Treatment Options for Alcoholism

Getting Help for an Alcohol Addiction

In the United States, just over 6% of adults aged 18 or older—that’s more than 15 million Americans—are estimated to have an alcohol use disorder. Data also shows that as many as 88,000 Americans die each year from alcohol-related causes, making alcohol number three on the list of the nation’s most common preventable causes of death. If you’re concerned that you or a loved one might become the next statistic, it’s time to consider professional alcohol rehabilitation.

Alcohol Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Options

There is hope for individuals struggling with an addiction to alcohol; professional alcohol addiction treatment programs, in particular, have been highly successful. The three most commonly used types of treatment for alcohol addiction are residential, intensive outpatient, and outpatient programs.

  • Residential treatment
    This type of program is the most strict and requires clients to remain on the facility premises for the first several weeks of treatment. At the start of residential treatment, individuals are assisted in detoxing from their physical alcohol addiction and watched closely for any health issues or concerning behaviors. Individuals in residential treatment are not allowed to leave the facility for any reason and are usually prohibited from contacting anyone outside of the facility for an initial period of time.Yellowstone Recovery’s residential treatment occurs in two phases: primary and extended care. In the first phase, clients begin working in a 12-step program, group therapy, and individual therapy. Clients are always supervised by facility staff during primary care and are required to participate in sessions on a set schedule. By working together, clients form a natural peer support group. At the end of 30 days in primary care, clients move into the extended care phase.During the second half of residential alcohol treatment, clients use what they’ve learned to build a plan for their lives after release. Counselors and facility staff work with clients to practice self-sufficiency and seek gainful employment in their community. As part of the transition back to “normal” life, clients in extended care are also allowed to have more contact with the outside world, including additional opportunities for visits and off-site travel.
  • Intensive outpatient treatmentIntensive Outpatient Treatment
    This type of treatment program—also called simply “IOP”—is designed for clients who have already gone through (or don’t require) alcohol addiction detox but have not recently completed residential treatment. Clients receive the same thorough care and therapy opportunities, but they are not required to live on-site or observe the same restrictions as residential clients. This allows clients to continue working and meeting other responsibilities while getting the treatment they need.At Yellowstone Recovery, our intensive outpatient clients are required to have four group therapy sessions and one individual session per week. We also give clients the option to live in one of our sober-living facilities if they cannot find a safe, temptation-free place to live off-site.
  • Outpatient treatment
    Clients who have recently completed a residential treatment have the option of transferring into an outpatient treatment program for continuing care. Not all clients choose to enter outpatient treatment, but it’s not unusual for clients to feel that they would benefit from further alcohol rehabilitation work when residential treatment ends. Outpatient treatment provides additional opportunities to address outstanding concerns before returning to society.Outpatient clients at Yellowstone Recovery may live off-site with family or in a sober living facility, if necessary. Our outpatient alcohol treatment program requires one individual therapy session and three group therapy sessions each week, as well as continued work in a 12-step program with the help of a sponsor.

Choosing the Right Kind of Treatment

While all three treatment program types provide the resources and support clients need to successfully achieve sobriety and resolve underlying issues, each type is unique. This variety of alcohol addiction treatment options is the key to helping a diverse range of clients. At first glance, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure how to choose the right path.

Clients who are still deeply addicted to alcohol and drinking heavily on a daily basis typically choose a residential program with fully supervised care and a complete detox process. If detox is not necessary, clients may be suited to an intensive outpatient program for therapy and support without as many restrictions. Outpatient programs are a follow-up option for those who have recently finished residential care.

If you still need help choosing the right type of treatment program, Yellowstone Recovery can help. We’ll discuss your options in detail so that you can make an informed decision.

 

Medication as Support for Alcohol Rehab

Alcohol treatment specialists are acutely aware of how uncomfortable (or even dangerous) alcohol withdrawal can be. As such, the medical providers at treatment centers commonly prescribe medications to ease symptoms and prevent serious harm during alcohol detox.

