Questioning the success rate of rehabs is typical for people looking to treat alcohol addiction. Furthermore, mainstream media is awash with tales of dangerous withdrawal side effects. For many people, these rumours make them start to question the effectiveness of alcohol rehab programs.

Here, we’ll answer whether or not alcohol rehab works. The first place to start is certification. Alcohol rehab services require certain certifications to operate legally. The government won’t approve rehab-related activities if they don’t significantly impact curbing alcohol addiction problems. Therefore, approval from strict federal regulatory bodies indicates rehabs play a critical part in stopping alcohol addiction.

Over the next few paragraphs, we’ll explain how alcohol rehab works in plenty of detail. We’ll also explore the key steps which make up an alcohol rehab program and, finally, the results to expect.

Does Alcohol Rehab Work?

Yes, alcohol rehab works. Rehabilitation is a set of interventions to increase well-being and decrease disability in people with addiction problems. Alcohol rehabs help individuals by addressing underlying conditions and augmenting how people function.

Page 26 of a recent technical report on addiction recovery categorically states rehab-related activities are essential to recovery. Addiction treatments in rehabs enable the brain to counteract the effects of alcohol. However, some salient factors come into play in ensuring the success of alcohol addiction treatment in rehabs.

These factors determine whether or not alcohol addiction treatment will succeed.

Commitment

Commitment plays a significant role in alcohol addiction treatment in rehabs. The individual seeking treatment will have to display a high level of commitment to be successful. Even comprehensive rehabs won’t work if the recovering person isn’t fully committed to the program’s success.

Triggers

Corrupt staff within some rehabs find ways to sneak in substances to sell and make money. Unfortunately, such acts can lead to the total ineffectiveness of the program, given that the recovering patient is going back to the problem source.

Rehab facilities need to limit the presence of triggers completely. They must prevent the illegal smuggling of substances into their facilities.

Experienced Medical Experts

The medical expert in charge can change the trajectory of your alcohol addiction program. Unqualified rehab personnel will only complicate matters by handling detox and treatment poorly.

Conversely, the intervention of experienced rehab personnel changes the situation radically. The answer to the question does alcohol rehab work is always yes in this scenario.

Related Article: 10 Tips to Beat Alcohol Addiction

How Does Alcohol Rehab Work?

The person needing addiction treatment must be willing to commit to sobriety. Full participation in the treatment program is also essential for alcohol rehab to succeed.

Two treatment options are available depending on how severe the alcohol addiction problem is. Whatever option you end up going with, the main thing is to focus on rehabilitation. Each alcohol addiction treatment program has its unique benefits and features to offer.

Inpatient Alcohol Rehab and Treatment

You can also refer to inpatient alcohol recovery programs as residential treatment. It requires the patients to register themselves into a residential rehab facility. The patient will reside in the facility with all-around-the-clock medical and emotional support.

Before going for rehab, it’s essential to prepare yourself. The first step is selecting a date for rehab entry, as doing so will help you settle everything promptly. Settling important affairs is vital because you have to focus on recovery once you enter the rehab facility.

Inpatient alcohol rehab and treatment programs can last from 28 days to 180 days. Inpatient alcohol rehab and treatment require complete focus without distractions of daily life.

When you get into the facility, medical professionals will schedule you for treatments at different times to guide recovery. You’ll have sessions with psychiatrists, counsellors, psychologists both individually and in groups. The first treatment step in inpatient alcohol rehab is medically assisted detox.

During inpatient alcohol addiction treatment, the detox stage comes with constant medical care. Alcohol cravings increase during detox and can lead to a relapse. But with expert medical attention, you can manage your cravings and prevent a relapse.

Withdrawal symptoms can be severe for some people due to individual differences. Therefore, it’s crucial never to quit alcohol addiction without medical assistance as it can be life-threatening.

Outpatient Alcohol Rehab and Treatment

Outpatient alcohol rehab has fewer restrictions than inpatient programs. The patient doesn’t have to check into the facility. Outpatient programs require ten to 12 hours weekly in a local treatment centre. These sessions teach the patients about alcohol abuse, counselling (individual and group), and coping mechanisms.

Outpatient rehab and treatment are suitable for people with a mild addiction to alcohol. It can also be a part of a long-term treatment program. Outpatient alcohol rehab may last from three to six months. But patients get to maintain their jobs and routine within that period.

Outpatient Detox Programs

Outpatient detox programs are better than residential detox for patients with mild alcohol withdrawal symptoms. This type of detox is effective and safe, taking less completion time than inpatient detox. On average, outpatient detox takes about 6.5 days to complete.

However, patients must visit a treatment facility for check-ups during outpatient detox. The medical expert in charge will administer medications to reduce withdrawal symptoms.

Steps for Alcohol Addiction Recovery

Alcohol addiction is a chronic illness, and recovery can be faster for some than for others. It’s impossible to wake one day and just quit alcohol addiction. There are specific steps you must observe during alcohol addiction recovery.

