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Alcohol Rehab and Detox Referral

The statistics regarding the devastation caused by of alcohol abuse in the United States are staggering. According to a study reported by about-alcoholism-facts.com, approximately 14 million Americans abuse alcohol or are addicted to alcohol. Monetarily, in 2005, alcohol abuse and dependence cost the United States $220 billion. In 2005, $196 billion was attributed to alcohol related cancers and $133 billion to alcohol related obesity. The true cost of the emotional devastation to victims and families of alcoholics cannot be measured. The first step to recovery is admitting there is a problem. If you or someone you love is a victim of alcoholism and you feel like you have nowhere to turn, look into finding an alcohol rehab and detox referral program.

  1. Your Family Doctor

    • Family doctors have likely dealt with the effects of alcoholism on patients and have helpful resources available. You may feel more comfortable discussing your situation with your family doctor than with a stranger. Your physician can refer you or your loved one to a psychologist, a counselor or an addiction specialist.

    Detox Centers

    • Once you or your family member receives an expert evaluation, you may be referred to a detox center. If the addiction is severe, it is essential to detox the body under medical supervision because of the severe physical symptoms of withdrawal.These can include, but are not limited to, insomnia, irritability, headache, nausea, vomiting, hand tremors, increase in blood pressure, fever, rapid heart rate and, in extreme cases, seizures, hallucinations and delusions. Counseling and emotional support during this process are essential for the alcoholic. Detox centers have qualified counselors available to help.

    Rehabilitation

    • Once detoxification has taken place, a process normally lasting anywhere from one to five days, the alcoholic is ready to begin the long road to recovery. There are many accredited health care facilities where the rehabilitation process can begin. Not every alcoholic is the same, so different programs may be appropriate depending upon the special needs of the individual. Someone who also has an underlying mental condition may need a special rehabilitation program.

      A number of alcohol rehabilitation centers are available. Check with your local hospital, physician or health department for a list of approved alcohol rehabilitation and detox centers. A great resource on the Web is drug-rehabs.com/alcoholism.htm, which gives you a phone number to call for a list of rehabilitation centers in your area.

    Outpatient Treatment

    • As discussed on www.addictionsearch.com (See Resources), recovery is a lifelong process. Recovering addicts may return to their rehab or go to an outpatient center for counseling or to participate in support groups. Support groups are an important part of maintaining sobriety. Without an effective support system, the alcoholic's chances of recovery are greatly reduced.

    What to Look for In an Alcohol Rehab and Detox Center

    • Choosing the appropriate treatment program for yourself or your loved one may be confusing. Things you should look for in a quality facility are program accreditation and licensing, statistics on success rates and types of aftercare programs to prevent relapse. If your insurance does not cover alcohol rehabilitation and cost is an issue, look for facilities that offer payment plans or reduced payment options.

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