What Happens During Alcohol Addiction Therapy?

More than 15 million people over the age of 12 in the United States struggle with alcoholism. Unfortunately, this condition can have an overwhelming impact on every facet of a person’s life. 

There are many cases where people want to overcome their addiction and get the help that they need. Not knowing what to expect is often one of the reasons why people shy away from going through alcohol addiction therapy. Having a better understanding of what to expect can help you make a more informed decision regarding getting the treatment so you can take back control of your life.

What is Alcohol Addiction Therapy? 

Alcohol addiction therapy is a type of structured program that provides help to those who suffer from alcohol addiction. This type of therapy is designed to help individuals overcome their addiction by ridding their bodies of substances and helping them develop healthy habits that can help them resist urges and live an alcohol-free life.

Alcohol addiction therapy is generally offered as an outpatient treatment, an inpatient treatment, or an intensive outpatient treatment. The type of treatment that a person will undergo will generally be determined by whether or not they have gone through treatment before, if they have the freedom or flexibility to be admitted into an inpatient center, or if they want to continue managing their home, work, or go to school.

Any person who struggles with alcohol addiction or alcohol use can benefit from alcohol addiction therapy. These treatments are designed to provide people with the tools that they need to resist harmful substances and live a healthier life.

What Happens in Alcohol Addiction Therapy?

People who enter alcohol addiction therapy generally learn new healthy habits that can help them achieve long-term sobriety. There are several things that a person will do once they enter alcohol addiction therapy.

The first thing that they will have to do is go through an intake process. The intake process involves working with a recovery specialist to determine what you are struggling with and how alcohol addiction therapy can help. During intake, you will be presented with multiple questions, meet with doctors, undergo a physical examination, and go through other testing in order to determine the best option for your particular case.

After the intake process, you will begin detoxification. The detox process lasts between one and two weeks and involves you going through the process of removing harmful substances from your body. While going through detox, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. These can include:

• Mood swings
• Fever
• Nausea
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Headaches
• Problem sleeping

Given the fact that these symptoms can be severe, you will detox while under the supervision of a medical supervisor to ensure your safety.

After detox,  you will begin to participate in various types of alcohol addiction therapy. 

Every Case Is Unique

When it comes to developing an alcohol addiction therapy plan, it is important to understand that every individual is unique. One person’s needs will be drastically different from the rest. For this reason, a medical professional will review your current situation, your goals, and your plans for recovery in order to determine the best course of action moving forward.

In nearly every case, alcohol addiction therapy will involve various types of treatment that are designed to help individuals develop healthy habits, make responsible decisions, and live a happier life. Altogether, alcohol addiction therapy will help to heal you as a whole person rather than just focus on your addiction.

Types of Alcohol Addiction Therapy Offered 

There are several types of therapy that are generally incorporated into an alcohol addiction treatment program. 

Cognitive behavioral therapy tends to be one of the most effective types of therapy for alcoholism. This therapy helps individuals find the connection between their feelings and thoughts and their use of alcohol to cope. Making a strong connection between any existing mental health problems and alcoholism can help you to develop ways to resist alcoholism to deal with them.

Dialectical behavioral therapy is another type of treatment that is offered for people in alcohol addiction therapy. This type of treatment focuses on building skills that help patients improve their lives. DBT is designed to help people find a balance between painful experiences and the need to accept the consequences. Far too often, many people associate painful experiences with their need to use alcohol. This type of therapy provides them with healthy skills to resist the urge to turn to alcohol use in order to cope with challenging times.

Several types of holistic treatments are generally offered as well in alcohol addiction therapy. These include art therapy, massage therapy, music therapy, and even exercise. These therapies are designed to help individuals who have struggled with addiction implement healthy patterns and activities into their life. These activities will help them overcome some of the emotional trauma and challenges that they face and instill good habits into their daily schedule.

Life After Alcohol Addiction Therapy

After going through alcohol addiction therapy, you will want to continue implementing all of the healthy habits and activities that you have learned throughout your treatment into your life. Routinely exercising, engaging in artistic activities, and continuing to resist the use of alcohol in order to cope with your challenges are critical to your recovery.

In some cases, people can benefit significantly from community groups and gatherings. Many people benefit from Alcoholics Anonymous, twelve-step programs, and other community action groups. These groups provide people with the ability to meet with others who struggle with addiction as well. Through group therapy, people can discuss their challenges and ways to cope. 

Let Our Team at Inner Voyage Recovery Center Help

Our addiction experts at Inner Voyage Recovery Center understand what it takes to overcome an addiction. We are fully committed to helping individuals who struggle with alcoholism read their bodies of these harmful substances and live a happier and substance-free life of sobriety.

Our proven therapy modalities are designed to help you dissect the reason behind her addiction and find a way out. Contact our team now to get started on alcohol addiction therapy so you can regain control of your life.