Detox Alcohol
Types of Alcohol Detox Programs are as varied as there are types individuals addicted to alcohol. One important aspect to keep in mind if you are looking for treatment for yourself or someone close to you is that the better a fit between treatment center and individual, the more likely they will see a positive outcome. It's important to know if you are ready to detox alcohol or if you are at a point where you want to learn a bit more about what is involved. It can be so hard to give up something like alcohol or drugs that many people often look for various ways that they can discount or otherwise avoid dealing with their alcohol issues. There is no perfect 100% successful treatment out there. It simply does not exist. If it did, then all an alcoholic would need to do would be to sign up for the program. If ever a substance abuse counselor, psychologist, or any other person for that matter could develop such a treatment, they should probably receive the Nobel Prize. Until then, the work of detoxing alcohol and getting your life back together, still rests upon your shoulders. But, there is help.
The most important factor in rehabilitation is that you have to admit there is a problem. This is proven to be the number one indicator for recovery to begin with success. If you don't know that it is broken, then you cannot fix it. This is why intervention teams are put into place. It is an attempt to get the person to realize they have a problem. What won't work is if the person will not admit there is a problem. The enabler is the one that tries to convince the alcohol abuser that there is something wrong. This will not work. The alcohol abuser must get a hard dose of reality before they will take action. Stop holding hands and go get detox. There are many different methods these days that makes the symptoms of detox a lot easier. Therefore you cannot use this as a deterrent for not going to get help for your alcohol problem.
Dual Diagnosis
Traditional Programs Are Not Designed To Serve The Dual Diagnosis Patient. Most residential and outpatient substance abuse programs are not designed to serve patients with severe emotional problems or psychiatric symptoms. Traditional psychiatric programs treat psychiatric illness but not the substance abuse that may complicate and perpetuate it.
Many of the patients admitted to residential and outpatient substance abuse programs drink or use drugs. While therapeutic programs are sensitive to the impact of substance abuse on psychiatric disorders, Dual Diagnosis Programs are designed to meet the needs of those who, in addition to psychiatric and emotional programs, have problems with addiction.
Types of Alcohol Detox Programs
- Outpatient Treatment. Similar to individual psychotherapy in that as a client, you meet with your counselor or therapist on an outpatient basis. Types of clients who might benefit from this are individuals who may be dealing with a relapse after a period of sobriety or for individuals who recognize that they have a problem but can't afford to check into a detox center or have too many family obligations to do so. Any treatment is better than no treatment when you are abusing alcohol. Besides, the counseling, you may benefit from a medical evaluation from a physician. Try to get your physician and counselor to coordinate with each other to maximize your success. Be careful not to look for loop holes in fragmented care as a way to undermine your own treatment.
- Self Help Groups. Alcoholics Anonymous has probably helped more people in this world with alcohol related problems than any other organization. Self help groups can provide you with a glimpse into the others who have struggled with smiliar issues as you. Self help can feel supportive and the act of helping others can benefit you too. Self help groups can assist you in your recovery from alcohol and they can be used in conjuction with other approaches.
- Detox Facilities. Individuals with a heavy drinking problem may benefit the most from an inpatient stay as they detox alcohol. Detox facilities are quite varied, with some offering no frills, medical detoxing, therapy, and counseling while others offer all the amenities of a resort. No matter what facility you may choose, the bottom line is, you still have to do your psychological work to recover -- remember there is no 100% effective treatment without you.
More Resources
Clinic Directory
Substance Abuse Treatment
Detox Alcohol Referrals
Alcohol in Europe