Quitting alcohol on your own is never a good idea. If you’ve been abusing alcohol for quite some time and feel shaky, nauseous, and generally unwell whenever you stop drinking, entering into a professional detox program is the safest choice. When the initial symptoms of alcohol withdrawal are mitigated early-on, serious symptoms such as delirium tremens have a far lower likelihood of occurring. Professional detox makes alcohol withdrawal easier, more comfortable, and significantly shorter overall. It does so by leveraging evidence-based interventions and by giving the body the support it needs. So, what’s the best way to find alcohol treatment centers in your area? The first step lies in understanding the many different options that are available to you.
Detox is only the first part of the recovery process. After your initial, physical symptoms of withdrawal abate, you’ll likely experience a number of post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS). These are largely psychological symptoms that manifest just after the body stops sending out distress signals in the form of shaking, sweating, and headaches among other things. PAWS include:
- Insomnia and other sleep-related troubles
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Malaise
- Mental and emotional fatigue
Unlike the physical symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, PAWS aren’t life-threatening. However, they can make staying the course incredibly difficult if you don’t have the right help. They can also lead to more serious problems such as suicidal thoughts and suicidal ideation. Post-detox treatment is designed to make this phase of recovery safer and easier. It also teaches recovering alcoholics new coping skills, how to better understand and better manage their addictions, and how to limit ongoing stress among other things. With ample options in treatment to choose from, you can start by deciding whether you want to enter an inpatient or outpatient facility.
Choosing Between Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment
Many alcohol treatment centers offer both inpatient and outpatient programs. However, some treatment centers offer only one rehab type. If you drink heavily, use alcohol with other substances, or have been abusing alcohol for some time, inpatient treatment is a good choice. Inpatient programs are often recommended for people who have one or more risk factors for relapse. These programs are held on closed campuses that keep patients safeguarded from the temptations, triggers, and stressors of the outside world.
Outpatient programs vary in intensity. Some programs require commitments of just 12 hours per week, and others require patients to spend no fewer than 35 hours per week in on-campus treatment. However, outpatient programs are flexible enough to allow patients to continue going to work, attending school, and handling many other outside responsibilities. They also require people to take a more self-managed approach to addiction recovery. Alcohol treatment centers that offer inpatient and outpatient programs often offer medically supported detox right on site.
Determining How You’ll Cover the Costs of Rehab
Another important part of finding a good alcohol treatment center is establishing a solid plan for paying for addiction treatment. Under the Affordable Care Act, AUD is a recognized mental health disorder. Thus, health insurance companies are required to cover some of the necessary treatment costs. The Affordable Care Act also prohibits health insurers from discriminating against or penalizing applicants who have AUD as a pre-existing condition. With this in mind, if you currently have coverage, consider calling your health insurer to ask about in-network alcohol treatment centers. If you don’t, consider the benefits of enrolling in a comprehensive plan that will help you with your rehab costs. When you call rehab centers directly, you can ask all about the insurances they accept and the different options for payment they provide.
Other Treatment Needs to Consider
Alcoholism or alcohol use disorder (AUD) often co-occurs with other mental health issues. When it does, people may drink heavily as a means for self-treating emotional or mental discomfort that they don’t fully understand. Common co-occurring disorders include:
- Clinical depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Panic disorder
- General anxiety disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Schizophrenia
If you believe you have or may have an underlying mental health issue, you definitely want to look for alcohol rehab facilities that offer dual diagnosis treatment. Dual diagnosis treatment aims to address both AUD and all co-occurring disorders at once. This way, recovering alcoholics are no longer driven to drink as a way to stabilize or improve their moods.
Talking With Your Doctor
One way to start shopping your options in alcohol treatment is by speaking with your general physician. Your provider may be able to make recommendations for local programs that are willing to accept your insurance. However, if you want to find out more about the different program types that are available, consider treatment options in other areas, or get the enrollment process started right away, we can help. Call us today at 844-903-2111.
