If you are looking for an alcohol treatment center in Arizona, you are not alone. In the United States, 29.5 million people ages 12 and older had an alcohol use disorder (AUD) in 2022. Unfortunately, many people do not get the help they need, either because they don’t recognize their problem or they don’t know where to go for help. 

Wolf Creek Recovery in Prescott, AZ is committed to breaking down the barriers and aligning individuals with the right treatment services. Let’s learn more about alcohol use disorder and how to find the best treatment center for your needs. 

What is Alcohol Use Disorder? 

Alcohol use disorder is when a person has uncontrolled and problematic drinking. This disorder can be mild, moderate or severe, but even mild conditions can cause serious problems in your life. The good news is that by treating AUD early, you can recover faster and easier than if you were to wait. Before starting an alcohol treatment program, you will need to go through detox. Because alcohol withdrawal can produce life-threatening symptoms, it’s recommended to detox under the supervision of a medical professional. 

Health professionals use a list of symptoms to diagnose AUD, and these include: 

• Drinking more or drinking longer than intended 
• Attempting to cut back or quit with no success
• Spending a lot of time drinking 
• Experiencing strong urges to drink 
• Drinking interferes with your daily functioning 
• Continuing to drink even though it’s causing problems
• Giving up activities that you once enjoyed 
• Finding yourself in risky situations due to your drinking
• Having to drink more to get the same effects (tolerance) 
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you cut back

What Types of Alcohol Treatment are Available? 

There is a common misconception that only a couple of treatment options are available for alcoholism: Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or residential rehab. In reality, there are many more options to choose from, allowing you to find the right fit for your needs. The four basic types of care include: 

Outpatient program (OP)

An outpatient program is the lowest level of care and also the most flexible, typically meeting for a few hours a week or month. It usually involves group therapy, individual therapy and medication management. OPs are intended to support individuals as they transition home, rebuild their lives and navigate triggers. 

Intensive outpatient (IOP) or partial hospitalization (PHP)

Intensive outpatient or partial hospitalization programs are part-time programs, but they involve more hours than standard OPs. Most run Monday to Friday for 3-6 hours a day. These programs do offer some flexibility so that individuals can work or go to school part-time, and they get to return home or to sober housing at the end of each day. 

Residential program 

Residential programs include both low and high intensity programs with 24-hour monitoring and support. These programs are ideal for individuals who need more structure and support than what outpatient programs can provide. Those who participate in residential programs are often earlier in their recovery journeys, with co-occurring mental health conditions.

Intensive inpatient

The highest level of care is an intensive inpatient program that provides medically-directed 24-hour services. These programs may even handle the withdrawal process, providing medications and therapies to treat uncomfortable symptoms. Once the person is stabilized, they can step down to a lower level of care. 

Why are there Different Types and Levels of Care? 

While it can be a bit overwhelming, a wide range of options makes it easier to find the right treatment center in Arizona. Keep in mind that there is help for all levels of AUD—mild, moderate and severe. You do not have to wait until you’re at your lowest point to access support. 

When choosing a rehab center, it’s important to consider your needs and the type of care you can benefit from. Here are some of the main factors that influence the level of care you need: 

• Alcohol and drug use. How severe is your AUD? This includes how much you drink, how often you drink and if you’ve received treatment for your drinking problem before. It’s also important to report any other substances you may be using, such as marijuana or ecstasy. 
• Other health issues. Having other health issues can play a role in the type of treatment you need. For example, health conditions like diabetes or depression will need attention during treatment. 
• Living and social situation. Do you receive a lot of support from friends and family? Do they make an effort to refrain from drinking around you? Also, what type of living situation do you have? People with access to transportation, a stable living situation and a strong support network do best in outpatient programs. 
• Legal system issues. When people use drugs or alcohol, they can run into problems with the law. Do you have any drinking-related arrests, probation or other legal issues you need to work out? 

What About Costs and Insurance? 

It’s important to understand how the treatment centers you’re interested in charge for their services. Each treatment facility has a unique pricing structure, so what you pay at one place can be very different from the next. Then, there are also insurance costs to think about. Insurance policies vary from person to person, so it’s possible that your insurance may cover a little or a lot of the care you need. 

To save on costs, pick a treatment center that works with your insurance. Verify your benefits with your insurance company and have the treatment center explain the costs of their services in detail. Keep in mind that some professionals charge by the hour, and some charge by the day, week or month. Also, opting for an outpatient program typically saves money, as you don’t have to cover the costs of lodging and food.

Alcohol Treatment Center in Arizona 

Wolf Creek Recovery provides treatment services for alcohol use disorder. We offer outpatient services that allow our clients to return home each day, as well as sober living options for those who don’t have structure or support at home. When you contact us for a consultation, we’ll be happy to explain our prices, the insurance companies we work with and how to maximize your benefits. Contact us today at 833-732-8202 to learn more about our outpatient programs for alcohol use disorder.