What to Look for in a Quality Alcohol Treatment Program
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), more than 14 million Americans aged 18 and up have alcohol use disorder (AUD). The NIAAA states that alcohol-related problems resulting in drinking too much are one of the most significant public health issues in the U.S. Further, one in 10 American children live in a home with a parent who has a drinking problem. But when do you know it’s time to be treated for alcohol or alcoholism?
If you or a loved one experiences warning signs of alcoholism, it may be time to consider treatment for alcoholism. Signs of alcohol abuse may include:
- Temporary blackouts or short-term memory loss
- Signs of irritability and extreme mood swings
- Making excuses to drink more
- Social isolation
- Drinking alcohol alone or in secret
- Feeling hungover when not drinking
- Cooccurring disorder
If you or a loved one relate to one or more of the above signs of alcohol abuse, it may be time to seek medical attention at an alcohol rehab center. To choose the best drug rehab program, make sure it’s accredited by The Joint Commission or the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Both are independent, nonprofit organizations that base accreditation on industry performance standards and demonstrated results, quality, and value. Luckily, TruPath addiction and substance abuse treatment facilities are accredited and located in several destinations across the U.S.
What To Expect During an Alcohol Rehab Program: Medication, Therapy, & More
Typically, when most people think about alcohol rehabilitation, they think of a 12-step program or the popular group, Alcoholics Anonymous, better known as AA. But, there are actually more rehab options available for alcohol and substance abuse addiction. The two most common alcohol and drug rehab programs are talk therapy with a licensed therapy professional and medically-assisted treatment (MAT) to help avoid symptoms of withdrawal and relapse. Common medications used for alcohol detox include:
- Benzodiazepines like lorazepam
- Antipsychotics like haloperidol
- Analgesics like morphine
- Nausea medication like prochlorperazine
- Anti-anxiety medication like clonidine
- Sedatives like midazolam
- Diuretics like furosemide
The four basic levels of care in rehab centers include:
- Outpatient treatment is where patients visit the drug rehab centers regularly for counseling, medication support, or both
- Intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment or partial hospitalization for more constant alcohol rehabilitation support
- Residential treatment, including low or high-intensity detox programs in 24-hour treatment facilities
- Intensive inpatient substance abuse treatment with medically assisted 24-hour services to help manage withdrawal
What Happens During Alcohol Detox? Signs & Symptoms
Although more than 14 million Americans struggle with an addiction to alcohol, only 7.2% of those people get the individual treatment they need, according to the NIAAA. There are a variety of reasons people avoid alcoholism treatment, but one reason may be because they don’t know what to expect.
During alcohol use disorder treatment, patients can expect detox and withdrawal, which is the hardest part in the road to recovery. Symptoms of withdrawal and alcohol detox include:
- Shakiness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Excessive sweating
- Fever
- Seizures
- Mental illnesses like anxiety or depression
- Insomnia and trouble sleeping
- Mood swings
- Hallucinations seeing
The best part of addiction treatment is it’s supervised by a medical professional, so your symptoms of withdrawal can be successfully managed in a professional rehab facility, like a TruPath rehab facility.
Learn More About TruPath’s High Quality Alcohol Rehab Program Today
Addiction doesn’t discriminate. If it’s time for you or a loved one to seek addiction treatment, do so at one of the TruPath rehab facilities. With facilities located nationwide, TruPath treatment centers help those from across the country suffering from substance abuse and addiction through inpatient and outpatient treatment programs. With TruPath addiction treatment centers, you’ll find the best rehab programs for alcohol addiction.
