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24 hours rehab

Call Now for Immediate Confidential Help and Advice 02038 115 619

24 hours rehab
Immediate Access for help and advice

Inpatient Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Although there are many different approaches to the treatment of alcoholism, for those suffering from serious alcohol use disorders, inpatient alcohol addiction treatment may be the most appropriate options.

What Is Inpatient Alcohol Addiction Treatment?

Inpatient alcohol addiction treatment is the treatment of alcohol addiction in a residential situation. Residential rehabilitation (rehab) facilities may offer both inpatient and outpatient treatment programmes, which each have their own advantages and disadvantages to individual clients. Inpatient treatment involves a stay of typically 30 to 90 days in a secure, pleasant and confidential facility in which the client can receive treatment whilst focusing wholly on their recovery.

Inpatient treatment typically consists of a holistic treatment plan including detoxification (detox) and therapy phases, along with various other elements including bespoke fitness and diet plans. An alcohol user receiving inpatient treatment will have the benefit of medical support 24/7, along with any medications deemed necessary, and will be able to receive support from and share advice and experiences with other individuals who are also going through alcohol addiction treatment to understand the pressures and challenges resulting from addiction.

Alcohol addiction treatment is not a permanent cure for alcoholism. Although treatment can lead to abstinence, recovery is a lifelong process. However, alcohol addiction treatment, including inpatient programmes, can create the foundations for recovery and equip clients with the tools and techniques they need to re-enter and re-engage with normal life.

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Types of Inpatient Alcohol Rehab Programmes

All inpatient alcohol rehab programmes are not the same. Elements of treatment programmes can vary from one facility or organisation to another, with some facilities adopting particular and/or niche treatment philosophies and others potentially targeting certain demographics. However, inpatient alcohol rehab programs can typically be divided into two main types.

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Inpatient residential rehab

Inpatient rehab programmes require clients to remain on site day and night, residing in accommodations in the facility and receiving treatment, including therapy, during the day. Inpatient rehab removes users from their environment of alcohol abuse and enables them to focus upon treatment and recovery without the distractions of the outside world.

Partial hospitalisation

In some cases, full-time residential treatment may not be deemed appropriate or necessary. Partial hospitalisation may be considered a kind of halfway approach between full-time inpatient treatment and outpatient options. Clients in this type of programme visit the facility for significant periods five to seven days a week, receiving treatment in an alcohol-free environment, but return home or to other accommodations overnight. Typically, signs of constant improvement and other conditions must be observed the client to continue to receive treatment on a partial hospitalisation basis; relapse may result in them being required to move back into the facility on an inpatient basis.

What Happens During Inpatient Addiction Rehab?

There is no universal roadmap through inpatient rehab; every client’s treatment experience is different, and one facility may differ significantly from another. However, some key elements of treatment may be common across most facilities and treatment programmes.

Alcohol detoxification

Detox is a vital early component of alcohol addiction treatment. No treatment programme can be considered effective if the client continues to struggle with alcohol abuse, and detox — during which the client’s system is cleared of any substances of abuse — needs to take place before the client can engage fully with therapy and other elements of a treatment plan. However, alcohol withdrawal has its risks, and for the safety of the client, alcohol detox needs to be managed and assisted by medical professionals who can prescribe medications to help with withdrawal if needed. If you are addicted to alcohol, it is imperative that you never attempt to undergo detox independently, as doing so could prove fatal.

Group therapy

One of the less commonly touted benefits of residential rehab is the ability to interact with and learn from other people struggling with alcoholism. Group therapy typically brings together three to 12 clients who can share experiences and advice and bring different perspectives to challenging memories and opinions, helping each other to reshape their outlook and remediate behaviours and thinking that have led to addiction.

Individual assessments and therapy

Much of the therapy provided in rehab is conducted on a one-to-one basis, with the therapist working with the client over a series of appointments. Various therapy methodologies may be provided in any given facility, and an individual client may need to try several therapeutic approaches before settling on one that is most appropriate or beneficial to them.

