Inpatient alcohol rehab programs are often the last thing standing between an alcoholic and an untimely demise such as alcohol poisoning, an alcohol-related crash, liver disease, violence and ultimately, death. However, the most difficult part of alcoholism is acknowledging that there is a problem and reaching out for help. Understanding what to expect at an inpatient alcohol rehab center can make it easier for someone suffering from the disease of alcoholism to take that first step and pick up the phone to get treatment. The following is an explanation of what to expect at each stage of treatment for alcoholism.

The first major step is to detox. Detox refers to the process whereby the body normalizes itself after becoming physically dependent on a drug or alcohol. This occurs because neurons in the brain are essentially repressed by chemical processes that take place during substance abuse. In effect an alcoholic’s body cannot immediately operate normally when alcohol is suddenly withheld from the system. When this occurs the neurons that were suppressed into a sleep-like state suddenly awaken again and become hyper-active, sending confusing signals and firing far too often.

Detox must occur in a medically equipped facility because the process can lead to uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous symptoms as a result of Acute Withdrawal Syndrome. Detox usually lasts from 5 to 10 days, after which time a patient is guided into a longer term treatment program for alcoholism. There are three main types of alcohol rehab centers: inpatient, outpatient and day/night programs. Inpatient is widely considered to be the most effective because it is also the most intense.

Inpatient alcohol rehab programs are usually 30 days in duration but can be as long as 60 or even 90 days. The differences in duration are because treatment plans are very individual and will vary from person to person. During inpatient treatment the recovering alcoholic will live in the same facility where they receive treatment. The treatment plan will usually consist of the following evidence-based practices:

• Reality therapy: teaches a person to control the things they can and learn to cope with the things they can’t
• Cognitive behavioral therapy: teaches a person that actions can and must be controlled
• Psychotherapy: seeks underlying causes and triggers, diagnoses co-occurring conditions, manages denial
• Family therapy: involves family members who have a different outlook and often need healing as well as the addict
• Group therapy: allows an alcohol to learn from others and share in a social setting that builds support

Inpatient alcohol programs usually consist of around 40 to 60 hours of these therapies each week. When therapies are not in progress the patient will be expected to cook, clean and shop for themselves, attend appointments and take part in group recreational activities to learn how to live again without the use of alcohol. Most inpatient programs are well-supervised and semi- secure in order to prevent drugs or alcohol from being brought on the premises.