Alcoholism is a serious disease that impacts the lives of many million people each year. Most alcoholics are good people who sincerely want to do what is best for themselves and their families and friends, but often they need a little help. The first step, according to many professionals, is to admit that.
Once a person admits that he or she needs some help in overcoming addiction, the next step is to look into Alcohol Treatment Programs in Aberdeen Wa. This may sound scary to those who have never worked with a dedicated chemical dependency counselor or program, but it doesn’t have to be. Read on to find out what to expect after beginning the process of getting life back on track.
Initial Assessment
The first thing any alcohol treatment program will do is perform an initial patient assessment. This will generally take about an hour and a half. Patients will need photo ID and, if they are currently incarcerated or their treatment has been mandated by the courts, any legal documents pertaining to their treatment. Court documents might include things like police reports and case histories for patients who have been convicted of DUIs or other alcohol-related offenses.
Outpatient Services
Once the initial assessment has been conducted, most patients will be referred to outpatient services. These generally involve weekly support groups as well as individual appointments and may last as long as a year or longer. Patients who are facing legal troubles due to their alcoholism may be eligible for two-year deferred prosecution in order to attend outpatient groups and appointments.
Relapse Prevention
Once an individual has overcome his or her acute alcoholism, he or she should then attend a relapse prevention program. This type of program usually involves both weekly group attendance and individual appointments with an addiction counselor as well and may last up to 26 weeks.
Alcohol and Drug Information Classes
Many patients who have been court-mandated to seek Alcohol Treatment Programs in Aberdeen Wa are required to attend bi-monthly alcohol awareness and information classes. These classes generally run longer than support groups or individual meetings with counselors. Expect to spend about eight hours on each class.
