Seeking treatment for an alcohol addiction can be a scary experience for many reasons, but it is largely due simply to the unknown. The more you know about what to expect in a Delaware alcohol treatment facility, the less scary it becomes. While every facility will be slightly different there are certainly a number of common factors that will be true of all alcohol treatment facilities. Here are some things you can expect from Delaware alcohol treatment.
Some people’s journey will start in a detox facility, others with inpatient treatment
Alcohol addiction can take many forms. Some people drink so heavily every day that their body literally becomes dependent on alcohol. If they were to try and simply stop drinking, it could actually cause a life-threatening reaction. Other people may go days, weeks, or months without drinking, but once they start, they may not be able to stop for days. While they definitely have an addictive issue, their bodies may not need to undergo the process of being medically weaned off of alcohol. Most patients will work with doctors and other treatment specialists to determine if their journey needs to start in a detox facility or if they can go straight to inpatient treatment.
Most treatment facilities will attempt to isolate you from the familiar
Perhaps one of the scariest aspects of alcohol treatment is also the most critical. What many people do not understand about addiction is that over time it becomes as much a habit as anything else. Alcoholics may get used to starting their day with a swig from the bottom of a vodka bottle or a short pour of bourbon in their morning coffee. They may have certain bars they like to drink in or people they like to drink with. One of the primary goals of inpatient care is to cut alcoholics off from these familiar routines in order to establish new, better habits and patterns.
Unfortunately, when we encounter something new, unfamiliar or unknown, we are most likely to try and comfort ourselves by reaching out for the familiar, the comfortable and the known. The very act of isolating an alcoholic from their familiar routines, habits, patterns, surroundings and people while also immersing them in a completely new experience can be traumatic in and of itself. It is just an unfortunate reality that the best treatment methodology is also going to create a somewhat stressful situation for the patient. That being said, when we understand why certain treatment protocols are necessary, they often become much easier to handle.
You will get out of it what you put into it
Many people expect addiction treatment to be like surgery. You go to the hospital, they sedate you, fix what’s wrong with you and you simply wake up all better. The truth about alcohol treatment, however, is that therapists, counselors and other professionals can provide you with tools and show you how to use them but what you do with them is up to you. Alcohol therapy is more like a workshop where you are taught everything you need to know to build your own house, but then you must build it.
Inpatient treatment is only the first step to recovery
Another misconception that alcoholics and sometimes even their families, friends and loved ones may hold is that an alcoholic can go in for a few weeks of treatment and be fixed or cured. The reality is that the road to recovery is a long and arduous one and for most addicts, it is also a lifelong one. Recommended treatment steps include:
- Detox treatment (if necessary)
- Inpatient treatment
- Sober living home or other type of transitional housing
- Outpatient therapy
- Ongoing support in a group therapy or support group setting
There is no one right therapy or system for everyone
Addiction is a tricky and complicated issue that involves many moving pieces and parts. While there are always underlying causes of addiction, those causes can vary greatly from person to person. Some alcoholics may be using alcohol to numb themselves against some kind of pain or trauma that needs to be addressed.
Others may be using alcohol to self-medicate an undiagnosed mental health issue. Some people may benefit from a faith-based recovery program while others may find certain faith-based elements only exacerbate their condition.
This is why it is so important to carefully research any facility before admitting someone or being admitted for treatment. To find a program in Delaware that is right for you or someone you love, give us a call today at 302-842-2390.