Anti-anxiety medications such as Diazepam may be used to calm clients and aid in sleeping during detox, and certain clients may also be given vitamin supplements and/or IV fluids to treat any deficiencies or dehydration that may be causing physical distress. These medications are eventually tapered off and discontinued as the alcohol dependency fades and detox comes to an end.

The Rehabilitation Process

Even though residential, outpatient, and intensive outpatient alcohol treatment programs differ in style, they all progress in similar ways. To give you an idea of the typical alcohol addiction rehab process, here’s how it works at Yellowstone Recovery:

  1. Alcohol detoxAlcohol Addiction Rehab Process
    Residential treatment clients who are still struggling with a physical dependency and are drinking every day start their journey with alcohol detox. Medical professionals monitor clients’ vital signs, prescribe necessary medications, and provide any other appropriate health care during this physically stressful period. Once the alcohol has been safely purged from the client’s system and the physical addiction is eliminated, the main body of rehab work can begin.
  2. Blackout period
    To protect clients from outside temptations and sources of stress, our residential protocol prohibits individuals from leaving the site or contacting anyone outside of the facility for a period at the start of the program. While it may seem harsh, this communication blackout is meant to keep clients safe from old influences and behaviors that might sabotage their progress before it can even begin.
  3. 12-step program and therapy sessions
    The next step for residential clients (and one of the first steps for intensive outpatient clients) is to begin attending 12-step program meetings, group therapy sessions, and individual therapy sessions. This is the bulk of the rehabilitation process, during which clients work through difficult issues, learn healthy strategies, and build a strong network of support that will benefit them the long term.
  4. Sober living (if desired)
    If clients are worried that living on their own or with family will present problems or temptations that may threaten their newfound sobriety, the next stage may be to move into a sober living facility. This gives clients the peace of mind that they will be in a safe, alcohol-free environment during what can sometimes be a vulnerable transition period. It also allows individuals to be with recovering peers and strengthen one another along the way.
  5. Aftercare
    Wherever clients choose to live after treatment, Yellowstone Recovery clients are able to seek aftercare support while they readjust to “regular” life. We offer a variety of helpful resources, from job search assistance to information about additional support groups and therapies.

 

Choosing the Right Treatment Center

Alcohol addiction isn’t easy to conquer, and you shouldn’t have to do it alone. When you’re ready to get help, the first thing you’ll want to do is identify the right treatment center. Above all, it’s important to keep an open mind to find a facility that truly offers the support and care you need. Alcohol addiction puts your life at stake; you have the right to seek the best possible help rather than settling on the first thing you find.

As you investigate different alcohol treatment centers, look for positive traits like these:

  • Strong knowledge and experience
  • Culture of compassion and respect
  • Relaxing atmosphere and location
  • Safe detox with reputable medical professionals
  • Reliable security
  • Solid basis in therapy work with professional counselors
  • Help planning for life after release
  • Positive reviews from former clients
  • Flexible financial options

Break Free from Alcohol Addiction at Yellowstone Recovery

Break Free From Alcohol AddictionHas drinking all day become your new normal? Is your loved one so dependent on alcohol that she is neglecting her responsibilities? Whatever the situation, alcohol doesn’t have to be in charge anymore. The addiction specialists at Yellowstone Recovery have the experience and resources to guide you toward renewed health and happiness.

Over the last 20 years, we’ve helped thousands of men and women escape the cycle of addiction, overcome difficult personal challenges, and develop new skills to support a long, healthy, and sober life. Our impeccably maintained facilities, gorgeous California landscape, and strong dedication to excellence have made us an ideal location for clients to relax, focus on themselves, and return to their lives more empowered and motivated than ever before.

Don’t listen to your addiction when it says “it’s just not the right time for rehab”—there will never be a better time than right now to seek help. If you’re ready to discover what life can be like without drinking, call us today at 888-418-4188.

 

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Contact Yellowstone Recovery

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