First-Rate Alcohol Treatment Programs

Appropriate alcohol treatment programs may vary from one person to another depending on the patients level of dependence on alcohol. Treatments often start with an evaluation to determine the extent of a patients alcohol dependence. Since this illness usually affects a person who denies that he has such a problem, the intervention of family members or close friends as well as a medical expert is needed.

There are several alcohol treatment programs to choose from depending on the degree of addiction and the health status of the patient:

1. A person who has been evaluated as not dependent, but suffers from the adverse effects of drinking, may seek an outpatient alcohol treatment program that includes counseling or a brief intervention. One option that can address this type of alcoholism is the aversion therapy that pits alcohol drinking with a strong aversive response. Certain medication causes aversive response like nausea which is brought about by the alcohol. This way, the patient slowly withdraws or distances himself from alcohol.

2. A residential treatment program includes a scientific process of treating patients. The program usually starts with the detoxification process, which resorts to the provision of sedating medications for patients to avoid withdrawal seizures. The process normally takes about four to seven days. The program also includes psychological support and psychiatric treatment that allows for group and individual counseling to support the patients recovery progress. Normally, it involves family therapy because it was found that family support is a very important component in the recovery process.

3. Drug treatment is also part of the said program. Medical professionals believe that an alcohol-sensitizing drug known as disulfiram can reduce the compulsion to drink. It was found out that the drug produces a severe physical reaction when taken with alcohol. Doctors also prescribe Acamprosate, an anti-craving medication, which is believed to help the patient control alcohol cravings and stay away from alcohol. Recently, an FDA-approved injectable drug known as Vivitrol passed the drug regulations as it can reduce the urge to drink by blocking neurotransmitters in the brain.

4. Another kind of program is the transition recovery program. This is often followed by most treatment centers with its two important phases based on the needs and progress of patients. The first phase involves intense therapy like counseling and psycho-educational presentations. This phase deals more on information transferred to the patients and how they will learn manage impulse control.

The second phase, on the other hand, provides support to the patient as he re-enters in the community. In this phase, the patient gets less intense therapy for the goal of recovery and self-sufficiency. This phase is done continuous and based on the patients progress. The progress level is assessed by a group of experts in the treatment center.

5. Another type of treatment program is the Narcotic Antagonist Treatment that uses nature for opiate addicts. Usually held in an outpatient setting, the patient is takes in a long-acting synthetic opiate antagonist daily or up to three times a week for a period of time. It is believed that such program can gradually break the opiate addiction.

There are many other kinds of treatment programs offered in rehabilitation centers. However, one important and significant step for alcohol patients is for them to regularly undergo an assessment program so they are able to monitor their progress or regression, for that matter.

Alcoholism Treatment