Choices for Making Changes With Problematic Alcohol Use

When people have a problem with alcohol use and want to make a lifestyle change, they have several different program options. Depending on their living situation and family dynamic, they may prefer to stay at home and seek help from outside sources, or go to a residential retreat center. Which route to choose will depend on many factors, including the type of atmosphere they are in, their goals for making changes and their financial situation.

Atmosphere
Sometimes the easiest way to make a change is to break a routine. Those who struggle with alcohol use may find that being at home during this time may make it more difficult. Since their usual lifestyle patterns may hinder their ability to change, they may go to a residential atmosphere away from home. Choices include a social education retreat center or an alcohol rehab facility. They may also decide that because the problems are not actually at home, but within themselves, a daytime program or online social education classes will work best. Some programs offer a lifetime of meetings, while others offer Internet, in-person or telephone support on an as-needed basis.

Goals
When someone has problems with alcohol and chooses to make a change, they may have a variety of goals. The most common one is to live a happier, healthier lifestyle without the effects of alcohol straining their relationships, finances and well-being. Other secondary goals may be set, as well, and can be met through one of these programs. The success rate for programs is approximately between 20 and 65 percent, contingent on the type of program and how they measure their success.

Finances
Depending on the option used and whether it is residential or non-residential, the cost may vary significantly, may be covered by insurance or payable by a financing plan. How they are paid for is often attached to the confidentiality of the services they provide. For example, alcohol rehab centers are considered medical treatment and may be covered by insurance plans. However, since they accept government assistance, the identity and personal information on their patients is shared with government agencies, insurance companies and sometimes other affiliated groups. Non-government funded retreat centers providing non-medical services are not required to provide the identities or other confidential information about their clients. As a result, people choosing these social education programs are able to receive these services with true confidentiality, and are able to set up financing if needed.

Programs
There are different philosophies taught within different programs. For example, some teach that alcoholism is a disease for which there is no cure. Others teach that it is not an addiction issue or a disease, but involves personal behavioral choices each individual must make. Some believe in intervention techniques and forcing people to comply against their will, while others believe that a person can only make these changes when they want to or are ready to do so.