Intensive Psychotherapy for Acute Alcoholism

Intensive psychotherapy is a useful tool that behavior health therapists use to help those suffering from acute alcoholism. Sessions are held over four to five days, and each session can be up to 7 hours long. The sessions are created to address specific needs of the alcoholic. Intensive psychotherapy sessions can also be designed to adjust to the time constraints that an addict may face. Thus, it is possible to have such sessions for a day each month for around six months and even create modules to address the issues that addicted couples face.

Intensive Therapy

An Intensive, like the name suggests, is an intensive session, and should not be considered to be similar to what you’d experience in a retreat. Ideally, an Intensive is best held away from your home because it gets you away from a familiar environment that may actually be a factor in your addiction. Away from home, you are free from distractions. The best thing to do is to dress in comfortable attire. If the Intensive involves specific activities, then you will be instructed to dress accordingly. If you sign up for an Intensive that is held away from home, then you can choose to stay at a hotel, a B&B, or even at a friend’s place. At the Intensive, the routine begins at 9am and ends at 5pm. It has a lunch break in between. The times can be adjusted as per your client. You are paying for the entire thing.

Techniques used in Intensive Psychotherapy include motivational talk, mindful meditation, psychodrama therapy, experiential therapy, adventure psychotherapy, family therapy, and structured couples therapy.

Referral

You will be referred for an Intensive by your therapist. After the session, the psychotherapist will refer you back to the therapist for a follow-up. Intensives usually involve either individuals or couples. The reason for this is that it can be difficult for a group to simultaneously commit four to five consecutive days for an activity. At the very least, you must be prepared to keep aside one day for the session.

Intensives help addicts regardless of whether they are grappling with it for a long time or are recent addicts. Intensives can also be viewed as interventions where the addicts get an opportunity to get a good hard look at their state and consider a future course of action. Intensives allow addicts to receive perspective from someone who has seen others in their situation and knows where the whole thing’s headed, if remedial action is not taken. The psychotherapist may recommend a therapy center for further treatment.

Support

Intensive Psychotherapy sessions aim to fulfill objectives such as the impact of addiction on the individual and the family, learning skills to effectively communicate in the situation, creatively cope with the anger and guilt that accompanies addiction, tackle co-addiction, discover spirituality, and practice setting achievable targets.

If you are looking for a way to address your alcohol addiction, then you must consider an Intensive. Such sessions, because of their intense nature can give you clarity on your situation and ensure that the recovery continues at a healthy pace.

Hired Power can offer you more information on Intensives and the role these can play in helping you fight alcoholism. Call us. 800-910-9299