Alcohol misuse leads to numerous problems. Some of them, like alcohol poisoning and car accidents, may immediately follow heavy drinking. Other problems involve health issues caused by long-term damage to the brain, liver, heart, and other organs. There are also major social repercussions to alcohol addiction, including job loss and damaged relationships.
According to data from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, close to 30 million people in the U.S. have an alcohol use disorder. To anyone struggling with alcohol addiction, inpatient rehabilitation can become a critical part of the recovery process.
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What Is Inpatient Alcohol Rehab?
An inpatient rehab program takes place at a residential treatment center, which is a supervised and drug-free environment. For the duration of the program, you live round-the-clock at the center, and you follow a schedule that includes different kinds of therapeutic interventions. Inpatient rehab typically lasts for 30, 60, or 90 days.
What Are the Benefits of Inpatient Alcohol Rehab?
Comprehensive Treatment
Treating alcohol addiction requires a multifaceted approach. High-quality rehab programs give you the necessary medical care to manage withdrawal symptoms, and they provide you with different kinds of therapy that address the psychological and behavioral aspects of addiction. Also, you work on strategies for rebuilding your life and maintaining sobriety after you leave the program.
A good program treats you as an individual, responding to your addiction history, medical issues, mental health, life circumstances, recovery goals, and personal strengths. When delivering treatments, the program’s counselors and other professional staff see you as a whole person with specific needs.
Round-the-Clock Medical Supervision
Alcohol withdrawal can be severe and even life-threatening. The symptoms may include heart palpitations, tremors, increased blood pressure, nausea and vomiting, anxiety, insomnia, hallucinations, and seizures. With medical professionals supervising your withdrawal, you enjoy greater safety, and you benefit from interventions that reduce symptom severity.
Along with making withdrawal more manageable, the medical staff at an inpatient rehab program can help you with your overall health. Alcohol misuse may have caused or exacerbated any medical problems you’re currently struggling with, and your addiction may have led you to neglect self-care habits. Rehab addresses your healthcare needs in general, and round-the-clock supervision results in a quick response to medical emergencies and other urgent problems.
Access to Supportive Resources
Although recovering from addiction is never easy, it becomes much more difficult if you try to deal with everything on your own. One of the great benefits of alcohol rehab is that you gain access to different kinds of support.
In rehab, you work with experienced and trained professionals, including counselors who specialize in alcohol addiction. You receive treatments that help you fight addiction and improve your psychological and physical health. You also receive guidance when planning your life after rehab, making it easier for you to choose the best follow-up treatments and search for housing and employment.
Rehab also allows you to benefit from your peers. Other people in the program give you support and encouragement, and you gain insights from what they share during group therapy and other activities.
Elimination of Triggers and Temptations
The temptation to relapse is one of the greatest challenges in overcoming addiction. The risk is especially strong in the early days of recovery.
When people aren’t in a supervised environment, they often start drinking again as soon as withdrawal symptoms hit. Even if they manage to get through withdrawal, their surroundings undermine their efforts to stay sober, because they keep encountering people and places that they associate with drinking. Also, if they’re dealing with serious problems, such as unemployment or failing relationships, the stress they feel is a trigger for alcohol use.
Rehab gives you a safe space away from the everyday temptations of drinking. You start your recovery in a drug-free environment. Even if you’re suddenly hit with a desire to head to your favorite bar, you can’t, because you need to stay at the treatment center. You don’t have the opportunity to act on your cravings.
During rehab, you’ll work on strategies for managing triggers and the temptation to drink. Once you leave the program, you won’t be invulnerable to relapse, but you’ll be in a better position to prevent it.
What Do Inpatient Alcohol Rehab Programs Offer?
Medical Detoxification
Generally, the first several days of alcohol rehab involve helping you manage withdrawal symptoms. Depending on the types of symptoms you’re experiencing and their severity, you may benefit from certain medications. For example, the medical professionals at the rehab program may need to provide you with anticonvulsants for seizures.
Because you’re living full-time at the treatment center, you receive round-the-clock medical supervision. Doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, and other licensed professionals monitor your health, and they make sure that any medications they give you don’t produce adverse effects.
Withdrawal symptoms are usually strongest the first week after you start abstaining from alcohol, and they tend to go away by the end of the second week. Sometimes, symptoms persist in weakened form for a longer time. With proper medical detox, you reduce the chances of severe or protracted symptoms. But even if your withdrawal lasts longer than expected, you benefit from ongoing medical and psychological support during rehab.
Individual and Group Therapy Sessions
Along with mitigating the physical effects of addiction, rehab provides you with crucial psychological treatments. These treatments tackle the addiction itself and other mental health issues you may be experiencing, such as depression, anxiety, or high levels of stress.
There are two main ways you receive therapy during rehab: group sessions and individual sessions. Each has its advantages.
During group therapy, you benefit from listening to your peers and learning from their insights and experiences. Group sessions are also a great opportunity to work on interpersonal skills, such as communicating clearly and courteously.
As for individual therapy, one of the main benefits is greater personal attention. You may also feel more comfortable sharing some of your thoughts and feelings during a one-on-one meeting and not in front of a group.
Behavioral Therapy
Changing your thought patterns and behaviors is a key part of treating addiction and preparing yourself for sober living. There are different kinds of behavioral therapy, and the experienced professionals at your rehab program may use multiple approaches.
One example is cognitive behavioral therapy, which works on the relationship between your beliefs and how you act. By challenging distorted beliefs, you’re better able to modify your behaviors in different situations and make healthier and more thoughtful choices.
Another example is dialectical behavior therapy, which focuses on emotional regulation. It helps you manage intense emotions without drinking or engaging in other damaging behaviors. You learn how to understand and accept your feelings, reflect on situations, and act in ways that align with your values.
