Basics of Alcohol Rehab
Alcohol rehab refers to the process of treating alcohol addiction. It involves two primary methods of treatment, medical treatment and psychotherapeutic treatment.
The medical treatment usually involves alcohol detoxification of the patient, especially when the alcohol levels exceed the acceptable body limit. Mood stabilizers as well as sedatives, such as benzodiazepines, are administered to help the patient fight his cravings for alcohol throughout the detoxification period. The process must be initiated and monitored by a medical professional to lessen potential complications and to better help address the patient’s concerns. Seizures are probably the worst withdrawal symptom a patient may experience. Some explain it as a “rebound effect”; seizures are triggered when the brain has been sedated for a period time and then un-sedated. Ordinarily, a detoxification treatment lasts for about 3 to 7 days, depending upon how long since the person first started using the substance, the level of alcohol in his body, and sometimes some factors like age, weight, and history of sicknesses.
Alcohol detoxification alone can’t help the person to stay away from the substance. As soon as he gets back to his life, the desire, triggered by temptations around, would start crawling back to him. That’s why it’s critical that he undergoes the psychotherapeutic treatment. A psychologist or psychiatrist can help him or her through this process. It is in this part that the patient is educated regarding alcohol, alcohol addiction and the adverse affects of it, and how to effectively manage the stressors and triggers associated with it. In some processes, the patient is required to attend small group therapy. This is a very powerful type of treatment as a patient is able to share experiences with folks who in one way or another has undergone the same type of situation he or she has been in.
After the whole rehabilitation program which last for 1 to 3 months, the patient is given a comprehensive discharge plan to further help him avoid the pitfalls of alcohol abuse. The discharge plan may include life coaching, outpatient treatment referrals, and drug monitoring.
Alcohol rehabilitation is vital for the patient and his family. The success of the program depends upon the quality of the treatment and the patient‘s cooperation and inclination to freedom. The help of peers and most especially family and loved ones is essential in helping the patient reform and eventually live a clean and alcohol-free life.
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