Inpatient Alcohol Rehab

First things first: What is an Inpatient Rehabilitation Program?

When we talk about rehab, we’re actually talking about a huge variety of different kinds of services for treating addiction. Inpatient rehab is a more specific term: it refers to the kind of treatment that requires you to move into the rehab facilities for a certain amount of time; typically for 30 days, but sometimes for 60 or 90 days. When you choose inpatient, you can temporarily escape life’s stressors and the outside factors that might trigger your addiction. You will also have monitoring to hold you accountable to your commitment to drug or alcohol recovery; something that’s not possible alone or with outpatient programs.

Inpatient Rehab: Is it really the best option?

Do you know someone who’s addicted to alcohol? What about legal or prescription drugs? Are you struggling with these substances yourself?

Although you may want to get sober as quickly as possible, you shouldn’t try to detox alone. Withdrawal can be dangerous. For the most part, all substances will lead to uncomfortable symptoms like:

  • Vomiting, severe anxiety, insomnia, intense cravings, stomach upset,

However, the most severe and even potentially lethal type of withdrawal syndrome happens to people dependent on Alcohol. Drinking heavily for long periods of time changes the chemistry of our brains and how they function. In order to get sober, our brains will have to adjust back to an alcohol-free state which can be a difficult transition. Alcohol withdrawal can lead to seizures and an emergency neurological condition known as Delirium Tremens, which has a 5-10% mortality rate. This is why it is so crucial to detox with 24/7 medical care at an inpatient alcohol treatment center. They can help ease these symptoms of alcohol withdrawal that might come up after we take our last drink:

  • Seizures
  • Hallucinations
  • Loss of temperature control, which happens when our body temperature rapidly changes and cannot reach a comfortable point.
  • Heart Palpitations
  • Sleeping way too long (up to 24 hours) or not being able to sleep at all

Medical interventions can help lessen the severity of symptoms, or prevent them from happening in the first place. When you choose an inpatient detox program, there will be staff on hand 24/7 to make sure you are comfortable and well. This isn’t something we can get at home.

Alcohol treatment centers

Even though alcoholic drinks like wine, vodka, scotch, rum and so on are legal and perfectly normal to have around, they lead to more serious substance abuse disorders than any illicit drug. More than 50% of all people admitted into rehab every year are alcoholics. Since alcohol is the most popular drug to use, it is also the most popular drug for rehab centers to specialize in. Look for programs that treat alcoholism, alcohol use disorders, or alcohol dependence. They will have experience in dealing with this specific form of addiction

Why choose an Inpatient option for treatment?

When we try to get clean by treating an addiction on our own, without professional help, a few things usually happen. First, the withdrawal symptoms come on strong and our willpower starts to fade. Once we make it through detox and we try to go back to normal life, the same triggers or old group of friends will push us right back towards the glass of whiskey, bottle of beer, bag of illicit drugs, or whatever it may be. Even after months or years of sobriety, those negative influences can follow us until we relapse. An inpatient program will help you get through the detox phase more comfortably, increasing your chances of sticking with your goals. Before returning back to normal life, you will have the chance to work out your emotional triggers and build life skills that will help you make a permanent, lifelong change for the better.

Recovery is something we achieve with the help of others, and the best place to do so is Rehab, an addiction treatment center. When you choose to enter rehab, you will have medical support all throughout the detox phase, the company of peers going through the same thing, as well as guidance from experts.

Inpatient programs come in many different styles, sizes, and types of specialization. You will be able to find:

What are the Alternatives to Inpatient treatment centers?

For some people, it’s just not possible to leave our entire lives behind for months at a time while we get treatment for being an alcoholic or having a drug problem. Work, children, school, pets… we all have responsibilities and things to take care of, but addiction doesn’t exactly wait patiently.

Outpatient alcohol rehab is a more realistic alternative for those of us who’d rather stay at home and hold on to our obligations. You can attend treatment for specified hours during the day then go back home to your own bed, in your own house at night time. Your treatment providers will help you form a schedule that doesn’t interfere with the important things you have going on in your life.

Read more about Outpatient Rehabs here.


The most effective, safe, and reliable solution to an addiction problem is Inpatient Drug or Alcohol Rehabilitation. It’s the only option that can provide you with 24 hour medical as well as emotional support, and freedom from life’s stressors.

Worried about the costs? Check out our guide to paying for Rehab here.

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