Detox

Detox is the first stage an individual struggling with alcohol abuse must go through.

It is the process that cleanses and rids one’s body of any foreign substances. Detoxing from alcohol can result in very uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, which is why it is best to undergo a supervised detox. Having the support of another person can be helpful for the individual detoxing from alcohol, as they may experience severe discomforts and temptations to drink.

Each individual’s detox experience will vary in duration as well as severity of symptoms. Due to some of the more severe withdrawal symptoms, for individuals who have had a long-term alcohol abuse problem, a residential medically supervised detox is highly recommended to ensure safety.

Common examples of withdrawal symptoms that a person may experience when detoxing from alcohol may include any combination of the following:

Treatment

There are many treatment options available for individuals who struggle with alcohol abuse and/ or alcoholism. Depending on the severity of one’s abuse, an outpatient substance abuse and addiction treatment option can be beneficial.

Outpatient programs allow a bit more flexibility in terms of attendance timeframes as well as allowing the individual to reside at home throughout the program. They can range from two weeks to three months long.

Inpatient substance abuse and addiction treatment programs are another option for people struggling with alcohol abuse. An inpatient program requires its participants to reside at the substance abuse treatment facility for the duration of the program. This enables a distraction-free zone for the individual to solely focus on their substance abuse recovery. Inpatient treatment programs typically last a duration of anywhere from three weeks to as long as six months. If an individual suffers from a dual diagnosis it is imperative to select a treatment program that is fully equipped to work with dual diagnosis clients. Addiction is a disease that is known to include relapse. For this reason, it is not uncommon that some individuals first attend an inpatient substance abuse and addiction treatment program and then follow it up with an outpatient substance abuse and addiction treatment program.

Aftercare

Once an individual has successfully completed substance abuse and addiction treatment, it is imperative for him or her to follow an aftercare plan.

An aftercare plan is a unique plan tailored to each individual’s needs to help with maintaining sobriety after rehab. It is common practice for a substance abuse and addiction treatment program to work with each individual throughout the program (usually towards the end of the program) to create a manageable aftercare plan. Aftercare plans can be specific or vague, depending on the individual’s needs. Most frequently they will include suggestions of support group meetings to attend, an exercise regimen, and other pertinent guidance for healthy sober living.