3 Components of an Effective Alcohol Recovery Program
When you are ready to enter into an alcohol recovery program, your choices can be overwhelming. Although no program will guarantee long-term recovery, some features will increase your chances of success.
Individualized Care
Any program should begin with a thorough assessment to determine your unique needs. An individualized approach means the program is more likely to address different issues you face beyond alcohol addiction. For example, some people have additional concerns beyond their addiction that can increase their chances of failure. Issues related to socioeconomic level, homelessness, and legal problems all play their role in recovery and need to be addressed concurrently during the program. Some people may need safe shelter in a halfway house during the program; otherwise, an outpatient program would not work because of housing insecurity.
Multi-Faceted Approach
A multi-faceted approach means addiction is tackled from multiple angles. In the beginning, the most important part of recovery will be for a person to detox safely, which includes medical care to monitor any signs of seizures, symptom management, and medications to reduce the effects of withdrawal. After a successful detox, medication management may continue. Not only do these medications ease symptoms, but they can be critical for the reduction of alcohol cravings. The fewer cravings a person has, the easier it will be for them to stick with the program and stay sober. Cravings are a physical urge, but there is also the mental aspects of recovery that must be addressed with both a psychiatrist and therapist. Typically, people in recovery will have concurrent mental and physical health issues that will be addressed.
Long-Term Resources
Finishing an alcohol recovery program is just one step in a long road to staying sober. A well-rounded program will have resources that are easily accessible to help the person on their life-long journey. This includes group sessions such as mental health group sessions. The person should continue to have appointments with an addiction counselor, psychiatrist, and other support team members as needed. Other resources that might be important include job training, education, and social programs that can help people get back on their feet. A good support system may be critical for some people to stay sober, whether these people are friends or family or people they met during recovery.
Finding an alcohol addiction recovery program is just the tip of the iceberg. Choosing a program that approaches recovery from different angles and has connections to support people well after they are finished the program will give them the best chance at success.