ALCOHOL TREATMENT CENTER

Although many people think of an alcohol treatment center only in terms of a residential facility for the treatment of alcoholism, in truth an alcohol treatment center can be any one of several styles of facilities. Each of the different facilities will have a different focus depending upon the mission of the center and upon the stated philosophy of the nature of alcoholism and the duration of the treatment. Each center may also choose to focus upon a particular service or type of patient. For example an alcohol treatment center may only accept adolescents in their program.

There are further breakdowns in various center. For example a residential program may have short term and long term residential. Below are listed some of the major categories which you will find in an alcohol treatment center registry.

IN-PATIENT

An in-patient alcohol treatment center is usually considered to be in a hospital setting or is at least attached to a hospital. Professional medical professionals who are experienced in the field of alcoholism treatment are on duty round the clock. An in-patient treatment is highly desirable for cases where medical detoxification is deemed appropriate, which is fairly frequently in the treatment of alcoholism. The need for detoxification by medical staff is partially dependent upon the stage of alcoholism, the age of the patient and how frequently alcohol abuse typically occurs. The philosophy of an in-patient alcohol treatment center is typically that alcoholism is a disease. It is treated medically, particularly during the detoxification stages.

Generally in-patient treatment programs use medical assistance to ease detoxification, but they may also use medical assistance during the therapy stage as well. Once the detoxification is complete, then the person is weaned off of any drugs which may have been used during the treatment phase. Strong emphasis is placed on 12-step programs in many of the inpatient programs associated with a hospital setting.

IN-OUT PATIENT

This type of alcohol treatment center is usually in at least two locations. Often the patients begin with a medical detoxification in one location then spend their nights at a residential type center. Days might be spent attending classes or therapy sessions. With this type of treatment center, activities are still fairly restricted, since the days are filled with education and therapy, group sessions and individual counseling. The residential center for sleeping and the evening hours allows time for socializing with other patients without placing them in a situation where they might be tempted to take a drink or two just to be sociable at a bar or tavern.

This type of therapy does require some additional self control on the part of the the patient, since not every moment is accounted for. The major advantage is that this program is somewhat less expensive than a full residential program, yet still maintains high quality medical personnel on staff. This type of program can vary in length from a few days to several months, but 30 to 90 days is fairly typical. There is usually after care as well with the program.

RESIDENTIAL

A residential alcohol treatment center, as the name implies is one where the alcoholic lives and receives treatment. Residential treatment centers usually have either a long term program or a short term program and sometime both. The first part of the treatment received after the thorough assessment is often a detoxification period which will last from 5-10 days typically. The need for a medical detoxification to rid the body of all the poisons, toxins and residual effects of the alcohol if needed, is carried out by trained medical personnel who specialize in the care of patients undergoing withdrawal.

Residential alcohol treatment center programs vary a great deal in cost. There are elite celebrity programs which are very expensive and there are minimum cost programs which may be partially or completely funded by county, state or federal government monies. Many insurance policies will pick up all or part of the cost of a stay at an alcohol treatment center.

OUTPATIENT

This type of program is probably the least successful in terms of staying away from alcohol during the year following the completion of the program. The alcoholic typically comes to a setting where they receive monitoring regularly during detoxification, but they may not have 24/7 medical care during the withdrawal phase. The balance of the program is carried out by daily or sometimes twice daily visits for medications and monitoring. There may be extensive classes offered at the center which the patient is encouraged to attend. The difficulty is that an outpatient type program does not take the alcoholic out of their previous environment even for a brief period, and most alcoholics find the temptation too great to resist. The relapses are highest in this type of treatment center.

If the alcoholic is trying to work during this period, an outpatient program may be the only possible option, however it takes a tremendous dedication to abstain from alcohol and stay in recovery.

THERAPEUTIC VILLAGE

This is a type of alcohol treatment center which has been used fairly successfully. It can be either 12-step based or not, but is typically more focused on holding oneself and each other responsible for actions and behavior than is found in the 12-step type program. Therapeutic villages tend to extend over a longer period of time, sometimes even more than a year.

Usually a person who, because of alcoholism has completely lost the ability to interact with others in a socially acceptable manner will find the therapeutic village of the most benefit. They can gradually relearn acceptable behavior in the safe and non-threatening environment of a small group.

There are therapeutic villages which are especially set up for mothers with small children and also for pregnant women. Often there are other segregations in both therapeutic villages and in residential centers. For example, there may be men only center and women only centers. Additionally, there are often centers intended specifically for adolescents.