Rehab Options for Alcohol Use Disorder

If you’re struggling with alcohol addiction, formally known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), finding the right rehab program can be an overwhelming process. It’s important to understand your options and to know what to expect. Fortunately, there are many options, and the treatment facility that you choose will thoroughly assess you to create an individualized treatment plan that meets your needs.

What Is an Alcohol Use Disorder?

If you think you have an alcohol use disorder, you probably do, but there is a formal definition according to the Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. This definition has 11 criteria that determine whether an AUD is present.

1. Drinking more than intended or for longer than intended
2. Wanting to reduce or stop alcohol use but not being able to
3. Spending excessive amounts of time drinking or recovering from drinking
4. Feeling cravings for alcohol
5. Failing to live up to responsibilities due to alcohol use
6. Having relationship problems because of alcohol use
7. Giving up activities that you enjoy in order to drink instead
8. Engaging in risky behaviors like driving while drinking or under the influence
9. Continuing to drink in spite of negative consequences like health issues
10. Needing more alcohol to get the same effects
11. Having withdrawal symptoms when you are not drinking

Having two to three of these symptoms indicates a mild AUD, four to five is considered moderate, while six or more is severe. Even a mild SUD requires treatment, but your level will determine the intensity of the treatment that you need. A therapist or an addiction specialist can do a thorough assessment and create an individualized treatment plan for you. If you contact a facility such as Bridges of Hope, that assessment will be the first step in the process.

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment for AUD can be a short-term detox program that lasts seven to ten days, or it can be a full program that lasts 30 to 90 days. The purpose of a detox program is to manage your withdrawal symptoms in a medically supervised setting to keep you safe and as comfortable as possible. It should not be a stand alone treatment, but should be followed by some other form of inpatient or outpatient treatment.

A 30 to 90 day inpatient treatment program includes a period of detox, but also includes intensive therapy, both individual and in groups. You may also be treated for any co-occurring disorders that you may have, such as anxiety and depression. Medication may be part of the treatment.

Inpatient treatment is intensive, with most of your time generally spent in group or individual therapy. Group therapy is critical to the treatment process, giving you the opportunity to share emotions, experiences, and challenges with peers. You’ll likely form mutually supportive relationships with some of these peers which may last beyond treatment.

The type of therapy most commonly used in AUD treatment, both individually and in groups, is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT teaches you to recognize your own irrational thoughts and negative emotions and to challenge them using more reality based, positive thinking. It also teaches you health coping skills to face life’s challenges without alcohol.

An example of challenging your thoughts might go like this. You think “If I just quit for a while, I can go back to normal drinking.” You’ll recognize that this is not rational and change the thought to “History shows that I can’t control my drinking. I need to get help and never drink again so that I can live a healthier life.”

Inpatient rehab is not for everyone. It’s generally for more severe AUDs, although it can be helpful for any level of addiction. For severe AUDs, it’s also generally followed by outpatient treatment of some kind.

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs)

A partial hospitalization program (PHP) allows you to live at home while attending treatment for four to six hours per day, usually five days a week. The program may last anywhere from four weeks to ten weeks. The treatment consists of therapy similar to that of inpatient treatment, both in groups and individually. A PHP can still include medication for withdrawal and for co-occurring disorders.

More often than not, a PHP program is a transitional step that occurs after inpatient treatment, although it can be an alternative to inpatient treatment.

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs)

An intensive outpatient program (IOP) consists of two to three hours of therapy several days a week for eight to twelve weeks. Often, sessions are held in the evenings so that you can still go to work or attend school. Treatment, again, involves individual and group cognitive behavioral therapy.

IOPs can be standalone treatments, or they can be attended after inpatient treatment, PHPs, or both.

Telehealth Treatment

Some treatment facilities now offer telehealth treatment options, both in a PHP format or an IOP format. This allows you to stay at home while still receiving effective therapy online through a video call. This treatment may be in groups or individual. This option works well for people who do not have a treatment facility nearby. It is not a standalone treatment option for those who need medically supervised detox, but can follow an inpatient detox program.

Support Groups

Some people with AUDs don’t go to rehab at all but instead attend support group meetings through a program like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). While this may be effective for some people, again, it’s not a stand alone for those who need medically supervised detox or who have a severe addiction. It can, however, complement other forms of treatment for everyone.

Comprehensive Treatment

The most effective treatment for AUDs, particularly if they are severe, is a comprehensive treatment program that consists of an inpatient program, a PHP, and an IOP. Research shows that success rates increase the longer the treatment program. Even after IOP, support should continue through support groups, individual therapy, or both. Recovery from alcohol addiction, or any addiction, is a lifelong process that requires dedication and a strong support network.

In Closing

If you’re ready to get help with your alcohol addiction, you have several rehab options to get you started on a path to a healthier life. Bridges of Hope is here to help with comprehensive treatment programs. We are committed to providing compassionate care that is individualized to meet your needs. Give us a call today to take the first step.