alcohol rehab ide addiction helpline 844-lifechange...

ALCOHOL REHAB GUIDE ADDICTION HELPLINE 844-LifeChange (543-3242)1


Key Components to Selecting a Residential Alcohol Rehab.... 5 - Healing the Body - Psychiatry for Co-Existing Disorders (Brain and Mind) - PsychoTherapy (Brain, Mind, and Spirit) - Staff Credentialing - Christian Component - Customized Treatment - After Care

What to Look for When Choosing an Alcohol Rehab ........... 18 - Inpatient vs. Outpatient - Type of Detox - Dual Diagnosis - Intensity of Treatment - What will my Treatment Plan Look Like? - What Types of Staff and Credentials are there? - How is the Facility Set Up? - How Much Does it Cost?

How Does Alcoholism Impact Your Marriage? .............................. 26 - How to Handle an Alcoholic Spouse - Alcoholism in the Family - Effects of Alcoholism on Relationships - Dealing with a Loved One and their Addiction - Enabling - Codependence - Getting Help for Your Partner - Find a Rehab

TABLE of CONTENTS


- Intervention - Support Your Loved One during Rehab - Preparing for Life in Recovery with Your Loved One

Costs of Alcohol Rehab. ....................................................... 33 - Introduction & Intervention - Medical Detox - Residential Care - Dealing with a Loved One and their Addiction - Partial Hospitalization - Outpatient Care - Sober Living - Medical Necessity - Transformational Care

Selecting the Best Alcohol Rehab for your Needs ........................ 41 - Why do Rehab? - Residential Treatment for Alcoholism - Customized Programs - Medically Supported Rehab - Is Mental/Psychological Help Available? - Is there a Christian Component? - Staying Sober

How to Pay for Alcohol Rehab. .................................................. 48 - How to Start - Stay Informed

Insurance Coverage for Alcohol Rehab. ...................................... 52 - Using Insurance for Alcohol Rehab - Private and Group Insurance - Medicare


- Medicaid, also Called Medical Assistance - What Private Insurance Covers - How to Best Utilize Your Coverage

When is it Time for Alcohol Rehab? .................................... 59 - Physical Signs of Alcoholism - Psychological Signs of Alcoholism - Social Consequences - Getting Rehab

Sending a Family Member to Rehab. ................................... 63 - Recognizing when a Family Member Needs Help - Finding a Rehab to Use - Intervention - Getting to Alcohol Rehab - Post Treatment Support

What to Expect During Alcohol Rehab ............................... 69 - Traveling to the Treatment Center - Check In - Detox - PsychoTherapy - Discharge or Post-Treatment Plan for Relapse Prevention


KEY COMPONENTS to SELECTING A RESIDENTIAL

ALCOHOL REHAB

When you start looking around at different alcohol rehabs, you will find a wide array of residential rehab options offering and

boasting an amazing variety of treatments and claims.

So you’re probably wondering where to even start the selection process. In order to find the right program, look for the one which gives you or your loved one the best chance of success while also

accepting your insurance and/or being affordable for your budget. Taking time to investigate certain aspects will go a long way in

easing your mind and uncovering the best option.


Successful Residential Rehabs Address All 3 Spheres

SPIRIT • MIND • BODYEquipping the alcoholic with psychological skills based on spiritual truths, and

producing healthy decision-making and lasting transformation. Let’s discuss the key

components for this holistic Bio-Psycho-Spiritual Approach; research-based methods,

options for medical detox and rehab, availability of psychiatric services, structured

psychotherapy, Christian-based component, credentialing of the treatment staff, and

a customized treatment and after care program.

There are numerous programs and therapies popping up all over the country

promising quick results, easier recovery, or new and unique methods. If a treatment

center can’t show evidence that their program is truly effective, don’t even consider

enrolling. Before committing to a program, be sure the methods and therapies used

have been proven through research or clinical trials. The best therapies are still the

ones that have been studied and proven over time and widely accepted by experts

to be effective. If your treatment center is going to use a therapy, it had better be

research-based. Otherwise you can waste a lot of time, money, and heartache trying

new fads that don’t really work.


The main research-proven components for successful rehab are:

• Medical detox when physical alcohol dependence exists

• Psychotherapy to address the underlying issues which lead to

alcohol abuse

• Better credentialed treatment staff deliver more effective therapy

• Psychiatric evaluation and treatment for a co-existing psychiatric

issue like Depression, PTSD, Bipolar, Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety,

Schizophrenia, ADHD, etc.

• A structured intensive program that builds self-discipline, order,

and confidence in life management skills

• Faith-based (especially, and most studied, is Christian)

programming to integrate and address spiritual issues including

purpose, value, forgiveness, joy, values, morals, adversity, etc.

• Longer treatment stays to learn and practice skills under

supervision are better than short treatment stays

• A very specific aftercare treatment and growth strategy in place

and followed after discharge from rehab

• Faith of therapist matching faith of the patient


HEALING the BODYYou and your loved one, with the help of a doctor or treatment professional, need to evaluate your loved one’s needs, and determine if medical rehab would be the most beneficial. If medical rehab is recommended, make sure you find a rehab that offers this thorough medical detox and examination component.

- Dr. Karl Benzio

MEDICAL DETOXMost residential alcohol rehabs offer

some form of ‘social detox,’ but because

almost every alcoholic is physically

dependent on alcohol, medical detox

is a must. This highest level of detox –

medically supervised, aka medically

managed detox – has the medical

expertise that social detox doesn’t and

is important to avoid death, seizures, or

serious physical injury. Also, during this

most challenging stage of recovery,

medically supervised detox makes your

loved one more comfortable and thus

less likely to abruptly leave rehab AMA

(Against Medical Advice) to get a drink

as their own way to stop the torture of

withdrawal symptoms.

During medical detox, medications

similar to but safer than alcohol called

benzodiazepines, such as clonazepam

(Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), and

lorazepam (Ativan), are used. These

medications wean off alcohol, decrease

anxiety, and neutralize life threatening

withdrawal reactions, especially seizures.

Depending on the severity, antipsychotic

medication for hallucinations or delirium

might also be necessary. Many irritating

withdrawal symptoms also occur like

insomnia, tremor, digestive issues, etc,

and milder medications to ease or block

these are administered.

Medical detox can only be performed

by a facility that is licensed to

provide medical care, so ask your

preferred center specifically to see

what they offer. Some treatment

centers don’t provide this medically

supervised/managed detox but have

collaborations with detox facilities or

area hospitals that can.


MEDICAL REHABOnce safely detoxed, many other

physical/body sphere issues need

medical evaluation and attention

because alcoholism is often

associated with:

Toxic chemical effects producing ulcers,

liver and esophagus issues, diabetes,

strokes, heart disease, neurological

impairments, cancers, etc.

Poor nutrition, bad eating habits, minimal

exercise, and sedentary lifestyle which

damages many body systems leading

to anemia, bleeding issues, weight

problems, high cholesterol and blood

pressure, joint and back problems, etc.

Falls, car accidents, and other traumas

while drunk or from fights leading to

concussions, back and joint pain, and

internal organ damage

Only facilities with a physician (usually a

family practice or primary care doctor) to

perform a thorough physical exam and

order blood work or other medical tests

are able to uncover and address these

problems. The facility then starts a good

diet with vitamins and supplements to

heal the body and brain, reconditions the

body through exercise, and the program

and schedule are essential for promoting

good sleep rhythm and routine. Some

rehabs will have a gym,

yoga, or outdoor activities while others

do neurotransmitter testing to see what

supplements will help brain circuitry heal

and work more efficiently.

While the foundation for alcohol recovery

and transformation is psychological

healing and spiritual awakening, many

people find that medication provides

an added benefit to get over some

major hurdles during the initial stages of

abstinence and recovery. Medications

like disulfiram (Antabuse), Naltrexone

(Revia), Vivitrol, Campral, and Topamax

are sometimes beneficial in the first 12

months to reduce cravings and expedite

the recovery process.


Alcoholism is always a poor coping

skill one develops to combat an inner

psychological problem. Sometimes that

problem has no diagnosis, like poor self-

esteem, hurt from a rejecting or absent

father, or insecurity in social settings. But

sometimes a diagnosable psychiatric

(mental health) issue exists. This is called

Co-existing Disorder or Dual Diagnosis.

Sometimes this co-existing disorder came

first and the alcohol was to escape or

self-medicate the disorder. For others,

the heavy use of alcohol damaging the

brain and/or dealing with the many

consequences of alcoholism causes a

psychiatric disorder.

These psychiatric disorders can

be depression, anxiety disorders,

PTSD, Bipolar disorder, ADHD and

Schizophrenia to name a few. Regardless

of which came first, the alcoholism or

the psychiatric disorder, research clearly

shows if the person has a psychiatric

illness on top of alcoholism, treating

them both at the same time leads to the

best chance of recovery success. Simply

stated, treating the addiction without

simultaneously treating the psychiatric

disorder almost always leads to quick

relapse.

It is imperative, therefore, that if

your loved one is going to overcome

alcoholism, they be evaluated by a

psychiatrist for a co-occurring disorder.

When seeking help for alcoholism, you

should find a treatment center with a

psychiatrist who screens for and treats

(with medications if appropriate and

helpful) mental health disorders, and

therapists with psychotherapy expertise

to treat both the addiction and mental

health issue together. When you screen

treatment centers, ask if they offer

psychiatric evaluation and intensive

therapist treatment for co-existing

psychiatric disorders. If not, you will need

to look elsewhere.

PSYCHIATRY FOR CO-EXISTING DISORDERS (Brain and Mind)


The main treatment engine for most recovery programs is psychological therapy to get at

the underlying issues that interfere with the alcoholic being able to process life and make

healthy decisions. Psychotherapy, often called talk therapy, takes time, usually involves

several different approaches and is delivered in varying formats. Common talk therapies

include Behavioral, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

(DBT), Trauma Therapy, and Family Therapy.

Psychotherapy facilitates real change, as the person comes to understand who they are, their

addiction, what caused it, what allowed it to continue, and how to change their thoughts and

attitudes to allow for long-term sobriety. There are many different types of psychotherapy –

some are effective and some are a bunch of fluff. Below are some therapies that are research

proven to produce positive life-change results.

Behavioral Therapy (or Behavior Modification). This is the most common form of talk

therapy in rehabs. It is the simplest but the least effective if no other therapy is added to it.

The focus is modifying a person’s behaviors to treat their alcoholism.

Examples would be:

1. Change your behavior of driving a certain route home so you don’t drive by the bar you

are tempted to go into for happy hour. Modifying behaviors is important, but if you don’t

work on the deeper issue, you will just find a new bar on your new route.

2. While in rehab, teaching good habits of waking up, making your bed, eating breakfast are

important starts, but if you don’t address the underlying thinking, attitude, hurt or wound,

the alcoholic will soon revert back to unhealthy life habits and relapse.

Behavior therapy is easy to teach so facilities with minimally qualified counselors, like someone with a certificate

in addictions counseling, will use Behavioral Therapy as the main form of therapy, never getting at the underlying

issue or producing an inner change, thus leading to a quick relapse.

PSYCHOTHERAPY (Brain, Mind, and Spirit)


Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

CBT realizes our external behaviors are

the output of our internal database in our

brain and processing system of our mind.

This deeper therapy is the foundation

for most lasting success and looks to

uncover and correct the faulty thought

patterns which lead to our dysfunctional

behaviors. Remember, addiction is a

person’s unhealthy coping system for their

inner struggles, whether real or perceived

struggles. If the addict is given the training

and tools to change their negative thought

(cognitive) patterns, they can learn to

deal with stress and conflict in a healthier

way that doesn’t involve drug or alcohol

behaviors. Masters level or licensed

therapists are more often trained in this

therapy so you want to make sure of the

therapists’ credentials and style.

Trauma Therapy. Alcoholism and drug

addiction commonly have their beginnings

in a major trauma, or many minor traumatic

experiences. Often addiction is somehow

fueled by various ongoing traumatic or

significantly hurtful events. During trauma

therapy, the patient learns how to uncover,

then re-process in a more accurate way,

and ultimately deal with, unresolved trauma

in a therapeutic setting; in essence bringing

healing into those dark past wounds.

This therapy recognizes the individual in

recovery as resilient and as possessing the

ability to continue on and take control of

their life despite challenges. Trauma therapy

can be messy and should only be done by a

licensed Masters or PhD level therapist with

both experience and expertise. If not, the

damage could be worse than the original

trauma.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).

An offshoot of CBT, DBT is a cognitive

behavioral treatment that teaches how to

be grounded and aware of the moment,

managing stress, dealing effectively with

others, and regulating your own emotions.

Individuals learn basic skills to identify

and cognitively process their emotions

so emotions won’t overwhelm or frighten

them. Emotions are important to enjoying

life and making decisions, but many don’t

know how to handle their uncomfortable

feelings very well so they use alcohol to

numb, escape, or self-medicate these

feelings. DBT slows our mind down so we

can manage emotions and incorporate

them into a healthy decision making system

for lasting success.

