The journey toward recovery from alcoholism is one that includes both hardships and successes. In order to embark upon this journey, however, you have to take the first step. Whether you are seeking treatment for yourself or you are helping a loved one begin on this productive path, knowing how to navigate your search for alcohol detox is pivotal.

Factors to Consider

If you don’t have much experience with alcohol detox programs, your understanding of the field and the components involved is, understandably, limited. In other words, you may not realize how many possibilities exist for detox and rehab programs. Therefore, you want to make sure you look into the following factors during your research:

• Location
• Payment
• Inpatient and outpatient
• Supervised withdrawal
• Specific approach
• Duration of program

Breaking down each of these components can help you understand what to look for more specifically.

Location

Your first instinct might be to find the treatment center that is closest to home. In some cases, this approach can work, especially when the recovering person has a strong support system at home. In other situations, however, staying in one’s regular environment with all of the usual temptations can impede progress. Keep in mind that inpatient programs exist so that your loved one could go to a top program in another state.

Payment

Of course, you do have to look at how you or your loved one will afford the treatment. Having these conversations with staff members at the treatment centers early on can prevent you from falling in love with a program that you can’t afford. You should also speak with your insurance company to find out if this type of treatment is covered. Don’t give up immediately, however, if a particular center seems out of your budget. Speak with a representative at the center to find out what types of options are available for payment.

Inpatient and Outpatient

Understanding the difference between inpatient and outpatient treatment options is crucial. Inpatient treatment means that the recovering individual lives at the treatment center for a period of time. Outpatient treatment would involve regular appointments or meetings with a specialist. Some programs start off with inpatient treatment and then transition into outpatient treatment. Keep your mind open when making the decision between the two options. While some people do not want to leave their homes for a period of time, inpatient treatment also offers some serious opportunities for recovery and a new life.

Supervised Withdrawal

Some individuals are afraid of going to treatment because they worry about the side effects of withdrawal, which is why you want to look for a program that includes supervised withdrawal. Knowing that you or your loved one will be supervised by a professional while going through withdrawal offers an additional layer of comfort and security. Also, keep in mind that you should express any worries or concerns to a representative at the center. If you’re worried about the withdrawal process, let the staff know.

Specific Approach

Each treatment center is going to have a specific approach to treatment, and you want to find out how the professionals there work. For example, some programs take a religious or spiritual approach to helping individuals recover from alcohol addiction. Other treatment centers will use therapeutic methods that involve art or athletics. Some rehab programs might encourage regular small-group discussions with other residents at the center. While you’ll need to start the program to know exactly what the experience will be like, you can get a sense of what to expect before beginning.

Duration of Program

As you’re getting closer to actually starting a program, you’ll want to get a sense of how long the treatment might be. In a number of cases, you’ll have a plan for a set number of days. As that time period draws to a close, you’ll need to take a look at the plan with the specialists. Do remember that the goal is to recover from alcoholism, not to get out of the center as quickly as possible. Treatment takes time, but you can get serious benefits from following through. Your search for alcohol detox is one that can be improved with the assistance of professionals. As you are looking at the options and coming up with questions that you want to ask representatives, call 424-499-2603 to learn more.