by Kelly Morris

Created on: October 19, 2008

Acknowledging you have an alcohol problem is a big step. Acknowledging you need help to cope with your problem is another big step.
Fortunately, there is plenty of help available. Finding that help can be a challenge, however.

The first place you'll want to look is close to home. Check out your local yellow pages. Look under "alcoholism." You can also look for treatment centers on the internet. If you have health insurance, you'll want to see what treatment centers are covered by your health care plan. Don't limit yourself to treatment centers near your home, however.

It may be worth it to travel to receive the best care.

You'll need to be assessed to determine the level of care you require. There are several levels of treatment available to meet the needs of alcoholics. There is inpatient or residential care, for those that need the most intensive treatment.
Then there is what is called intensive outpatient treatment. This is where you go to treatment for several hours a day, several days a week. It allows you to be at home with your family during the evenings, and may allow you to continue to work on a part-time basis while receiving treatment. Some people may only require outpatient care, needing only a couple of sessions per week.

You can get an assessment at any treatment center. Many mental health centers can also perform an alcoholism treatment assessment.

Your treatment should include a number of components.

It should include individual therapy where you work one-on-one with a therapist. This is where you will work to identify and deal with the reasons that led to the development of your alcohol problem.
You will also plan strategies to cope with the individual problems caused by your drinking.

Your treatment will also include group therapy. Here you will interact with others experiencing problems similar to yours.
Together you will learn new ways of coping with stress and ways to prevent relapse.

Treatment will usually also include 12-Step groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous. These are self-help groups run by alcoholics for alcoholics. You will be encouraged to continue attending these groups following your treatment at the treatment center.

Some alcohol treatment centers also use adjunct treatments such as art therapy, music therapy, and yoga.
This will vary from treatment center to treatment center.

Most treatment centers also include a family component in the treatment plan, and this is very important. The entire family needs support and education in coping with an alcoholic family member.

Keeping these things in mind will help you choose the right alcohol treatment center for you.

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