If you’re struggling with alcoholism, alcohol outpatient treatment might seem like a great option. Outpatient treatment for addiction allows you to seek treatment on your own schedule, so you don’t have to take weeks or months away from work and your family to seek help. But alcohol outpatient treatment isn’t right for everyone. Here’s what you should know about alcohol outpatient treatment.
You Might Still Need to Go to Alcohol Detox
If you’re physically dependent on alcohol, it can be very dangerous to try to quit drinking without medical supervision. While only a small percentage of alcoholics experience deadly withdrawal symptoms, they are possible. If you’ve been drinking heavily for a long time – especially if you’re accustomed to drink every day – you should have medical supervision during your detox from alcohol. Outpatient alcohol detox is best for people who do not have a long history of alcoholism or who do not drink every day.
You Need Willpower to Make Alcohol Outpatient Treatment Work
While outpatient treatment is just as effective as inpatient treatment for people who complete their programs, completing the program is vital – and that can be harder to do if the only thing standing between you and another drink is your willpower. Alcohol outpatient treatment won’t provide the kind of supervision you’ll get in inpatient treatment, so you need to be willing and able to stop yourself from drinking. If you can’t, outpatient treatment might not be right for you.
Treatment Will Occupy a Huge Chunk of Your Schedule
Although you won’t need to take up residency in a treatment center for alcohol outpatient treatment, that doesn’t mean it won’t take up a huge amount of your time. You’ll have to spend three or more hours a day, three to five days a week, attending counseling sessions. Family and group therapy will be a part of your treatment. You’ll also have nutritional counseling, fitness therapy, and other forms of therapy. If you think you’re going to have trouble fitting this into your schedule while still fulfilling your other responsibilities, consider taking time out from those responsibilities to devote to your treatment and recovery.
At the Delray Center for Healing, we offer a holistic model for alcohol outpatient treatment. Call 1-888-699-5679 to learn how we can help you.