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An alcohol recovery program is a structured, organized program that helps individuals with alcohol abuse problems to achieve and maintain sobriety.
When you enter an alcohol recovery program, you’re taking the first step toward dealing with your drinking problem and getting back on track. This can be a scary time for anyone; you’ll step out of your comfort zone by admitting you have a problem and attending rehab.
However, entering an alcohol recovery program doesn’t need to be daunting. Once you begin researching alcohol recovery programs and meeting with a counselor, things will become clearer very quickly.
To get started on the right foot, read through this helpful guide to understand what to expect when entering an alcohol recovery program:
The Initial Assessment
The first step toward getting the help you need is to contact a professional addiction treatment center. Most alcohol recovery programs provide assessments for people interested in entering their treatment program, which is a very important step in the alcohol recovery process.
During the initial assessment, a counselor will discuss your drinking habits and patterns of use. They will also discuss your reasons for drinking, your family history concerning alcohol use, and any other factors that may contribute to your alcohol use.
The initial assessment is a time for you to be completely honest with your counselor. If you lie or hide information, you will only make things more difficult for yourself.
Your counselor will use this time to determine if alcohol treatment is right for you. They will also assess your overall health and ensure you don’t have any underlying medical issues that could be impacted by sobriety. The initial assessment is also an opportunity for you to ask questions and get to know your counselor better.
Confidentiality
Note that the majority of alcohol recovery programs are completely confidential. This means that the information you share with your counselor will not be shared with anyone else. You’ll find that people dealing with a mental health condition, domestic abuse issues, sexual assault, or other issues may not feel comfortable sharing this information with the general public.
Most alcohol recovery programs offer a safe space for individuals to freely discuss their problems and experiences with their counselors. This protects your privacy and ensures you receive the best treatment possible.
Detoxification
Many people mistakenly believe you must be completely sober to enter an alcohol recovery program. This is not true at all; most alcohol recovery programs accept clients who are at all stages of alcohol use. Some alcohol recovery programs even offer a medical detoxification process before assisting you with alcohol withdrawal.
Medical detoxification is recommended if you have a chronic, long-term alcohol use history, or if you’ve experienced symptoms of withdrawal in the past.
Therapy and Counseling
Many alcohol recovery programs offer therapy and counseling in addition to medical assistance. Your counselors will help you understand the reasons for your alcohol use and cravings. They will also help you to address any underlying issues that may be contributing to your drinking.
Many alcohol recovery programs also offer group therapy as part of their treatment program. Group therapy allows you to discuss your issues and problems with other individuals who are also in recovery. It allows you to build new relationships with people going through similar experiences.
All in all, therapy sessions can be very empowering and help you to feel less alone during your journey toward sobriety.
Conclusion: Rebuilding Your Life After Rehab
As you near the end of your alcohol recovery program, you may feel excited about the future. You may have dreams and aspirations that you haven’t had the energy or focus to pursue in a long time. You may also feel anxious about the outside world after months of living in a controlled environment.
To avoid a relapse, it’s important to keep up with the practices and routines that helped you succeed in the first place.
