Alcoholism treatment, which is a treatment program specifically geared towards individuals struggling with an addiction to alcohol, focuses on the specific needs of the addicted individual. Treatment will vary by setting, duration and intensity. Although a number of different types of treatment options are available, all have proven to be effective in reducing and eliminating alcohol abuse and alcoholism.

There are two general types of alcoholism treatment, which consist of inpatient/residential programs and outpatient treatment.

Residential or inpatient treatment programs can take place in a wide variety of settings. Treatment may take place in a medical or general psychiatric setting or in a specialized chemical dependency unit. Inpatient treatment offers several advantages over less intensive programs including:

A high level of medical supervision for individuals who may require intensive physical and or psychiatric monitoring.
The intensity of inpatient treatment may be more helpful to those individuals who do not respond well to lesser measures.
Inpatient treatment may benefit some individuals by increasing their awareness of the internal triggers that put them at a greater risk for alcoholism.
Inpatient treatment can help to interrupt a cycle of alcohol use even in the absence of dangerous withdrawal symptoms.

Another type of treatment program includes Therapeutic Communities (TCs). TCs are a special type of inpatient treatment program wherein the patients stay at a residence, typically for 6 to 12 months. Patients who may benefit from TCs include those with a long, unsuccessful history of alcohol dependence, involvement in serious criminal activities, and seriously impaired social functioning. The principal goal of a TC is to change the individual’s lifestyle by promoting abstinence, elimination of anti-social behavior and the development of employability and pro-social attitudes and values.

On the other hand, outpatient programs use approaches that allow the alcohol addicted individual to remain in their real-life settings. This type of treatment would be more suitable for individuals who have an excellent support system and who would like to remain gainfully employed while in treatment. These low-intensity programs offer drug education and support and emphasize group counseling. Intensive day treatment is comparable to residential programs in services and effectiveness.