Mental health therapy groups

Therapy in rehab does not necessarily address only addiction. Many individuals in rehab for alcohol addiction also suffer from co-occurring mental health issues, and some therapy groups may be set up to address those issues specifically. As with group therapy, members can give each other advice and support and learn from each other, in particular addressing how their mental health issues drive addiction and how best they may be countered.

Medication assisted detoxification

Medication can play an important role in the treatment of alcohol addiction. Various medicines may be prescribed before or during treatment to deter alcohol consumption or reduce cravings, thus decreasing alcohol use before proper detox and subsequent therapy. Medication can also be provided during detox to address withdrawal symptoms — vital in alcohol addiction, as alcohol withdrawal syndrome can be fatal without the correct medical attention.

Wellness and fitness activities

Many treatment facilities operate on the basis of “healthy body, healthy mind”. Many users experience significant physical deterioration whilst they are engaged in alcohol abuse, but rehabs can provide structured fitness programmes including regular gym activity. This can improve both physical fitness and health and self-esteem as clients achieve set fitness goals and see a positive change in health and appearance.

Family programme participation

Families can play a crucial role in recovery from addiction and also benefit from therapy and other treatment addressing damage done by a loved one’s addiction. Some facilities provide family therapy and other programmes family members can get involved in if they choose. These programmes are aimed at healing some of the wounds caused by addiction and enabling family members to play a meaningful part in the treatment and recovery of their loved one.

Nutritional assessment

Just as physical fitness can be neglected during addiction, so can nutrition. Many rehabs offer bespoke dietary plans aimed at improving the general health of the client and familiarising (or re-familiarising) them with proper food, emphasising healthy ingredients and a balanced diet.

Spiritual care

While for some clients spiritual matters may be of no concern, for others they may be incredibly important. Attending to a client’s spiritual well-being is an important part of many approaches to alcohol addiction treatment, and on-site spiritual care for clients undergoing inpatient alcohol addiction treatment is provided by many treatment facilities.

Educational and experiential workshops

Alcohol addiction treatment always has one eye on life after the treatment programme ends. Some facilities run educational workshops aimed at providing clients with new and useful skills and abilities they can use in the outside world, both for recreation and gainful employment. The learning process can itself be a positive force for healing, enhancing self-esteem and creating a sense of purpose. Experiential workshops may also be provided, either as part of formal experiential therapy or simply as an adjunct to treatment.

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Continuing care planning

Continuing care, often known as aftercare, is care provided during the period of recovery following the end of a formalised addiction treatment programme. Good treatment facilities may provide up to a year’s free aftercare, comprising a structured programme of activities, appointments and commitments (possibly including attending self-help/support group meetings and ongoing counselling) to optimise the client’s chances of a successful recovery.

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Therapy Types in Inpatient Addiction Rehab

Therapy lies at the heart of all addiction treatment, and many therapeutic models and approaches have been applied in the treatment of addiction. Since each facility offers specific methodologies, you should consider the therapy models offered when choosing a facility.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

Acceptance and commitment therapy is a type of counselling and clinical behaviour analysis that uses various acceptance and mindfulness strategies, alongside commitment and behavioural change techniques, to promote and increase psychological flexibility. ACT does not aim to get rid of problematic feelings and thoughts; instead, it encourages clients to be receptive to unpleasant feelings and learn how to manage them rather than avoiding situations in which they may arise.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

CBT is probably the best known of the therapy methodologies commonly provided in rehab. It aims to improve mental health by challenging and changing negative thoughts and behaviours and enabling clients to improve emotional regulation and develop coping strategies to address specific problems. The therapist works with the client to find effective mechanisms for dealing with addiction and triggers and teaches new information-processing skills that can help equip the client for life after treatment.

Contingency management/motivational incentives

Contingency management (CM), sometimes called motivational incentives, is an approach to behavioural therapy found in operant conditioning (also called instrumental conditioning) in which specific behaviours are conditioned by the use of either positive reinforcement or punishment. In the case of addiction treatment, adherence to specific required behaviours (such as passing sobriety tests or attending therapy sessions) can produce awards (which can be financial but are more typically privilege-based), while failure to adhere to those requirements can result in punishment.

