The Alcoholic Treatment Center

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The traditional alcoholic recovery programs are
usually based on the 12-step approach modeled after the twelve-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous. Other alcoholism recovery
programs, however, take place in an alcoholic treatment center and are seen as providing “alternative” recovery approaches that are not
based on the 12-step methodology.
No matter what the treatment methodology, the alcoholic treatment center is staffed by professionals who are well-versed in different
treatment alcoholism and alcohol abuse approaches.
Viable Alternatives to the 12-Step Recovery Approach
Many of the non-12-step "alternative" alcohol addiction treatment approaches take place in a
hospital or in an alcoholic treatment center that provides alcoholism recovery via doctor-prescribed medications in combination with intensive
therapy or counseling.
Moreover, these non-traditional approaches usually
deal with alcohol dependency from both a psychological and physiological framework.
Some of the more effective programs are more comprehensive than others and focus on how the client will manage meaningful relationships after
he or she becomes sober.
Furthermore, some of the more successful alcohol recovery programs have a holistic orientation that focuses on dealing with and resolving key
underlying issues that may have lead to the person’s dependency in the first place: spirituality issues, grief, poor financial management
skills, loss, pain, poor coping skills, anger management, career indecision, and poor interpersonal relationship skills.
| It is important for drinkers to realize that when they frequently abuse alcohol on a regular basis, they increase
the risk of becoming an alcoholic. |
The Importance of Outpatient Follow-up Counseling
When undergoing alcoholic treatment, it is frequently important to get involved in an outpatient “follow-up” program that starts as soon
as the inpatient part of the program terminates. Some of the more successful recovery programs, for instance, provide outpatient
counseling and follow-up for one year after discharge from the residential program. In other words, the more comprehensive and more
successful alcohol recovery programs are geared for “long-term” success, rather than the “quick fix.”
The Recovery Environment
The “treatment” environment in which an alcoholic
is involved is an important recovery consideration. Some of the more successful alcohol addiction recovery programs, for example,
provide a safe, involving, comfortable, stimulating, and positive environment that leads to efficient, effective, productive, and long-term
treatment success.
While recovery programs can be expensive, the more successful programs put financial gain aside and actually limit the number of clients they
accept for treatment at any one time. This is done so that the staff can provide the time, effort, and resources that quality treatment
requires.
| The overriding plan of action when experiencing a possible alcohol overdose situation is this: Do not take
chances when someone's life is at stake. If you suspect that a person has alcohol poisoning or is overdosing on alcohol, get
immediate medical assistance, even if the person is underage. |
Features of a Successful Alcoholic Treatment Center
The following represents some of the key
characteristics of effective alcohol recovery programs:
- Intensive day and night counseling and therapy programs
- Doctor prescribed medications to help manage and cope with alcohol withdrawal symptoms
- Private detox services
- Programs with different time periods and length of treatment options that are tailored around the needs of each specific client
- Outpatient programs that are individualized to “fit” the personality, financial capabilities, and the needs of each client
- Competitive pricing
- Doctor prescribed medications to help clients refrain from alcohol relapse
- Hospital and non-hospital treatment options
- Hotel or treatment facility suites for out-of town clients
- A caring, professional, and results-oriented staff
- Success rates well beyond the national averages
| Since no level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy has been proven safe, the March of Dimes strongly urges
pregnant women to refrain from all alcohol, including beer, wine, wine coolers, and hard liquor during their entire pregnancy AND
also while nursing. |
Alcoholic Treatment Center: Conclusion
Most of the traditional alcohol addiction recovery programs have been and still are based on the 12-step recovery approach initiated by
Alcoholics Anonymous. Other, “non-traditional” alcoholism approaches, however, have emerged that focus less on issues such as “a higher
power,” group dynamics and support, and frequent meetings, and more on research-based protocols that center on doctor-prescribed medications and
intensive counseling.
Some of the more successful “alternative” alcoholism treatment programs take place in a hospital setting or in an alcoholic treatment
center. Such treatment facilities are usually staffed with professional, competent, and compassionate health care practitioners who help
alcoholics recover from their addiction, learn more effective coping, relationship, and life skills, and who teach the alcoholic how to reclaim
his or her life.
| Researchers have discovered that alcoholism is caused by two interacting aspects: genetics and environmental
factors such as peer pressure, one's family and friends, the relative ease of obtaining alcohol, a person's culture, and where
and how a person lives. |
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| The overwhelming majority of youth cite their parents as the primary influence in their decisions about whether
they drink alcohol or not. |
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