If you're addicted to alcohol, you should consider getting treatment. Treatment for alcoholism may include an in-patient or out-patient program. Inpatient treatment begins with detoxification. Many individuals need hospital treatment if they experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop drinking. Fortunately, with proper treatment, these symptoms will subside. However, you should consider the costs and possible side effects of alcohol rehab before you choose a facility. Below are some tips to help you choose the best treatment for you.

Treatment for alcoholism

Inpatient and outpatient rehab are both available for individuals suffering from alcoholism. Inpatient rehab is a four to twelve-week program in a hospital or rehab facility where recovering alcoholics can participate in group and individual counselling and other services. Outpatient rehab also helps people stay at home and fulfill family obligations. The goal of inpatient rehab is to help an individual stop drinking and begin to rebuild their lives. Outpatient rehab is often more cost-effective than residential rehab and allows patients to stay with family and friends.

Outpatient care involves counseling sessions and medication support. Intensive outpatient programs require 24 hour medical supervision and may include a withdrawal period. Both options include evidence-based treatments that have been proven effective in helping many people recover from alcoholism. An initial visit with a doctor often involves a physical evaluation. If symptoms are severe, the doctor may order further tests. Among these tests are abdominal pain, heart failure, alcohol withdrawal, and liver problems. Addiction medicine and physicians specialize in treating alcoholism. Behavioral health professionals specialize in treating mental disorders associated with alcoholism.

Steps to recovery

The first step to alcohol recovery is recognizing that you have a problem and desire to quit. This can happen on its own or with the help of loved ones staging an alcohol intervention. This involves family and friends expressing their concerns about the excessive drinking and beginning a discussion about the various options available to treat the problem. Once the individual has recognized his or her problem, he or she can then choose the right treatment. Here are the Steps to Alcohol Recovery:

In Step 5, recovering alcoholics write a list of people they have hurt, whether during active alcoholism or over the course of their lives. The next step is to make amends to those people. Step 8 pairs with this step, which requires the recovering alcoholic to reflect on his or her actions and make amends with those who have been affected. It is important to note that these steps are not in any particular order and have no hard and fast time limits. In addition, members of A.A. are expected to internalize the steps and apply them to their own lives.

Side effects of treatment

While alcohol rehabilitation centers are designed to help people with their addictions, many side effects may arise. Withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous, and the effects can increase quickly for individuals with underlying medical conditions. The staff at an alcohol rehab center will monitor patients closely, tracking blood pressure, heart rate, breathing and more. There are also some people who choose to reduce their alcohol intake gradually, working closely with their healthcare provider to reduce symptoms as they occur.

Withdrawal symptoms may begin within the first two hours of stopping drinking. While the most severe symptoms subside within a week, milder effects can persist for weeks or even a year. Withdrawal symptoms may not be a life-threatening problem, but they can interfere with daily activities and relationships. For some, alcohol withdrawal can result in depression, anxiety and other emotional symptoms. Alcohol withdrawal can affect people's physical and mental health, so treatment is essential for dealing with alcohol dependency.

Cost of treatment

Outpatient rehabilitation is often the most affordable option, but can be expensive if you want to spend a few days a week there. Outpatient treatment programs provide the same support and therapy as inpatient treatment, but don't offer round-the-clock care. Outpatient rehab can cost between $5,000 and $8,000 a month. Some facilities offer free care for qualified patients, but there may be a waitlist for admission. Prices can range anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000 a month for intensive outpatient rehab.

The cost of an outpatient program depends on what type of treatment you need. Detox programs are often accompanied by medical therapies that help reduce the distress that comes from an alcohol-induced binge. Outpatient treatment can cost $250-350 a day. Outpatient care can be expensive, as a family paying for a detox program may need to pay for the intervention professional's room and board. After completing detox, the individual is then transferred to the rehab to continue the healing process.