Alcoholism Treatment Centers Offer 8-Week Programs

For many people, alcoholism treatment centers provide a safe place where guests can learn the skills they need to beat their addictions. Many of these centers offer 28-day programs, which can work for some people. Centers like St. Gregory Retreat Center believe most centers use a 28-day program because insurances will cover the alcohol treatment for that amount of time. In reality, it can take longer to make the changes you need to make in order to live a sober lifestyle for the rest of your life. An 8-week program dedicates the time to teach guests the life skills they need to quit drinking for good.

Over 97 percent of alcoholism treatment centers utilize a 12-step recovery program. These programs work on the philosophy that alcoholism is a disease. As such, the programs recommend ongoing treatment through monthly Alcoholic Anonymous meetings. Longer programs actually take a different philosophical approach to the problem; they work from the standpoint that addiction is a choice. As such, an 8-week program will focus on helping you learn to change the way you think so you can leave treatment with the skills you need to remain sober.

In programs like the Life Process Model, alcoholism treatment centers use behavioral modification techniques to change your cognitive thinking. This can include providing you with activities to help you find satisfaction in life without using alcohol. As you begin to change your thinking, you can identify triggers that tempt you to turn to alcohol. Once you can identify triggers, the center helps you learn how to handle the triggers so you won’t relapse. The skills you learn at this type of program can give you the tools you need to make the choice to be sober on a daily basis.