Alcohol addiction, also known as alcohol use disorder, affects an estimated 10% of people aged 12 and older in the United States. Over time, heavy alcohol use can lead to other serious health problems, including liver disease, mental health disorders, and certain types of cancers.
Alcohol rehab clinics offer a variety of treatments that can help you recover from alcohol dependence and addiction. Knowing where to find them and what to expect from treatment can help you prepare for and experience a successful and healthy recovery.
What Is Alcohol Rehab?
Alcohol rehab refers to professional treatment for alcohol misuse or alcohol use disorder. These programs are available in a variety of settings, including hospitals, community centers, and dedicated addiction treatment centers—also known as drug and alcohol rehab clinics. Anyone who wants to get help for alcohol misuse is eligible for treatment at an alcohol rehab clinic.
Detoxification, behavioral therapy, and support groups are some of the many treatments available at alcohol rehab clinics. These treatments are available in both residential and outpatient settings.
Alcohol detox is a treatment that helps you safely withdraw from alcohol, which can benefit you if you are physically dependent on this substance. It usually involves the use of medications that can reduce alcohol withdrawal symptoms, including tremors, headaches, and nausea.
Behavioral therapy, counseling, and support groups teach you important skills that can help you achieve long-term sobriety from alcohol. The goal of these therapies is to help you address the underlying cause of your alcohol misuse or addiction. For example, if you started drinking to cope with trauma or PTSD, you may receive specialized therapy that helps you face and overcome the trauma that is causing you to drink.
All treatment plans at alcohol rehab clinics are personalized for each patient based on the root causes of their substance use disorder.
Where Are Alcohol Rehab Clinics Located?
Alcohol rehab clinics are located in nearly every city and town across the United States. You can choose to receive treatment at a rehab clinic near home or a rehab clinic located in the mountains, the desert, or near the beach—anywhere you think may benefit you in recovery.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers a reliable search tool that can help you find alcohol rehab clinics by city, state, and treatment type. Using this search tool, you can set filters to see specific options, including the service setting (e.g., residential, outpatient) and specialized programs, such as those for Veterans, youth, or LGBTQ.
You can ask your primary care provider or your health insurance provider to help you find an alcohol treatment program. Your doctor may provide you with one or more referrals to an alcohol rehab clinic, while your insurance provider could give you a list of clinics covered by your health plan.
What to Expect from Alcohol Rehab Treatment
Alcohol detox is usually the first stage of treatment for alcohol use disorder. A combination of behavioral therapies and counseling follows alcohol detoxification.
Alcohol Detox
The goal of alcohol detox is to reduce withdrawal symptoms and prevent complications such as seizures, delirium, and irregular heart rate. When you stop drinking alcohol after becoming physically dependent on it, you can experience a variety of withdrawal symptoms that typically last for two to 10 days.
Detoxification usually takes place in a residential or hospital-like environment where you can be closely monitored by nurses and doctors as you withdraw from alcohol. You may be given one or more medications that can reduce your symptoms and make you feel more comfortable. Symptoms usually peak between 24 and 72 hours after your last drink.
After alcohol detox, you can transition into a rehab program to receive behavioral therapy and counseling that help you stay sober long-term.
Behavioral Therapy and Counseling
The goal of behavioral therapy and counseling for alcohol use disorder is to help you change harmful behaviors, attitudes, and thought processes related to alcohol use. You receive these therapies in either a residential or outpatient setting for between 28 days and several months, depending on the length of time you need to recover from alcohol addiction.
Behavioral therapies you may receive at an alcohol rehab clinic include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Motivational interviewing
- Contingency management therapy
- Support group therapy (such as Alcoholics Anonymous)
- Relapse prevention
- Substance abuse education
- Couples and family therapy
- Dual diagnosis therapy (for comorbid mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, and PTSD)
- Recreational therapy (such as art therapy, music therapy, and equine therapy)
- Individual and group counseling
- Medication management
- Yoga and exercise therapy
- Nutrition counseling
Every alcohol rehab clinic offers its own set of therapies and treatments. Practitioners at a quality recovery center will talk to you in detail about your unique situation and experiences related to alcohol misuse and develop a customized treatment plan.
Get help right away if you think you need assistance recovering from alcohol misuse. Your healthcare provider can refer you to an alcohol rehab clinic or discuss your available treatment options for alcohol use disorder.