Alcohol rehab or just Alcoholics Anonymous?

What I am confused on is how can I tell if my husband needs an alcohol rehab versus just going to Alcoholics Anonymous?

I found this in the Health Pages, but not sure which option is best and if everyone needs detox to be sober?

http://www.medhelp.org/tags/health_page/45/Addiction/Recovery-Guide?hp_id=310

[natashalo8]

I agree with the others. Alcohol detox can be very dangerous if not monitored closely. I will say though, that there are tons of treatment centers out there that meet the different needs of each individual. The center I went to offered detox, inpatient, intensive outpatient and wide range of other options. I detoxed on my own,however, I was detoxing off pain meds and although it is extremely uncomfortable it's not as dangerous as detoxing from alcohol.

Maybe he could get into a detox center and follow that up with intensive outpatient (I did intensive outpatient 3 nights a week for 3 months). After graduating from intensive outpatient they usually set up an after care plan to help individuals stay on track. After doing all of these things (or even during outpatient) AA would be a tremendous tool in helping him stay sober. Hope this info helps. Good luck!

[vicki595]

There is a distinction between the two. Rehab would be more about detox and recovery. AA is often used in the recovery period as a vehicle for staying clean and sober. Later,it's aftercare for continued recovery. It isn't the only resource though. There are many progams in addition to AA.

Does that help a little?  Alcohol detox can be done at home BUT I'm not sure I'd try it. It's far better to be in patient, unless you have the proper support and meds.

What's the situation with your husband?

[avisg]

when coming to alcohol it believe its safest to do it in a detox unit then to rehab for a safe place to get intensive care then when you get out you are going to need long term recovery something like aa or smart care other are or choices as well but it is important to get a long term recovery program. Let us know what you hubby decides

[betterhealth4me]

He can go for a week without alcohol but he does get the shakes, so that was why I was looking into a rehab.  He is at the point where he wants help and I want to make sure that I get the information he needs for it.   Thanks so much for all of your responses, it helps a lot.

[natashalo8]

I agree with the others. Alcohol detox can be very dangerous if not monitored closely. I will say though, that there are tons of treatment centers out there that meet the different needs of each individual. The center I went to offered detox, inpatient, intensive outpatient and wide range of other options. I detoxed on my own,however, I was detoxing off pain meds and although it is extremely uncomfortable it's not as dangerous as detoxing from alcohol.

Maybe he could get into a detox center and follow that up with intensive outpatient (I did intensive outpatient 3 nights a week for 3 months). After graduating from intensive outpatient they usually set up an after care plan to help individuals stay on track. After doing all of these things (or even during outpatient) AA would be a tremendous tool in helping him stay sober. Hope this info helps. Good luck!

[betterhealth4me]

Thanks so much for all of the feedback.  I think finding that through everyone's feedback that it would be easier on him if he went to a detox center.  I'm not sure of what will happen from this point but at least I have a direction.  Thanks so much everyone!  Just having the support helps me so much.

[natashalo8]

Everyone had great suggestions and were pretty much along the same lines; but I'm still glad to be of service. I hope that he is successful...and with your support I have faith that he will be. Please keep us updated. It's gonna be a rough road ahead of you but I promise it does get better----and as the cliche goes, "There is a light at the end of the tunnel."

[betterhealth4me]

Thank you so much for the show of support it helps our situation tremendously.  And yes I think he is hitting his bottom or being close to it.  He is getting sick and tired of being sick and tired.  I will definitely keep everyone posted on his progress.

[spanky595]

  Go with your husband to AA they have a open speaker meeting on Monday at 8.00   Talk to a leader in AA about his drinking and they will help you to decide what he needs to do he might need treatment first.

[betterhealth4me]

Thanks to everyone that has made so many comments, I am really taking every bit of information I can in.  I feel like I am so on a roller coaster.  One minute sobriety is in sight and then the next its gone.  It's frustrating for me and I know it has to be frustrating for him.  I am just trying to stay focused.  Thanks again for the support this really helps.

[Ellz21]

I dont know how much help i can be only to tell my story....I am 21 and my dad is a recovering alcoholic....i grew up dealin with his alcohol addiction and i know how tough it can get lik your husband my dad could go off it for a week or two but would also get the shakes he is clean and sober for a year now thru the AA but he made the decision himself to stop and stayed committed....he goes to a meeting nearly everyday and somedays he might go to more then one he is still battleing with it to this day and has to fight the earge to drink...The AA worked for my dad and he is still determined not to go back to his life of drink but everybody is different and i hope you will both come thru this situation for the better...Stay strong,you will need too to get thru this time of your life.Best of luck to ye both.

[rpooo]

I can sure understand how frustrated you must feel but dont give up on him, he can do it! I was an alcoholic for 20  years and I managed to detox myself at home successfully. For the last couple of years I was up to drinking 23 beers a day. At the age of 38 I was diagnosed with end stage cirrhosis.  Its been 534 days sober. I have never been to AA but I sure understand the importance. The key to maintaining sobriety is support. It doesn't matter where that support comes from AA or a loved one just as long as it gives you the motivation and strength to maintain your sobriety.

Nobody should ever detox at home without tapering themselves off the alcohol. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can become so severe that in some case it can lead to coma and in rare cases even death. Take as much time as you need to do it safely. In my case it was important to do it as quickly as I could so I made it happen in 3 days. I was very aware of how severe my withdrawals becoming and kept alcohol in the house to use as a quick fix. I find all the support I need from my wife and my daughters. Just knowing they need me is enough to make me maintain my sobriety and my health. The longer he waits to figure it out the more of a heath risk he is taking. I wish you both the very best and God bless you.

Randy