Residential Programs (general)
Residential alcohol rehab programs are those in which a person lives at the facility under supervision. This type of facility could be either a hospital, therapeutic community, or basically any kind of treatment center. Each of these facilities also offers specific alcohol rehab programs and specialties.
Hospital Residential Programs
These kinds of alcohol rehab programs have 24-hour surveillance and treatment for repeat offenders. Hospital residential alcohol rehab programs are concerned more with education and therapy of alcoholism because the people have already admitted they have a problem and want to receive help.
Intensive Hospital Programs
Again, these alcohol rehab programs are 24-hour surveillance and treatment, but they are considerably more concentrated for people with serious addictions to alcohol and severe symptoms of alcoholism.
Therapeutic Communities
Therapeutic communities do not offer medical treatment in their alcohol rehab programs, but rather concentrate on counseling and individual treatment programs designed for the specific needs of the person. Sometimes a simple mental awareness of the problem is a big step in overcoming an alcoholic addiction.
Outpatient Programs
These alcohol rehab programs do not require overnight stays (though the facility may have this option). These programs offer regular therapy sessions, as well as other opportunities for treatment.
Employee Assistance Programs
Some employers provide alcohol rehab therapy (as well as other treatments) to their employees. Usually, a supervisor will determine if an employee is in need of assistance and will send him or her to speak to a therapist or arrange whatever necessary means are required.
Self-Help Groups
Self-help alcohol rehab groups are those which people attend on their own accord — participating as little or as much as they desire. Group meetings consist of similar people talking together and helping one another through their problems. Alcoholics Anonymous is one example of a self-help alcohol rehab group.
Transitional Programs
These types of alcohol rehab programs are called such because a person can be given several different treatments in various forms — whatever needs to be done to help the person get better.
Halfway House Programs
Halfway houses are for those who cannot afford a home of any kind. The alcohol rehab programs of these homes especially help people who need to go to work or school every day and are trying to live alcohol-free and get their lives back on track.
Suggesting alcohol rehab to loved ones
Watching someone you love hurt him or herself and others by having a problem with alcohol can be a painful and frustrating experience. Trying to convince them they need help can be even harder, but it is not impossible. Sometimes simply talking to the person directly and voicing your concern will open his or her eyes to the destruction alcohol is having on his or her life and the lives of others. If this approach does not work or you do not believe the person will listen to you, an intervention is another way to encourage alcohol rehab. An intervention is a gathering of the person’s friends and family members when everyone confronts the person about his or her problem with alcohol and encourages alcohol rehab and treatment.
By Monica Drusch