Certain events will impact an alcoholic’s life before they voluntarily enter an alcohol addiction recovery program. Alcohol abusers go to great lengths to avoid seeking professional help until they are jobless, homeless, lost their driver’s license, and no longer have family or friends on which to rely for money or a place to stay.
Seeking treatment in a safe, monitored environment provided by Hickory Treatment Centers ensures individuals with alcohol abuse disorder receive the best care possible to get sober and stay sober. Admitting you have a disease is the most important stage of your alcohol addiction recovery. If you or someone you know is ready to begin completing the four stages of recovery, call Hickory Treatment Centers today.
The 4 Stages of Alcohol Addiction Recovery
Stage One: Detoxification
The detoxification process for alcohol abuse disorder involves the person staying in a hospital-like setting until all alcohol has been eliminated from the body. Detox patients are monitored 24/7 by doctors and given medications to ease withdrawal symptoms. Crisis counselors are always available to talk to patients who feel depressed and anxious about their future as recovering alcoholics. Detoxing often reveals underlying physical and psychological problems that are addressed at this time. Long-term alcoholics are frequently malnourished or have liver, heart, and/or kidney issues that require medical supportive care.
Stage Two: Completing a Medical Detoxification/Transitioning into Alcohol Recovery Program
While waiting to be discharged from detox, patients will meet with doctors, therapists, and counselors to discuss the type of treatment program they. For example, if a patient is diagnosed with a mental illness, they will receive dual diagnosis treatment for alcoholism and their specific mental health problems. Undiagnosed depression, generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, personality disorders, and bipolar disorder are common psychological issues affecting alcoholics.
Not all patients completing detox will transition to an inpatient rehab program. Some may qualify for intensive outpatient treatment. Alcohol addiction specialists evaluate each patient according to the severity of their alcoholism, level of family support, past history of relapse, and health status before recommending a treatment program.
Stage Three: Entering an Alcohol Addiction Program
Medication management, life skills counseling, and individual and group therapy sessions comprise the majority of a person’s day while recovering in an inpatient residential treatment center. Individuals in outpatient treatment can return home each day after completing several hours of therapy and counseling Residential treatment patients remain at the center 24/7 for 30, 60, or 90 days before they are graduate from their program.
Learning to use relapse prevention skills is also included in outpatient and residential treatment programs. Therapists teach patients how to recognize “trigger” events that could lead to relapsing and instruct them on ways to cope with intense cravings. Behavioral therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy help improve a patient’s ability to develop and enhance their coping skills.
Stage Four: Completion of an Alcohol Addiction Recovery Program
Hickory Treatment Centers provide comprehensive support services for all patients completing their alcohol addiction recovery program. Medication management, 24/7 crisis counseling, assistance with employment and housing, and information about support groups are just a few of our support services.
Please call Hickory Treatment Centers today to learn how you can start taking control of your life by learning more about the four stages of alcohol addiction recovery.