DBT is intricate and should only be done

by a licensed Masters or PhD level

therapist with experience and expertise.


Various other talk therapies like Emotion

Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing,

Gestalt Therapy, Systems Therapy, and

psychodynamic psychotherapy are helpful

and incorporate much of the elements we

discussed above. Some less conventional

therapies, called experiential therapies, like

art, music, equine, or pet therapy incorporate

experiences as the medium to teach a person

more about themselves, skills, and life.

All of these therapies can be used in various

formats including individual therapy a couple

times per week, several group therapy

sessions per day, psychodrama, and family

therapy. Ask the treatment staff what types of

psychotherapy or talk therapy they use, and

how they use these therapies to help your

loved one transform their mind and attitudes

to produce healthy decisions and behaviors.


STAFF Credentialing

In discussing the many major therapies above, you can see the power and effectiveness

possible by several sessions a day over several months of a rehab stay. But if the staff

member leading the therapy doesn’t have the expertise, training, or experience to apply

these to you or your loved one, no progress will be achieved. In fact, the alcoholic will feel

like their rehab wasn’t helpful, or after a week, they know as much as the staff and are ready

to come home.

Many rehabs have well-meaning, but poorly

trained and inexperienced recovering addicts

who have no formal training or a minimal

certificate program but no psychotherapy

training or skills as the counselor and

main treatment provider of the alcoholic.

Unfortunately, this is the main reason for

the poor success rates and revolving door

situation most rehabs experience as the

alcoholic receives sub-standard treatment,

and almost comes out worse than when they

went in by getting misinformation from the

under-qualified treatment team.


If you are looking for an excellent

rehab, consider one with a Christian

component. These programs use truths

that have withstood the test of time, and

apply to each and every person’s life,

no matter what their background is. The

basis for Christian rehab is that we all

make mistakes, are sinful, and turn our

backs on God and those we love. We try

to live life based on our own instruction

manual instead of His, the B.I.B.L.E. (Best

Instruction Book for Living Everyday). But

through repentance, forgiveness, and a

closer walk with God, we can experience

changes in behavior, thoughts, and

attitudes, which can turn our lives around.

A Christian rehab will use these methods

in the light of God’s word, the BIBLE, and

His will for us. Christian therapy stresses

the importance of trusting God’s ways and

His power to help us through whatever

challenges we face.

Christian Therapy. A true Christian

therapy program will help individuals

transform their lives through a closer

relationship with God, accessing His

divine power. But faith-based therapy is

not just for the religious – it has beneficial

qualities for everyone. Building powerfully

on CBT and the various therapies we

discussed above, in order to retrain and

correct your thinking, a patient must

determine what values, morals, and set

of absolutes they will adopt and base

their new thinking on. Here are a couple

of examples of why and how these

absolutes are so vital:

CHRISTIAN Component


• Know the truth, that is seeing life clearly and accurately

• Use a value or moral system to guide our behaviors

• Engage with a higher power for parts of life outside of our control

• Forgive others or our self for healing from traumas or our own wrongs

• Have a big picture view to understand and handle adversity and conflict

• Where to get hope so you can really change

• Feel loved and belonging so you can give love and relationship to others

CUSTOMIZED TREATMENT Through Bible study, prayer, reflection on God’s will, and learning His life-management

instructions, individuals renew their thinking based on our Creator’s guidelines, and

then experience peace in God’s forgiveness of their past wrongs, love in their Savior

Jesus Christ, and new life in the Holy Spirit. As you can imagine, without Christian

therapy’s attributes, CBT, DBT, and trauma therapy are limited, but with Christian

therapy, those other therapies are deeper and more powerful and research shows,

more successful to equip the alcoholic for lasting recovery and transformation.

Through Bible study, prayer, reflection on God’s

will, and learning His life-management instructions,

individuals renew their thinking based on our

Creator’s guidelines, and then experience peace in

God’s forgiveness of their past wrongs, love in their

Savior Jesus Christ, and new life in the Holy Spirit.

As you can imagine, without Christian therapy’s

attributes, CBT, DBT, and trauma therapy are limited,

but with Christian therapy, those other therapies

are deeper and more powerful and research shows,

more successful to equip the alcoholic for lasting

recovery and transformation.


AFTERCARELike a rehab plan, an after care plan must be tailored to meet your loved one’s needs.

Does your loved one need to live in sober housing for a time until they get back on

their feet and resume all the pre-treatment responsibilities and pressures? How are

they going to stay on the right path, everyday? How often can they continue to meet

with counselors, and how much does this cost? What options are there for alumni

participation, tune-ups, ongoing family therapy, and life skills training? What kind of

support does the facility provide its clients after rehab? Ask questions about after care

options, so that you and your family can plan ahead. After care programs are proven to

decrease the incidence of relapse.

Finding the right residential alcohol rehab will take some investigating, but you can

consult your doctor or a professional referral service, ideally ones with clinicians who know

the treatment needs an alcoholic requires to turn their life around. Spending the extra time

and effort now to find the best rehab with a compassionate and deeply detailed Spirit,

Mind, Body approach will save you so much energy, time, and expense in the future.


WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN CHOOSING AN

ALCOHOL REHAB

If you are looking for just the right alcohol rehab, you probably have lots of questions, and this is a good thing.

Asking questions is how you find out what you need, and what you can expect from rehab.

Things to look for and consider in a treatment program include: level of care and supervision, type of detox, intensity and expertise

of counseling, availability of psychiatric care, treatment plans, licensing and certification, facility, length of stay, and cost.

Don’t be afraid to dig deeper into each of these components of a rehab program, because it is important for you to make sure the

program is the right fit for you.


Inpatient vs. Outpatient

There are different levels of care when it comes to alcohol rehab. The most

structured type is inpatient, or residential treatment. During inpatient rehab, you will

live at the treatment facility – supervised 24/7 by qualified staff. Therapy sessions

will take place throughout the day (for a minimum of 6 hours per day), and you

will also take part in other recovery activities. In residential treatment your meals,

activities, sleep schedule, and free time are all established for you, so that you can

focus on your recovery above everything else.

Outpatient treatment is a step down from inpatient and is for individuals that are

more stable in their recovery. If you are enrolled in outpatient therapy, you will live at

home and go to the treatment facility for certain periods of therapy during the day:

anywhere from 3 hours/day for 3 days/week (Intensive Outpatient) to 6 hours/day

for 5 days/week (Partial Hospital Program). This is a less structured, but still intense,

recovery program. In order to participate in outpatient alcohol rehab, you need to be

responsible enough to attend all meetings and therapy sessions as directed.

In between inpatient and outpatient is a level called “Extended Care.” During this

level of treatment, you live in housing provided by the treatment facility, and then

are transported to the facility for treatment. Some have 24/7 staff supervision, and

some have supervision only while treatment is happening, but not in housing. This

type of added supervision helps aid in addiction abstinence.


TYPES of DETOXIf you are struggling with alcohol dependence, you will need to detoxify your mind and body from alcohol before you go on to therapy and recovery.

Detoxing from alcohol can be life-

threatening, and you will need to be

supervised when withdrawing from

this substance. Detoxing from any

substance is painful, uncomfortable,

and very disruptive to even basic

things like sleeping, eating, thinking,

feeling, and decision-making.

In order to ensure your safety,

functioning, and comfort, you should

be assessed before treatment so

you can receive the level of care

medically required. Some programs

do not offer supervised detox, so be

sure of the availability of the care

you need during this phase.

There are several types of detox:

• Medical detox is performed in a

hospital setting, where the patient is

supervised by medical staff equipped

to use medication and other medical

treatment when necessary.

• Supervised detox occurs when the

client is carefully monitored for any

dangerous side effects of withdrawal,

and staff offers supportive care

throughout.

• Unsupervised detox, detoxing at

home, or detoxing alone is not

advised. Detox is both complicated,

uncomfortable and in certain

situations, dangerous, so having

trained staff on hand minimizes

complications and dangers.

DUAL DIAGNOSISAccording to SAMHSA, an estimated 43.6

million (18.1%) Americans ages 18 and up

experienced some form of mental illness

in 2014. During that same year, 20.2

million adults (8.4%) had a substance use

disorder. Of these, 7.9 million people had

both a mental disorder and substance

use disorder.


Even though all addictions arise when

a person is trying to self-medicate

some psychological wound, 39 percent

(SAMHSA) have actual full-blown

psychiatric disorders causing their

addiction or as a result of the addiction and

the accumulated consequences. Addiction

and mental health disorders commonly

occur together.

Whether you think you have co-

occurring substance abuse and mental

health disorders or not, you should be

professionally assessed before beginning

treatment. If you do end up having a

dual diagnosis, it is imperative that your

treatment plan reflects this. Both disorders

need to be treated in tandem in order for

rehab to be successful. These disorders,

when both present, antagonize each other,

so treating one without the other leads

to frustration, relapse, and worsening

conditions.

In order for your alcohol rehab to be

equipped to diagnose and treat dual

diagnosis, it must have psychiatrists and

therapists trained and licensed to treat

these co-occurring mental health issues.

Find out about the center’s ability to treat

co-occurring disorders before committing

to a program.

INTENSITY of TREATMENT

The two main reasons for going to

residential rehab is 1) to get supervision

because you can’t stop on your own,

and 2) to get a lot of treatment in the

shortest amount of time so you can heal

and be successfully equipped to lead a

transformed life. Just because you are

living at a rehab doesn’t mean you are

getting the intensive treatment you need

and are paying for. So as you choose a

rehab, ask to see the daily or programming

schedule. Hopefully it is full, morning to

night, 7 days a week with no idle time.

Ask questions about what skills are being

learned in the groups and activities and

what is the expertise of the staff leading

the different activities.

The two main reasons for going to residential rehab is 1) to get supervision because you can’t stop on your own, and 2) to get a lot of treatment in the shortest amount of time so you can heal and be successfully equipped to lead a

transformed life.

- Dr. Karl Benzio


WHAT WILL MY TREATMENT PLAN LOOK LIKE?You are your own unique person,

created specially by God. When

it comes to alcohol rehab, your

individual needs and goals need to be

considered before a treatment plan

can be established. Most treatment

plans follow these steps: detox,

inpatient rehab, outpatient therapy, and

after care, or Transformational Care.

The length of time you spend in each

of these stages of recovery will be

determined by you, your progress, your

life situations, and your treatment team.


A SAMPLE PLAN COULD BE:• 3 to 7 days in detox,

• followed by 30 – 90 days in residential

treatment,

• followed by 12 to 16 weeks of intensive

outpatient therapy and support

meetings,

• followed by 1-2 years of weekly

outpatient counseling, marriage or

family therapy, and regular support

meetings,

• followed by your lifelong and ongoing

psychological and spiritual growth

strategy to grow in your relationship with

God, understand His plan for you, and

do it. This will be individual work with an

occasional mentor or coach, as well as

in small Bible or accountability groups.

However, if it takes you longer to get

through one or more phases, don’t worry

or get discouraged, you should take the

time and continue to learn and practice

the skills you need to achieve your

God-given potential. According to NIDA,

outcomes for residential or outpatient

treatment programs are more successful

when an individual participates for 90

days or more in residential or highly

structured and supervised treatment.

Recovering cannot be rushed, or it could

lead to relapse.

When you enroll in a treatment

program, you, along with your treatment

professionals, will create a unique

treatment plan just for you. This should

be a plan that not only teaches you what

you need to know, but helps you practice

these new skills until they become natural

to you. Then you will be ready to succeed

back in the stressful world we all live in.

Individualized plans are the best way to

ensure your rehab experience teaches

you the skills necessary for lasting peace,

joy, and transformed living.

WHAT TYPES of STAFF AND CREDENTIALS ARE THERE?The staff is what really makes a rehab

program function. The therapists and staff

should be compassionate and caring,

dedicated to helping clients achieve

true transformation. A friendly smile or

a kind word can go a long way toward

making you feel comfortable in your new

surroundings. Likewise, a positive attitude

from staff members will motivate and

encourage you in your recovery. Great

and successful staff will both live and role

model the very skills they will be teaching

you for successfully handling life, stress,

adversity, and temptation.


The staff also needs to be experienced and

licensed. Treatment providers, including

psychiatrists, addiction specialists, doctors,

therapists, counselors, and registered

nurses, all work together to help clients,

and each discipline of caregiver has its

own certification process. An addictions

counselor is the least trained, with no

graduate degree, so make sure your

therapy groups and individual sessions are

with a masters-level therapist or higher.

Ask about the credentials of the treatment

staff before enrolling in rehab. Every state

has its own licensing requirements as well,

but you can check with your state to be

sure a treatment center is accredited. You

can also check if the facility is a member

of the Joint Commission or Commission

on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities

that regularly review and certify health care

organizations.

HOW IS THE FACILITY SET UP?Because the facility is often what catches

a person’s eye before anything else

about a rehab, treatment centers will

spend large amounts of money on their

facility. New and modern, vacation-like

settings are popular for recovery, but it

is much more important to find out what

the different amenities and components

of a facility have to do with your actual

recovery. If you want to find the most

effective program, investigate levels of

care, licensing, and staff before you focus

on the facility itself.

