Alcoholism is a debilitating disease which kills thousands of people each year. It isn’t just the alcoholic who suffers. The families of alcoholics who have to witness the gradual decline of their loved ones also are hurt. However, there are a variety of treatment programs for alcoholism available that work effectively to help those addicted change their lives.
Different people respond better to different programs depending on their unique situation. Below are four treatment programs designed to tackle alcoholism by providing the proper support and care.
1. Alcohol Inpatient Treatment
In inpatient programs, patients are given individual, group, and family counseling sessions. They’re also given a range of activities to teach them important life skills and how to develop strategies to avoid succumbing to alcohol in the future.
A lot of patients within inpatient treatment find themselves forming bonds and connections with fellow patients. This is the first step on the road to recovery, and everyone is in the same position. Programs typically last at least three months before clients are ready to transition into another phase of treatment.
2. Outpatient Alcoholism Treatment
Outpatient treatment involves living at home instead of at the alcohol abuse treatment centers. Patients attend regular counseling sessions at a center near their location, often several times a week if not every day. This arrangement allows them to uphold family or (limited) work commitments. Treatment revolved mostly around group counseling sessions where clients connect with others who are recovering from an alcohol addiction.
As well as counseling sessions, patients have access to a range of resources to help them find a job and additional emotional or psychological support. These programs focus on supporting people while not disrupting other parts of their daily routines.
3. Halfway House
A halfway house is similar to inpatient treatment and serves as a transitional stage between participating in an inpatient program and moving back into the real world. The principle behind the halfway house treatment program is that you have a sufficient grip on your alcoholism to take on other responsibilities in your life, but you may not be comfortable enough to move straight back into your old life.
In halfway houses, residents live with others who are recovering from drug and alcohol addictions in a clean environment. They are expected to participate in group therapy sessions as well as keep their rooms clean and take on increasing responsibilities around the house, such as cleaning dishes and gardening. Residents may also receive help for securing employment and/or finding housing. Counselors teach them how they can go out into the real world and avoid the temptation to start drinking again.
The halfway house gives clients a sense of community. They’re situated in residential neighborhoods, and they concentrate on building a support network of sober people to help one another lead positive, healthy lives.
4. Housing Assistance
After participating in a rehabilitation program, former alcoholics may be left without permanent or stable housing. Housing assistance from rehabilitation programs may help them find a drug-free environment to start rebuilding their life from. These are apartment-style buildings where clients have a greater amount of independence than they do in halfway houses. It’s still a controlled environment where healthcare workers will provide regular checks and counseling, but it gives the patient more responsibility.