Using What You Learn In An Alcohol Rehab Program

by | Last updated May 11, 2023 | Published on Apr 4, 2018 | Recovery | 0 comments

alcohol rehab program

Alcohol addiction

An alcohol rehab program is a crucial component of alcohol addiction treatment. Evidence-based treatment approaches help alcoholics detox medically. The detoxification process cleanses the body of alcohol and all of its metabolites. During alcohol treatment, alcoholics also learn the skills necessary to re-enter society.

There are different types of programs to choose from. Both inpatient treatment programs and outpatient treatment programs can have a profound impact on a successful recovery. An alcohol rehab program is suitable for anyone with a drinking problem. You don’t necessarily have to hit rock bottom before seeking help. In fact, alcohol or drug rehab is appropriate for wayward teens, as well as adults.

A lot of Americans may need alcohol rehab, but don’t realize it. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA),  26.9% of Americans over the age of 18 engaged in binge drinking in 2015. These numbers appear to be on the rise.

This article will look at the skills that are taught at alcohol rehab centers. It will also look at how these skills can be used in other areas of life as well. These skills can help you improve your mental health condition and fulfill a healthier and more fulfilling life. It can help you avoid substance abuse for the rest of your life.

Identify Triggers To Actively Avoid High-Risk Situations And Events

Did you know that approximately 40% to 60% of alcoholics will relapse within the first year? It’s difficult for those who have struggled with an alcohol use disorder to abstain from drinking completely. There are too many temptations and reminders everywhere. It’s not unusual to see an advertisement for beer or wine on TV or to see others indulging at restaurants. After all, many Americans enjoy having a glass of wine or beer with their meals.

Learning how to say no to the temptations can be difficult. One of the best things to do is to avoid high-risk situations. The alcohol addiction treatment center will teach you how to identify your triggers. By knowing what triggers the cravings, you can learn to actively avoid situations that would cause a relapse. Learning more about your triggers can also be empowering and help you avoid other situations where you might engage in risky behaviors.

In some situations, avoiding the triggers entirely may be impossible. The best alternative is to develop positive ways of coping with the triggers. It can take time for some alcoholics to learn how to cope with the triggers that cause substance abuse. The alcohol rehab program will teach you many different methods.

Different Types Of Triggers

Each person will have different triggers. Some triggers are emotional while others are situational.

Emotional triggers can be difficult to identify. You really need to be self-aware to pick up on these triggers. This is especially true for those struggling with co-occurring disorders, like bipolar disorder. Emotional triggers include stress, frustration, anxiety, depression and fear.

Other types of triggers are situational. These triggers may include hanging around people that continue to abuse alcohol or attending parties where social drinking is expected. Learning how to identify triggers can be important. This is why many alcohol rehab programs focus on this skill. You can learn how to identify emotions or situations that cause you to feel bad or act poorly and avoid them. This skill can be used to help improve one’s overall quality of life. It can also help many drug abusers make better decisions in life.

Cope With Challenges And Triggers In A Positive Manner

When struggling with alcohol dependence, alcoholics face withdrawal symptoms that can be difficult to bear. This is a great time for many alcoholics to learn how to cope with challenges in a positive manner. Behavioral therapies teach patients how to identify signs and symptoms of mental health issues before they explode. They teach patients how to recognize poor ways of coping.  This might include social isolation, unhealthy eating habits or poor sleep.

Learning how to cope with challenging situations and triggers is a positive skill to learn. There are many challenges in life other than an alcohol addiction. Alcoholics may face troubles at work or may face an inner struggle with anxiety and depression due to mental illness. It’s important to learn how to cope with all the lemons that life throws your way. If you can do this, you can successfully get through just about anything. You’ll be able to learn how to master your emotions and control them, so they benefit you.

Healthy Ways To Cope With Triggers

alcohol addiction treatment plan

To avoid relapses, it’s vital that each alcohol abuser knows how to handle his or her triggers. It’s impossible to avoid triggers at all times. At times, each alcoholic and drug addict will be placed in a situation where they have to face their triggers head on. There are many ways to cope and handle triggers. Some of the most commonly used methods taught in alcohol detoxification treatment programs include:

  • Having a support system. For a successful recovery, alcoholics and drug abusers need family and friends they can turn to. Whenever they start craving the effects of drugs and alcohol, it’s time to call someone in their support system.
  • Attending meetings. Support groups, like a 12step program, can do wonders for addiction treatment. These addiction therapies should be continued long after the alcohol addiction treatment. This is a good time to also share experiences and stories related to alcohol or drug abuse.
  • Distracting yourself. Don’t focus on the alcohol or drug. Instead, get moving and do something physical. Turn your mind away from triggering and negative thoughts by finding an escape. Many alcoholics and drug abusers find hobbies that involve exercising.
  • Reminding yourself of the negative consequences. The treatment centers will educate each patient on the dangers of each drug. With this knowledge, it’s easy to remind yourself why it’s important to avoid alcohol or drug use.
  • Encouraging yourself to stay motivated. Behavioral therapies at alcohol rehab centers will teach you how to stay motivated and how to talk to yourself.

