Alcohol is one of the most popular and socially acceptable drugs to indulge in. But the fact of the matter is that it is a drug, which means that individuals can develop a dependence or alcohol addiction. This is when individuals have to look into ways of treating alcohol addiction, such as considering inpatient alcohol detox versus outpatient alcohol detox, along with programs such as AA (Alcoholics Anonymous).
If you are a resident of North Carolina evaluating Inpatient Alcohol Detox vs. Outpatient AA in Charlotte, you come to the right place. In this post we are going to break down the pros and cons and differences of each, in order to help you understand the best possible treatment solution for alcohol addiction.
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What is Inpatient Alcohol Detox? Inpatient alcohol detox is a detox program delivered while an individual is under 24/7 monitoring in a medical facility.
What is Outpatient Alcohol Detox? Outpatient detox is a detox program that is delivered without requiring an individual to stay at a medical facility.
What is AA? AA is Alcoholics Anonymous, an international group therapy program that helps individuals overcome alcoholism.
Which method of treating alcohol addiction is better? Determining the best method of treating alcohol addiction ultimately comes down to personal needs and goals.
Why is it important to be able to evaluate Inpatient Alcohol Detox vs Outpatient Alcohol Detox (and AA) in North Carolina? The more ways of treating alcohol addiction in North Carolina, the better – because a wide range of individuals will be able to have their needs met.
Signs of Needing to Detox from Alcohol. Signs include being unable to control your alcohol intake and suffer from withdrawal symptoms if you try to cut back.
How is Alcohol Detox Handled in North Carolina? Southeastern Recovery Center will help individuals be placed within the best Alcohol detox program personalized to their needs.
How to Choose the Right Rehab in Charlotte, North Carolina. Look for accreditation, success stories, and prior experience dealing with alcohol addiction.
Frequently Asked Questions About Inpatient Alcohol Detox vs. Outpatient AA in Charlotte. Learn the common misconceptions about the different types of alcohol detox programs.
What is Inpatient Alcohol Detox?
Inpatient alcohol detox is when an individual checks into a facility that will provide 24 hour care as they attempt to detox from alcohol. Inpatient alcohol detox is recommended for individuals who have developed a dependence on alcohol, which means those suffering from withdrawal symptoms attempt to stop alcohol intake. Common alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Irritability
Inpatient alcohol detox means receiving around-the-clock monitoring for medical professionals that will track an individual’s health during an alcohol detox. These facilities may also provide optional medication that can help minimize alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
What is Outpatient Alcohol Detox?
Outpatient alcohol detox is when an individual attempts to detox from alcohol addiction was not present at a facility. Outpatient alcohol detox still involves medical professionals, but during outpatient treatments these medical professionals are providing advice and optional prescriptions, which an individual will follow at home.
Outpatient alcohol detox is typically deployed by individuals who cannot afford the lifestyle disturbance that would be involved with an extended stay at a facility.
What is AA?
AA stands for Alcoholics Anonymous, which is a global program that focuses on supporting individuals through alcohol recovery through group meetings and exercises.
Programs like AA are not exactly outpatient treatment, but they are often part of outpatient treatment. This means that a personalized treatment plan, like the one that we as Southeastern Recovery Center created for all of our patients, may include a recommendation that an individual join AA as part of their treatment for alcohol addiction.
Which Method of Treating Alcohol Addiction is Better?
At Southeastern Recovery Center, we often see individuals struggling with alcohol addiction come to us trying to evaluate inpatient alcohol detox versus outpatient alcohol detox, as well as the merit of AA. But the honest truth is that determining the best way to detox from alcohol will ultimately depend on each individual’s needs.
If you are able to take time away from work and are worried about managing symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, inpatient alcohol detox might make sense for you. Additionally, we as Southeastern Recovery Center can help place you in a facility that will provide you with round-the-clock care for your detox.
If your work or school place demands on your time, it makes sense to instead rely on outpatient alcohol detox to help treat your alcohol addiction.
As far as the merits of AA go, Alcoholics Anonymous is a well-regarded program, and we have personally seen individuals benefit from group therapy options like AA. The value of building a support system to help not only beat alcohol addiction but also prevent a relapse cannot be understated.
Why is it Important To Be Able to Evaluate Inpatient Alcohol Detox vs Outpatient Alcohol Detox (and AA) in North Carolina?
Not every state or even every county in the state is able to provide access to inpatient facilities. At Southeastern Recovery Center, we work with individuals struggling with alcohol addiction to help place them within an inpatient alcohol detox facility that can accommodate their every need.
We do this in part because of the alarming statistics relating to alcohol addiction in North Carolina:
- Approximately 4.1 million adults in North Carolina drink alcohol. Of those who drink, 1 in 4 adults binge drink and 1 in 10 adults drink heavily.
- North Carolina’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey showed that 8% of youths aged 12-20 had consumed alcohol within the past 30 days. Early alcohol use is associated with developing alcoholic dependence and addiction later on in life.
- North Carolina has limitations in the availability of rehab centers. For example, there are only eight rehab centers in North Carolina that accept Medicaid.
- In 2023, North Carolina had 5,800 deaths, 66,000 emergency department visits, and a loss of $15 billion attributed to alcohol use.
The fact that alcohol usage is so normalized means that people are less likely to ignore the warning signs associated with heavy drinking. If you or a loved one is exhibiting signs of alcohol addiction, please reach out to Southeastern Recovery Center. We focus on providing personalized treatment to every individual’s needs, which includes placement within an alcohol detox facility that can accommodate AA needs in Charlotte.
