The first step in any alcohol rehab course is detoxification. Taking it from the word itself, detoxification deals with the full removal of the “toxic” or alcohol from the body. Alcohol treatment centers basically sail into two channels regarding detoxification programs. There are treatment centers that believe that detoxification must be done before patients get into the premises, while there are centers that allow patients to detoxify within the facilities. Cleaning the body from the alcohol is not easy as that, because dangerous symptoms of withdrawal must simultaneously be managed while it is being done. Patients are given medication to counter the effects of withdrawal. Heavy alcohol drinkers who experience hallucinations and deliriums upon withdrawal are also given mental treatment. Alcohol rehab cannot proceed as long as detoxification is not executed.

Alcoholism cannot be cured if patients do not accept that they exhibit the symptoms of alcoholism. After detoxification, patients of alcohol rehab programs will take a comprehensive series of lectures and discussions regarding alcoholism as a disease, and how to overcome it, and how not to deny having it. Different alcohol rehab programs have different approaches on how to facilitate these lectures and discussions, but surely they are designed to be fun, meaningful, and interactive. In addition to lessons on alcoholism, patients are also given counseling meetings in which they can discuss with alcohol rehab counselors and fellow patients on how they are finding the rehabilitation experience.

Staying inside the treatment facilities takes months. As long as patients do not pass the evaluation of treatment facilitators, they are recommended to stay and continue in house rehabilitation. When they are already freed from symptoms of withdrawal and temptations though, they will be allowed to go home and continue the process therein. They however will be required to go back to the alcohol rehab centers every now and then to ensure that they will not fall into relapses.