When a family has someone who drinks, they might not think too much of it. Thousands of people drink every year without it causing problems, but for some, simple drinking habits can turn to alcohol abuse. This puts the person at risk for becoming dependent upon alcohol, and by then, his body is physically addicted to it. When an addiction is present, suddenly stopping ones drinking can result in which can range from mild to severe and last up to one week during the body's detoxification. The level of addiction or abuse the drinker has can help him and his family to choose the best program for alcohol rehab: outpatient or inpatient.
Locating an alcohol rehab outpatient or inpatient center is simply a matter of using the resources available on the Internet. Options for choosing the location of a facility, type, and substances treated are just some of the ways the browser can narrow down his options. For those with a severe physical addiction to alcohol, an inpatient or residential program might be best. These allow for the closest monitoring of the alcoholic and the doctors in the center can administer needed medications to ease withdrawal symptoms. Some of these medications might cause reactions with other drugs, and a doctor needs to be close at hand to watch for interactions.
Alcohol rehab outpatient programs are the easiest to work around ones schedule and the most popular after self help groups. Among the 3.1 million people in the United States in 2001 who received substance abuse treatment,1.19 million were treated in outpatient centers. Rather than staying at the facility night and day for weeks on end, outpatient centers allow the patient to come and go at certain times for support groups, therapy sessions, and medical monitoring. Those who are abusers of alcohol but not yet physically addicted benefit most from outpatient programs. While it might be easier to skip meetings, if there is family support at home, the patient will still find a path to recovery with the least effect on his daily schedule. Unlike residential and hospital inpatient rehab programs, outpatient centers do not interfere with the workday habits of the patient. He can still work and get treatment at the same time.
The trick to getting the most from rehab is choosing a program which the patient will stick with. If a person drops out of the alcohol rehab outpatient program too soon, a relapse is more likely since he will no longer have the support of the center. His family too will be out of their group support which can help them to deal with their own issues surrounding their relative's recovery. The sooner a treatment facility is located and entered, the sooner the patient can begin the journey to recovery through sustained sobriety.