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)

Dialectical behaviour therapy is a modified form of CBT that combines standard techniques used in that therapy with concepts such as mindfulness, acceptance and distress tolerance derived from certain Buddhist practices. DBT seeks to enable the client to define, and subsequently achieve, a “life worth living”.

Interpersonal therapy

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is an attachment-focused therapy methodology based on resolving interpersonal challenges and the principle that mood can be affected by relationships and life events, and vice versa. IPT seeks to help clients improve interpersonal skills and communication within relationships and build social support networks that can assist them with challenges that may arise during recovery.

Medication-assisted therapies

Medication-assisted therapy (MAT) is the use of therapy in conjunction with certain medications used in the treatment of addiction. In the case of alcohol addiction specifically, some medications are only considered effective when provided along with therapy.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) uses standard CBT methods alongside mindfulness and other meditative practices. Originally designed as a relapse-prevention methodology, MBCT is considered particularly effective in reducing cravings.

Motivational enhancement therapy (MET)

Motivational enhancement therapy uses motivational interviewing to analyse the content of client sessions, with the aim of giving clients as much information as possible in order to allow them to achieve set goals and develop a healthier focus for their lives. MET does not aim to guide clients through recovery but to create inner change from which recovery can be more positively entered into.

Motivational interviewing (MI)

Motivational interviewing is a client-centred counselling approach aimed at creating behavioural change through the exploration and resolution of ambivalence. MI is non-judgmental and non-adversarial, with therapists taking a more directive role than in many other traditional therapeutic models.

Psychoeducational groups

Psychoeducational group therapy is based on CBT principles and aims to educate clients about their alcohol use disorders and coping strategies. Topics featuring in psychoeducational group discussion include realistic thinking, skills training, exposure to triggers and relapse prevention.

Solution-focused brief therapy/solution-focused therapy

Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) is a goal-directed therapeutic approach focusing on solutions rather than problems. Clients are encouraged to question previous solutions they may have applied to life challenges and to investigate why they have not been successful before developing new solutions more appropriate to their situations and characters.

Twelve-step facilitation

Twelve-step facilitation therapy aims to increase the chance that people struggling with alcohol addiction will become actively involved with 12-step organisations such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Twelve-step facilitation familiarises clients with AA’s 12-step methodology and begins to shape their outlook and behaviours in order to align them with 12-step principles prior to joining a group such as AA.

Factors that Play a Role in Treatment During Inpatient Rehab Programmes

Various factors can affect how treatment is provided in rehab and which rehab facilities might be more appropriate for particular individuals.

Age

The age of an client can determine many elements of treatment, including the kind of medication provided, the environment in which treatment should be provided and the age of fellow treatment clients. Some age-specific treatment facilities, including facilities dedicated to the treatment of young alcohol users, now operate across the UK.

Mental health

Cases of dual diagnosis — when a mental health issue occurs alongside a substance use disorder — are extremely common in the treatment of alcoholism. Dual diagnosis can significantly complicate treatment as each condition can interfere with the treatment of the other, and specialist care is typically required.

Medical history

An individual’s medical history has a significant bearing on any treatment they may receive for alcohol addiction; for example, they may have conditions that make some medication dangerous that might otherwise be used in their treatment.

Relationship with alcohol

The longer someone has been abusing alcohol and the higher the quantities they consume, the more problematic their condition is likely to be, including posing a significantly higher risk of very dangerous withdrawal symptoms.

Belief system

A user’s belief system may have a significant influence upon how they view certain approaches to treatment and may even determine the treatment facility in which they enrol. For example, an atheist may struggle with 12-step programmes in which a commitment to a higher power is a crucial step.

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Substance abuse and multiple addictions

Polydrug use and addiction can make alcohol addiction treatment much more complex, as not only do multiple addictions need to be treated simultaneously but medication that might normally be used in the treatment of one addiction may interact dangerously with another substance of abuse. Moreover, withdrawal from more than one substance simultaneously is significantly more dangerous and challenging than withdrawal from one substance at a time.

Advantages of Inpatient over Outpatient Programmes

While outpatient addiction treatment might be considered appropriate in some cases, inpatient treatment does have certain advantages. For one, inpatient treatment keeps the client in a secure environment free of substances of abuse, including alcohol, so no temptation will be encountered. Outpatient treatment does not take the client out of their daily environment in which substance abuse and addiction have proved so challenging, thus making relapse much more likely.