When in residential treatment, you will

usually share a room with another client.

You will eat meals in a dining room,

designed specially for your body and

brain’s recovery and healing. Structured

treatment will occur in larger group rooms

and smaller offices for individual sessions.

Different amenities are often available and

useful during rehab, such as an exercise

room or gym, outdoor recreation area,

commons area, and laundry facility. You

should find out all your treatment center

has to offer and take advantage of the

added perks that will most help in your

recovery.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?Finally, cost will play into your decision

as to what rehab to enroll in. Cost can

vary dramatically when it comes to

alcohol rehab. Some programs are free,

such as community-run or government

subsidized programs. Mid-range rehabs

charge around $2,000 – $25,000 per

month, and if you want a spa-like

alcohol rehab, you can expect to pay

$50,000 – 80,000 per month. Medicaid


and Medicare can pay for rehab at certain

centers if you qualify, and if you have private

medical insurance it will most likely cover

at least part of treatment. Be sure to ask the

facility about discounts based on income

level and payment plans if you need to self-

pay. Find out how to pay for alcohol rehab.

In the case of alcohol rehab, experts advise

that you don’t always get what you pay for.

Spa-like treatment centers often charge you

for added perks that have nothing to do with

recovery. On the other hand, many other

programs are cost effective because they

are owned and operated by people who

have your recovery in mind. These qualified

facilities treat addiction in the most efficient,

cost-effective manner. You don’t need a

facility with all the bells and whistles in order

to recover. You just need the expertise of

qualified, caring staff members who are able

to help you take control of your life again.

Finding the right alcohol rehab is complex

and challenging, and your insurance

company is focused on the cheapest, but

not necessarily the best, option for you.

By considering the points above, you can

narrow your search down relatively quickly,

based on what you want and need. The key

point is that you find a treatment program

you feel comfortable with which will meet

your unique clinical needs while also fitting

your insurance and budget.


HOW DOES ALCOHOLISM IMPACT

YOUR MARRIAGE?

Alcoholism impacts not only marriages, but all of the addict’s relationships. Even though alcoholism is not caused by a bacteria or

virus, it does act like an infection and contaminates everyone and everything the alcoholic comes into contact with.

For this reason, alcoholism is often called a family disease, because everyone suffers in some way when their loved one is an alcoholic. If your family has an alcoholic in it, then it is affected by

alcoholism, so it is important to educate yourself about this disease, and then find help for your loved one.


HOW to HANDLE AN ALCOHOLIC SPOUSEAs the spouse of an alcoholic, you

face unique challenges. Emotions and

odd thoughts are flying all around, but

you have to try to maintain balance to

counteract your spouse’s inconsistent

behavior. You have a strong desire and

greater responsibility to protect your

children or other family members that

might be harmed by your spouse’s

struggles. You also feel a sense of

loss of your relationship with your

spouse that has been damaged by this

disease. The best way to put an end to

alcoholism, repair relationships, and get

your life back is to get your spouse into

treatment. You’ve probably already tried

ignoring it, and we know that doesn’t

work. Trying to “treat” or handle your

alcoholic spouse on your own will lead to

frustration and usually failure. But finding

help from a qualified rehab program can

free you both and help you rebuild your

family and life.

ALCOHOLISM IN the FAMILYAlcoholism is a disease that affects entire

families, not just the alcoholic. Children,

spouses, parents, and other loved ones

suffer in silence as they learn to live with

the neglect, unpredictability, and even

abuse caused by an alcoholic loved

one. They worry about the alcoholic’s

health and they worry about their own

reputations. They struggle with the

effects of dysfunctional relationships

and erratic behavior. This is no way to

live, yet millions of families have come to

believe this kind of existence is normal.

Families see the symptoms of alcoholism

and they see the destruction addiction

causes in their relationships, but they

don’t seek help for the problem.

EFFECTS of ALCOHOLISM ON RELATIONSHIPSRelationships can survive the impact of

alcoholism, but they are forever changed.

The alcoholic’s actions often show they

care more about drinking than spending

time with their spouse or children. They

may come home in a drunken rage

and take it out on the family. They may

neglect responsibilities because they are

so hung-over they cannot function. They

may manipulate or rely on their loved

ones to make excuses for them and to

explain away their absence at work or

family functions.


Alcoholism causes fear and anger

among family members. It leads children

of alcoholics to feel insecure and

anxious, with difficulties ever trusting

someone. It creates a divide between

couples, so that their spouse fears

intimacy and instead, puts up protective

barriers that keep others out. These

relationships can be healed, but it takes

time and effort to do so.

SYMPTOMS OF ALCOHOLISMAlcoholism shows itself in several

different ways, but below are the most

common signs you’ll notice when a

loved one is an alcoholic:

• Craving – a strong need to drink

• Loss of control – not being able to

stop drinking once they’ve started

• Physical dependence – withdrawal

symptoms (such as anxiety,

shakiness, sweating, nausea, insomnia,

depression, headache, loss of

appetite) when drinking is stopped

• Tolerance – the need to drink more

alcohol to feel the same effect

• Priorities – giving up other

responsibilities or activities because

of alcohol

• Changes – in behavior, responsibility,

appearance, and relationships

• Consequences – continuing to drink

despite negative effects (marriage,

finances, spiritual walk, work, health, or

legal issues)

The NIAA has published an alcoholism

screening test that can help you and your

spouse assess their drinking.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

DEALING WITH A LOVED ONE AND THEIR ADDICTIONIs there hope for your relationship?

It is difficult to deal with an alcoholic

spouse or loved one. You will find yourself

frustrated and feeling hopeless. But

there is hope for your relationship and

for your spouse’s recovery. The first step

is admitting there is a problem, and then

talking to your loved one about getting

treatment. Once your loved one is in rehab,

you can work on your relationship. Family

http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh28-2/78-79.htm


counseling, couples counseling, and

gaining a greater understanding of their

addiction will help you prepare to rebuild

your relationship. If your spouse is able to

get sober and stay sober, you will both be

able to work on healing your relationship.

In fact, often times, a successful rehab

will help your spouse not only stop

drinking, but also heal some of their inner

wounds so a fuller, more successful

marriage is your reward. In order to do

this, you will both need help learning and

practicing new, positive behaviors.

ENABLINGSpouses of alcoholics end up assuming

much of the day-to-day responsibilities

in their household. In many cases, these

actions end up enabling the addict,

offering help that perpetuates the

addiction rather than stopping it. Those

who enable have good intentions – they

don’t want to see their spouse in trouble

or hurting – so they step in and help

minimize the alcoholic’s consequences or

hurt feelings.

The NIDA defines enabling as follows:

“Enabling behavior occurs when another

person…helps or encourages the addict

to continue using drugs, either directly

or indirectly.” Even though you think,

“not me, I want them to stop drinking,”

there are several ways you might be

enabling your alcoholic spouse. If any of

the following are things you do, you are

enabling the alcoholic in your life and

need help stopping:

• You take on chores, parenting, or other

responsibilities for the alcoholic

• You lie or make excuses for your

spouse to help them avoid tough

tasks or consequences, like

• Calling your spouse’s work and saying

they are sick when they are hung-over

• Making excuses as to why your

spouse can’t be at family functions

• You give your spouse money which

they use to buy alcohol

• You have held back expressing your

wishes and feelings about your own

needs or your spouse’s drinking

• You fail to hold your spouse

accountable for their actions when

they drink

• You have trouble realizing that ‘No’

or opposition is actually the loving

response, so you often say ‘yes’ even

though that is the more harmful

response.

Unfortunately, even though it is a well-

meaning impulse, enabling is harmful.

Enabling allows your spouse to continue

in their addiction. Why would they need

to quit if you make it easy for them to


avoid “rock bottom” and get away with

their actions? It takes away the natural

consequences of their drinking. The

bottom line is, enabling gives them a

false sense of security, an illusion of a

safety net, and keeps the alcoholic from

getting and accepting treatment.

CODEPENDENCEAccording to the NIDA, “codependency

occurs when another individual, perhaps

the addict’s spouse or family member,

is controlled by the addict’s addictive

behavior. Codependents become

codependent because they have learned

to believe that love, acceptance, security,

and approval are contingent upon taking

care of the addict in the way the addict

wishes.”

Codependence goes hand-in-hand

with enabling. Some individuals have a

deep-seated desire to be needed. They

thrive on the conflict, the abuse, and

the dysfunction of life with an addict.

A codependent enables, but they go a

step further and use that enabling to

feel needed and to feel in control. The

codependent’s self-esteem is then linked

to the addict’s need for their help.

Below are some questions to ask

yourself about behaviors and attitudes

that are related to codependency:

• Do you find yourself resenting the

responsibilities you take on?

• Do you feel you are responsible for

your spouse’s happiness?

• Do you often put your own needs

aside in order to help your spouse?

• Do you have trouble expressing your

own emotions?

• Do you fear that your loved one will

leave the relationship if you don’t

provide enough ‘help?’

• Do you blame other people for

problems when your spouse is really

the cause?

• Do you continue to offer help

even when it is not accepted or

appreciated?

Codependency is common, but doesn’t

have to be the permanent dynamic. Help

is available, but you need to be honest

with yourself, and then find someone you

trust to help guide you to get the healing

and coaching you need to handle your

feelings and life in a healthier way. Then

you will be better at dealing with your

spouse’s behavior and manipulation to

influence their movement toward getting

alcoholism treatment.


GETTING HELP FOR YOUR PARTNERIf your spouse is an alcoholic, the next

steps are complicated and you need help,

so don’t try to do this on your own. If you

don’t take steps now to find a rehab and

get your loved one into treatment, it won’t

go away on its own. Life will get tougher

and more dangerous for all of you –

physically, emotionally, relationally, and

spiritually.

Days of inaction turn into weeks, months,

and years – and every day that goes by

pulls you farther apart from your spouse,

which drives the alcoholic farther into their

addiction. Getting help today is the best

way to get your life and relationship back.

FIND A REHABThe first step is admitting your family has

a problem. The second step is finding

help. Talk to a professional for help finding

the treatment program that will be best

for your family and your spouse’s needs.

Rehab programs vary by treatment

length, philosophy, level of care, and cost,

and it is so important to find the right one,

because you might only have one shot.

Learn how to find the right rehab for your

family’s needs here.

INTERVENTIONIf your spouse is opposed to the idea of

rehab or even denies their alcoholism, you

might need what’s called an “Intervention”

to help. An intervention is when a

professional facilitates a specifically

structured meeting with family or friends

to confront the addict in a firm but

loving way. While many families try to

hold interventions on their own, as you

can imagine, this is a tense and difficult

meeting because your alcoholic spouse

isn’t thinking clearly. The intervention

is most effective when supervised by a

professional who can successfully guide

the family.

During an intervention you and your family

will explain to the alcoholic how great life

was before the addiction, and then how

the addiction is devastating your spouse

as well as harming all who are close to

them. You will make it clear to your loved

one that because you care about him or

her, you want them to get help and you

have a treatment option already set up for

them. The goal of an intervention is not to

blame anyone or to pummel someone,

but to help your loved one see their need

for treatment, and then accept help to

turn their life around.


SUPPORT YOUR LOVED ONE DURING REHABOnce your spouse has agreed to get

help and has been admitted to a rehab

program, your work is not complete.

Now is the time for you to take part in

their treatment and to offer support and

encouragement for their sobriety. You can

do this by meeting regularly with your

spouse’s treatment team, by joining in

family therapy, and by attending couples

counseling sessions. Becoming involved

with your spouse’s recovery from the

beginning will not only provide them

with encouragement and support, but

will allow you to work on repairing your

relationship.

PREPARING for LIFE IN RECOVERY WITH YOUR LOVED ONEAfter your spouse has completed rehab,

there will be many opportunities for

you to show your support. Learn all you

can about alcoholism and rehab so that

you know what to expect when your

spouse comes home. Investigate your

own lifestyle to be sure it is one that is

conducive to sobriety. You should also

consider joining Al-Anon or another

support group where you will learn how

your actions affect your loved one, and

how to interact in a supportive, non-

enabling fashion.

Also, your spouse’s alcoholism has been

damaging to your mind and life. You need

some healing. After spending so much

time focusing on and taking care of your

spouse, kids, finances, and household, it is

time to focus on yourself. Find a therapist

to sort out what happened, heal some of

your wounds, and get your life back on

track while preparing for your spouse to

come back and start a new life together.

Even though life seems difficult and dark

right now, we know God brings hope and

is a true miracle worker. Your spouse’s

alcoholism might have derailed your

journey with God, but while they are in

treatment, revive your spirit with the living

water of God and He will bring a power

and peace to change your life.


COSTS of ALCOHOL REHAB

Even though we don’t like to admit it, one important factor in deciding which alcohol rehab to choose is cost. Some alcohol rehabs

are free, but for most others, there are costs associated with every step along the way. You will want to know what those costs are so

that you can be prepared to put together a treatment plan that works within your budget and doesn’t add more stress to your situation.

