Addiction Help – What to Expect From Alcohol Rehab
Apr 22, 2021
Every year in the USA, around 95,000 people die because of excessive alcohol use.
So, if you’re worried about your relationship with alcohol, reach out for the addiction help you need before it’s too late. Alcohol rehab can turn your life around.
It’s only natural to feel apprehensive about entering rehab.
Did you know you can work toward a new life, without major disruptions to your existing routine? With CleanSlate your rehab can be managed as an outpatient.
Keep reading to find out more about what to expect when you take part in Medication-Assisted Treatment.
What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment?
Several factors are associated with, but by the time you realize you need help, there’s a good chance alcohol’s already got a hold on you.
When you drink regularly and excessively, your body and mind become dependent on alcohol. This makes it difficult to stop drinking without help.
As soon as you try to go cold turkey, you could experience unpleasant symptoms like nausea, tremors, and anxiety. Sometimes these symptoms become so severe they can threaten your life.
Medication-Assisted treatment can help you stop drinking and resist the urge to start drinking again. So, you can face the challenges ahead with a clear mind.
When you sign up for this kind of treatment, a qualified professional will assess your situation. Then design an individualized program to help you negotiate initial and ongoing pitfalls of recovery.
A physician will prescribe FDA-approved medication, usually Vivitrol (naltrexone), to help you get started.
About Naltrexone
If you’re worried about substituting one addictive substance with another, you needn’t be. Naltrexone has a long, successful history in treating both alcohol and drug addiction.
It works by blocking the pleasurable effects of drinking, so you quickly lose your motivation to drink alcohol. It also has far fewer and less severe side effects than other similar treatments.
In some cases, taking naltrexone can lead to minor side effects such as headaches, or nausea Fortunately, you will be monitored by a medical professional who can work with you to overcome and bothersome side effects. If side effects develop that you are not able to tolerate they can prescribe a different medication
Medication can’t work at its best on its own though. These drugs simply open your mind to the healing process. Ideally, this should also involve therapy and counseling.
Although you’re not compelled to attend these sessions while engaged in MAT, it’s a good idea to include them as part of your recovery plan.
What to Expect from This Kind of Alcohol Rehab
Medication-assisted therapy is a form of outpatient drug and alcohol rehab.
Medication-Assisted therapy professionals work closely with others in your community to ensure you get the best help available during your recovery.
Although you’ll continue with your life as normal, you will engage with trained counselors. They can assist with the emotional and psychological aspects of recovery.
These sessions may take the form of group support or individual therapy depending on your needs. You might feel self-conscious about attending group sessions at first. Yet, you’ll soon discover the many benefits of this type of therapy for alcohol addiction.
With group support, you’ll discover a sense of camaraderie and fellowship that’s unique to individuals in recovery. Participants support and encourage each other and can form close bonds over time.
If you need more intensive counseling or assistance from a mental health practitioner, you’ll get a referral to an expert professional partner. These experts have years of experience working with the MAT program.
Your MAT clinic can also help you with referrals to social services if needed. MAT aims to treat the whole person so they may achieve lasting sobriety.
Will You Stay Sober After MAT?
The answer to the above question is up to you, but studies reveal a high success rate for those who received medication-assisted treatment in the early stages of their recovery.
As many as 61% of patients remain sober for 3.5 years or more after engaging in Medication-Assisted Treatment. Many are still going strong.
Only a very small percentage of people manage to stop drinking and stay sober on their own.
You can continue with treatment for as long as you want to stay sober, or join up with one of the recognized group support programs, like AA, to continue your journey.
To sum up, MAT offers you the chance to get the addiction help you need without disrupting your routine. It also offers a host of tailored treatments according to your exact needs.
Are You Ready to Get the Addiction Help You Need?
If you or someone you know needs addiction help, get in touch for more information on alcohol addiction treatment that really works.
At CleanSlate Centers we don’t judge, we listen. Reach out via the chatbox on our website or call a center near you and we’ll gladly put your mind at ease regarding what to expect from our alcohol rehab facilities.