Alcohol Abuse Treatment - Alcohol Rehab Directory

Minnesota, as every other state in the United States has residents who suffer with alcohol abuse problems. Alcohol abuse is different from alcoholism because alcoholics are physically dependent on alcohol and do not have control over their drinking. However, sometimes it is hard to draw a clear line between them because people with alcohol abuse problems experience many of the same effects that alcoholics do.

Alcohol dependence (the next step past alcohol abuse), also called "alcoholism," is a chronic and potentially fatal health issue in which a person is addicted to alcohol. This very serious health problem can be successfully controlled and many people make a complete recovery from their addiction. Alcohol dependence is characterized by three or more of the following occurring in a one-year period:

• Tolerance: increasing amounts of alcohol needed to get the same effect.
• Withdrawal symptoms, such as shakiness, sweating, nausea, anxiety, and depression, when alcohol use is stopped after heavy drinking. Also, use of alcohol to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.
• Drinking larger amounts and for longer than you intended.
• Inability to cut down or quit drinking.
• Spending a lot of time getting and drinking alcohol or recovering from its effects.
• Reducing or giving up important work or leisure activities.
• Continued use despite the physical or emotional problems it causes to the drinker or other people.

Once alcohol abuse has been identified as a problem, the first step towards recovery is attending a Minnesota alcohol abuse treatment facility. There are many different types of alcohol abuse treatment programs in Minnesota, all of which have the same goal of helping the alcoholic learn how to live without using drugs or alcohol. Most alcohol abuse treatment centers today include a medical, psychological as well as group and individual counseling.

Alcohol abuse treatment is an umbrella term for the processes of medical and/or psychotherapeutic treatment, for dependency on alcohol. The intent of any Minnesota alcohol abuse treatment program is to enable the patient to cease substance abuse, in order to avoid the psychological, legal, financial, social, and physical consequences that can be caused, especially by extreme alcohol abuse.

Attending an alcohol detox in Minnesota is the first step of the alcohol abuse treatment process. Alcohol detox helps you achieve an alcohol free state and relieve the physical symptoms of withdrawal. Minnesota alcohol detox can be defined as a period of medically monitored treatment, where a person is helped to overcome their physical dependence on alcohol. Until the alcohol detox process is complete, someone is simply not ready for alcohol rehab and recovery. Therefore, the ultimate goal of alcohol detox is the first step in preparation for a life in recovery and freedom from alcohol abuse.

Once alcohol detox is complete the next step in recovery is completing a Minnesota alcohol rehab. What happens at alcohol rehab? Often times alcohol rehab centers incorporate family meetings. Many alcohol rehab centers stress the importance of family involvement with the treatment and recovery process, and have one or more opportunities for family members to participate in either educational or therapeutic aspects of alcohol rehab, if not both.

Another aspect of alcohol rehab is aftercare planning. Most often developed by the patient with the help of a primary counselor, an aftercare plan is a framework for sustained sobriety and recovery to continue beyond their Minnesota alcohol rehab - basically the "what next" plan. It may consist of a combination of possibilities depending on individual's needs and abilities such as weekly substance abuse counseling, IOP (Intensive Outpatient) treatment, AA or NA meetings, residence at a halfway house, and other personal goals.