What’s the first step in an alcoholic’s recovery? Alcohol detox. This is the process of eliminating alcohol from the body after it has adjusted itself chemically to having alcohol regularly present in its system.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for alcoholism because it’s a chronic disease. Finding and maintaining sobriety can be a tough process. However, a detox program followed by an addiction treatment program – both usually provided by alcohol detox centers – can help with recovery.
If you’re looking for an alcohol detox center in Ohio, contact Midwest Detox Center. Call 833.647.0392 or reach out to our team online.
What Is an Alcohol Detox Center?
An alcohol detox center can stand alone. It could also be part of a larger treatment facility for various substance addictions.
In general, an alcohol detox center’s main function is to provide patients with the tools and support to recover from alcohol use disorder. It doesn’t matter whether their addiction is mild and in the beginning stages or very severe and long-term. The intake process usually concerns paperwork and payment, along with a comprehensive evaluation and assessment of a patient. The details from the intake process typically inform a patient’s customized treatment plan.
Most alcohol detox centers will primarily offer medical detox programs. These centers also often create and provide alcohol addiction treatment programs for detoxed patients to transition into within their facilities. If they don’t offer the latter, they’re typically partnered with other centers that do.
5 Things to Consider When Choosing an Alcohol Detox Center
1. Licenses and Accreditations
Many treatment centers – including alcohol detox centers, of course – have their facilities and addiction treatment programs licensed and accredited. This is done by having them assessed by an industry-respected body. Licensing requirements and standards differ by state.
At an accredited treatment facility, customized treatment plans will be thoughtful and personalized. The forms of care and therapy offered by an accredited treatment facility are held to higher standards than many state licensing requirements.
2. Affordability and Insurance Coverage
Affordability could be an important consideration – especially if the patient doesn’t have insurance, has not held a job for some time, or has other financial troubles.
Some services may be covered by insurance. How much you’ll have to pay out of pocket will depend on your health plan and the program you choose. Many insurers will cover only medically necessary services.
More information helps when it comes to making decisions based on affordability. Contact and ask your insurer for advice. Ask them about preferred alcohol detox centers, what your health plan covers, and any copays. Contact alcohol detox centers and ask them about any recommended insurers or payment plans they could have, too. Consider also that there may be some alcohol detox centers that you can depend on for free – there’s often just a long waiting list to get in.
3. Medical Detox Program
Alcohol detox isn’t simply a matter of willpower. Many alcoholics may have tried to stop drinking without medical help and but weren’t successful. They may even have put their lives at risk due to this.
Alcohol detox centers will have trained professionals supervising the detox, withdrawal, and recovery processes of their patients. Medical detox programs will not only give patients 24-hour support but also have the resources to provide medication-assisted treatment to help ease cravings and other harmful symptoms.
4. Structure and Support
Whether a patient chooses an inpatient or an outpatient addiction treatment program, they will always receive more structure and stability than they would have had if they decided to recover by themselves at home.
Inpatient alcohol addiction treatment programs will require a patient to reside at the alcohol detox center. However, with residence comes access to around-the-clock professional care and support and an environment free from any distractions or stressors.
Outpatient programs require patients to come in for treatment during the day, but otherwise, they will have access to the outside world and live at home. This is a less expensive option that works best for patients with mild or moderate alcohol addictions.
Strong family support is also needed – some outpatient programs will actually require family therapy to make sure a patient’s home life doesn’t interfere with recovery.
5. Aftercare Plan and Follow-Up Care
Once a patient leaves treatment, they might be tempted to start drinking again when they encounter various triggers. Alcohol detox centers often require patients to take advantage of follow-up care for at least a year to avoid this. Follow-up care comes in the form of 12-step programs, private therapy, and group counseling.
Learn About Midwest Detox Center’s Alcohol Addiction Treatment Program
Alcohol addiction can be difficult to deal with on your own, whether you’re an alcoholic or it’s someone you care about. Alcohol detox centers provide the professional help and support you need to get through alcoholism and go back to living life healthily and happily. Searching for alcohol detox centers in Ohio? Contact Midwest Detox Center by reaching out to our team online or calling 833.647.0392.