Alcohol detox or alcohol withdrawal treatment is a treatment option for people who are addicted to alcohol. People who have an addiction to alcohol often drink too much, leading to the physical dependence and psychological dependence on the substance.
In some cases, drinking too much can also lead to social problems such as drinking and driving, losing one’s friends or family, and other issues. There are many different programs that offer alcohol detox or alcohol withdrawal treatment in the United States.
These programs may be residential or outpatient. While there is no one perfect program that fits all people with an addiction to alcohol, some of these programs may be more effective than others. Let’s take a closer look at the differences between an alcohol detox facility and an addiction center:
What is the difference between an alcohol detox facility and an addiction center?
When people become addicted to alcohol, they experience very uncomfortable physical symptoms when they stop drinking. Drinking alcohol causes a person’s blood pressure and heart rate to increase. This can result in the symptoms of a heart attack, or even cause death. The symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol can be life-threatening if a person is not medically supervised.
The length of time it takes for a person’s body to adjust to not having alcohol, or to withdraw from it fully, is called detox. The most common way to detox from alcohol is to stay in a medically supervised detox center, often a hospital or medical center. In order to be safely detoxed from alcohol, a person will often be given medications to help ease the symptoms of withdrawal. Addiction treatment centers provide a more comprehensive approach to solving the root of an addiction.
Addiction treatment centers often use a comprehensive approach that combines medical detox and inpatient treatment with counseling and other therapy modalities. While some addiction treatment centers may only focus on medical detox, many addiction treatment centers also offer inpatient treatment and/or intensive outpatient programs that include counseling.
Residential treatment facilities
During an alcohol detox, a person will stay in a residential treatment facility. There are many different types of residential treatment centers. Some residential treatment centers offer short-term, in-patient detox programs.
Other residential treatment centers provide long-term treatment for alcohol or drug addiction. Inpatient programs provide round-the-clock supervision and medical care for the person who is withdrawing from alcohol or drugs. And those who are inpatient may receive counseling, group therapy, and family therapy.
Residential treatment programs can provide a safe and structured environment for the person who is detoxing from alcohol. Residential facilities may include halfway houses, sober homes, or other types of housing. Sometimes, a person will live with a family while they are in residential treatment. This can help contribute to the person’s success in achieving sobriety by providing a more supportive and consistent environment.
Outpatient programs
During a detoxification process, people often need to go to rehab or treatment to be able to detox safely. Some people may need to detox at home, but then they will go to a treatment center to finish the detox process. Other people may go to a treatment center while they are still drinking. This may work best for people who are interested in stopping drinking but cannot yet commit to a full episode of treatment.
Outpatient treatment programs may also include medication-assisted treatment (MAT). This treatment may combine counseling and medication that can help with cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and other issues caused by too much drinking. Other types of outpatient treatment involve group counseling, family therapy, and other types of therapy that can help support sobriety.
Other differences Between Alcohol Detox Facilities and Addiction Centers
Some alcohol detox facilities and addiction treatment centers may provide one-on-one counseling during an alcohol detox. Others may provide group counseling, which may help people bond during an uncomfortable period of their lives. Some alcohol detox facilities and addiction treatment centers may provide Occupational Therapy to help people with depression or anxiety caused by alcohol. Inpatient or residential treatment programs can be a lengthy process. Some alcohol detox facilities and addiction treatment centers provide shorter detoxes than residential treatment programs.
Final Words
At some point, every person who has an alcohol detox or an addiction to alcohol will need to go to a residential treatment program. It is important to choose an alcohol detox facility or an addiction treatment center that is right for you, and that helps you achieve sobriety. Finding a residential treatment program that you like, that is accessible to you, and that is effective in helping you with your alcohol detox can be difficult.
There are many resources to help people find residential treatment programs and detox facilities. There are also many support groups that people can join to help them stay sober during the detox process. You can also ask your doctor for a referral. In addition, you can also use this guide to help you choose the best treatment center for your needs.
Are you ready to decide if it’s the right time to start your recovery? Give us a call today to begin learning more about your recovery timeline. We’re available at 844-639-8371.