What to Expect in Inpatient Alcohol Rehab

Like a thief in the night, alcohol dependency can sneak up and grab hold of one’s life.  Maybe there were unheeded warning signs that abusing alcohol was evolving into a real problem.  But it isn’t until that day comes when a person realizes they no longer have control over their ability to stop drinking that the need for help becomes very real. 

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is prevalent in our culture, impacting nearly 18 million Americans and their loved ones, according to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence.  In the spectrum of AUD, alcohol dependency is the most serious manifestation of alcoholism, where a chemical dependence on the substance has developed, overtaking the individual’s will to stop.  When alcohol abuse reaches into your daily life, disrupting family, health, work, finances, and social relationships, getting help through an inpatient alcohol rehab program is essential.

Why Do People Abuse Alcohol?

The reasons that people begin abusing alcohol are complex and varied.  More elusive is the explanation of why some can abuse alcohol and not develop the disease of alcoholism and others do.  However, in most cases, anyone who drinks excessively for an extended period of time will likely develop a problem eventually, as tolerance increases and drinking escalates. 

Some of the reasons people abuse alcohol include:

• Overcoming a mental health condition. Mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, are often underlying factors for alcoholism.  Individuals seeking to self-medicate the symptoms of these mental health disorders may do so using alcohol.  Those battling depression may look to alcohol as an escape tool, and those suffering from anxiety use alcohol to relieve stress and worry.
• Recreational alcohol abuse. Some individuals begin recreationally abusing alcohol early in life.  They may continue to party through high school and college, and into young adult years before they realize they have acquired an alcohol addiction.  The younger a person is when they begin abusing alcohol recreationally, the higher the chances that they will later develop alcohol dependence.
• Grief and loss. Some may begin using alcohol as a means of coping with grief after losing a loved one.  This can also pertain to the dissolution of a marriage through divorce, loss of a job, or any other profound loss that has resulted in deep emotional pain.
• Family history plays a significant role in determining future addiction issues.  Individuals may be genetically predisposed to alcoholism and can become alcohol dependent quickly.
• Overcoming emotional trauma. A deep-seated emotional trauma, such as having experienced physical or sexual abuse, experiencing a natural disaster, a serious accident, combat distress, or any other traumatic event can result in abusing alcohol as a way to find relief.

About Inpatient Alcohol Rehab Programs

When seeking treatment for an AUD it is important to recognize the different types of rehabs available.  Generally, an outpatient program is fine for a mild or recent AUD, but for a moderate to severe alcohol addiction, it is best to seek help through an inpatient treatment program. Inpatient alcohol rehabs will provide a safe, medically monitored detox and then 24/7 treatment and support in a residential setting.

Treating alcohol dependency relies on a multidisciplinary approach that addresses all aspects of the disease.  Once the individual is detoxed they will begin engaging in various therapeutic treatment elements at the rehab.  Key to achieving a sustained recovery is identifying underlying emotional trauma or pain that may be a contributing factor.  This can be examined in individual psychodynamic therapy. 

Disordered thoughts and behavior patterns can be addressed through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a very effective short-term evidence-based therapy that helps people recognize how their irrational thoughts are triggering addictive and self-destructive behaviors.  Through CBT the individual learns to replace those disordered patterns with new, healthy, constructive responses.  Group therapy, family therapy, addiction education, relapse prevention planning, and adjunct therapies such as art and music therapy round out the treatment program.

Following a 30, 60, or 90-day inpatient treatment program, the individual should have a plan in place to continue to reinforce the newly acquired coping tools and sober lifestyle.  Planning for a few months residing in sober living provides an excellent opportunity to slowly transition back to normal daily life while still learning recovery techniques.  Sober living offers a great opportunity to reestablish healthy living habits through keeping a regular schedule, adhering to the house rules and responsibilities, and being accountable to the other housemates. 

Ongoing outpatient counseling is also an essential part of aftercare, especially helpful in relapse prevention.  Peer support found in a 12-step recovery community is a good resource for acquiring new sober friendships while receiving ongoing support in recovery.

Pax House Recovery Offers Premier Inpatient Alcohol Rehab

Pax House Recovery is a comprehensive inpatient alcohol rehab California. Pax House specializes in treating patients holistically, addressing not only the AUD diagnosis but the mind, body, and spirit as well. Within an environment that is serene and caring, the highly trained addiction specialists and clinicians strive to provide a supportive space for healing and self-exploration—in fact, pax is Latin for “peace.” Pax House Recovery accepts most private insurance to help cover the costs of treatment. For more information about the program, please contact Pax House today at (888) 572-1724.