be uncomfortable, it can also be life-threatening. It is important to detox in a medically supervised setting. Besides the health dangers, withdrawal can be so uncomfortable that many alcoholics relapse in this phase just to relieve the discomfort. Medically supervised detox at an alcohol abuse treatment center involves the administration of medications that will ensure that the process is safe and comfortable. In a safe, medical detox process, you will be given what is known as “cross-tolerant” medications to combat alcohol withdrawal. These medications work on the body in a similar way to alcohol, so you can avoid unpleasant symptoms when you stop drinking alcohol.

After detox, you will attend the therapy portion of alcohol abuse treatment center. You can attend an outpatient or inpatient program. When you contact the alcohol abuse treatment center, addiction experts will help you decide which route is right for you. In therapy, you will examine the things in your life that caused you to drink in the first place. You will also learn skills to help you live a sober, happy, and healthy life.

Outpatient treatment is usually used in conjunction with inpatient treatment. After a participating in an inpatient treatment at an alcohol abuse treatment center, you will live on your own and return to attend the outpatient program few nights a week. This is beneficial because it keeps you accountable and provides support as you return to the stressors of ever day life.

Sometimes, an addict or alcoholic is unable to devote the time needed to attend an inpatient program at an alcohol abuse treatment center. They may have family or work commitments that they are unable to get away from. In these cases, outpatient treatment at an alcohol abuse treatment center is used in lieu of inpatient treatment. The individual usually attends group or individual therapy 2-5 days a week and lives at home or in a sober house.

When you choose an alcohol abuse treatment center, it is important to find one that is right for you. Part of this choice will depend on your health insurance coverage. The other part depends on your individual needs. If you have any past trauma or a co-occurring disorder like depression, anxiety, or anorexia, you want to ensure that the alcohol abuse treatment center is equipped to help you deal with these issues as well.

If you or someone you know is looking for an alcohol abuse treatment center,  call us at (877) 711-HOPE (4673) or visit us online at www.palmpartners.com.