| Yes there is a difference between alcoholism | | | | range from a few days to several years. There are |
| treatment centers and a recovery program. Personally, | | | | also programs referred to as an IOP, or Intensive Out |
| I have been through inpatient treatment on three | | | | Patient program. These due not require in-patient |
| different occasions so these experiences are from | | | | accommodations and generally consists of lectures |
| my own point of few. Different treatment centers | | | | and group therapy three to four times per week. |
| utilize different techniques and approaches so what I | | | | There are those in recovery who have achieved |
| share is from my own experience. It's also important to | | | | long-term sobriety without entering a treatment center. |
| mention that each time was somewhat of a different | | | | A common saying heard around recovery is |
| experience for me, but that will be more for a later | | | | "treatment is a great place for discovery, Alcoholics |
| article. For now, I'm going to stick with the differences, | | | | Anonymous(AA) is a the place for recovery." |
| as I see them between treatment centers and | | | | Moreover, there are those who feel treatments |
| recovery programs. | | | | centers are just out to make money off information |
| Treatment centers | | | | and techniques sufferers can get for free from AA. |
| Treatment centers are facilities which provide inpatient | | | | With that said, I personally am grateful for treatment |
| rehab programs and/or Intensive Outpatient Programs | | | | centers. In my experience, they are helpful in getting a |
| (IOP). The purpose of these facilities is to help the | | | | start on learning about the disease of alcoholism and |
| alcoholic deal with the immediate emotional and | | | | the tools needed to build a long-term recovery |
| physical issues which arise when stopping the | | | | program. However, to achieve long-term sobriety and |
| consumption of alcohol. The most immediate benefit of | | | | a happy and joyful life, an alcoholic must work some |
| alcoholism treatment centers is the enormous support | | | | type of ongoing recovery program which is what we'll |
| the patients receive when being admitted. If the patient | | | | look at next. |
| has been consuming large amounts of alcohol for an | | | | Recovery Program |
| extended period of time, a detoxification process is | | | | A strong recovery program consists of an on-going |
| usually necessary. Many times this is done at a | | | | process, if maintained, will lead the alcoholic to a |
| separate facility, such as a detox center, better | | | | productive, joyful, and happy life. And most important |
| equipped and staffed to handle the serious physical | | | | of all, sober! In my experience, AA has been the only |
| and/or medical side-effects of detoxification. Although, | | | | recovery program that has worked, for me. |
| many treatment centers have the staff and are | | | | Abstinence is not recovery. Not in my opinion. Just |
| qualified to detox the patient at the same facilities. | | | | because I stop drinking, all my problems do not go |
| Treatment centers are where the alcoholic is | | | | away. Many times they get worse. After all, they say |
| introduced and educated on the aspects of the | | | | you'll feel better if you stop drinking. Yes, you'll feel |
| disease of alcoholism. Generally the patients attend | | | | everything better including fear, anger, resentment, |
| lectures and classes throughout the day which inform | | | | sadness, etc.. A saying often heard around recovery is |
| them not only about the physical and medical aspect | | | | "sober up a horse thief, and you've still got a horse |
| of the disease, but the great emotional aspects as | | | | thief." It is necessary to deal with the underlying factors |
| well. In addition to classes and lectures, small group | | | | that contributed to ones drinking. That is where a 12 |
| sessions are usually held which give the individual | | | | step program comes into play. |
| patients a chance to get used to the group therapy | | | | Most people are familiar with The Twelve Step |
| process. One-on-one counseling (between certified | | | | Program of Alcoholics Anonymous. The program is |
| counselor and patient) is most commonly done either | | | | designed to help the alcoholic develop a spiritual life, |
| on a day-to-day basis as well or as many time as the | | | | ego deflation, deal with their past, move on into their |
| counselors schedule allows. When researching a | | | | future, and is considered a design for living based on a |
| treatment center, it may be a good idea to inquire | | | | set of spiritual principles. From the book, Twelve Steps |
| about the patient to counselor ration. In my experience, | | | | and Twelve Traditions, "A.A.'s Twelve Steps are a |
| I was able to meet with a personal counselor at least | | | | group of principles, spiritual in their nature, which, if |
| three times a week and more if needed. | | | | practiced as a way of life, can expel the obsession to |
| The length of stayed required at in-patient treatment | | | | drink and enable the sufferer to become happily and |
| centers varies, many times depending on insurance | | | | usefully whole." For me, this has been true. |
| coverages. The most common is 28 days and can | | | | |