Alcohol Rehab vs. Home Detoxes: Helping a Loved One Through Addiction

Alcohol is one of the most dangerous substances in the world and this means that individuals struggling with an addiction to alcohol should seek private alcohol rehabilitation clinics as soon as possible.

During a typical rehabilitation programme, individuals will learn to overcome their addiction – both physically and mentally.

This means that they will learn, practise, and experience a variety of different treatment options and programmes that are suitable for their specific needs and requirements of care.

There are many different choices that an individual can pick when considering alcohol rehabilitation, so knowing the differences and the features of each type is essential before beginning any specific type of treatment or rehabilitation programme.

Why is alcohol rehabilitation so important?

Alcohol is a physically addictive substance, meaning that it becomes an integral part of everyday functioning and bodily processes.

This can quickly become a serious issue – especially if the individual is attempting to withdraw from the substance.

Because of this, it is vital that an individual begins rehabilitation for addiction as soon as they are aware that they are addicted, as well as if those around them are increasingly concerned about their wellbeing and drinking habits.

By attending rehabilitation, an individual will greatly reduce their chances of relapsing in the future i.e., beginning to consume alcohol again after withdrawing from the substance during the early stages of rehabilitation.

1. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS)

One of the most dangerous parts of an alcohol rehabilitation is when an individual attempts to withdraw.

This is because when alcohol is no longer in the system, processes that have become dependent on the substance will not function as necessary, and a variety of health issues may arise as a result of this.

AWS is a common issue when individuals with long-term alcohol addiction or heavy alcohol consumption habits attempt to withdraw. Symptoms of AWS vary massively from insomnia and agitation to delirium tremens and necessary ICU treatment (1).

2. Long-term health impacts

In serious cases of alcohol withdrawal and general impact of alcohol consumption, individuals may experience threats to their physical health and wellbeing.

Alcohol is processed in the liver, for example, meaning that it is common for individuals who struggle with alcohol addiction to also struggle with liver disease and related issues.

In addition, there have also been strong links drawn between heavy alcohol consumption and impacts to the cardiovascular system, including cardiomyopathy (weakened heart muscles), systemic hypertension (high artery pressure), and heart failure (2).

Helping a loved one with alcohol addiction

Any individual who knows someone who is struggling with an alcohol addiction may have recognised the desire to help them but not know where to start.

This is a common issue; many individuals want to help those around them but knowing how best to do this can often stand in the way.

In all cases, it is essential to approach the topic with respect, caution, and a completely non-judgemental approach. This is so that the individual struggling with addiction recognises that this person is trying to help rather than name and shame them for their behaviours – something which no individual should ever experience when recovering from an alcohol addiction.

The different types of alcohol rehabilitation

Before an individual enters rehabilitation, either as a result of advice from friends or family around them or of their own desire and accord, there are some decisions and choices that these individuals will need to make to ensure that they are entering the most suitable form of care for them.

The key forms of rehabilitative care are outlined in the following two subheadings and are some of the first decisions an individual can make in their overall recovery journey.

1. Inpatient alcohol rehabilitation (Alcohol Rehab)

Referring to rehabilitation within a specific addiction treatment clinic, these centres are often the most highly recommended form of care for individuals who are struggling with an alcohol addiction.

This is because their around-the-clock facilities and professional approach to care means that individuals will have access to all the support they need, no matter when they need it,
Full-time care also means that an individual can focus all of their attention and motivation in one treatment course, often spanning up to 28 days or more, and have a greatly reduced chance of being distracted from external factors.

There are many different drug and alcohol rehab centres across the world, each with different specialities and services. Information on these centres can be accessed across the internet, as well as from local medical services.

2. Outpatient alcohol rehabilitation (Including Home Detoxes)

Alternatively, some individuals struggling with an alcohol addiction may have circumstances that make them eligible for outpatient treatment.

This means that an individual takes part in rehabilitative programmes on a part-time basis rather than full time. This is only suitable in specific circumstances due to the reduced support that an individual will receive – something which is essential for an alcohol rehabilitation programme.

A home detox is when an individual is prescribed treatment programmes and/or medication while continuing to reside at home. Though this may seem like the preferable option, this is not always the case due to the increased dependency on others that an individual may develop while undergoing an alcohol rehabilitation programme.

In addition, if an individual has others that are dependent on them, then this is also not suitable as they will not be able to commit attention and motivation to both of these areas of their life.

Rehabilitation should become an individual’s sole focus, as without it their physical and mental health will begin to deteriorate, and this will require further and more treatment the longer it goes untreated.

Medical interventions for an alcohol withdrawal

As mentioned previously in this article, an alcohol withdrawal session can be especially dangerous to an individual’s health due to the changes that the body must experience in order to overcome the effects of addiction.

In some cases, medical intervention has been shown to be especially beneficial due to the ways in which this can reduce the negative and uncomfortable impacts of withdrawal, though this is only suitable in certain cases and must be thoroughly discussed with a medical professional before initiating.

Substances that are prescribed to individuals undergoing a particularly negative alcohol withdrawal include Librium, for example, but also benzodiazepines.

Benzodiazepines can be administered in a number of ways such as within a fixed regular dose or on a symptom-combatting basis (3).

However, it is important to note that substances such as benzodiazepines are also considered to be addictive substances. Although they may be beneficial in the short-term to combat an uncomfortable or life-threatening alcohol withdrawal, further support and rehabilitation will be needed in the future in order to complete an individual’s recovery in rehabilitation and also to maintain an addiction-free lifestyle – something which all individuals progressing through alcohol rehab should strive for.

Get help for an alcohol addiction today – whether for you or a loved one

No matter if the individual is seeking rehabilitation offers for themselves or for someone they know (a friend, family member, or colleague, for example), it is vital that this help is sought as soon as those involved are able.

Addictions, especially those to alcohol, can aggressively worsen if left unacknowledged and untreated so finding suitable and appropriate care is always recommended.

Citations
[1] Mirijello, A., D’Angelo, C., Ferrulli, A., Vassallo, G., Antonelli, M., Caputo, F., Leggio, L., Gasbarrini, A. and Addolorato, G., 2015. Identification and management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Drugs, 75, pp.353-365.
[2] Klatsky, A.L., 2009. Alcohol and cardiovascular diseases. Expert review of cardiovascular therapy, 7(5), pp.499-506.
[3] Perry, E.C., 2014. Inpatient management of acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome. CNS drugs, 28(5), pp.401-410.