The Process of Alcohol Rehab: A Guide Through Addiction Treatment

The Process of Alcohol Rehab: A Guide Through Addiction Treatment

Going into alcohol rehab is not a “one and done” process. Recovery is a lifelong pursuit that requires dedication and commitment to a better life through sobriety. In the beginning, you’ll focus on detox and rehab. However, when you go into aftercare or independent recovery maintenance, you’ll need to remember that the process continues.

Types of Alcohol Rehab Processes

woman talking to her therapist about the alcohol rehab process

As a unique person, your rehab experience may be completely different than another person’s experience in the same facility. Your addiction, co-occurring conditions, family history, past trauma, triggers, temptations, and personal outlook will all be different than the next person’s. There are infinite ways your rehab process may be different than another person recovering from alcohol abuse.

However, most rehab centers have the following programs to choose from in common:

  • Inpatient
  • Residential
  • Partial hospitalization
  • Intensive Outpatient
  • Outpatient
  • Sober living

The level of structure, routine, security and therapeutic requirements vary from program to program.

Stages of Recovery in Alcohol Rehab

Your rehab experience may involve specific processes, medications, therapies, and philosophies that are unique to your individual treatment plan. However, recovery is usually marked by some specific components common to all programs. Specifically, there are usually three main stages of recovery:

  • Detoxification: The time during which alcohol abuse stops completely and your body goes through a cleansing process, cleaning itself of the abused substance and toxins. This is the beginning of sobriety and prepares patients for mental clarity needed for therapeutic treatment in rehab.
  • Rehabilitation: You can experience rehab through one of the previously mentioned program formats, within a structured facility or as an outpatient while living at home. Rehab is a time of concentration on therapies, building coping skills and life skills, treating underlying or co-occurring conditions and learning about addiction.
  • Recovery: Recovery is the patient’s life in independent living, at home or within a sober living facility. This is where all of the information, education, and support gained through rehab is utilized to navigate daily life without turning to alcohol.

For many people, relapse is also part of recovery. This is common and isn’t a form of failure or defeat. Instead, relapse is – as with any relapse of a medical condition – an opportunity to strengthen in your resolve for sustained recovery. If you relapse, you can return to rehab to continue working towards sobriety.

Recovery Connection Can Help You Find the Treatment You Need

You don’t have to walk the road to recovery alone. There are many people and places you can turn to for information, support, help, and guidance. One of those resources is Recovery Connection. Through Recovery Connection, you can gain a referral to a rehab program that provides individualized treatment to overcome alcohol addiction once and for all.

Recovery Connection will answer your questions about the recovery process and help you choose the right direction for your future. Call Recovery Connection now at 866-812-8231.