Alcohol Treatment: The Facts

• It is estimated that 14-million Americans should be receiving treatment for alcohol addiction but are not, according to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse. CASA

• The most widely used model of substance abuse rehabilitation begins with detoxification to eliminate any drugs and alcohol from the addict’s system. Detoxification can last anywhere from several days to several weeks, depending on how saturated the body is with the substance.

• Not all alcohol rehabilitation centers operate under the same philosophies. Some approach alcoholism as a largely chemical addiction with indefinite ties to psychological, emotional or environmental factors. Others do the opposite, and believe that the root causes of addiction are discovered through mental evaluation, counseling and therapy. The most statistically successful rehabilitation centers acknowledge and address both ends of the spectrum.

• Alcohol rehab programs vary widely in their success rate and all potential clients should ask to see a proven history of success, accreditation and staff licensing before committing to enrollment.

• It is widely accepted that thirty-days is the minimum length of time for an effective alcohol addiction treatment program to last. Anything less sets its clients up for relapse.

• CEOs, physicians, attorneys and executives are between 8 and 15-percent more likely to develop an alcohol addiction than the rest of the general population. The stress and heavy responsibility of these positions is in part responsible for the high addiction rate.

• Alcohol addiction treatment programs with a higher operating budget tend to have higher success rates than low budget or government funded rehabs. This is because substantial funding gives a rehab access to the most current information on successful alcoholism treatment methods, a higher staff to client ratio for personalized attention and a controlled, therapeutic environment to facilitate the client’s recovery.

• The most successful alcohol rehabilitation centers incorporate a balance of therapeutic elements into their programming, such as group therapy, individual counseling, relapse prevention, nutrition, physical fitness and recreational activities.