INTRODUCTIONWhile you might be tempted to choose a rehab based solely on what the facility

charges, cost won’t always give you an accurate picture of quality. Some very

affordable rehabs offer the most effective recovery programs, while others aren’t

able to meet clients’ needs for sustained sobriety. Some high-priced luxurious

rehabs are all fluff, making clients pay for a vacation rather than treatment, while

other luxury rehabs incorporate the best principles and allow for positive healing

and transformation. It all depends on the staff, programs and therapies offered,

and the center’s commitment to recovery in the long run. Rather than letting cost

be the determining factor, you should rely on what information you can find out

regarding the rehab’s quality of treatment services offered.

If you think rehab in general is too overpriced and you can’t afford it, you are not

alone in your thinking. In fact, only about 10% of people in need of rehab get the

help they need, and cost is one of the most common barriers to treatment. Yes,


rehab takes a commitment of both time

and money, but when compared to the

ongoing costs of supporting an alcohol

addiction and its consequences, we can

quickly see that getting help now is far

less costly. According to the National

Institutes of Health, abuse of tobacco,

alcohol, and illicit drugs costs more

than $700 billion annually in expenses

related to crime, lost work productivity,

and health care alone, not to mention

the relational and spiritual costs.

According to its most recent study, the

Center for Disease Control estimates

that excessive drinking costs $746 per

person in the United States. $94.2 billion

(42 percent) of the total economic costs

of excessive alcohol consumption

was borne by federal, state, and local

governments while $92.9 billion (41.5

percent) was borne by excessive

drinkers and their family members.

Costs include loss of productivity,

health care costs, law enforcement

and other criminal justice expenses,

and motor vehicle crash costs. Other

non-monetary costs include that of

pain and suffering on the part of family

members and loved ones.

By planning ahead and learning about

your options, you can find ways to afford

alcohol rehab.

InterventionIf an alcoholic is initially unwilling to go

to rehab, the first cost might be paying

for an intervention by a professional to

convince the patient of the necessity

for treatment. An intervention is an

effective tool families can use to

share their concerns for their addicted

loved one and the need for treatment.

There are different ways to hold an

intervention, each with its own costs.

Some families try to stage their own

intervention, which doesn’t cost

anything other than bringing the family

together. But an intervention that is

held by the family without the help

of a professional can go very wrong,

making the situation worse, and is not

advised. During this emotional time, it

is helpful to have a professional guide

the situation.

Costs for intervention services begin

around $1,500 and can end up being

close to $10,000, depending on your

location, the facility’s location, and the

complexity of your situation.

- Dr. Karl Benzio

https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics

https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics

http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2011/p1017_alcohol_consumption.html

http://lighthousenetwork.org/alcohol-rehab-guide/costs-alcohol-rehab/

http://lighthousenetwork.org/alcohol-rehab-guide/costs-alcohol-rehab/


Some intervention specialists act as

consultants, speaking with family

members and helping prepare them

for the intervention over the phone.

In these cases the intervention

professional may even be present via

phone or Internet connection during

the process, but is not physically

there.

Still other interventionists will fly out

to meet the family in person, and

physically be there at the intervention

to guide the entire process from

start to finish. Costs for intervention

services begin around $1,500 and

can end up being close to $10,000,

depending on your location, the

facility’s location, and the complexity

of your situation. It is also important

to find out if there are any hidden

costs (airfare, hotel) before hiring an

interventionist.

Medical DetoxAs soon as the individual has

committed to a rehab program, the

real work can begin. The first phase of

recovery is detox. Depending on the

patient’s needs, substances used, and

duration of addiction, they may or may

not require medical detox. Alcohol is

a difficult and dangerous substance

to withdraw from, and often requires

medical detox. To be safe, it is advised

to detox from alcohol under medical

supervision, or with medical help close

by in case there are any complications.

Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal:

• Anxiety

• Shakiness

• Nausea

• Sweating

• Insomnia

• Headache

Serious complications of alcohol withdrawal:

• Seizures

• Hallucinations

• Delirium tremens (rapid heartbeat,

extreme confusion, fever)

• Extreme anxiety or paranoia

Medical detox means the person

will be supervised around the clock

by medical staff that is equipped

and qualified to monitor vital signs,

administer medications, and provide

supportive care. This type of detox

allows the patient to withdraw in a

safe and more comfortable setting,

as medication can be given to ease

symptoms.


Before choosing a medical detox facility

for alcohol withdrawal, check to make

sure the facility is licensed and they have

medical staff on hand. This will provide

the safest alcohol detox possible.

Medical detox can be pricey, because

of the level of care necessary for this

stage of recovery. On the low end, you

can expect to pay $250 – $500 per

day, and the high end is around $1,500

per day for medical detox. Expenses

for prescriptions and other medical

support may be added to the cost or

included, depending on the facility. Most

insurance companies will cover medical

detox, so check with the facility you are

working with about what insurance they

accept. Most low cost rehabs or long-

term inexpensive ministry rehabs do not

provide medical detox in order to keep

costs low.

Residential CareOnce the person has detoxed and can

think more clearly, they need to spend

a large amount of time in therapy and

counseling to heal inner struggles

and learn skills to manage life’s

stressors, adversities, temptations, and

opportunities. Residential treatment

offers around-the-clock care in a

structured environment. Clients in this

setting are cared for in a home-like

environment and participate in therapy

sessions and other recovery activities

throughout the day.

Costs for residential care vary the most

of any stage of recovery. This is because

rehab programs offer a wide range

of amenities and services, and some

charge more for a high-end vacation-like

setting. Meals are generally included

in the cost of residential treatment, and

many facilities include bedding, laundry

facilities, and use of exercise equipment

in with their charges. Standard inpatient

rehab programs can range from $2,500

per week to $7,000 per week. Luxury

rehabs charge in the range of $20,000

per week.

While all treatment groups, recovery

meetings, and weekly individual therapy

sessions are included in the fees, some

facilities include while others charge

extra for services such as medical

internist, medications, psychiatric

evaluation and follow-ups, child care,

case management services, social skills

development, self-help group meetings,

neurotransmitter testing, equine therapy,

and employment training. These costs

would all be charged on a case-by-case

basis, and you can inquire about what

is included and what is considered as


ancillary and extra cost services when

you contact a facility.

The cheapest residential options are

the longer term, non-medical, usually

ministry type programs. They run 3 – 14

months in duration and are inexpensive

because they don’t have medical

services or licensed therapists and have

pretty simple living conditions. They

can be $300 – $2,500 per month. They

aren’t the ideal starting point for your

treatment, but are either a great step

down option from medical rehab or a

strong option if your insurance is poor

and budget is limited.

Partial HospitalizationPartial Hospitalization Programs (PHP),

or day treatment, is a step down from

residential rehab. This level of care

was designed for those who need a

structured environment, but do not

require 24 hour supervision. During this

stage of recovery, the individual will

participate in therapeutic groups and

activities four to six hours per day, five

days a week, and will return home in the

evenings.

The cost for this type of treatment

is much less than residential rehab,

because room and board are not

necessary. Average weekly cost is usually

$1,500 or less for this type of treatment

and is usually covered by insurance for at

least several weeks. Again, extra services

might be charged separately, such as

psychiatric services, meals or snacks

during the day, or childcare.

Outpatient CareOnce an individual has completed

residential or partial hospitalization

treatment, they are ready to move on

to outpatient care. Intensive outpatient

(IOP) rehab is usually 3 hours per day for

3 days per week and much like partial

hospitalization, the person participates in

therapy and activities during the day and

returns home at night. The average cost

of IOP care is $500 to $700 per week and

is often covered by insurance.

Outpatient care is usually a 60-minute

therapy session once per week and

fees are between $50-150 per session

depending on the training of the

therapist. These therapy sessions can be

any combination of individual, couples,

marital, or family therapy and are usually

covered in part by insurance depending

on whether you go to an in-network

provider or go out-of-network for

services.


Sober LivingSober living is an important step in

the rehab process, and it should not

be underestimated. Some treatment

facilities operate sober living homes;

other times these group living situations

can be found through community

programs. Sober living homes have

regulations that must be followed, such

as absolutely no drug or alcohol use,

residents must work or be looking for

work, and residents must participate

regularly in support group meetings.

This type of living situation after

rehab is an effective way to help the

recovering alcoholic remain sober,

be encouraged by caring individuals,

and live in a safe, alcohol-free setting.

Most people who live in sober living

homes pay rent in the range of $300 to

$6,000 per month, depending mostly

on location, amenities, and whether

staff or treatment occurs in the house.

Sober living facilities sometimes include

utilities and other living expenses,

but most require residents to pay for

their own food, transportation, laundry

services, and basic living expenses.

Medical NecessityWhen you have insurance, some have

packages with no addiction coverage,

but detox services are covered by

your medical coverage, not addiction

coverage. If your insurance does have

addiction benefits, the term you need to

know is “Medical Necessity.” This means

your insurance has the right to refuse

payment if they believe the services

were not necessary and were more than

what you medically needed. This is even

though your policy states you have 30

days of residential treatment, 60 days

of PHP, and 50 outpatient sessions per

year. Insurance will only pay when they

assess them as meeting their criteria of

medically necessity.

An example: if your husband is drinking

socially for 4 months with no problems,

your insurance will say treatment is

not medically necessary so they will

not pay if he goes to rehab, PHP, IOP,

or even outpatient sessions. If he starts

to struggle, it could be depression,

legal, marital, or some other area, they

might authorize outpatient sessions

to start with saying that was medically

necessary, but PHP or residential is

too expensive for the minimal alcohol

problem at this time.


It is important to talk to an experienced

professional, as they usually know what

level of care your insurance will pay for

based on your clinical situation. They

can also draw out the information to

get the insurance to cover the care

you really need and are entitled to. The

insurance will always try to push or

divert you to the cheapest level because

they are paying. An experienced

professional knows the insurance game

and can advocate for the best treatment

for your situation.

Transformational CareThe final, and longest, stage of recovery

is after care, or Transformational Care. It

is during this time that the person puts

everything they learned in rehab into

practice in their real life, and then keeps

on learning, practicing, and applying

those skills.

Transformational care is extremely

important for preventing relapse,

because it allows the individual to

receive support and counseling as

they transition back to normal life

and continue always moving forward.

Recovering alcoholics are encouraged

to participate in some form of after care.

For some, this longer term and less

intensive care is offered in a residential

setting as a stepdown from a medical

program for those not needing treatment,

but not able to live independently yet.

These residential situations can be free to

$1,000 per month.

Moving forward in life, continued

counseling sessions, as needed, either

individually or in a group, can be

scheduled on a case-by-case basis and

charged accordingly. 12 step meetings

like Alcoholics Anonymous or Christian

programs like Celebrate Recovery

or Overcomers in Christ are free and

provide ongoing support for continued

transformation. Your local church often

has many free growth opportunities like

Bible studies, small groups, couples

home fellowships, retreats, or 1:1

discipleship programs.

Intentionality and awareness that

transitional after care provides should

never stop. When you get complacent,

you will be at risk for setback and

possible relapse, which is why so many

see this as the most important phase

in recovery. To find a secular support

group or after care program near you,

you can use SAMHSA’s Treatment

Service Locator. For Celebrate Recovery

Christian Support Groups, click here.

https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/

https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/

http://grouplocator.crgroups.info/


FINAL THOUGHTS

Treatment for alcohol addiction, or alcoholism, is expensive and is life long. But not treating it will cost you so much

more; possibly even your life. With a better understanding of the many options in the treatment system and your insurance,

you can piece together the best acute and long-term options to not only save, but also transform your life.


SELECTING the BEST ALCOHOL REHAB for

YOUR NEEDS

Residential Alcohol Rehab is a vital and necessary component for most people’s recovery from the serious life-threatening disease called alcohol addiction, or alcoholism. While alcoholics and their families are often resistant to seeking help because of shame or denial, rehab, under the supervision of experienced professionals, provides many more benefits than trying to quit on your own.

When looking for the right alcohol rehab for your needs, there are a few essential

points to keep in mind. The most successful and safest way to recover from

alcoholism is at a residential treatment program, customized for each patient’s

situation. Both alcohol detox and medical problems from alcoholism can be deadly,

so medical expertise provides a safe and comfortable detox and also addresses

any physical damage from long term or heavy alcohol use. Psychiatric conditions

complicate alcohol recovery, so having psychiatric expertise to evaluate co-

occurring psychiatric disorders must be available. Finally, Christian treatment to

access the divine power of God through the Holy Spirit and focusing on Jesus and

the Bible are essential for freedom from alcoholism, long-term sobriety, and a

fulfilled and transformed life

Costs for intervention services begin around $1,500 and can end up being close to

$10,000, depending on your location, the facility’s location, and the complexity of your

situation. Why do Rehab?


Addicts and their loved ones often ask

the question, ‘do I really need rehab?’

