Quitting alcohol cold turkey and without the benefit of medical support is both scary and dangerous. People who detox on their own are at risk of developing serious and potentially fatal withdrawal symptoms. In inpatient treatment for alcohol, detoxing is comfortable and infinitely easier. For many people, medically supported inpatient detox can also be much shorter in duration. In inpatient rehab, people are given the medical and mental health support they need to safely complete the formative stages of recovery.
Inpatient treatment for alcohol is also designed to provide the skills, tools, and resources that recovering alcoholics need for long-term success. People in inpatient rehab for alcohol addiction have the opportunity to learn more about alcohol use disorder (AUD), its causes, and the best strategies for managing it. Held entirely on closed campuses, inpatient rehab removes patients from the challenges and stressors of the outside world and gives them the opportunity to focus exclusively on getting well.
What Is Inpatient Rehab Like?
Inpatient rehab provides a quiet, secure place where people can detox, take part in group and individual counseling, work on their stress management skills, and develop healthier coping techniques. In inpatient rehab, you’ll have the chance to move through your recovery at your own pace. When you first get started, you’ll receive medical interventions for mitigating, managing, and minimizing your physical withdrawal symptoms. You’ll also work with mental health professionals to find the right natural and medical interventions for common psychological withdrawal symptoms like:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Lack of motivation
- Malaise
You’ll even receive targeted support for insomnia and other sleep troubles.
When you’re able, you’ll work one-on-one with a therapist. This is an opportunity to have co-occurring mental health disorders diagnosed and professionally managed, including:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- General anxiety disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
Patients are encouraged to eat well, rest well, and engage in various forms of onsite recreation. A strong focus is placed on general self-care. There are also options in:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Motivational interviewing
- Dialectical behavior therapy
As you take advantage of the many resources that are offered on campus, you’ll build your distress tolerance and grow your ability to face the challenges of everyday life without drinking.
In inpatient rehab, patients additionally prepare relapse prevention plans. They’re given resources and guidance for establishing safe, stable housing post-treatment, and for creating sustainable, substance-free lifestyles overall.
How Long Does Inpatient Rehab Last?
Inpatient rehab can last anywhere from one month to one year, or longer depending upon the needs of the patient. A 30-day inpatient program is an excellent start to recovery. However, 90-day inpatient programs are currently considered the gold standard in addiction treatment.
These programs give patients adequate time to understand the nature of addiction, establish effective relapse prevention plans, and build their distress tolerance and coping skills. If you need or want more treatment after your inpatient program has ended, you can extend your stay or enroll in an outpatient program. Many people follow inpatient alcohol treatment up by moving into sober living homes or halfway houses, or by taking part in structured relapse prevention programs.
How to Know If Inpatient Rehab Is Right for You
Not only does inpatient rehab remove recovering alcoholics from real-world stessors, but it also eliminates temptation and direct exposure to alcohol. As such, it’s highly recommended for people who’ve attempted recovery before and have relapsed multiple times in the past. It is also a great choice for heavy drinkers who’ve been battling alcohol addiction for extended periods of time, and for people who are living with untreated co-occurring disorders. The more risk factors that you have for relapse, the better-suited you are to an inpatient program.
Unlike illicit and heavily controlled substances, alcohol is available almost everywhere you go. It’s served at restaurants, bars, and countless social events. It’s also sold in grocery stores. This constantly high level of accessibility makes it especially hard for recovering alcoholics to quit on their own.
There’s also the inherent danger of unsupervised alcohol detox to consider. In an inpatient rehab program, you can tackle and complete the first and most challenging phases of the recovery process with targeted, needs-specific support, and in a safe, secure environment. If you’d like to know more about inpatient treatment for alcohol or if you want help finding an inpatient rehab near you, we’ve got you covered. Call us today at 833.970.2054.
