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Alcohol Abuse Programs

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drinking is a problem if "it causes trouble in your relationships, in school, in social activities, or in how you think and feel." Current dietary guidelines recommend no more than one drink per day for a woman, and no more than two drinks per day for a man. Alcohol abuse programs offer different types of treatment for those who can't control their drinking.

  1. Accelerated Recovery

    • The Accelerated Recovery Program calls itself the "most effective alcoholism counseling alternative to 12 step alcohol addiction treatment and counseling programs," and claims a success rate up to eight times the national average. Accelerated Recovery offers one-, two-, and three-week programs that start with private detoxification services that are medically supervised in a private suite. The program continues with intensive individualized treatment and counseling. The ideology behind Accelerated Recovery programs is very different from the 12-step programs because Accelerated Recovery does not see recovery as a never-ending process, and doesn't believe people have to accept an "alcoholic" identity for the rest of their lives.

    Alcoholics Anonymous

    • Alcoholics Anonymous views alcoholism as an illness. According to AA, alcoholics can't control their drinking because they are physically, mentally and/or emotionally ill. AA members don't believe they can be cured of their alcoholism, but they do think they can recover from alcoholism through fellowship with other alcoholics. New members don't promise to stop drinking forever. Instead, they're encouraged to stay away from alcohol one day at a time. In addition, AA members follow a 12-step program that suggests ideas and actions that can lead to a happy, useful life. New members also attend meetings once or twice a week where they can get help with personal problems and with staying sober. There's no charge for membership and no dues because AA is self-supporting with contributions. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.

    Betty Ford Center

    • The Betty Ford Center offers inpatient and outpatient programs that are based on the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. However, because this program believes men and women have separate needs, the programs at the Betty Ford Center are gender-specific. Each patient has a team consisting of a doctor, nurse, psychologist, primary counselor, case manager, spiritual care counselor, family counselor, dietitian, fitness trainer, chemical dependency technician and alumni services representative. This team helps develop an individualized plan for the patient. Treatment consists of a full schedule of activities including individual therapy, specialty groups, fitness, educational lectures and group therapy. In 2010, eight weeks of outpatient treatment cost $4,960. In-patient treatment runs from $26,000 to $63,500, depending on the program.

    Phoenix House

    • Phoenix House offers residential and outpatient services for adults and adolescents who have an alcohol or drug problem. They also operate 11 residential high schools for teens. Residential clients live and work together in a highly structured, tightly knit environment that includes one-on-one therapy, group therapy, seminars, vocational training or education programs, and supervised recreation. Outpatient services include emergency help, evaluation and referral services, and short-term treatment. Time for treatment varies, depending on the program.

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