Alcoholism treatment consists of many things.

Studies have shown that a well-rounded, multidisciplinary program is more effective. Part of recovery is to educate individuals on their disease. Those dealing with a drinking problem may not be too aware of what is going on within them. Different programs and educational workshops go into teaching the individual about the concepts of addiction and the impacts it has on behavior. This is coupled also with educational pieces on recovery, sober living and the positives of a productive lifestyle.

Many skills and strategies have also been developed to assist the alcoholic in dealing with the craving to drink. Part of alcohol recovery is utilizing and developing these skills. An alcohol rehab program can introduce these skills through different means. We incorporate a number of experiential activities and challenges to teach different relapse prevention and lifestyle skills. Long-term rehabilitation is also a way to develop a number of skills over time.

Clinical therapies are used to address the personal and underlying problems of the individual.

The drinking problem can be a symptom of more deeply rooted personal issues. This can stem from having a family who drinks, personal traumas, suffering from grief, low self-esteem, or even mental health concerns. Working with a professional counselor or therapist can help the individual bring to light these struggles. This can also involve assisting in coping strategies for dealing with such concerns.

Another common concern is the evidence or diagnosis of co-occurring mental health disorders. An alcohol recovery program oftentimes will offer dual diagnostic services to help individuals with disorders that can co-occur with alcoholism. A disorder can develop over time with the abuse of drinking. Or similarly, the alcoholic may have always had the disorder that was never properly diagnosed; masked by the drinking. The purpose of a dual diagnosis program is to provide treatments and therapies for the addiction with services and psychotherapy for problems of the disorder. These are disorders associated with depression, anxiety, bipolar, or post-traumatic stress concerns.

Alcohol treatment also must involve personal and professional counseling. An alcoholic can be coming from difficult places when they enter an addiction program. Some may have lost a job or may be faced with criminal charges, or jail time. Others may be dealing with family or personal struggles. Therapy can be a place to help recovering people make proper decisions for the next steps in their lives. Alcohol counseling can also be used to determine the best course of action for recovery programs after treatment is completed.

Recovery is a process that takes more than just an extended alcohol rehab stay to overcome.

Due to the nature of this condition, alcohol recovery is a long-term thing that requires a continued level of commitment and focus to obtain. Addiction treatment for the drinking problem is just the beginning. It gets the individual onto the path of recovery. The alcoholic must then continue on with sobriety, and relapse is very much a reality. However, treatment and therapy can continue through means of aftercare which are briefly discussed below.

Sober Living – This is a sober environment to transition into after rehab. A sober house offers a place to come home to that holds to standards and environment similar to a treatment center, but allows the individual to maintain regular work or school schedules.

Outpatient Care – Provides something similar to clinical treatment on an outpatient basis. This can vary in intensity from daily programming to a weekly program.

Counseling / Therapy – professional therapy should still be utilized through the recovery process to help the individual with personal struggles and with any co-occurring mental health disorders. Private practices and community programs do offer this level of care depending on location.

12-step Community – Alcoholics Anonymous was established decades ago as a fellowship for those recovering. It is now a world-wide organization with daily meetings in most communities. The 12-steps can help the alcoholic continue the process of healing and recovery perpetually for the rest of their lives. The fellowship helps by providing a place for experiences, strength and hope.