In-patient alcohol treatment and rehab centers offer a safe way for someone who wants to get sober succeed. Although these centers can be found across the country, they're often a last resort for those seeking to get sober. While they require a significant time away from work, friends and family, in the end, the quality of treatment is usually worth the time away as these programs can provide the twenty-four hour care and support that those suffering from alcohol addiction need. While fighting alcoholism is a tough battle for many individuals, in-patient rehabilitation programs often offer the best chance for individuals to make a full recovery.

In-patient alcohol treatment and rehabilitation centers focus on treating the whole person. They can medically treat the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, provide mental health counseling or therapy, and teach individuals recovering from addition how to enter society free from their dependence on alcohol. And since they remove the addicted individual from their familiar environment and carefully monitor and supervise them, securing alcohol and engaging in risky behaviors becomes much more difficult.

In-patient alcohol treatment and rehab programs can significantly vary in their treatment approach. Some in-patient facilities like the Summer House in Miami, Florida are staffed by medical professionals who use medications to detoxify and manage the addicted individual's withdrawal symptoms. Others like Teen Challenge are faith based organizations that approach treatment and recovery from a spiritual perspective. Some in-patient alcohol rehab facilities are monitored halfway houses where people live by rules and regulations that help them to live without drinking. In-patient programs can be co-ed or can be separated by gender. Some facilities will accept anyone, while others require proof of insurance. Still others work with individuals who were ordered by the court to get in-patient alcohol treatment.

Most recovering alcoholics will say that rehab is a lifelong process that requires a constant commitment to sobriety and ongoing support. In-patient treatment programs can last anywhere from thirty days to six months or more depending on the individual or program. Follow-up care is often determined on an individual basis. Some people transition out of an in-patient facility to a halfway house before reentering society alone. Since relapse is common, many individuals spend years in and out of in-patient treatment centers. Unfortunately, many treatments are cut short due to financial constraints. Many insurance companies limit the number of days a person can reside in in-patient care and it's often too expensive to pay out of pocket.

Until an individual is truly self motivated to become alcohol free, even the best in-patient treatment and rehab center may be ineffective. In-patient treatment isn't a one size fits all solution to alcoholism. When choosing an in-patient program, the alcoholic needs to consider their personality and temperament before enrolling. Someone that does not like speaking in front of groups, for example, may not do well in a program that has group meetings or therapy, while others who have had past histories of drug abuse may oppose attending a medically based in-patient center. Also, success rate statistics advertised by in-patient programs don't always tell the whole truth. The data collection methods can often by fuzzy at best and the sample of people followed may be so small it isn't a true reflection of program graduates (See Resources).

Completing an in-patient treatment center can certainly put a person on the right track to living sober. Most in-patient treatment and rehab centers teach clients how to handle the issues and problems that trigger their drinking in a constructive way. Not only do clients emerge alcohol free, they learn new coping skills and often have a clear mind free from chemical pollutants which can help them to make healthier choices.