Top 3 Considerations When Choosing Between Alcohol Rehab Centers

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Types of Alcohol Rehab Facilities

Some facilities offer one type of treatment, but many individuals have a more fulfilling experience and better recovery outcomes in an all-encompassing alcohol rehab center. These types of centers offer a step-down treatment program where you stay with the same treatment team and facility from detox to outpatient counseling.¹

1. Detox Treatment Facility

Before you begin working on why’s you often must first eliminate all alcohol from your system, especially if you have severe and medically significant physical dependence on alcohol. This is done in a detoxification facility, which is a clinical setting that offers you round-the-clock access to medical professionals.² When choosing an alcohol detox center, determine which type of detox you need: ²

Rapid detox treatment
Medication management to help you avoid withdrawal symptoms
Non-medication management assistance except for treatment of physical symptoms (e.g., medication to treat headaches and sleep issues)
Detox combined with individual and group therapies

2. Inpatient Rehab Facility

Inpatient rehab is considered a “step down” from detox. In this type of treatment, you reside at the rehab center during treatment. Inpatient provides the opportunity for healing while also helping you to develop healthier coping skills.

When choosing an inpatient rehab, think about the areas in which you need the most help. Factors to consider include:³

Credentials of the staff with whom you will be working. Are they licensed in the therapy methods you hope to receive? Do they have experience with patients like you? (e.g., individuals with polysubstance use disorder, patients in your age group or individuals entering treatment for a second time)
Types of therapies offered, including individual, group, alternative, holistic, peer support, etc.
Curriculums offered
Availability of medication assistance to control cravings and ease withdrawal symptoms, as well as any other medical concerns you have (e.g., mental health conditions or physical conditions that require frequent lab work and medication adjustments)
Access to medical care at appropriate intervals for your health needs
Dual diagnosis treatment, or the ability to treat mental health and addiction conditions at the same time
Ability to treat individuals in your demographic, such as whether the facility accepts teenagers

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3. Residential Treatment or Sober Living Facilities

Remaining abstinent from alcohol while in detox and inpatient rehab can be simplified because you have readily available resources and no access to alcohol. However, success in inpatient treatment is not always a predictor of readiness to return home.³

If you have not adequately practiced the skills you learned while in inpatient rehab, you may struggle to confront the challenges and triggers of your everyday life. You will have the opportunity for this practice at a residential treatment facility or sober living home. When considering a residential or sober home, consider the following:³

Structure of the program
Ability to get a job outside of the home
Rules and expectations
Ability to continue medication management, therapies and support groups
Ability to and expectations for transitioning to outpatient counseling when ready to leave

4. Outpatient Counseling

Outpatient counseling programs offer varying levels of treatment for AUD. Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) and partial hospitalization programs (PHP) offer the most support, allowing you to attend 10 or more hours every week while working with a counselor and peers through individual, group, and family therapies. Outpatient counseling offers you an opportunity to continue to develop healthier coping skills and work on your relapse prevention plan.⁴

Individual outpatient counseling allows you to work one-on-one with an alcohol treatment professional. Typically, you will meet with your counselor once or twice a week and work on developing the skills you need to overcome an alcohol use disorder.⁴

Some outpatient programs may be offered at the same facility you completed your detox or inpatient treatment and may be led by the same therapists you have previously worked with, helping to ensure continuity of care.

Types of Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder

Techniques used in group and individual therapy provide practical tools and strategies to help you to identify triggers, manage intense emotions and apply effective relapse prevention skills. are the methods and lessons used to teach you skills to identify triggers, cope with intense emotions, and implement relapse prevention tips. Many of the most successful therapeutic approaches are evidence-based, meaning they are supported by peer-reviewed research demonstrating their effectiveness in promoting long-term recovery outcomes. Below are several treatment modalities to consider when choosing an alcohol rehab center.⁵

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on changing your thought patterns that contribute to your addiction. CBT is a method that can be combined with many other treatments to strengthen your ability to maintain sobriety.⁵

Contingency Management Therapy

Contingency management therapy (CMT) uses rewards to improve your motivation to stay sober. Incentives have been used for many years to encourage positive behavior. They can do the same when learning to maintain addiction recovery.⁵

Motivational Interviewing

Not everyone entering treatment is fully motivated to do all it takes to remain sober. Motivational interviewing (MI) enables you to find your personal, internal motivation for sobriety that is separate from family expectations, doctor recommendations and other external motivators. MI lets you take control over your recovery.⁵

