When it comes to alcohol rehab centers, families can make the biggest impact. Family members can play an important role in guiding addicts and alcoholics back on track. However, family members also have to face the sober reality that addicts need professional treatment, too. Here are some questions that families should ask every alcohol rehab treatment provider they are thinking of using:
Does the center offer inpatient or residential care? Some alcohol rehab treatment centers only offer inpatient care, while others offer outpatient services as well. Which is best for an individual patient? Both should be fine, but there may be times when an addict is more vulnerable to the stress of outpatient care. Alcoholics Anonymous offers both types of care, and has created a confidential system called Alcoholics Anonymous Intensive Care Units (AAICU) for these kinds of situations. There is a 12-step program called Alcoholics Anonymous St. Louis that families can attend if they prefer to see a doctor, or to take a brief online course instead.
Do medical detox and aftercare services offered by the alcohol rehab center concern only the addict, or do they also address the family members as well? Some treatment centers do alcohol rehab only for the alcoholic; however, many also offer outpatient treatment as well. In addition, some alcoholism treatment centers offer medication as a form of treatment, especially for mild alcoholism. There are also non-traditional forms of therapy and counseling available for those who wish to use them in conjunction with traditional treatment programs. These include marriage and family counseling programs, Christian alcohol treatment programs, and various other religious-based programs.
What kind of aftercare does the alcohol rehab program offer? This varies based on the center, but many provide at least some on-going support. This can include counseling and group meetings, social activities, and phone calls, etc. The more comprehensive rehab program might also require that the loved one to attend AA meetings or another group once every couple weeks or so.
What is a dual diagnosis treatment program? In a dual diagnosis treatment program, alcoholism and other substance abuse issues are taken care of simultaneously. Some of the symptoms of both disorders may be present in the person who suffers from alcoholism alone. Therefore, the person cannot just be treated for alcoholism alone. They need help both with alcohol abuse and other related issues as well. Dual diagnosis treatment requires that the person be treated for the co-occurrence of the disorders, and this requires an intensive program in which the therapist and patient work closely together to address all the issues in the individual’s recovery.
What are the treatment options available besides inpatient rehab in an alcohol rehab facility? Many inpatient rehab facilities offer outpatient care, which allows the person to live at home and get medical attention when needed. However, many people do not want to have to change their lives and their jobs, and prefer to stay in their own home while receiving treatment. For these people, there are alcohol rehab inpatient care options that allow the person to get the care they need in their own home, without having to move into a long term rehab facility.