| Generally we tend to think about treatment for alcohol | | | | Many people with alcohol problems aren't going to find |
| abuse, dependence, or addition as falling into one of | | | | services readily available. It can be a matter of |
| two categories: inpatient or outpatient. However, just | | | | distance, of a lack in confidentiality (who wants to be |
| as there is enormous variation in inpatient or residential | | | | seen parking their vehicle outside the local rehab |
| treatment styles, so too are there differences in | | | | storefront?) a difference in philosophy, or any of a |
| outpatient offerings. Most of these differences - | | | | dozen other reasons. That leads to seeking help from |
| beyond the obvious 12-Step or Alternative orientations | | | | afar and that precludes a year's ongoing physical |
| and frameworks - boil down to intensity, duration, and | | | | involvement. |
| communication preferences. | | | | Happily, intensive work and anti-craving medications |
| First a brief review of the inpatient/outpatient decision. | | | | have opened up some new possibilities. Accelerated |
| For most people with alcohol problems outpatient is the | | | | outpatient treatment means cramming the first ninety |
| obvious choice. It is far more cost effective, less | | | | days into ten and conducting follow-up by phone, fax. |
| disruptive, has greater assurances of confidentiality, | | | | e-mail and internet. It's even a realistic option that, if |
| occurs as a part of your real life, can easily adapt to | | | | pursued conscientiously, can have remarkably good |
| the changes that inevitably occur in other parts of your | | | | results. In addition to being time and cost effective, it |
| life, and isn't artificially time limited. Unless you're a | | | | even offers the client a brief respite at a quarter the |
| celebrity in need of absolution or publicity, or someone | | | | cost of a residential stay, and some assurance that |
| with a need for sanctuary rivaling a witness protection | | | | folks back home will mistake your two week absence |
| program, you'll probably do fine in outpatient. | | | | for a vacation. In some ways they'll even be partially |
| Outpatient is generally most effective when it begins | | | | right. |
| as an intensive process that decreases over time. | | | | Look for a suitable program in an agreeable location |
| Ideally the first stage would last three to four weeks | | | | with a matching philosophy. Call and talk to them and |
| and focus on assessment of the degree of alcohol | | | | see how comfortable you are - the phone will be your |
| involvement, medical condition, related circumstances, | | | | best connection after the intensive on-site portion - if it |
| strengths, and interests. The following eighth weeks | | | | doesn't feel right now, it probably won't then. Visit if at |
| should concentrate on implementing systems for | | | | all possible. You're investing your future, don't do it |
| reaching the short-term treatment goals. Anywhere | | | | haphazardly. |
| from three to nine months of follow-up may be | | | | Your success is primarily a product of your motivation |
| necessary to cement gains made during the first three | | | | and acceptance of responsibility for overcoming your |
| months. | | | | problems by changing your behaviors. This will be most |
| That's the ideal time frame for most people and takes | | | | effectively and efficiently accomplished with good |
| into account the usual processes for effecting | | | | short-term help. Look for help that is professional, |
| behavioral change that lasts, not a temporary phase | | | | respectful, and open to diverse processes and |
| that soon fades into relapse. But it is possible to | | | | outcomes. Again, it's your life, don't diminish it |
| manage the process under less than ideal | | | | unnecessarily. |
| circumstances. | | | | |