Matrix Model

The Matrix Model of treatment was initially created for those with stimulant use disorders. However, over time, it has been adapted to meet the treatment needs of other substance use disorders, including AUD. The Matrix Model focuses on incorporating multiple treatment techniques for education, early relapse skills and relapse prevention. Through group and individual therapies, you and your family receive the necessary treatment to help you stay sober.⁶

12 Step and Support Groups

A 12-step program, such as the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 12 Steps, offers a guide to helping you maintain long-term sobriety. The original AA 12 Steps were created for those with AUD and have helped millions on their recovery journey. Most treatment facilities offer some type of 12-step or other peer support groups to help you connect with others struggling with an addiction to alcohol.⁶

Additional Factors to Consider Before Picking an Alcohol Treatment Program

Before choosing an alcohol treatment program, speak with one of their admissions representatives. Ask questions and share with them any concerns you have about treatment, their program and facility.

Cost

Choosing the most appropriate treatment facility involves evaluating its accessibility and how well it fits your current circumstances. This includes taking a look at the cost and ensuring it aligns with your needs.⁸

Costs vary between treatment facilities. Many individuals find conventional inpatient rehab treatment cost-prohibitive. However, many treatment facilities understand that cost can be a barrier and offer alternatives to paying out of pocket for their programs. Some facilities:⁸

Offer scholarships or grants based on income and medical need
Accept county or state funding
Take payment plans
Offer discounts, such as sliding scales based on income
Accept insurance plans

If your insurance covers alcohol rehab, you may still need to get preauthorization before starting a program. Most insurance plans cover addiction treatment, but some may put restrictions on the type of program you may enroll in and if they deem your treatment medically necessary.

Cost can also vary based on the length of your treatment program.⁸ Length of stay can range from a few days to a few months or longer. You will need to consider how long you can stay at each level of treatment. The longer you stay in some form of treatment, the more support you will have to stay sober. Those who receive more treatment have a higher chance of addiction recovery success.⁸

Location

The location of the facility may also be a consideration before choosing an alcohol rehab center. If you have family who may be willing to participate in family therapy, you may prefer a center closer to your home. However, if you find a treatment facility that meets all your needs except location, select it. You can get family therapy later as you transition into outpatient care.

Alternative and Holistic Therapies

Consider whether they offer any alternative or holistic therapies. These approaches teach you to use and apply specific therapeutic techniques for the rest of your life to manage stress, reduce anxiety and support overall well-being. When your mind and body are healthy, you are far more resilient and better equipped to prevent relapse. Some of these approaches include:

Massage therapy
Meditation and mindfulness practices
Yoga practices
Exercise, especially mindful and joyful movement
Acupuncture and acupressure
Naturopathic medicine, which is a philosophy based on the ideas of self-healing and natural remedies
Ayurvedic medicine, which combines nutrition, movement and lifestyle principles based on traditional Indian health care

Luxury rehabs are more likely to offer a range of alternative therapies in addition to evidence-based therapies.

Reputation

When searching for the right alcohol rehab center, the reputation of the program is something you should consider.

Look for reviews of treatment facilities and find out what former residents say about their programs. You can also ask for recommendations from your primary care provider or a mental health therapist. Also consider any accreditations or certifications the facility has received, as well as licensures.

We can help you find the right alcohol use disorder treatment program. Call 800-948-8417 Sponsored to talk to our addiction treatment specialists and discuss your needs. We are here 24/7 to help you get the care you need.

Resources

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). Types of Treatment Programs.
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. (2006). Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US). Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 45.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); Office of the Surgeon General (US). (2016). Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health – Chapter 6: Health Care Systems and Substance Use Disorders. Washington (DC): US Department of Health and Human Services
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. (2006). Substance Abuse: Clinical Issues in Intensive Outpatient Treatment – Chapter 4: Services in Intensive Outpatient Treatment Programs. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 47.
Carroll, K. M., & Onken, L. S. (2005). Behavioral therapies for drug abuse. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 162(8), 1452–1460.
Eghbali, H., Zare, M., Bakhtiari, A., Monirpoor, N., & Ganjali, A. (2013). The effectiveness of matrix interventions in improving methadone treatment. International Journal of High-Risk Behaviors & Addiction, 1(4), 159–165.
Anton R. F. (2008). Naltrexone for the management of alcohol dependence. The New England Journal of Medicine, 359(7), 715–721.
Broome, K. M., Knight, D. K., Joe, G. W., & Flynn, P. M. (2012). Treatment program operations and costs. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 42(2), 125–133.
US Department of Health and Human Services. (2021). Complimentary, Alternative, or Integrative Health: What’s in a Name? National Institute of Health. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.