Inpatient treatment allows clients to focus solely on recovery in a calm and peaceful environment, while outpatient clients must deal with issues and situations that can distract them from treatment.

Importantly, inpatient treatment provides the security of having experienced medical professionals on site 24/7; in case of emergency, patients can be attended to in a matter of minutes at most. Those receiving outpatient treatment may be far from medical help if anything goes wrong. Inpatient treatment programmes also provide other elements on site, while outpatient treatment requires clients to engage independently with many elements of a treatment programme.

How Long Does Inpatient Alcohol Rehab Take?

Inpatient alcohol treatment for one client may last only a few days, while for another it may be a matter of several months. It entirely depends upon the specifics of each individual situation. Typically, inpatient stays last between 30 and 90 days, though both shorter and longer residencies may be provided in certain facilities and in certain cases.

How Much Does Inpatient Addiction Treatment Cost?

The cost of inpatient addiction can vary significantly from one facility to the next, depending on factors including the type of treatment provided, the nature of facility in question, any medications prescribed and the optional extras a client may request. Roughly speaking, costs can range from between £4,000 and £15,000 per month; for more precise costs, you can directly contact a facility that interests you or speak with an addiction specialist who can give you a better idea of costs in your area.

Inpatient Alcohol Addiction Treatment and Rehab Success Rates

It can be very difficult to determine the success rates for alcohol addiction treatment of any kind, partly because many clients who complete treatment do not update treatment facilities with their progress. However, what is clear is that success rates vary significantly from one facility to another.

A survey carried out by the NHS’ National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse in 2012 showed that the best private treatment clinics in the UK were achieving success rates of between 60% and 80% in clients remaining abstinent five years after treatment. At the other end of the spectrum, the worst-performing facilities were only achieving success rates of under 20%.

If you are considering entering inpatient alcohol addiction treatment, ask for evidence of success from any facility you may be thinking of enrolling in, and speak with an addiction specialist about which facilities show the greatest long-term success rates.

Questions to Ask Inpatient Alcohol Rehab Treatment Centres

If you are thinking of checking into an inpatient treatment programme, it is important to do research prior to committing to any one facility. Some of the questions you should ask the staff at any facility you may be considering include:

Is the programme licensed and accredited? What evidence can staff show that the facility is fully professionally licensed and approved?

How long is the programme? Are there different lengths of programme on offer, and which might be most appropriate for your specific situation? Can you change programmes halfway through treatment if it is felt that you are advancing more quickly or slowly than the programme allow for?

Does the programme offer specific types of therapy? What opportunities do you have to try out different therapy models if you do not feel you are getting sufficient benefits from the therapy with which you are provided initially?

What are the programme’s success rates one year, five years and 10 years after treatment? What evidence of this success can the facility provide? Can you see testimonials from clients who have gone through the programme?

Will your treatment specialist help transition you into ongoing maintenance programmes after completing rehab? What maintenance programmes are available? What are the success rates of those programmes, and can you see evidence of that success?

Does the facility accept insurance or offer other options for financial assistance? What are the payment terms? Is credit available in cases where insurance will not cover treatment?

Will you be able to contact loved ones during your stay (phone call, email, social media)? If visits are allowed, what is the frequency and duration of visitation, and what is the environment in which it takes place? Can loved ones participate in therapy?

What types of medical specialists are on site? Do they provide 24-hour care? Can you see proof of their qualifications? What experience they have of treating situations like yours? In case of emergency, how are your security and safety guaranteed? What is the facility’s relationship with local hospitals?

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Inpatient Alcohol Addiction Treatment & Health Insurance

Alcohol addiction treatment can come at significant cost, but many patients are able to cover this cost through private health insurance. However, not all health insurance covers all forms of alcohol addiction treatment, and inpatient treatment can be especially problematic due to its comparatively high cost. If you are unsure whether your health insurance covers inpatient alcohol addiction treatment, check your policy thoroughly and call your provider to confirm exactly what is and what is not covered to be sure they will pay all necessary costs covered by the policy in accordance with a particular timeline.