They try to cover up the problem,

downplay its severity, or think they can

manage it on their own even though the

facts prove they can’t. These attitudes are

what trap individuals and their families

in addiction. As the months and years

go by, the addition gets worse, the

family dynamics are more strained and

complicated, and the problem explodes

out of control. Find out when it is time for

alcohol rehab here.

The reason for doing rehab, quite simply,

is because you can’t or won’t quit on

your own without 24/7 supervision to

protect you from yourself. Whether you

are an addict or someone who loves

and cares about an addict, it’s time for

the denial and excuses to stop. You

never know when the next drink will

lead to permanent legal, relational,

psychological, or even physical harm

for you or an innocent family member or

stranger. It’s time to stop playing Russian

roulette by putting things off, and get life-

saving help.

Some people try to quit on their own,

but rehab offers many benefits. It allows

the addict to be treated by professionals

who know what they’re doing and can

help produce lasting results. Going to

rehab brings your bio-psycho-spiritual

disease out into the open, where it can

be effectively understood and addressed.

Rehab brings real hope and allows for a

fresh new start to stop moving backwards

in life and now move toward the goals

you once had before alcohol sabotaged

your trip. Support and encouragement

will come from your family, loved ones,

and the entire recovery community.

Residential Treatment for AlcoholismFor most people, the best way to recover

from alcoholism is residential treatment.

This offers the highest and most intensive

level of care with the least distractions

so the person can wholly focus on their

recovery. During residential, also called

inpatient, treatment the person lives,

eats, sleeps, exercises, and takes part in

therapy sessions at the facility. All their

immediate needs are met to reduce

stress, which takes a huge weight off

of one’s shoulders and allows for a

more focused and peaceful treatment

experience.

Customized ProgramsNo two people are alike, nor should

one person’s treatment program be just

like the next. A customizable treatment


program allows the patient and their

family to have a say in rehab, and it

ensures the client is getting the most

out of rehab. Things that can vary in

a treatment program are length of

time (how many days), level of care

(residential or outpatient), methodology

(12 steps, psychodynamic, work-farm,

wilderness, faith-based), and structure

of counseling and therapy sessions

(group, individual, or educational). A

therapy type that really reaches one

addict and helps them dig deeper

into their recovery may not do much

for another person. Likewise, some

people take longer to get through the

steps of recovery, while others require

a shorter program. It is important to

find an alcohol rehab that will address

your needs and concerns, and a staff

that will customize your treatment

experience for you. Don’t settle for a

one-size-fits-all program, because

these often fail to recognize why you

struggle with alcohol and what skills

you need to overcome your alcohol

addiction.

Medically Supported RehabThere have been several medical

breakthroughs that have propelled

the addiction treatment field ahead,

and some of these advances may offer

help for your recovery. Medications

are now widely available during

alcohol treatment, which can ease the

symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and

help curb cravings.

Disulfiram (Antabuse) is a medication

that inhibits the enzyme that helps the

body break down alcohol, so the toxic

chemical of alcohol stays in the body. If

a person has disulfiram in their system,

quickly after drinking alcohol they will

abruptly feel hungover usually with

nausea, vomiting, throbbing headache,

increased heart rate, sweating, visual

disturbances, and confusion. Knowing

this reaction will occur helps deter

them from drinking.

Naltrexone blocks brain receptors that

are activated by alcohol consumption

and are part of the brain’s reward

system. This blockage reduces the

pleasure, high, or buzz attained by

drinking, so the person stops craving

alcohol since no reward is eminent.

Naltrexone can’t be taken until active

drinking or withdrawal has subsided.

Vivitrol is an injectable form of Naltrexone

given every 4 weeks and works the same

as described above.


Campral is a daily medication that reduces

cravings for alcohol and is given after a

person is already detoxed off of alcohol.

Topamax reduces withdrawal symptoms,

allowing recovering alcoholics to go days or

weeks without feeling the negative effects

of detox. After detox, Topamax can reduce

cravings for alcohol.

Benzodiazepines such as clonazepam

(Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam

(Ativan), or others, are chemically very

similar to alcohol and are used to detox or

withdraw a person off of alcohol. They block

seizures, hallucinations, anxiety, insomnia,

agitation, delirium tremens (the DT’s),

and other dangerous and uncomfortable

withdrawal symptoms. Unfortunately, the

benzodiazepines are also addicting, so

are only used to safely transition a person

off alcohol. In a residential setting, that is

usually 3 - 15 days.

While some of these new advances

may offer a better recovery experience

for some and more hope for others,

it is important to note these are not a

magic cure. These medications only

address some of the physical aspects of

alcohol addiction and recovery cannot

be achieved through a quick fix. Don’t

get lured into thinking something will

come along that will quickly solve the

problem of addiction, because all the

different issues and dysfunctions caused

by addiction take time and a lot of hard

work to reverse or heal. In fact, the longer

the rehab program, the better your

recovery will generally be because you

start to develop the psychological and

spiritual skills needed to really renew your

mind and transform your thinking and

decisions.

Each of these medications has its

benefits, but they also have their

problems. Some have side effects that

can be uncomfortable, and some can

be habit forming. If you are considering

using one or more medications to help

with your alcoholism recovery, speak

to your doctor or treatment staff about

what is right for you. It is also vital

that these medications be combined

with psychological and spiritual skills,

counseling sessions, and support group

meetings to help the person fully recover.

Is Mental/Psychological Help Available?Alcoholism never comes out of the

blue. In fact, it is a person’s coping

mechanism to try and ‘self-medicate’

some psychological struggle. Sometimes

these struggles have a diagnosis, like


depression or panic attacks, while others

don’t have a psychiatric diagnosis, like low

self-esteem or extreme shyness. Mental

health issues are sometimes caused by

excessive drinking’s toxic effect on brain

circuits or from the accumulation of

consequences and stress. Alcoholics use

their substance as a way to self-medicate,

escape, or blot out the mental discomfort

they are experiencing.

Certain therapies, such as Cognitive

Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical

Behavioral Therapy (CBT) help the

alcoholic learn how to transform distorted

thinking into realistic thinking which

is usually more positive. Motivational

Interviewing is a therapy to help decision-

making skills. Emotion Focus Therapy

teaches a person to manage their

emotions better so their emotions don’t

manage them. Christian therapy draws

on God’s power, helps a person allow the

truth (reality) to set them free, and allows

clearer lenses and hope to be restored

while teaching healthy life and relation

management skills.

These types of therapy allow the

recovering alcoholic to address their

harmful thought patterns and regulate

their emotions better. If your stress,

emotions, or stinky thinking is pushing

you to drink, it is important that you

are assessed to identify your specific

psychological problems. Research shows

being treated for both your psychological

and addiction conditions at the same time

dramatically increases your probability of

a successful and sustained recovery.

Treatment for Co-Occurring DisordersApproximately 7.9 million adults in the

United States had diagnosable co-

occurring psychiatric disorders with

addiction in 2014 (Substance Abuse and

Mental Health Services Administration).

Because mental illness and addictions

like alcoholism occur together so

frequently, we recommend everyone

who enters alcohol rehab be assessed for

mental health issues.

The first step in treating co-occurring

disorders is to diagnose them, which

can be done by a trained psychologist

or psychiatrist. Then, both conditions

must be addressed together for the

best results. Medication is often helpful

for the psychological component

and this, coupled with behavioral and

psychospiritual psychotherapy, will help

the person learn to manage all their

disorders. Again, it is vital to address

the disorders simultaneously and with


the specific therapies to help maximize

the recovery process. Too many times

alcoholics only get treatment for the

alcoholism, but not for the underlying

psychological issue. When they leave,

they will quickly relapse because the root

issue wasn’t identified and healed, and

alcohol was used to numb the pain again.

Is there a Christian Component?

Some programs call themselves

Christian but don’t actually make use

of the power of God’s word to help

heal their heart and mind.

- Dr. Karl Benzio

Many people are starting to realize the

importance and power of Christian rehab.

Faith-based recovery is the only way to

achieve true and lasting transformation.

As the daily struggles with addiction and

your life management are worked on,

your inner core is exposed to allow God’s

forgiveness, healing, and re-empowering

of a new you to occur. In Christian rehab,

the addict’s eyes are opened to the

truth and sees himself or herself as an

individual loved and cared for by God.

They see the forgiveness that God has

offered through their Savior, Jesus Christ.

They see the instructions God teaches

about how to live and act, and they

experience God’s power helping them

achieve His will for their lives so they can

experience purpose, meaning, grace,

peace, joy, and freedom in this world.

If you are looking for a Christian-based

alcohol rehab, be sure to find out what

that means to the rehab facility. Do

they hold daily Bible studies, as well as

make use of prayer and opportunities

for Christian fellowship? Do they follow

Biblical principles and apply them to

transformed living in the individual and

group therapy sessions? Do they attend

Christian recovery groups instead of

regular AA groups? Some programs call

themselves Christian but don’t actually

make use of the power of God’s word to

help heal their heart and mind.

Staying SoberResidential alcohol rehab is not the

end of a person’s alcoholism. Life-long

abstinence is advised by many programs

following an alcohol dependency in order

to help the person avoid relapse into

their addictive patterns, dysfunctions,

and mindset.

There are various things a recovering

alcoholic can do to stay sober. Support

groups like Alcoholics Anonymous


or Christian support groups called

Celebrate Recovery are excellent

resources for those in need of long-

term encouragement in their sobriety.

Most support group meetings are free,

depending on the group and their

services, and groups generally meet

weekly, or even a few times a week for

extra support.

A customized recovery plan will be one

of the best tools for relapse. Your rehab

center should spend a great deal of time

preparing you for your return back into

the real world. A good program will teach

recovering addicts how to manage stress,

and how to stay sober, but also help

them develop life skills to keep maturing

and moving forward in life. A customized

treatment plan will help identify any

specific needs you or your loved one

might have (individual or marriage/family

counseling, job placement, education,

parenting classes), and put steps in place

to address those long-term needs.

Finally, relapse does happen, even

though we’d all like to avoid it. Relapsing

doesn’t mean the person will never

be able to achieve sustained recovery

or you have to go all the way back to

the beginning. It just means you made

a mistake. Confess to God and to

others and make a plan to get back on

track. Transformation doesn’t happen

overnight. Success comes from many

small victories, but occasional steps

back can occur. You determine how

far back you slide by being honest and

taking responsibility for your recovery.

It is important in the case of relapse to

not get frustrated, but to use the lessons

learned in prior rehab – and yes, even

during relapse – to assist in recovery the

next time.

It is helpful to have a fallback plan in

case relapse or other problems arise.

You will devote so much time and energy

into recovering from alcoholism that you

will want to know what to expect if things

don’t go as planned. Usually a fallback

plan will involve increasing the intensity

of your supports until life is stable and

could be entering rehab again, or going

to see a counselor more frequently. Your

rehab center can help you establish

various fallback plans.


HOW TO PAY for ALCOHOL REHAB

Cost is a definite barrier for those in need of alcoholism treatment. Some expensive rehabs with elaborate accommodations provide

specialized treatment, while other expensive rehabs with elaborate accommodations provide poor programming by unqualified staff,

giving you a poor return on your investment. However, even though some rehabs have a luxury price, other affordable and effective alcohol

residential rehab options are available when you understand the healthcare system and the differences between the various types of rehabs. Plenty of programs are affordable, accept your insurance, are

willing to work with you on charges, and most importantly, will give you the essential treatment services, leading to the results you need.


There are different ways to pay for rehab,

and just as with any expense in life, the

pros and cons must be weighed with

each option. Most people find they need

to use a combination of resources to pay

for rehab, including insurance, private pay

from savings, loans, credit cards, asking

loved ones, or even asking your church for

financial help. It is important to remember

the cost of rehab is minuscule when

compared to the costs and damages

years of alcoholism has on a person’s life.

The health benefits, cost savings, no legal

costs, improved relationships, enhanced

work productivity, spiritual growth, and

emotional well-being are all better off

when a person chooses to invest in rehab

rather than continue in their addiction.

INSURANCEInsurance coverage has come a long way

with regard to addiction treatment. Even

though some insurance companies save

money by not offering mental health or

addiction coverage, thanks in part to the

Affordable Care Act, larger companies

will now consider covering the cost of

mental and behavioral health services

just as with any other medical condition.

This is assuming the treatment meets

the insurance company’s criteria of being

medically necessary.

If you have insurance, this would be the

place to start to minimize your out-of-

pocket expense. Unfortunately, insurance

benefits are extremely confusing. Most

people believe insurance either covers

more than it actually does, or they think

they have less coverage than they

really do. When you call your insurance

company, they try to direct you to the

cheapest local option. The best way

to understand exactly what you can

expect your insurance company to pay

is to talk to a professional who has lots

of experience and understanding of

the treatment system, works with many

insurances, and doesn’t work for your

insurance company. These individuals

deal with this every day, and they can help

you make sense of all your benefits.

Every insurance company has their own

criteria for determining the intensity,

duration, and cost they are willing to pay

for the services you need and desire.