Signs of Needing to Detox from Alcohol
The primary individuals that need to detox from alcohol are ones that have developed a dependence or addiction to it. It’s important to be able to recognize signs of alcohol addiction, such as:
- Consuming more alcohol than initially planned
- Inability to quit consuming alcohol
- Developing a tolerance for alcohol and eating to drink more to feel similar effects
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety or nausea but trying to stop alcohol consumption
If you or a loved one are experiencing these signs of alcohol addiction, please reach out to Southeastern Recovery Center. Whether your best solution will be inpatient alcohol detox or outpatient AA in Charlotte, we’ll work to help find the best solution for you.
How is Alcohol Detox Handled in North Carolina?
At Southeastern Recovery Center, our approach to treating patients for alcohol addiction is incredibly personalized. We work with newcomers to figure out if inpatient alcohol detox vs. outpatient is their best solution. We understand fully that the underlying causes of alcohol addiction and the required rehabilitation can vary, so we always want to equip our patients with the long-term tools they’ll need to cope. We do this through offering a variety of treatments:
- Residential Treatment – 24-hour structured support for those needing intensive care.
- Outpatient Programs – Flexible treatment options for clients balancing recovery with daily responsibilities.
- Therapy and Counseling – Evidence-based modalities like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and trauma-informed care.
- Art, Music, and Nature Therapy – imbuing or reviving the patient’s interests in fun activities that can boost moods, relieve stress, and help cope with symptoms.
- Drug Addiction Support – For clients that have developed an addiction to drugs to self medicate for mental health, we make use of addiction treatments, facilitation into detox facilities, and residential treatment to help patients return to sober living.
Whether you’re coming to us from Fayetteville or from Raleigh, know that all patients receive the same comprehensive, personalized care to guide the path towards dealing with alcohol addiction.
How to Choose the Right Rehab in Charlotte, North Carolina
Choosing between rehab centers and detox facilities in Charlotte, North Carolina can be overwhelming. That said, here are key factors to look out for:
- Accreditation
- Licensed therapists and addiction specialists
- Holistic treatment
- Experience with alcohol addiction
- Individualized treatment plans
- Aftercare and long-term support
- Addressing any drug or alcohol dependencies or addictions that may have developed as a result of poor mental health
At Southeastern Recovery Center, we meet all of these criteria and more. Our focus is on affordable, holistic treatment that addresses the underlying factors that lead to needing rehab from alcohol addiction in the first place.
How Rehab Works at Southeastern Recovery Center
From your first phone call to the day you graduate from treatment, our team provides step-by-step support.
- Assessment & Admission – Our admissions team evaluates your needs and verifies insurance coverage.
- Care & Stabilization – We guide you through safe treatment in a medically supported environment.
- Therapeutic Care – You’ll work with licensed therapists to uncover root causes of your issues.
- Skill Building & Aftercare – We help you develop tools and routines for lasting alleviation of symptoms.
- Ongoing Support – Alumni programs and recovery resources keep you connected to your progress.
Why Choose Southeastern Recovery Center
At Southeastern Recovery Center, we believe rehab isn’t a one-off thing, it’s arming an individual with tools they can use for the rest of their life. Our Charlotte-based facility provides a safe, welcoming space where clients can focus fully on long-term treatment.
We serve individuals from Charlotte, Concord, Gastonia, Huntersville, and throughout North Carolina who are seeking trusted, compassionate care.
Our experienced team, state-of-the-art facility, and commitment to personalized care make us a leading choice for North Carolinians seeking to alleviate addiction.
Frequently Asked Questions About Inpatient Alcohol Detox vs. Outpatient AA in Charlotte
Is inpatient alcohol detox better than outpatient alcohol detox?
No, inpatient alcohol detox is not inherently better than outpatient alcohol detox. The best detox option will ultimately depend on an individual’s lifestyle, and what accommodations they need to handle any dependence on alcohol they might’ve developed.
How long does inpatient alcohol detox take?
Inpatient alcohol detox tends to take anywhere from one week to two weeks, though certain individuals can have symptoms lasting longer than that.
What is inpatient alcohol detox like
Inpatient alcohol detox means being placed in a facility where you’re offered 24 seven monitoring from medical professionals that can even provide medications to help alleviate alcohol withdrawal symptoms, should you choose to use them.
Can you cold turkey alcohol?
While you can quit alcohol cold turkey, it can be dangerous to attempt to do so at home because of alcohol’s various withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting. An individual experiencing alcohol withdrawal may end up relapsing, which is why it’s so important to seek help from medical professionals.
Sources:
Wake Forest University School of Medicine. 2023 North Carolina Youth and Young Adult Substance Use Prevention Survey Report. Atrium Health, 2023, cdn.atriumhealth.org/-/media/wakeforest/school/files/about-the-school-of-medicine/prevention-resource-repository/2023-nc-youth-and-young-adult-substance-use-prevention-survey-report.pdf.
“Rising Drug Use in North Carolina and the Shortage of Medicaid-Accepting Inpatient Treatment Providers.” Pyramid Healthcare, 2024, www.pyramid-healthcare.com/nc/blog/rising-drug-use-in-north-carolina-and-the-shortage-of-medicaid-accepting-inpatient-treatment-providers/.
“Data: North Carolina Alcohol Use and Related Harms Prevention.” North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, 2024, www.dph.ncdhhs.gov/programs/chronic-disease-and-injury/injury-and-violence-prevention-branch/north-carolina-alcohol-use-and-related-harms-prevention/data.