The benefits of behavioral therapy include:
- Learning how to recognize and manage triggers for alcohol use.
- Developing coping strategies for stressful situations.
- Figuring out how to handle strong emotions without destructive behaviors.
- Improving your ability to make wiser choices and act with greater competence and maturity.
- Challenging unhelpful or inaccurate thoughts about yourself, other people, and various situations.
- Enjoying better mental health overall.
Holistic Therapies
During rehab, your recovery may include different kinds of holistic therapy. These aren’t substitutes for behavioral therapy or medications. Instead, they’re supplemental, contributing to a well-rounded treatment regimen that addresses your emotional, physical, and spiritual needs.
Holistic therapies at your program may include:
- Breathing exercises.
- Meditation.
- Yoga.
- Massage therapy.
- Art therapy.
- Fitness classes.
- Nutritional planning.
- Faith-based or spiritual activities, including meeting with a group to read and discuss religious texts.
A given type of holistic therapy may be optional, but if you feel that it could help you, you should check it out and give it a try. Holistic therapy can potentially ease your withdrawal symptoms, reduce your stress levels, strengthen your life skills, improve your health, build your character, and help you discover more meaning in life.
Aftercare Planning
When your stay at an inpatient rehab program comes to a close, your recovery journey continues. Inpatient rehab helps you with the initial stages of recovery, but your fight against addiction doesn’t stop when you get discharged.
During inpatient rehab, professional staff will help you figure out your next steps. Leaving rehab can be stressful, so they work with you to come up with a plan that includes additional forms of support.
One-on-one counseling and recovery groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, are typical ways to secure ongoing support. Many people who leave inpatient rehab continue with an outpatient program, which means that they go to a treatment center on a regular basis for different forms of therapy, but they don’t live at the center.
Where should you live after you’re done with inpatient rehab? Some people choose a sober living home, which serves as a stepping stone between rehab and a fully independent life. Sober living homes provide some structure and supervision. They ask you to follow certain rules, and they offer an environment free from alcohol and other drugs. However, you have more freedom to shape your own schedule, and you’re expected to fulfill various day-to-day obligations, such as buying groceries or going to work.
You may be worried about how you’ll fulfill all of your responsibilities after leaving inpatient rehab. Fortunately, professionals at your program will work with you on your general life plan, including housing, employment, medical care, and supportive relationships with people who want to see you succeed. Your program may also have an alumni association that offers you a support network and regular social events.
How to Choose an Inpatient Alcohol Rehab Facility
Licensing and Accreditation
Every state has its own licensing requirements for drug or alcohol treatment centers. In addition to checking that a treatment center meets the minimum requirements, you want to see if it has earned a strong positive reputation and additional forms of accreditation.
For example, you can check if a treatment program meets the standards of the Joint Commission or the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. You should also read online reviews and pay attention to referrals or word-of-mouth recommendations.
Staff Credentials and Experience
Inpatient rehab programs generally have a variety of professionals on their staff. Some, like doctors and nurse practitioners, are licensed to administer medical treatments. Others are therapists and counselors who deliver different kinds of therapy or organize therapeutic and recreational activities.
At a reputable program, staff members will have the appropriate educational background, accreditation, and licensing for their specific position and responsibilities. For example, psychologists should have a graduate-level degree, but peer counselors don’t need to complete any program in higher education. A peer counselor may be someone who has gone through alcohol recovery themselves and has received training to work with people who are currently in rehab.
As you research different inpatient programs, make sure you understand who’s on the staff. Ask about the number of staff members, their functions, and their experience. Check who’s responsible for providing supervision or managing the program as a whole.
Treatment Programs and Services Offered
For any rehab you’re investigating, check out the treatment options and the types of professionals delivering each therapeutic intervention. Ask about the therapy schedule and how a patient’s day is structured. Also, check if the program follows a dual treatment approach, which addresses both the addiction and any concurrent psychological problems, such as depression.
Another point to consider is the overall treatment philosophy or the overarching values of a program. Some rehab programs have a strong religious slant. Others emphasize nondenominational spirituality, or they follow a holistic approach that promotes general wellness. Various programs will also highlight their use of evidence-based care.
Quality of Facilities and Amenities
When you stay at a rehab center, you want to feel comfortable with the sleeping arrangements, the food options, and the general environment.
Some inpatient programs advertise themselves as exclusive retreats. They may have a swimming pool, a world-class gym, and other amenities that you associate with resort hotels. Other inpatient treatment centers offer a more basic set of amenities and no-frills accommodations. But they can still be comfortable and provide high-quality care.
Don’t hesitate to ask about any detail that’s important to you. Facilities may also post photos and videos online or offer virtual tours, making it easier for you to visualize life on the premises.
Cost and Insurance Coverage
Rehab programs can vary significantly in cost, and most of the differences stem from geographic location, treatment options, and amenities or perks.
There are multiple ways to handle the costs of inpatient rehab. You may have to use more than one of these funding sources to cover expenses:
- Health insurance.
- Personal savings.
- Assistance from family members or close friends.
- Donations from crowdfunding platforms.
- Financial aid from the government or from nonprofit organizations.
- Special grants that a rehab program may offer to eligible patients.
- Payment plans that you arrange with the rehab program.
- Loans or financing.
Thoroughly research all of your options, including any financial risks you may be exposed to. For example, if you choose to take out a loan, make sure you fully understand its terms.
Contact Recreate Life Counseling
Don’t hesitate to start on your recovery from alcohol addiction or misuse. Located in Boynton Beach, Florida, we offer round-the-clock admissions and provide you with the services of compassionate, highly trained, and experienced staff. We look forward to answering your questions and helping you enjoy the full benefits of inpatient alcohol rehab.