Many want to start at a cheaper option,

especially if you never had treatment

before. For example, some insurance

companies will only cover outpatient,

not inpatient treatment. Others will

cover outpatient only after the person

has completed inpatient rehab. Some

insurance companies will only cover a

certain length of rehab stay, or services

provided by certain facilities in their

network. The first rule is: check your

insurance coverage.


Medicaid and Medicare are very selective

and restrictive in their policies, nor do

they pay very much, so most rehabs do

not accept Medicaid or Medicare. But

when they do approve a facility, they will

often pay for most of a 30 day residential

rehab stay. Ask at your treatment facility

or use SAMHSA’s treatment locator to

look for facilities that accept government-

supported plans.

CASH or PRIVATE PAYNot everyone has insurance, or wants to

go to the limited facilities in their insurance

network, so cash or private pay is also an

option for paying for rehab. Costs for rehab

will likely be different (lower) when you are

paying out-of-pocket as the facility doesn’t

have to fill out all the billing paperwork or

wait for payment. Some facilities charge on

a sliding scale based on income. Payment

plans are also an option for some. Some

state, community, or faith-based ministry

programs are low cost, but they keep

their cost low by not offering the medical

level of care for someone needing detox,

or licensed therapists for the intensive

psychological help often needed to recover

from alcoholism.

LOANS for TREATMENTTreatment can be costly if you have to pay

out-of-pocket, and some people take out

a loan for treatment. The best loan is to

use your home equity line if possible as

this will be the lowest interest rate. Some

facilities can connect you to loan options.

Other people use their credit card to

charge a large copay, deductible, or part of

treatment not covered by insurance. Loans

are a great option if you anticipate getting

back to work shortly after rehab, so you can

begin paying off the loan. Even if you have

to take out a loan, you will still save money

in the long run by getting treatment rather

than continuing to incur costs while in your

addiction.

HOW to STARTAll this can be overwhelming, so we will

walk you through finding out how you will

be able to pay for alcohol rehab.

First, get your insurance information

together (policy number, group number,

primary policy holder, birthdate, Medicaid

or Medicare information, and phone

numbers for your insurance company, etc.).

You can start to look up coverage on your

own, but you will have much more accurate

answers if you call up a treatment center

or a placement service, and see what they

can find out for you about your insurance

coverage.

Second, learn about the costs of different

types of treatment by calling and very

openly discussing what a facility offers


and charges. Ask what is included and

what you pay extra for. Detox is the most

expensive portion, then residential rehab,

then outpatient rehab. Medical detox

is more costly than outpatient detox.

Understand that if you have your eyes on

a vacation-like treatment center on the

beach or in another prime location, you will

pay much more. For a summary of costs

you can expect with each level of care,

Third, apply for loans if necessary. Talk to

your bank or mortgage company, or ask

at the treatment center for suggestions of

institutions that might give you a loan. Or,

check into Care Credit or a similar program

that gives you money up front with no

interest for six months to a year.

Finally, don’t be afraid to talk to family

members or your church leadership about

your need. Depending on your history, your

family might be leery to give you money

right now. Don’t blame them for this.

However, if you have done your research

and enrolled in a treatment program, you

can demonstrate to them that you are

serious about your recovery. They might

just be willing to help out when they see

you are committed to recovery and want

to overcome your addiction, putting all its

mistakes and costs behind you. Tell them

they can pay the facility directly in case

they don’t trust you handling the money.

You can offer to pay the money back once

you are on your feet again.

STAY INFORMEDYou as the patient have a right to know

what to expect with treatment, and what

charges you will see for your rehab. Don’t

be too shy, proud, or embarrassed to

ask questions. Be especially careful with

optional services. Some centers might

charge extra for a single room, laundry

services, or specialty therapies. You don’t

need all the extras you will be offered. If

you are concerned about cost, cut out as

many of the extra perks as you can, and

stick with a basic, but solid, treatment plan.

You might need to look into a different

level of care or even a state-run program

if you can’t afford an elaborate a la carte

program.

If you invest your time and attention into

even a basic faith-based program, you

will see the results you want.


INSURANCE COVERAGE for ALCOHOL REHAB

If you are unable to stop your alcohol use and are investigating various alcohol rehabs, you have many decisions to make regarding what rehab

facility is the best first step of your treatment and recovery journey. The important decisions are influenced by the treatment you need.

But unfortunately, the practical decisions are influenced by not only the cost of treatment but whether or not your insurance company will cover your treatment, or you will have to come up with financing on your own.

Understanding insurance coverage can be difficult and frustrating, and the best way to really know what you are entitled to is to contact your treatment facility directly. Some insurance plans will pay for nearly all of

your residential alcohol rehab, while others will only cover a portion. Alcoholism treatment is complex, takes time, and requires multiple

services such as medical tests, medication, acute detox, residential and outpatient care. As you plan for each phase of your recovery, you will want

to fully understand what you can expect from your insurance company and what you will have to pay yourself.


USING INSURANCE for ALCOHOL REHABWhen you hear a month of medical model

residential rehab can cost from $9,000 to

$40,000 per month, figuring out how to

pay for alcohol rehab might seem like a

daunting task, but the best place to start

is looking at your insurance. If you have

either group insurance through work,

private insurance, or a state program,

it is best to understand your coverage

and benefits before you look any further.

People often try to sift through all the

paperwork, benefits books, and handouts

to determine what part of rehab their

insurance will cover, but they quickly

find themselves overwhelmed by the

confusing vocabulary and all the fine print.

To really understand your coverage,

you could call your insurance company

directly, but be aware that they will want

to pay out as little as possible, so their

answers will be a bit biased and vague,

and will not alert you to all your options.

Better yet, call an alcohol rehab and enlist

the help of the professionals there. These

experts deal with insurance companies

every day, and they will help you get the

most out of your insurance coverage. The

first step is determining your insurance

coverage. After you know that, you can

begin to build your treatment plan, and

find additional methods for payment, if

necessary.

It is important to deal with a facility with

a good reputation that will stand by the

financial information they relay to you.

Many rehabs are only primarily interested

in the money, will tell you your payment is

one amount, but then bill you for a much

higher amount when you are discharged.

PRIVATE AND GROUP INSURANCEThe Affordable Care Act (ACA), passed

in 2010, requires insurance companies

to cover behavioral and mental health

services as completely as they cover

other medical conditions. This means that

if the company covers 90% of medical

services after a deductible is met, this

should be the coverage for addiction

treatment as well. Under the ACA,

addiction is no longer considered a pre-

existing condition for insurance purposes.

The bottom line is insurance holders now

can enjoy better coverage for their alcohol

rehab. The result is that more Americans

can get the treatment they need for things

like addiction and mental health services.

They just need to know how to navigate

through the insurance maze.


Even though this is the law, some

insurance companies and smaller

employers don’t have to comply, and

to keep costs down, won’t offer mental

health or addiction coverage. Again,

these loopholes make it important for

you to have someone who knows the

system talk to your insurance company

directly and on your behalf to get to the

bottom of what coverage you have and

what is the best ethical way to access the

coverage you have been paying for or

promised.

Keep in mind that better or high premium

insurance usually provides more options

while covering more services at a higher

percentage. Insurance companies can

still only pay for a portion of a person’s

medical services, depending on the

amount of coverage the employer

purchased. Some high premium and

better insurance plans will cover all

or nearly all of an individual’s detox,

inpatient, and outpatient rehab. An

individual with a lower premium pays less

monthly for insurance, but can expect to

have to pay for more of their rehab out-

of-pocket.

Other variables in your treatment costs

are the deductible and copay. The

deductible, similar to a car insurance

deductible, is a dollar amount you have

to pay first before the insurance will pay.

Usually a cheaper premium has a higher

deductible. The copay is an amount

you are co-paying with the insurance

company. For residential stay, a copay

can be several hundred to several

thousand dollars. Some residentials are

able to waive or lessen this. It is good to

have someone who knows the system

negotiate on your behalf. Outpatient

copays might be $10-75 depending on

whether it is an MD or a therapist.

MEDICAREMedicare is a federal government-

sponsored plan for individuals over the

age of 65 or who have a chronic disability.

Medicare is for those on social security,

either for retirement or disability, and

provides medical and mental health

insurance. In general, Medicare covers

the majority of the cost of addiction

treatment. However, since Medicare

does not reimburse the facility like

other insurances, has many restrictions

and requirements, and is difficult for

treatment centers to work with, most

treatment centers do not accept

Medicare payments. Due to restrictions

on what type of care and length of

treatment Medicare will cover, it is helpful

to contact your treatment center or a

qualified placement specialist to find out

specifics.


MEDICAID, ALSO CALLED MEDICAL ASSISTANCEFor low income individuals and families,

Medicaid provides much-needed health

coverage, including mental health

services. Each state is in charge of their

own Medicaid and creates their own

regulations, so leaving the state for

treatment with Medicaid is not allowed.

Also, because of the many regulations

and the low reimbursement to the

treatment providers, very few facilities

or agencies accept Medical Assistance.

It is important to call the number on

your Medicaid card to find out the clinics

or rehab facilities in your area that

will accept your Medicaid or medical

assistance. You can also call your local

hospital’s Emergency Department,

and ask to speak with the Addiction

Crisis worker, and they can tell you the

number for the clinic or rehab facility

which accepts your Medicaid. Lastly, you

can call the facility you are interested in

to see if they accept your state’s Medical

Assistance.

Because of the ACA, Medicaid coverage

for addiction and mental health services

has been greatly improved. Today,

Americans on Medicaid can expect

to receive the same kind of coverage

for their alcohol addiction rehab as for

any other health condition. Under the

ACA, when you receive treatment from

a Medicaid provider, covered services

generally include screening, family

counseling, inpatient detox, residential

rehab, intervention services, and even

medications and are usually fully

covered by Medicaid.

WHAT PRIVATE INSURANCE COVERSThe American Medical Association now

recognizes addiction as a disease, thus

insurance companies are required to

cover costs associated with treating

this illness. However, no two insurance

companies are alike, and coverage can

vary drastically, even from one person

to the next depending on what your

employer chooses and sometimes what

you have chosen.

The key phrase you will commonly hear

is Medical Necessity. Medical Necessity

is the term insurance companies use

to distinguish or stamp the services

they deem medically necessary for

alcoholism treatment from the services

that might be nice or beneficial, but

they believe aren’t medically necessary.

Insurance will only pay for the medically


necessary services. Reviews by the

insurance company are done every

few days and the insurance evaluates,

based on your improvements, what

services they feel are truly medically

necessary, and thus what they will pay

for.

So as we discuss all the following

services, keep in mind that your

insurance might list them as covered

services, but only if they are deemed

by your insurance, NOT your treatment

provider or facility, as medically

necessary at that moment. The

following are common services needed

for addiction treatment – check with

your preferred rehab choice to see if

these costs will be covered for you.

Assessment or Screening

The first step to getting treatment is

often an initial level of care assessment.

This determines how advanced the

alcohol addiction is and how what level

or intensity of treatment is needed.

Physicians and therapists are screening

right in their offices for things like

alcoholism, drug addiction, and mental

health issues. With these services being

covered more completely by insurance,

this means a greater number of people

are being directed to treatment for their

addiction earlier, which means less

suffering, more hope, and an easier

path to a full recovery.

Medical Tests

As part of the initial assessment or

ongoing treatment process, treatment

providers often conduct a series of

medical tests, like blood and urine

tests, or brain imaging, like CT or

MRI. These are helpful for assessing

the patient’s alcoholism, diagnosing

medical or psychiatric conditions,

and determining the type of detox,

psychiatric, and medical treatment that

is needed. Depending on your benefits,

most, if not all of these tests, could be

covered.

Detox

Because detox is primarily a medical

treatment, some insurance companies

will cover detox from the medical

benefit, and some from the mental

health benefit. So detox can sometimes

be sticky if you or your employer

has tried to save on the premium by

cutting our mental health coverage.

Most insurances cover detox, but they

might not cover the intensity of medical

supervision at higher end facilities or

might limit the days they will cover.

Usually 4-7 days are needed. Some


plans fully cover medical detox, while

others only allow for non-medical detox.

It is important that you enroll in the type

of detox you need for your own safety

and wellbeing, so ask what is the highest

level of detox your insurance will cover.

Medication

Medication is used during detox and

in many instances after detox to curb

cravings, treat medical problems from

the alcoholism, or psychiatric issues like

anxiety or depression that often occur

with alcoholism. Medications are almost

always covered, but some insurances

do not cover the newer, more expensive

medications, so it is important to find out

if the medication is covered. If not, find

out if there is an alternate medication

they will cover to treat the same issue.

Inpatient Services

Insurance will usually cover at least part

of a person’s inpatient rehab. Restrictions

as to the length of treatment, facility

type, and different services covered will

usually vary, so check with the intake

professionals at your facility to clarify

what is included in the insurances daily

inclusive payment and what would be

an add on you would have to pay out-of-

pocket if you desired that treatment.

