Going to an Ohio alcohol rehab center is a safe, sure way to achieve sobriety and maintain it. In a comprehensive program, you’ll have the benefit of medically supported detox, behavioral therapy, dual diagnosis treatment, and relapse prevention planning among other things. Structured addiction treatment gives people the opportunity to better understand alcohol use disorder and the lifelong challenges it presents. Many of the best rehab programs in Ohio require a commitment of one to three months. Depending upon the program you choose, you can spend this time on a secure, closed campus or in an outpatient setting.
If you’re wondering how long you’ll be away from family members and friends, how much time you’ll miss at work or school, or how long you’ll have to spend engaging in treatment-related activities, the answer is completely up to you. However, studies consistently show that the more treatment a person receives, the more likely they are to remain sober over time. Inpatient treatment for alcohol use disorder typically lasts 90 days. 90-day programs establish the best foundation for long-term success in addiction recovery by giving people adequate time to learn new coping skills, identify the underlying causes of their addictions, and change their mindsets for the better.
In Ohio, there are also 90-day outpatient programs for people who want to continue spending time with their loved ones, and continue handling their outside responsibilities. Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) offer many of the same services and treatments that are found in inpatient rehab, but they also offer more flexibility and freedom throughout their duration. If you have limited time to commit to addiction treatment, there are also 30-day programs, 60-day programs, and various options in self-managed addiction treatment as well.
How Much Treatment Do You Need?
90-day inpatient rehabs are considered the gold standard in addiction treatment for alcohol use disorder. For people who have the time and adequate resources for receiving this treatment type, these programs give clients adequate opportunities to heal. Long-term alcohol abuse changes the chemistry of the brain, alters normal brain functioning, and causes various forms of brain damage. For someone who’s been abusing alcohol heavily for months or even years, the brain is likely conditioned to view alcohol use as a beneficial and reward-worthy activity. This is due to changes that have occurred in the central nervous system’s reward center.
Whenever you do something positive and healthy, your brain rewards you by releasing powerful, “feel-good” chemicals called neurotransmitters. When you drink, you’re artificially stimulating the release of these same chemicals so that your body is flooded with the same feelings of relaxation and euphoria. For addicts, this neurological conditioning means that they are more prone to reach for their substances of choice whenever they want to feel good. Adequate time in an Ohio rehab will allow your brain and its neurotransmitters to rebound from the changes that alcohol abuse has wrought.
For most people, it takes 60 to 90 days for this rebound to occur. Until this time, many recovering alcoholics deal with:
- Depression
- Heightened anxiety
- Low motivation
- Malaise
- Restlessness
- Insomnia, disturbing dreams, and other sleep troubles
- Strong cravings for alcohol
- Suicidal thoughts
Experiencing these and other post-acute withdrawal symptoms in a secure and supportive environment greatly reduces the risk of relapse. Certain factors can be used to determine whether short or long-term addiction treatment is right for you. 90-day inpatient addiction treatment is often recommended for people who have:
- Long histories of abusing alcohol
- Co-occurring mental health issues
- Repeated relapse events in their past
Longer treatment times and highly structured treatment environments are always advisable for anyone with multiple risk factors for relapse. Shorter-duration treatment and outpatient rehabs work well for those with limited histories of alcohol use, few or no risks for relapse, and the ability to take a self-managed approach to addiction recovery. However, even when short-term, outpatient treatment is considered a good choice, it is always best to follow rehab up with time in a sober living facility, regular participation in weekly or daily sober meetings, relapse prevention training, or structured support groups. If you’re looking for alcohol rehab in Ohio and need help finding the right one, call us today at 833-820-2922.