Precontemplation

The precontemplation stage is where you’re experiencing the adverse effects of alcohol addiction but aren’t quite ready to quit. At this stage, the person’s defence mechanism is at its peak, making the person defiant to the problem at hand.

The individual will find excuses to validate their excessive drinking, which is already a problem. Individuals may show up for addiction treatment at this stage, but it’s usually not of their desire. The treatment will be ineffective because individuals don’t believe they have an alcohol addiction.

Contemplation

At this stage, you’ll realize you have an alcohol addiction problem. But you’ll likely remain defensive about it. The individual may find it challenging to decide whether to get treatment or not.

The contemplation stage is one of the longest stages because the person knows he needs to change. But they are not willing to work on it yet. Weighing the cons of alcohol intake against the pros and costs can help you find clarity.

The point where you start focusing more on the solution than the problem clearly indicates that stage three is around the corner. This stage can be full of unpleasant moments, guilt, hopelessness, and shame. But if you consider the advantages of alcohol rehab, it can help you take a step in the right direction.

Preparation

The preparation stage involves the alcoholic wanting to make a change. Here you’ll begin to make precise moves towards recovery.

At this stage, it may be enticing to rush into recovery. However, experts caution against indulging in such sudden acts because people who cut this stage short are likely to fail.

The best thing to do at this stage is to develop a plan that can assist you with conquering alcohol addiction. The plan can include making specific lifestyle changes or seeking the best rehab services. You can also set goals to strengthen your commitment to the process.

Action

The action stage is for execution or implementation. Typically, the first thing to do at this stage is alcohol detoxification. Because withdrawal from alcohol can be fatal, it’s best to undergo a medically supervised detox.

After detox, the next step is to work on the social, behavioural, and psychological problems with alcohol addiction. Finally, you can choose from available alcohol addiction rehab and treatment options.

This stage can be taxing, both mentally and physically, but it’s worth it. This stage usually lasts for about three to six months and can last until 18 months in some cases.

Maintenance

After the action stage, which includes completing a program at the treatment centre, patients move into the maintenance stage. The maintenance stage typically lasts from six months to many years.

This stage is critical to alcohol addiction recovery because patients pick habits that become part of them forever. They can adopt healthy coping strategies that focus entirely on recovery and identify alcohol-free ways to have fun.

Termination

Termination is the last stage of recovery, and it’s kind of debatable. Theoretically, the recovering alcoholic has overcome alcohol addiction. Termination means you now have zero cravings for alcohol and are without the threat of relapse.

Benefits of Alcohol Addiction Rehab and Treatment

Effective alcohol addiction treatment can be an enriching experience. Treating alcohol addiction comes with many benefits, as seen below:

• Safe healing environment
• Holistic healing experience
• Learning about addiction and how to cope with it.
• Medically supervised detox
• Individualized treatment program
• Aftercare
• Building healthier habits and lifestyle
• Peer support
• Family support
• Meeting new friends facing similar problems.

Principles of Effective Alcohol Addiction Treatment and Rehab

Alcohol addiction is a treatable disease that affects the structure and function of the brain. Treating alcohol addiction and making sure rehab works is a function of certain principles.

These principles include:

• No single treatment is suitable for everyone.
• It’s crucial to receive treatment for the recommended timeline
• Medications are an essential element of treatment for several patients.
• Proper addiction treatment attends to other health needs in addition to alcohol abuse.

Results to Expect After Alcohol Rehab

Firstly, it’s essential, to be honest with your goals regarding what you want out of alcohol rehab. You’re to define success for yourself. After alcohol rehab, success isn’t about getting clean and sober; it’s about living decently. It’s also about not allowing addiction to ruin your life.

One hard truth about alcohol addiction is that it becomes chronic and hard to break in the long run. But the good news is that rehabs serve as checkmates for alcohol addiction problems.

A yardstick to measure the success of alcohol rehabs is doing what you love every day after completing treatment. The results to expect after alcohol rehab should include following your passions without relenting.

Don’t rush to calculate your success after treatment at alcohol rehab. Proper alcohol addiction recovery can take years to take full effect. However, after alcohol rehab, one other result to expect is to be a prolific member of society.

Once you finish alcohol addiction treatment in rehabs, you can start making confident choices for yourself and your family. Engage in your daily life without depending on alcohol to make it fun and exciting.

After alcohol addiction treatment at rehabs, you can expect to go back to the way things were before the addiction problem. However, you’ll notice a better change in your body system. It’s possible to note an improvement in your output almost immediately. But sometimes, it may take a little while.

Related Article: How Do I Know When I Need Alcohol Addiction Treatment?

Final Thoughts

The existence of rehabs shines a beam of hope for people looking to quit their alcohol addiction. Alcohol addiction has led to several hospitalizations and mortality in Canada, making it a source of worry.

The method for treating alcohol addiction is unique to every individual, but the effectiveness of rehabs is certain. Rehabs have a structure and treatment plan that produces brilliant results for alcohol addiction.

Here at Inspire Change Wellness Centre, we can help you take full advantage of a comprehensive treatment plan. Our alcohol addiction specialists will design a treatment plan that works for you! Get in touch with us today!