Partial Hospital Program (PHP) or

Intensive Outpatient (IOP)

A less structured level of care, this is 9-30

hours per week usually while living at

home, a recovery house, or supervised

apartments. This is mostly often covered

by insurance as long as you go to

someone in your insurance’s network

and only as long as your insurance feels

it is medically necessary (usually 3-8

weeks). Often times you will pay a copay

or be responsible for some portion, as

insurance will rarely cover 100% of the

outpatient fee.

Individual and group counseling

Like PHP or IOP care, individual and

group counseling is usually covered by

insurance, although some companies put

tight restrictions on session format, kind

of therapy, length of time, and frequency

of sessions. Again, insurance only covers

as long as you go to someone in your

insurance’s network and only as long

as your insurance feels it is medically

necessary. Often times you will pay some

copay or be responsible for some portion,

as insurance will rarely cover 100% of the

outpatient fee.

Christian or faith based treatment

Bringing in a divine component and

the healing principles and teachings


of Jesus and the Bible are the most

powerful and quickest way to recovery and

transformation. Insurance will pay for these

if they are part of a good therapy process

by licensed clinicians trained to integrate

Christian principles into sound cognitive

behavioral and psychodynamic therapies.

Insurance won’t pay for Bible studies,

prayer groups, or church services. Many

medical programs providing insurance

covered therapies soundly integrate

Biblical healing for great results.

HOW TO BEST UTILIZE YOUR COVERAGEMost people with insurance will find that

regular doctor visits are covered, and this

is a great place to start. Visit your doctor

for an assessment to help determine your

needs. Be very honest with how much you

use, the consequences and struggles in

your life, and your desire to stop drinking

but having trouble stopping without

intensive help. Your doctor can point you

in the right direction as far as the level

or intensity of care you should need, and

your visit will also be documented in your

medical records, showing your need for

rehab. Find out how to select the right

rehab for your needs here.

As much as cost is going to be a concern,

your recovery is determined by finding

the right rehab for your needs. You should

contact various rehab centers or a referral

organization to find what each facility offers

and how the program will work for you.

The most unbiased help you will get will

be from a case management or referral

agency that doesn’t own a facility. Once

they help you find the best option for your

addiction, find out if they accept your

insurance. If they don’t, you can look for

other rehabs that are similar to the one you

want that do accept your insurance.

Finally, be assertive and don’t be afraid,

embarrassed, or shy to ask questions to

find out what will and will not be covered

at your rehab of choice. If you find there

are too many extras that you want but your

insurance won’t cover, you might need to

limit your choices or be prepared to pay for

some of these services out-of-pocket.


WHEN IS IT TIME for ALCOHOL REHAB

People struggle with the question ‘when should I get help for my alcohol

addiction?’ all the time. A big reason is because alcoholism gradually sneaks up

on people. So when is it time for alcohol rehab? Residential rehab is essential

when a person has lost control over their drinking, has tried to stop and failed, or is

experiencing dangerous or detrimental effects on their everyday life because of their

drinking. But why wait until the alcohol use is so out of control or damaging?

More people should get help for their alcohol abuse before those glaring red flags.

Alcohol abuse itself is dangerous – drunk driving, accidents and injuries, seizures

from acute alcohol poisoning, and the consequences of poor decision making (affairs,

fights, misdemeanors, work and academic mistakes) while under the influence make

the habit of abusing alcohol one that should be addressed.

Plus, early intervention when it comes to alcohol abuse is the best way to prevent

alcoholism from developing. There is often a fine line that blurs very quickly between

alcohol use, alcohol abuse, and alcoholism.

If you or a loved one is struggling with drinking at any of these levels,

consider getting help.


WHEN DOES CASUAL ALCOHOL USE ESCALATE TO ABUSE and ALCOHOLISM?When you hear a month of medical

Alcoholism does not come out of the

blue – there are always behaviors and

issues that build up to alcoholism.

Casual alcohol use is fine for most if

the person drinking is responsible and

in control. When the person drinks

too much (drinking usually 5 or more

drinks on a single occasion for men or

4 or more drinks on a single occasion

for women, generally within about 2-4

hours), drinks too often, or loses control

when they drink, they are on the very

dangerous path of alcohol abuse. The

main clue is when the person drinks

to meet a need (feel good about

themselves, fit in with friends, numb

pain, escape, deal with stress) they have

dangerously crossed the line to alcohol

abuse.

Alcohol abuse, in turn, can lead to

alcoholism, where the person is

physically dependent on alcohol

(has withdrawal symptoms when not

drinking or needs more to get the

same effect) and will not or cannot

quit despite negative consequences.

The types of behavior that lead up to

alcoholism vary for each individual,

so some people can drink regularly

and not develop a dependence on the

substance, while others quickly become

addicted.

PHYSICAL SIGNS of ALCOHOLISMWarning signs can alert family

and close friends to the need for

alcoholism treatment. The following

symptoms are associated with ongoing

alcoholism, and should serve as a

warning that the person might need

help:

• Tolerance to alcohol, meaning they

need more to get the same high

• Temporary blackouts or memory

loss

• Headache, anxiety, insomnia, nausea

when drinking is stopped

• Flushed skin

• Broken capillaries especially in face

• Swelling or redness of the hands

•

•

•

TAKE the ALCOHOL USE DISORDER QUIZ ››

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http://lighthousenetwork.org/alcohol-rehab-guide/time-alcohol-rehab/


• Repeated skin infections or

abscesses

• Tingling in the hands and feet

• Shakiness

• Stomach cramps

• Stomach ulcers

• Bloody or black stools

• Chronic diarrhea

• Liver problems

• Strong cravings to drink

• Deterioration of hygiene and physical

appearance

PSYCHOLOGICAL SIGNS of ALCOHOLISMAlcoholism impacts every area of

a person’s life. The following are

psychological signs of alcoholism:

• Tolerance to alcohol, meaning they

need more to get the same high

• Deterioration of relationships with

family and friends

• Irritability and mood swings

• Depression

• Continuing to use alcohol to relax, or

feel normal

• Drinking alone

• Drinking more than the person

should or wants to

• Neglecting things that used to be

important to the person because of

drinking

• Increased risk taking

• Increased secrecy

• Insecurity

• Guilt

• Low self-esteem

• Hopelessness and Helplessness

• Cognitive difficulties with

concentration, attention,

organization, or memory

SOCIAL CONSEQUENCESThere are numerous consequences

surrounding alcohol abuse and

alcoholism. The alcoholic will find

it difficult to hold down a job, be a

positive part of their family, maintain

their responsibilities, and be financially

secure. An alcoholic will find that their

drinking makes others uncomfortable,

which is why many alcoholics end up

drinking alone. Their main relationship

is with alcohol and alcohol has pushed

all other deeper relationships out of

the person’s life. Learn more about the

impacts of alcoholism on relationships

here.


Alcoholism takes a huge toll on the family of the alcoholic, as they deal every day

with the consequences of this disease. Spouses, siblings, parents, and even children

end up taking care of the alcoholic, making excuses for them, and assuming their

responsibilities. Children of alcoholics often suffer the most, with family life that is

chaotic, unstructured, abusive, and neglectful. Families of alcoholics struggle with

work, school, and relationships. They experience a range of emotions, from anger and

disappointment to depression and fear, often walking on eggshells and living in a state

of uncertainty.

GETTING REHAB

Most people make the mistake of waiting too long to get help for alcohol addiction.

Getting to rehab earlier makes the entire process simpler as it is easier to reverse the

effects of the disease if it hasn’t completely taken over the person’s life.

But successful alcohol rehab can happen at any time, and it is better to get help no

matter how advanced the alcoholism is, as opposed to letting the alcoholism kill while

seriously damaging close loved ones.

If you or a loved one is caught up with alcohol abuse or

alcohol dependence, don’t wait for things to get worse.

Find a rehab program that can help you take back control.


SENDING A FAMILY MEMBER to REHAB

Even though having an alcoholic loved one can drive you crazy, loved ones often make a lot of excuses as to why their family member

should not or does not need to go to alcohol rehab. Treatment is too expensive, rehab doesn’t work, leaving would disrupt the family, missing

work loses money or risks getting fired, others will judge them, or the person and family can just handle this problem on their own.

All of these excuses are weak when you look at the cost of addiction, the way it destroys the person’s life, and how it contaminates the lives of

family and loved ones. Avoiding treatment is just not worth it. The only real answer to alcoholism is to get help that allows the person

to regain control of their life, stops the pain and loss, and nurtures growth and gain for themselves and their loved ones.

If your loved one is an alcoholic, they need help. You can help them by finding an alcohol rehab program which will meet their needs, by getting intervention help if they are refusing treatment,

and by becoming involved with their long term recovery plan.


RECOGNIZING WHEN A FAMILY MEMBER NEEDS HELPThe biggest mistake families make when

it comes to getting their loved one into

residential alcohol rehab is not acting

soon enough. Loved ones are really good

at making excuses for the alcoholic’s

behavior, often called enabling, and

trying to deny a problem exists. But by

not getting help when the issue becomes

apparent, families actually make it more

difficult for their loved one to recover.

The toxic effects of ongoing alcohol on

the brain combined with the impaired

decision-making as the addiction

progresses interferes with the alcoholic

processing their situation and making a

sound decision.

One school of thought regarding

addictions, including alcoholism,

assumes an alcoholic has to hit rock

bottom before they will accept treatment.

We would never look at any other illness,

like cancer or diabetes, and say, “Let’s

wait till they are at rock bottom, then we

will get them life-saving treatment.” When

presented in the same loving and caring

way with specifics about benefits of

going and risks of not going to treatment,

addicts will often go to treatment before

rock bottom arrives.

So what can you look for? What signs

will tell you for sure if your son, daughter,

parent, sibling, or spouse needs alcohol

treatment? First of all, look at the different

aspects of your loved one’s life. Do they

struggle with health, managing conflict,

finances, legal issues, work or academic

instability, family interactions, being

honest, handling their emotions, and

other responsibilities because of their

drinking? Are they missing the joy of life

or not engaging anymore in the healthy

activities that energize them or motivate

them? If so, they probably need help. If

they experience difficulties in other areas

of their life and they have tried to cut

back on their drinking and failed, they

definitely need help.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse

and Alcoholism has a self assessment

quiz your loved one can take to analyze

their drinking and their need for

treatment. Encourage them to take the

quiz and then discuss the results.

FINDING A REHAB to USEIf your loved one needs treatment for his

or her alcoholism, it is important for you

to know how you can help – and there

will be plenty of joyful and rewarding

ways for you to help in the weeks and


months ahead. The first thing you can do

is encourage their desire to get better

and have a different future. Pray with

them and for them. Pray God would grant

extra peace and strength as they go

through this significant life change.

The second step is look for a rehab.

Alcohol rehab programs come in all

different shapes and sizes, designed for

all different types of people. It’s not good

enough to guess at what rehab to use,

or to take the first option to come along.

The best way to find the right rehab is to

look at your loved one’s clinical situation

and needs. This means to analyze how

their physical, psychological, and spiritual

situation is playing into or affected by

their alcohol abuse or dependence and

then compare how the different treatment

options will address these clinical needs.

A good place to start is to ask your doctor

for help. A doctor can determine what

level of care your loved one needs, and

refer you to some quality programs.

Another option is to use a referral

service, where treatment professionals

will conduct a telephonic assessment of

your clinical situation and recommend

some programs that fit your insurance

or finances. If you aren’t comfortable

with any of the options your doctor or

a referring organization has given, you

can also look up treatment centers on

your own. SAMHSA has a database of

treatment centers that can help or google

search facilities by name or by ‘Christian

Addiction Helpline.’

Things to look for in an alcohol rehab include:Type of detox – Does the person need

medical detox or supervised detox?

Type of care – Does the person need

inpatient treatment vs. outpatient

treatment?

Customized treatment – Is the treatment

plan customizable to your loved ones

needs?

Faith-based treatment – Is there a

Christian component and is it integrated

into the regular group and individual

therapies?

Mental health care – Is psychiatric

evaluation and treatment available for co-

existing and underlying conditions?

Staff Credentials – Are they licensed or

masters level and above? In what fields of

study are their degrees? How comfortable

does the staff make you feel?

Facility – What amenities does the facility

have and my loved one need?

Cost – How much does the program

cost? Are there any hidden fees? Do they

work with my insurance? What are the

copays and my deductible?


Length of Program – How many days

is the program and what is the usual

length of stay for the average patient?

Life skills planning – Is there

opportunity for my loved one to learn

life skills?

Relapse prevention – Will staff help my

loved one incorporate a fallback plan?

Stepdown Transition – Does the facility

have a stepdown process to allow

my loved one to test their skills in a

supervised but less restricted setting

before coming home?

INTERVENTION

The biggest mistake families make

when it comes to getting their loved

one into residential alcohol rehab is

not acting soon enough.

- Dr. Karl Benzio

Unfortunately, the first time they are

approached by loved ones about

treatment, the majority of alcoholics

don’t want to give up their alcohol

and will either not see their need for

treatment or make excuses to not go.

