How to Find a 30 Day Inpatient Alcohol Treatment Program

Alcohol treatment programs take different philosophical approaches and have different services available in their war chests. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to overcoming alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence. Finding the 30-day inpatient treatment program that will be most effective for a particular person is a matter of asking questions and learning what particular treatment facilities can offer.

Instructions

Decide if It's Time to Seek Help

• 1

  Examine your own actions. Michael McKelvey, chief executive officer of Peak Addiction Recovery Center, a Colorado Springs, Colo. treatment facility offering inpatient, transitional sober living and aftercare for people fighting addictions, advises that the organization's website contains a tool to help decide whether it's time to seek treatment. "Really the bottom line with the quiz is, if alcohol or substance abuse is interfering with daily living, then really, someone needs help," McKelvey says.

• 2

  Decide if it is use, abuse or dependence. Michael Allen, licensed clinical social worker and certified addictions counselor, is vice-president of Connect Care in Colorado Springs, Colo., where he manages a network of more than 200 mental health, alcohol and drug treatment providers. Allen offers that alcohol use that causes no problems is not a reason for seeking treatment. Alcohol use becomes alcohol abuse when the drinker goes on binges or when alcohol causes problems for the person, like getting a DUI, blacking out or forgetting to come home to the children, Allen says. The next stage is alcohol dependence. "Dependence is, 'I can't stop thinking about it,'" Allen goes on. "It's hallmarked by the loss of control."

• 3

  Consult an alcohol counselor for recommendations. "Every treatment episode should start with an assessment," Allen says. McKelvey advises that knowing whether less extreme measures have been unsuccessful is a key to whether 30-day inpatient treatment is required. "Some people cannot get better without actually leaving their environment," Allen says. If the alcoholic does not have supportive people around him, he will likely do better with 30-day inpatient treatment, Allen continues. Some clients need a break from the distractions of their everyday life in order to focus on treatment.

Decide Which Treatment Facility Is Best for You

• 4

  Ask what the treatment center's philosophies are. It's smart to know about their approach before committing to treatment at a particular facility. According to Allen, most 12-step programs do not allow the use of any medications. "If you are depressed and an alcoholic, you should be aware of that," he says. Other programs are based on behavior modification principles. Whether you see it as a social, behavioral or medical problem affects which treatment approach will be most effective. The person with the problem should choose a treatment facility that sees alcohol abuse in the same light he does.

• 5

  Decide if you need detox. Detox is medical supervision during the withdrawal stage. Only some treatment facilities offer detox services.

• 6

  Find out how your treatment will be paid for. Ask the treatment center if they accept your insurance and your insurance company whether they will pay for your treatment at that facility. McKelvey emphasizes making sure the treatment center is accredited. States maintain lists of accredited treatment programs.

• 7

  Ask about the treatment center's family program. Allen recommends finding out what kind of family program the treatment center offers, or whether the patient is even allowed to have contact with family during their stay.

• 8

  Check into aftercare services. Both Allen and McKelvey suggest finding out what aftercare programs the facility offers. At the very least, they should be able to refer you to a local aftercare program, Allen advises. "If you think that treatment is an absolute cure and you're going to leave after 30 days and never want to drink again, you're going to find yourself in a bad spot," McKelvey warns.