Rehab centers teach you how to gauge your own mental health. You’ll be more aware of your physical and mental condition. You’ll also be more sensitive to picking up on hints for when things may start to turn sour.

alcohol rehabHow To Live An Independent Lifestyle

One of the best things about getting help from alcohol treatment centers is the skills you learn during your time there. An alcohol rehab program will work towards teaching you the skills you need to live an independent lifestyle. You’ll learn how to regain control over your life and oversee each aspect. Alcohol addiction often robs people of the ability to take care of themselves. They start to rely on others, as they focus solely on the drugs and alcohol.

Some of the independent living skills that alcohol rehab centers will teach you include how to:

  • Cook and eat a healthy diet. You’ll learn how to balance your diet and the types of food that you should and shouldn’t eat. You might even learn how to incorporate different types of alcohol in your cooking. This can disassociate you from alcohol.
  • Plan out and keep a daily schedule. A schedule can do wonders for your mental health. Not only will you have a sense of purpose, but you can keep yourself busy.
  • Take care of personal hygiene. Many people who struggle with a substance use disorder often neglect themselves. Learn how to take care of yourself again through an alcohol rehab program. This might include learning how to do the laundry or developing a cleaning system for the home.
  • Master financial independence. Take control over your life by learning the skills necessary for financial independence. This includes learning how to save, invest and budget.

If you seek treatment for alcohol addiction, you can come out of the rehab center as a changed man or woman. You’ll learn the skills needed to take care of yourself. This might give you the confidence you need to finally win your war with addiction. Recovery from alcohol and drug addiction is a journey. It’ll take time, but, fortunately, there are always others out there who can support you regardless of where you are in your recovery.

Importance Of The Skills Learned In An Alcohol Rehab Program

When seeking treatment for alcoholism, patients pick up and learn many skills at the treatment facility. These life skills are important because they teach you how to become the person you want to be. They also change your mindset, so you’re more willing to fight for a better life. The skills learned from an alcohol rehab program can teach you to:

  • Avoid relapses–You can avoid falling into the trap of being a victim. Instead of turning to drugs or alcohol, you can use healthier methods, like spending time with family and friends, to cope with life’s challenges.
  • Avoid emotionally difficult situations–When you’re more aware of your emotions, you’ll know when to cut toxic people out of your life. This can do wonders for your mental health.
  • Become more social–Even if you’re an introvert, you’ll still crave some form of human connection. The recovery program will connect you with people in similar situations. You’ll also learn how to socialize with others.
  • Take control over your life–By learning the basic life skills needed to live independently, you become more ready to tackle day-to-day realities. After seeking alcohol abuse treatment, many patients learn how to apply for jobs and how to pay their bills on time.

An alcohol rehab program is much more than just medical detox. It teaches you how to best live your life. Behavioral therapies and classes that teach life skills are recommended for both inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment programs.

Ways That An Alcohol Rehab Program Teaches Different Skills

There are many ways that an alcohol rehab program teaches different skills. While these treatment options are recommended for all patients, patients can customize their treatment plans. They can choose which behavioral therapies and which classes to take part in. The behavioral therapy classes target different issues. Some of the most common ways that life lessons are learned include:

  • Attending classes that specifically teach life skills and life lessons
  • Figuring out new and more effective ways of communicating
  • Mastering relapse avoidance techniques
  • Sharing experiences with other people who are also in recovery
  • Working with psychologists and other mental health specialists to identify triggers and other problematic behaviors
  • Working through psychological problems and the difficulties involved with mastering a skill

An effective alcohol treatment and rehab is all about mastering new skills. It’s impossible to master all of these skills from the get-go. Patients will fail at times, but failure is also key to success. Those who do not give up will rise victorious.

Seek Alcohol Treatment And Rehab Today

If you’re looking for drug and alcohol addiction help, contact one of our addiction specialists. We offer a variety of treatment options, like intensive outpatient treatment programs and residential treatment programs. We’ll direct you to the right resources and even look through various payment options and break down rehab costs with you. We can answer frequently asked questions, and also walk you through inpatient vs outpatient treatment programs.

Our goal is to keep you informed, so you know exactly why you’re making certain decisions. We make it easy to get into an alcohol addiction treatment program. We take care of almost everything. All you need to do is give us your insurance information and show up on the admission date.

Get help for alcohol addiction today. Don’t let it ruin your life any longer.

Written by: Justin Kunst

Written by: Justin Kunst

As a member of the Amethyst Recovery Center marketing team, Justin Kunst dedicated his time to curating powerful content that would reach and impact individuals and families who are struggling with substance abuse.

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