Sometimes it takes time for the person

to come around to see the downward

progression of their life, and other times

the alcoholic repeatedly turns down

their opportunity to get help out of pride

or shame. If your loved one will not

respond positively to your requests to

seek help, an ‘Intervention’ is in order.

Intervention services provide help and

encouragement for families in lovingly

expressing their concern and presenting

options for change for their alcoholic

loved one. A professional interventionist

will meet with you and your family apart

from the alcoholic to learn about the

person’s addiction history, the family

dynamics, and need for treatment. The

interventionist will coach you on what

you should or should not say during the

intervention, and how best to approach

this very sensitive subject. They will

also help you explore your loved one’s

options for rehab facilities, and help you

establish a plan for getting your loved

one to treatment.

The goal is to help your loved realize

• They are loved

• Alcohol is robbing the alcoholic of

both their life and promising future,

• Treatment is available and can

restore the hope of a fulfilling life,

• The family is supportive of pursuing

treatment, and

• If the alcoholic doesn’t go to


treatment, the family will stop

enabling the addictive behavior

– by applying certain boundaries,

allowing the addict to fully feel the

consequences of their continued

alcohol dependence.

During the intervention, the

professional will either be present or

will be available via phone or Internet

connection to walk you through it.

Families find that having someone

experienced in intervention services

to consult with takes much of the

pressure off of loved ones and helps

ensure the confrontation is going as

well as possible.

GETTING to ALCOHOL REHABEither through a formal intervention or

a one-on-one discussion, when you

talk to your loved one about getting

help for their alcoholism, it is important

to have an alcohol rehab investigated

and selected and everything ready for

your loved one to go right away. As

soon as they agree to get help, you will

want to get them on their way, before

they change their mind. If they have too

much time to think about treatment,

fears and anxieties, as well as cravings

for alcohol, often derail a plan for

treatment.

As your loved one leaves for rehab,

you can rest assured they are getting

the help they (and your entire family)

really need. You can also take comfort

in the fact that you as the loved one can

help make recovery a success. You can

participate in establishing the treatment

plan, you can attend family therapy,

you can provide encouragement and

prayer, and you can work on your own

needs and issues at home. Your added

effort during your loved one’s recovery

will make their transition back home an

easier one.

POST TREATMENT SUPPORTThe final step in rehab is the return

home and relapse prevention. Your

loved one will need post treatment

support from you, other family

members, their treatment team, and

the recovery community. You can help

by encouraging sobriety, by eliminating

alcohol and temptations to drink from

your home, and helping your loved

one get to meetings and sessions. Your

loved one should definitely continue


meeting with their therapists, and should get involved with a support group like Alcoholics

Anonymous or Celebrate Recovery to further aid in their sobriety.

Unfortunately, in rare instances, even though you have managed all the things you can

control to exert a strong, positive, and Godly influence on your loved one’s struggle with

life and addiction, they will still reject that influence and go their own destructive way.

Even though you are sad, you can feel secure and confident you did the best you could

and know they are in God’s hands for their future peace.

Recovery is a long, complex and rewarding journey, but you’ll occasionally endure days you wonder if it is worth it. In the end,

your positive influence helping your loved one give up their addiction and enjoy all the benefits of sobriety is well worth the effort you put into it.


WHAT to EXPECT DURING ALCOHOL REHAB

Finally, your loved one has taken the huge step and agreed to check into an alcohol residential rehab. You and your family will experience

apprehension, questions, and fear. But if you and your family know what to expect, the process will be much easier and less scary for you and your loved one. It is important for you to educate yourself as much as possible about what rehab will be like, the logistics, what the steps to recovery are,

and what your loved one will be going through.

To find out specifically what the treatment days will be like, contact your loved one’s rehab facility and ask them for details of the

schedule and what happens for each activity on the schedule. We have laid out some basics of what to expect below.


TRAVELING to THE TREATMENT CENTERThe first task to navigate is physically

transporting your loved one to the

alcohol rehab. If you’ve chosen the

best facility with the most treatment

benefits for your loved one’s needs at

the price you and your insurance agree

to, chances are it is not in your local area.

Some travel out of you area is necessary.

This is alright because so many more

treatment options are available when

you open your search to rehabs out of

your area. Leaving the area for rehab is

preferable and, in fact, recommended

by professionals because of the many

advantages for a more successful

treatment outcome than going to rehab

close to home (see more here).

Most treatment centers will help

arrange travel for your loved one, but

occasionally, you will need to make

arrangements on your own. Determine

how responsible your loved one is and

their medical state first, and then make

travel arrangements accordingly. The

quickest trip possible avoids layovers at

a bar. Attitude and behavior determine

whether they need to be supervised, and

if so, who is their chaperone. If booking

a flight for your loved one, let the airline

know they have a medical condition and

you can pass through security all the

way to the gate to ensure they get on

their plane. Or, you could take your loved

one to rehab yourself, so you can see the

facility and meet the staff.

Travel to rehab is not something that

insurance will usually pay for, but you

can use other methods (loan, borrow

from loved ones, or self pay) to cover this

cost. If you work with a professional case

management service, they will usually

arrange for travel and they often have

expertise in negotiating with the facility

to roll some of the travel cost into the

treatment fee to minimize your cost.

CHECK INWhen your loved one checks into

their alcohol rehab, the first thing

the admissions department at a

good treatment center will do is an

assessment. Getting a lot of background

information on the person and doing

a physical exam, a mental health

evaluation, and some blood work starts

the treatment ball rolling. Your loved

one’s medical and psychiatric stability,

nutritional needs to restore their body,

psychological talk therapy treatment

plan, and best treatment group that fits


their needs will be assigned. Learn about

the different options for treatment here.

The most important initial step is

determining what type of detox your

loved one should be enrolled in, and

how well their body will be able to

handle withdrawal. Most alcoholics

who are assessed will need medical

detox with medical personnel 24/7, or

at least supervised detox so they can

be monitored closely for any dangerous

withdrawal effects.

It is important during the check in

process and assessment that your loved

one be honest and willing to open up

so nothing is missed or overlooked.

This will ensure they will help get the

best treatment possible and have the

best chance of insurance paying for the

treatment they receive.

DETOXThe first treatment phase of alcohol

rehab is detox. Once it has been

determined what kind of detox your

loved one needs, they will be taken

to the detox wing, or in some cases, a

hospital, to withdraw safely from alcohol.

Your loved one will be provided with

supportive care for their withdrawal

symptoms and nutritious meals in

a comfortable, monitored setting.

Depending on their withdrawal severity,

level of care, and medical health, they

might be monitored closely by medical

staff and given medications to ease

withdrawal symptoms. Most patients

need 4 -7 days in detox before they are

ready to move on to the next phase of

recovery, psychotherapy.

The first signs of alcohol withdrawal

begin 4 to 12 hours after the last drink.

Physical signs include shakiness,

sweating, nausea, vomiting, headache,

seizure, and insomnia. Psychological

detox symptoms include visual, auditory,

or tactile (feeling weird sensations

on your body) hallucinations, anxiety,

irritability, depression, anger, and social

isolation.

The most severe symptoms of alcohol

withdrawal occur 48 to 72 hours after the

last drink. Delirium Tremens (DTs) causes

disorientation, confusion, severe anxiety,

intense hallucinations, dangerously

high blood pressure, seizures, irregular

heartbeat, low-grade fever, and severe

tremors. These symptoms can be life-

threatening, and need to be addressed

by medical staff immediately, which is

why many alcoholics are advised to go

through detox in a medical setting.


Withdrawal severity peaks around 72-96

hours after the last drink, and then their

medical condition improves over the next

few days and the medical supervision

is not needed. However, they might

go into the next phase of treatment on

some medications to facilitate a smooth

transition off alcohol. Even though the

medical danger is over, it can take 6-12

months to purge the brain from all the

toxic effects alcohol has on brain cells

so your loved one can truly think, feel,

process, and make decisions with a fully

healthy brain. So encourage them to

hang in there as life will get easier and

better as their brain heals.

Detox (detoxification) helps your loved

one cleanse their body of the drugs

and alcohol they have been using, but

it will do little to keep them sober for

any length of time. For that, they need

skills to process life and make better

decisions.

- Dr. Karl Benzio

PSYCHOTHERAPYDetox (detoxification) helps your loved

one cleanse their body of the drugs

and alcohol they have been using, but

it will do little to keep them sober for

any length of time. For that, they need

skills to process life and make better

decisions. Psychotherapy facilitates

real change, as the person comes

to understand who they are, their

addiction, what caused it, what allowed

it to continue, and how to change their

thoughts and attitudes to allow for

long-term sobriety. There are many

different types of psychotherapy – some

are effective and some are a bunch of

fluff. Below are some therapies that are

proven to produce real life results.

Behavioral Therapy (or Behavior

Modification). This is the most common

form of talk therapy in rehabs. It is the

simplest but the least effective. The

focus is modifying a person’s behaviors

to treat their alcoholism. An example

would be: change your behavior of

driving a certain route home so you don’t

drive by the bar you are tempted to go

into for happy hour. Modifying behaviors

is important, but if you don’t work on the

deeper issue, you will just find a new bar

on your new route. Behavior therapy is

easy to teach so facilities with minimally

qualified counselors, like someone with

a certificate in addictions counseling, will

have this as the main form of therapy,

and it leads to quick relapse.


Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

This deeper therapy is the foundation for

most lasting success and is a method for

dealing with the faulty thought patterns

which lead to dysfunctional behaviors.

Addiction is a person’s unhealthy coping

system for their inner struggles, whether

real or perceived. If the addict is given the

training and tools to change their negative

thought (cognition) patterns, they can

learn to deal with stress and conflict in

a healthy way that doesn’t involve drug

or alcohol behaviors. Masters level or

licensed therapists are more often trained

in this therapy so you want to make sure of

the therapists’ credentials and style.

Trauma Therapy. Alcoholism and drug

addiction commonly have their beginnings

in traumatic experiences, or are somehow

fueled by various traumatic events. During

trauma therapy, the patient learns how to

uncover, re-process in a more accurate

way, and deal with unresolved trauma in

a therapeutic setting; in essence bringing

healing into those dark past wounds.

This therapy recognizes the individual in

recovery as resilient and as possessing

the ability to continue on and take control

of their life despite challenges. Trauma

therapy can be messy and should only be

done by a licensed Masters level or above

therapist with experience and expertise. If

not, the damage could be worse than the

original traumas.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).

An offshoot of CBT, DBT is a cognitive

behavioral treatment that teaches being

in the moment, managing stress, dealing

effectively with others, and regulating

emotions. Individuals learn basic skills

to identify and cognitively process their

emotions so emotions won’t overwhelm

or frighten the individual. Emotions are

important to enjoying life and making

decisions, but many don’t know how

to handle their uncomfortable feelings

so they use alcohol to numb, escape,

or self-medicate these feelings. DBT

slows our mind down so we can manage

emotions and incorporate them into a

healthy decision making system for lasting

success. DBT is intricate and should only

be done by a licensed Masters level or

above therapist with experience and

expertise.

Christian Therapy. A true Christian

therapy program will help individuals

transform their lives through a closer

relationship with God, accessing His

divine power. But faith-based therapy is

not just for the religious – it has beneficial

qualities for everyone. Building powerfully

on CBT, in order to retrain and correct your


thinking, a patient must determine what

values, morals, and set of absolutes

they will adopt and base their thinking

on. Through Bible study, prayer,

reflection on God’s will, and learning

His life-management instructions,

individuals renew their thinking based

on our Creator’s guidelines, and then

experience peace in God’s forgiveness

of their past wrongs, love in their Savior

Jesus Christ, and new life in the Holy

Spirit. As you can imagine, without

Christian therapy’s attributes, CBT, DBT,

and trauma therapy are limited, but with

Christian therapy, those other therapies

are deeper and more powerful and

research shows, more successful for

lasting recovery and transformation.

Social/Educational. Another model

for addiction treatment is the social

and educational model. Under this

type of therapy, addiction is seen in

the context of upbringing and social

influences. During social/educational

based therapy, the addict re-learns

how to interact with others in a

positive way, stressing socialization

and communication. This therapy

also focuses on educating the person

in recovery, helping them learn and

practice life skills along with making

positive choices.

DISCHARGE OR POST-TREATMENT PLAN for RELAPSE PREVENTIONMost facilities call this After Care, but it

can also be called the Transformation

Plan because no therapy is effective

if it only applies to the here and now.

In order for your loved one to stay

sober after rehab, they must continue

to grow, mature, or transform by

applying what they learned in therapy

to their life. The best way to prevent

relapse is to establish a practical

post-treatment plan they understand

and can implement. With ongoing

transformation, addiction temptation

continues to melt because they are

excited about where they are going and

don’t want to go backwards. Your loved

one should make a post-treatment plan

with their therapists while still in rehab.

Then, when they return home, you can

help them stick to that plan and provide

encouragement in their sobriety and

exciting transformation.


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