If you wish to find out more about what health insurance typically covers and which insurers offer the best policies for private alcohol addiction treatment, contact an addiction specialist.

Inpatient Alcohol Treatment and Rehab Facts and Statistics

  • In 2017/8, 75,787 people in the UK were receiving treatment for alcohol addiction alone, while an estimated 589,101 alcohol-dependent adults were in need of specialist treatment, according to a National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS) report.
  • In 2016, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) had over 2.1 million members around the world.
  • The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that over 200 million people suffer from alcoholism worldwide — over 4% of the population aged 15 and over.
  • Approximately 3.3 million deaths per year (just under 6% of all deaths) are thought to be due to alcohol, according to WHO.
  • As long ago as 2003, the Cabinet office estimated the total cost of alcohol abuse to the UK taxpayer to be between £18 and £20 billion annually.

Get Help Today

It is often very difficult to realise that you have an alcohol problem and that you need to address that problem with professional help. However, alcoholism is a very serious condition that could cost you important relationships or even your life. If you are an alcohol user, the sooner you are able to come to terms with your condition honestly and genuinely, the sooner you can change the course of your life and get the help you need.

If inpatient alcohol addiction treatment is necessary or appropriate in your case, there are now a significant number of high-quality addiction treatment facilities operating throughout the UK that have great expertise in treating alcohol addiction. You can choose from a range of facilities and treatment methodologies in various locations.

You may not have much knowledge or understanding of addiction treatment or what differentiates one facility from another. Therefore, once you have decided to enter treatment, you should speak to either your GP or an addiction specialist to discuss your situation and requirements. An addiction specialist in particular can give you information on treatment facilities that might be appropriate for you.

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Take control of your life — get started on the road to recovery

If you are an alcohol user, it is easy to feel hopeless or that you have lost control of your life. However, you should not give in to despair, as help is only a phone call away. If you are ready to seek treatment, call your GP and/or an addiction specialist as soon as possible so you can start receiving the help you need for the life you want. Picking up that phone could represent your first step on the path to a happy, healthy and successful life, so don’t delay: make that call today.

FAQs

What happens when someone self-medicates for alcohol addiction treatment?

Self-medication is never advisable, and in the case of alcohol addiction specifically, it can be extremely dangerous and even fatal due to alcohol’s dangerous interactions with other medications and psychoactive substances. If you suffer from alcohol addiction, do not take any medication unless in strict accordance with the instructions of a prescribing doctor familiar with your case and involved in your treatment.

Can I stop drinking?

Yes; no matter how long you have been abusing alcohol and/or addicted to it, there is still hope for you. With professional help, you can overcome your alcohol addiction, but it requires long-term dedication and hard work that does not end after you complete an addiction treatment programme.

Does insurance cover inpatient alcohol addiction treatment and rehab?

Some private health insurance covers inpatient alcohol addiction treatment in residential rehabilitation — however, not all policies include such treatment. If you are uncertain of what is covered by your insurance policy, call your provider to get clarification of the terms and coverage. If you wish to find out about the best policies offered by different insurers, contact an addiction professional who will be able to give you information on insurance as well as telling you which treatment facilities might be most appropriate for your situation.

How do I start the admissions process for inpatient rehab?

Rehabs typically strive to make their admissions procedures as stress-free and simple as possible. Once you have decided upon a treatment facility, simply call them up to enquire whether they have space for you. If you are uncertain which facility to choose, or wish to speak to someone who can help you contact your facility of choice, call an addiction professional.

Can I force someone to go to an inpatient alcohol rehab programme?

You may technically be able to cajole or coerce someone into attending inpatient alcohol addiction treatment, but unless they are willing to receive treatment, such treatment will not benefit them. Clients who attend treatment willingly are much more likely to complete treatment successfully and maintain abstinence following treatment.

How do I know if an inpatient rehab stay will help me?

There are few if any certainties in addiction treatment, but if you are struggling with alcohol addiction, the consequences of not undergoing treatment are much worse than the potential consequences of doing so. Trust that medical help can assist you in overcoming your addiction and it is likely to do so.

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