How Is Inpatient Alcohol Rehabilitation Different from Regular 28-Day Rehab Programs?

Alcohol addiction takes a toll on the body and mind over time. While different people react to alcohol’s effects in different ways, the longer a person engages in alcohol abuse the more intensive any one treatment approach will need to be to address his or her treatment needs.

Inpatient alcohol rehabilitation programs operate on the far end of the treatment spectrum in terms of the level of care offered through these types of programs. When compared to 28-day rehab programs, inpatient alcohol rehabilitation takes an all-encompassing approach to treatment, addressing not only the addiction problem, but also any conditions that develop as a result of alcoholism.

Levels of Care

Alcoholism develops in stages with each stage bringing on its own set of problems. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the different levels of care available through various programs are designed to address the different stages of alcohol abuse and addiction.

Inpatient alcohol rehabilitation programs offer the most intensive level of care available. In general, 28-day programs focus on treating the addiction problem, whereas inpatient programs treat the addiction as well as any co-occurring medical conditions and/or psychological disorders

If you’re considering inpatient treatment and need help determining whether your insurance will cover treatment costs, please feel free to call our toll-free helpline at 800-430-1407Who Answers? to speak with one of our addiction specialists.

How Inpatient Alcohol Rehabilitation Treatment Differs

Medical Treatment

Inpatient programs provide a more holistic approach, to heal the body and spirit.

A chronic drinking problem wears down the body as well as the mind, placing a person at considerable risk of developing serious medical problems, such as heart disease or diabetes. If left untreated, a serious medical problem can compromise a person’s ability to maintain sobriety on an ongoing basis.

For these reasons, inpatient alcohol rehabilitation programs assess and treat any existing medical conditions as part of their overall treatment approach.

Treatment for Psychological Problems

Alcohol’s effects directly impact brain functioning in fundamental ways. These effects create conditions where psychological problems, such an anxiety and depression disorders can develop.

According to the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, it’s especially important to treat any co-occurring psychological problems or else they’ll continue to aggravate alcohol cravings. Much like the heavy emphasis placed on medical treatment, inpatient alcohol rehabilitation programs provide mental health care as part of their treatment approach.

Who Most Benefits from Inpatient Alcohol Rehabilitation Treatment?

People who most benefit from inpatient rehab tend to have a long history of alcohol abuse. Many have reached the point where they’re drinking throughout any given day.

Also, it’s not uncommon for a person to have made multiple attempts to stop drinking, whether it be through 28-day treatment programs or going “cold turkey.” Anyone who meets one or more of these criteria can greatly benefit from the level of care offered through inpatient alcohol rehabilitation.

Is 28 Days Enough?: Long-term Inpatient Rehab

Considerations

While not everyone struggling with alcohol abuse will require the level of treatment provided by inpatient programs, those who do stand to make considerable progress when it comes to maintaining sobriety on an ongoing basis. If you have further questions about inpatient alcohol rehabilitation or need help finding a program that meets your needs, call our toll-free helpline at 800-430-1407Who Answers? to speak with one of our addiction specialists.