When people talk about treatment, they are invariably referring to a treatment center, most commonly known as a rehab, where people can go to get help if they have a problem with alcoholism or addiction to other substances or behaviours.
Having said that, the term treatment can cover a wide range of options that can almost be as baffling as some of the behaviours of an alcoholic themselves.
The primary source of treatment for alcoholics is Alcoholics Anonymous.
AA is an organisation that most people have heard of, even if they do not know that much about it.
There is no doubt however, that if someone has a problem with alcohol, a consideration of going to AA is likely to be the first port of call. Anyone can turn up at any AA meeting, or NA meeting and see if they find it helpful or not. AA is free, as are all 12-step fellowships, with voluntary collections taken at the meetings to cover the cost of rent, coffee etc.
The growth of rehabs and treatment centers over the years have to an extent been on the back of organisations such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.
Many people nowadays assume that if an individual has a problem with alcohol and/or drugs they are likely to go to a rehab and then go on to meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous afterwards.
Treatment
There are certainly benefits for people who prefer to go to a rehab or treatment center as opposed to going directly to meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous.
The majority of treatment centers offer a 28 day structured therapeutic programme of recovery that is likely to be based on the principles of the 12 step program of AA. Some treatment centres are specifically non 12-step based, and are more likely to offer some type of recovery program based on a life skills/mindfulness approach to life.
Treatment centers are normally residential clinical facilities, that are likely to be funded through an individual’s health care plan, assuming they have insurance. If the individual does not have insurance that it can be an extremely expensive process.
There are also a number of non-residential options that are often available, depending on where the individual lives. Treatment is sometimes offered under what is known as an intensive outpatient program.
This normally involve the individual carrying on with their normal day-to-day worklife, and attending some type of rehab/evening classes during the week where they will focus on recovery principles.
The other option is what is sometimes referred to as partial hospitalisation treatment where the individual or attend some type of treatment center during the day, and then goes home in the evening.
In addition, some rehabs will offer some type of outreach work in the community, which we will be a mix of the above two types of treatment. If anyone has a problem with alcohol and/or drugs, seeking help is the most important element.
Once the individual genuinely seeks help, then they are likely to find it in a variety of different ways, and can adapt whatever their needs are to their recovery process.