What to Expect From Outpatient Alcohol Treatment
Treatment for alcohol addiction is a challenging and seeking help is a difficult step. Here’s what you can expect from outpatient alcohol treatment programs.
Detox, rehab, relapse, repeat. This is the experience of many addicts.
If breaking the cycle of alcohol addiction was easy, everybody would be doing it. Alcohol is one of the few substances that can cause seizures and tremors during the withdrawal phase. Your brain knows this and does whatever it can to keep you consuming alcohol. To get sober successfully, you need to build a team, a treatment team. Your team can help you learn sober living skills that will benefit you in recovery. One of the best places to start building your team is in intensive outpatient alcohol treatment. Stay tuned to learn how to pick the right treatment program.
You Are Not Alone
Over 27,000 people in Los Angeles County were hospitalized in a one-year period for alcohol-related problems. There were also over 40,000 DUI arrests in Los Angeles. Those are the alcohol-related cases that were recorded. The numbers may be much higher. The good news, many people struggling with alcohol problems are getting help. Over 15,000 people in Los Angeles have gotten help through inpatient or outpatient alcohol treatment. You can be part of the group who gets help and recovers.
The Skinny on Outpatient Alcohol Treatment
Choosing the right rehab can be difficult. You’re not really thinking about the programs they can offer, their success rate or any awards they may have won. You just want help. You want to go through detox with the least amount of withdrawal symptoms possible. You want to stop craving alcohol. You want a fresh start. You can have all the above if you attend the outpatient alcohol treatment facility that addresses all your needs, physically and mentally.
Here are a few things to look for in a treatment program.
Location, Location, Location.
When you choose an outpatient alcohol treatment program, make sure it is in a safe location. The facility should make you feel as if you are away from the dangers of the streets and the temptations of relapse. However, it should not make you feel isolated from the world or like you are in a scene from The Shining. Take a tour of the facility or just drive by. You will know by looking if the location is right for you. Hint, if the program meets across the street from your drug dealer, that is not the place for you. The location needs to be a place of inspiration and encouragement. It should be appealing and welcoming both inside and outside. The staff should also be inspiring and encouraging.
Who Cares?
That’s right, you need to find out who will be taking care of you while in treatment. In a good outpatient alcohol treatment program, you will have access to doctors and nurses to treat any medical issues. Certified or licensed therapists provide individual counseling to you at least once a week, preferably more in the beginning of the process. Peer support is available through educational or counseling groups. You want experts in this field to teach you how to live better. Both educated experts and street cred experts have a lot to offer to your recovery plan. Specialized groups, led by the experts, are available, teaching you skills to prevent relapse.
Mad Skills
Addiction is similar to trauma. Your brain has been hit in a head-on collision with alcohol. This collision caused a lot of damage in our life. Therefore, you have to relearn how to live. Only this time, you will live sober. People who remain in recovery have taken the time to learn some mad skills. Meaning, they have gained some beneficial skills that can help overcome obstacles without feeling the need to drink. A good outpatient alcohol treatment program will offer classes to teach you anger management skills, conflict resolution, stress reduction and communication skills. Learning how to have healthy relationships and how to avoid negative friendships are other skills you can learn. Skill building takes time but it can be done using proven techniques and methods. Sometimes, alternative methods are a powerful addition to treatment.
The Alternatives.
Alternative treatments are a bonus when it comes to outpatient alcohol treatment. Choose a facility that offers alternatives such as yoga, meditation, and other mind-body-spirit experiences. There truly is a connection between all parts of your body. Addiction and recovery involve your whole self. Paying attention to and addressing your needs is a must. Other alternatives to look for when choosing treatment include neurofeedback, career counseling, nutrition, education completion or higher education applications. Healing the whole body can help you recognize other issues the alcohol may have been masking.
Are You Dual?
Do you have an addiction problem? Or, do you have an addiction problem as well as a mental illness? If you are coping with more than one disorder, you may be eligible for a dual diagnosis. If you only get help for your addiction and your mental health is not treated, it is likely you will relapse. With some, addressing the mental illness can alleviate substance abuse. Sometimes people use alcohol as a coping mechanism. Once they deal with the underlying issue, the alcohol is no longer needed to cope. On the flip side, some who abuse substances can create or exacerbate a mental illness within themselves. Alcohol and drugs can create and/or worsen depression, anxiety, paranoia and more. It is crucial for you to choose an outpatient alcohol treatment plan that focuses on both your addiction and your mental health.
Your New Life Can Start Now
Now is the time to end your relationship with alcohol and begin your new sober life. There are so many benefits to going to outpatient alcohol treatment. You will get support, encouragement, and verification that you are not the only one seeking help. You can get medical, therapeutic and even spiritual guidance. You will get YOU back. It’s amazing that by putting in a few hours a week, you can gain years of sobriety. You do not have to be a statistic. You can be one of the millions who overcome their addiction by getting help through treatment. Contact the alcohol rehab specialists at Muse today and start living the better life you deserve.
