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What Is Involved in Inpatient Alcohol Rehab?

Susan Abe
Susan Abe

Inpatient alcohol rehab — an abbreviation of the more formal term, rehabilitation — refers to a patient's admission to a drug and alcohol treatment center for medical stabilization and initiation of an alcohol dependency treatment plan. In the past, most health insurance carriers covered a treatment period of 30 days. This length of treatment became the norm until medical expense cost-cutting forced the majority of alcohol rehabilitation programs to become day therapy — or outpatient — programs in order to be covered by most medical insurance plans. The inpatient admissions that remain are thus truncated and intense. The primary emphasis of inpatient alcohol rehab involves a safe and supervised medical detoxification, group therapy and education classes, introduction of sobriety support programs and establishment of an outpatient treatment program.

Abrupt cessation of alcohol consumption for an alcohol-dependent patient can lead to alcohol withdrawal syndrome or the more severe delirium tremens, both potentially life-threatening conditions. Most inpatient alcohol rehab patients are "detoxed" with benzodiazepines, a sedative-type medication that uses the same neurotransmitter pathways that alcohol does. Benzodiazepines help treat alcohol withdrawal syndrome and prevent the development of delirium tremens by temporarily mimicking the depressant qualities of alcohol, and therefore avoiding the rebound effect on the brain and nervous system when the depressant is withdrawn. This detoxification process is monitored by frequently measuring the patient's vital signs and mental status. Laboratory tests are also conducted to assess for electrolyte imbalances, dehydration and vitamin deficiencies common to those undergoing inpatient alcohol rehab.

Alcohol withdrawal treatment is determined by the severity of the symptoms.
Alcohol withdrawal treatment is determined by the severity of the symptoms.

In addition to medication and laboratory tests, inpatient alcohol rehab patients also participate in group therapy and group education sessions. These daily sessions are conducted by nursing staff, addiction counselors, psychologists and nutritionists. Group therapy introduces sobriety and sobriety issues, usually through the 12-step Alcoholics Anonymous® program. Education classes typically cover the physical, mental, behavioral and social effects of alcohol, alcoholism and addiction. Other topics of instruction include nutrition, positive coping skills, communication skills and types of non-alcohol-related recreation and hobbies.

A person who drank heavily might have to undergo a detox period as part of their treatment.
A person who drank heavily might have to undergo a detox period as part of their treatment.

A great deal of inpatient alcohol rehab focuses on the patient's planned outpatient rehabilitation program. These plans are coordinated by the facility's staff in conjunction with the patient's needs, insurance coverage and available community resources. Many inpatient alcohol rehab programs have direct discharge for patients to their day treatment or outpatient program, if such therapy is covered by the patient's health insurance. Discharge to a long-term residential program may be considered if the patient has a long history of alcohol abuse and the financial ability or an insurance plan to cover the costs. Regardless of the formal outpatient treatment planned, the patient's participation in Alcoholics Anonymous® is almost always suggested.

Discussion Comments

Grivusangel

@Lostnfound -- It seems that those I've seen who do at least the 90-day treatments tend to do better when they complete the program. But after care is so important. They have to be committed to ongoing counseling and some kind of support group, like a 12-Step program or something similar.

It would be nice if more health insurance policies covered inpatient treatment. Some do, but only for a certain amount of time. The rest of the treatment is out of the patient's pocket, and it can be prohibitively expensive. Some facilities have programs for patients who are under-insured, but not all of them.

Lostnfound

I read an interview with a famous musician who has been to rehab and was talking about how a 14-day rehab stint didn't do much good. His opinion was that nothing less than 90 days was going to be beneficial, and only then if the person was truly serious about getting sober. He said otherwise, the person would probably be drinking again in a matter of days.

He advocated inpatient rehab in a facility that has doctors on staff to help with withdrawals, as well as counselors and therapists to help the patient get clean and stay that way. He also participates in 12-Step groups, and has been clean for over 20 years, so I guess he knows what he’s talking about.

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    • Alcohol withdrawal treatment is determined by the severity of the symptoms.
      By: kmiragaya
      Alcohol withdrawal treatment is determined by the severity of the symptoms.
    • A person who drank heavily might have to undergo a detox period as part of their treatment.
      By: al62
      A person who drank heavily might have to undergo a detox period as part of their treatment.
    • Patients in inpatient alcohol rehab do not have access to drugs and alcohol.
      By: orcea david
      Patients in inpatient alcohol rehab do not have access to drugs and alcohol.
    • It's imperative that individuals who drink excessive amounts of alcohol detox under medical supervision.
      By: Sergey Nivens
      It's imperative that individuals who drink excessive amounts of alcohol detox under medical supervision.
    • Group therapy often involves the 12-step Alcoholics Anonymous program.
      By: Monkey Business
      Group therapy often involves the 12-step Alcoholics Anonymous program.