Outpatient Alcohol Treatment Program: An Evaluation

Outpatient alcohol treatment program is an alternative to the standard inpatient alcohol treatment plan. It is primarily focused on the individual differences, hence offering a number of flexible options such as assessment, counseling and daily living assistance, referrals, 12-step groups, relapse prevention, and recovery skills. Outpatient alcohol treatment program is extensively beneficial for those individuals who do not have sufficient time to spend in rehabilitation program. Contrary to the popular belief, the proponents of outpatient alcohol treatment programs claim that recovery is possible through this mode of treatment.

Assessment

There is a wide number of useful ways to assess the condition of alcohol or drug abuse. This is the vital part of outpatient alcohol treatment plan. These assessment services are done by treatment facilities either over the phone or self-survey or online. The assessment is beneficial since it allows the patients to ventilate their innermost feeling as well as to point out the important exclusive factors arising during the initial intake of alcohol. There are other types of assessment as well such as the ones made in understanding and designing individualized recovery plan during which the patient's specific issues, needs and problems are taken under consideration.

Counseling

Counseling is an important ingredient of outpatient alcohol treatment program. No matter what the treatment facility is, whether it is inpatient or outpatient, the professionals, social workers and psychologists are involved in a way to counsel the patients in order to develop positive motivation in them as well as help them to resolve their crisis in life. Typically the patients need to undergo individual counseling and group counseling. In individual counseling, the patient meets the counselor on a one-to-one setup, while group counseling accommodates almost all the members of outpatient alcohol treatment program.

Referral Service

This is the most effective way to find out the outpatient alcohol treatment program, best suitable to one's specific needs. Referral services for alcohol treatment typically employ professionals with a strong knowledgeable background about alcohol abuse, addiction and alcoholism. These professionals are expert in their field of understanding and ready to answer any relevant questions that come into the light. It is the responsibility of the referral professionals to talk to the addict and to figure out the treatment plan the addict is looking for as well as the best suitable environment for the addict.

12-Step Groups
Over last half century, the benefit of using 12-Step groups for the purpose of staying sober is quite apparent. However, these groups, in particular, do not facilitate any cause or treatment center, but they offer a new principle for governing life towards an orderly direction. A myriad of 12-Step groups has been formed in recent decades focusing on different addiction related issues. Many rehabilitation center around the world focuses on integrating 12-Steps in their recovery program. The 12-Step program is not limited to managing the alcohol related issues only, but to any sort of addiction such as drug or gambling.

Relapse Prevention & Recovery Skills

The outpatient alcohol treatment programs accommodate different workshops and individualized session for relapse prevention and teaching the patients recovery skills. The outpatient programs precisely focus their attention on early warning signs related to relapse and help the patients to design the effective relapse prevention module in order to successfully manage the triggering events that promote relapse. The outpatient alcohol treatment programs also guide the patients how to live life while being consistent and persistent with the effort of staying sober.