Inpatient alcohol rehab programs give patients the constant attention they need to overcome their addiction. Expert staff members attend to the patient during every step of the process, from the initial detox to the preparation for discharge. The quality and consistency of care give people the tools they need to defeat alcoholism once and for all. With just a few weeks of intensive treatment, you or your loved one can lay the foundation for a better, healthier life.
What Is Inpatient Alcohol Rehab?
Inpatient alcohol rehab is a form of rehabilitation for alcohol addiction in which patients live on-site and receive constant medical care. Most programs last 30-45 days, giving patients the time necessary to overcome withdrawal, set new goals, and learn strategies to help them meet their objectives. Patients can’t leave the facility, a situation that prevents immediate relapse. Consistent care and supervision improve the chances of a positive outcome, and the duration and intensity of the program allow caregivers to try a wide variety of therapeutic methods.
What’s Included in an Inpatient Alcohol Rehab Program?
Inpatient rehab programs might be short, but they’re also intense. Providers manage to accomplish a lot in just a few weeks, bringing patients through withdrawal and helping them overcome the mental health problems underlying the addiction.
While each program has its own characteristics, they almost all include these general components:
- Withdrawal Management
- Individual Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Discharge Planning
The specific characteristics of the experience will depend on the person’s individual needs. If you’ve already undergone withdrawal, you will need less medical attention at the beginning of your stay. If you’ve already developed a detailed plan for your life after rehab, you might not need as much intensive discharge planning. All the same, you can expect any stint in rehab to involve each of these activities.
Withdrawal Management
Recovering from a physical addiction to alcohol often requires passing through painful and potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms. An inpatient alcohol rehab program provides the medical assistance necessary to get patients through this process safely. Detoxification brings certain risks for the patient, including seizures and physical agitation. The staff at a rehab center provides constant supervision, administering medications or treatment whenever intervention becomes necessary.
Individual Therapy
Once the patient has successfully passed through withdrawal, it’s time to focus on building resiliency and overcoming related mental health issues. Individual therapy is a major part of this process. Trained psychologists will sit down with the patient to discuss personal problems in detail. They’ll draw from several treatment methodologies, including cognitive behavioral therapy, motivation enhancement therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches. By talking about individual drives and persistent emotional issues, the patient comes to understand the root causes of their addiction.
Group Therapy
Inpatient rehab centers are social communities, and patients are often instrumental in supporting each other throughout the process. In group therapy sessions, a trained psychologist leads a discussion on alcohol-related issues. The sense of camaraderie and understanding that develops can help patients overcome their doubts. Residents can also give each other advice gleaned from their own experiences with recovery. This social dynamic gives patients an additional layer of support throughout their time at the facility.
Discharge Planning
Rehab programs are great for overcoming withdrawal and strengthening resolve, but patients can’t stay in them forever. Time spent in an inpatient treatment center should only be the first step in the journey to recovery. Once the patient leaves the facility, they’ll need to work hard to avoid relapse and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Preparing people for this next stage is a big part of an addiction treatment program. Through goal-setting workshops and skills training sessions, counselors at the facility give patients the resources they need to cope with life after discharge.
Benefits of an Inpatient Alcohol Rehab Program
There are several reasons why an inpatient program might be right for you or your loved one. The structure, supervision, and constant medical care can help patients overcome the early days of withdrawal. The separation, meanwhile, will help avoid an early relapse, giving patients time to learn the strategies necessary to stay sober. With constant attention from trained and experienced counselors, you can also overcome related mental health issues, allowing you to emerge from the program as a stronger, healthier individual.
Provides a Structured Environment
Building a healthy routine is a big part of beating addiction. Unfortunately, developing a consistent rhythm can be hard in the hustle and bustle of the outside world. Rehab facilities provide patients with a structure around which they can build their new lives. After discharge, many people successfully bring their new habits with them.
Constant Supervision
Relapse is a constant danger in the outside world, but treatment facilities do a good job of preventing it. Patients who struggle to resist their urges will benefit from the constant supervision that an inpatient program provides. Having someone watching over you is sometimes all it takes to build new habits and defeat addiction.
On-Call Medical Care
The detoxification process is often painful and sometimes even dangerous, making medical attention a necessary component of inpatient care. Even after physical withdrawal is complete, mental health issues are likely to arise. Having trained doctors on call will ensure that the patient stays mentally and physically healthy during the early days of their recovery.
Separation From Unhealthy Living Situation
For many people, addiction is directly related to their physical surroundings. Roommates who drink, family dynamics that create stress, and job-related hassles can all make a relapse more likely. Separating yourself from these circumstances, at least for a while, can help get you on the path toward recovery.
Ability to Treat Other Mental Health Issues Simultaneously
Addiction rarely presents itself as a standalone problem. In most cases, coexisting mental health issues exacerbate the problem. To set yourself up for a successful recovery, you need to deal with these underlying issues alongside the addiction itself. The counselors at rehab facilities can help you with these additional problems, giving you the mental health treatment necessary to remain alcohol-free after discharge.
Types of Inpatient Programs for Alcohol
Most inpatient programs fall into one of two categories: residential rehab or partial hospitalization. Both types of programs provide substantial benefits for patients. Ultimately, it will be up to you to decide which option is best for you or your loved one.
Inpatient Residential Rehab
Inpatient residential programs represent the most intensive form of alcohol rehabilitation, and they’re also the most effective. The consistency of the treatment and supervision helps overcome addiction and develop healthier habits. Patients in these types of programs aren’t allowed to leave the facility, and this lack of freedom is usually beneficial to the recovery process. It’s the best option for anyone who struggles to resist temptation and needs to remove themselves from a problematic home environment.
Partial Hospitalization
In partial hospitalization programs, patients are allowed to return to their homes each night. These programs can still be quite intensive as patients spend most of every day receiving treatment at the facility. The ability to leave, while problematic for some people, is helpful for others. If you live close to a rehab center and enjoy a stable environment at home, this could be the ideal treatment option for you.
Will Insurance Cover Rehab?
Whether or not health insurance covers inpatient alcohol rehab depends on the nature of the insurance policy and facility in question. Many private insurance plans will cover some or all of the expenses related to a rehab program. As you research potential options, be sure to investigate the details of your insurance. You should also look for facilities that accept your particular plan.
How Long Does an Inpatient Alcohol Rehab Program Last?
While most inpatient rehab programs last at least a month, there are programs of various durations available. Some facilities offer 30-day, 45-day, 60-day, and 90-day options. Before choosing a program length, take some time to consider what would be best for you or your loved one. Some people, especially those who have suffered from a years-long addiction, benefit from a longer program. Others simply don’t have the time for such a long-term commitment.
Selecting the Right Alcohol Inpatient Rehab Program
There are countless treatment programs available in most areas, and you should think long and hard before making your final choice. Consider what type of program would prove most beneficial, and then look for a facility that offers what you need. You can also research a facility’s success rate, a key metric in determining the quality of the staff and facilities. Finally, be sure to take financial and insurance-related concerns into account. Once you’ve done your due diligence, you’ll be ready to choose a program and begin the recovery process.