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Debunking 7 Common Myths About Residential Alcohol Rehab

man riding bicycle on beach during sunset, conversation About Residential Alcohol Rehab and what to expect

The first step to healing is to admit that you need help. If that’s you, congratulations. ILC seeks to help every person suffering from alcohol abuse and other traumas. Finding the necessary help to recover from alcohol use disorder can feel overwhelming, especially for people bogged down by negative thoughts and ideas about rehab. ILC offers both residential and outpatient alcohol rehab options for our clients. We want to dispel the myths about residential alcohol rehab and provide you with hope that recovery is possible. 

If you or someone you love needs help, don’t let one of the following 8 myths about residential alcohol rehab serve as an excuse to avoid getting help. After all, each of us deserves help when we need it.

Myth 1: Residential rehab is only for severe addiction.

Reality: Contrary to popular belief, residential alcohol rehab is not just for people with severe addiction. Individuals who struggle with many different substance abuse patterns and compulsive behaviors benefit from residential treatment. It is also important to understand that severe and moderate addiction patterns can lead to destructive behavior. Our women’s residential treatment program and men’s residential treatment program cater to various levels of alcohol use disorder, providing personalized care for each client’s specific needs. No matter how severe a person’s addiction may be, we partner with people who realize they need help.

Myth 2: Residential rehab is a one-size-fits-all solution.

Reality: Each person’s journey to freedom is as unique as they are, so we provide individually crafted treatment plans that address your specific background, circumstances, and needs. There’s very little value in forcing someone to conform to a standardized version of recovery when they really need the right tools to do the work themselves. We’ve seen that a personalized approach is often the key to lasting success.

Myth 3: Residential rehab is only about detoxification.

Reality: Detoxification is a crucial aspect of recovery, but it is far from the sole focus of residential rehab. Most of the recovery process begins after detoxification. Spending time at a facility to dry yourself out is not the same as working to break destructive patterns of alcohol misuse. Our programs employ a holistic approach to rehab, addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of alcohol addiction through counseling, therapy, support groups, and education. Detoxification is only part of the healing process that takes place in residential rehab.

Myth 4: Residential rehab is a quick fix.

Reality: Recovery is a lifelong process; residential rehab is only the beginning. We provide our clients with ongoing support long after they conclude residential treatment, encouraging lifestyle changes beyond the confines of our programs. We support patients through residential alcohol rehab, as well as treatment for substance abuse or other co-occurring disorders. Our clients’ commitment matches our unwavering dedication to their lasting well-being from the moment they enter our facility and for as long as they continue to engage with us. 

Myth 5: Residential rehab is only for the wealthy.

Reality: Yes, luxury rehab facilities exist, but they are not the only option for residential treatment. Before worrying about the cost of rehab for alcohol, it is important to focus on seeking the help you or the person you love needs. We offer a range of programs, including affordable options and various financial assistance programs. At ILC, the cost of treatment should not keep someone from getting help. Our commitment is to make our holistic and trauma-informed care accessible to those who seek it.

Myth 6: Once in rehab, relapse means failure.

Reality: Relapse is a common part of the recovery process for many individuals. We view relapse as an opportunity for growth, highlighting areas that need further attention and adjustment in a client’s ongoing treatment plan. For those struggling with how to break an addiction, it’s important to remember that recovery is a lifelong process. There are often pitfalls to freedom, and they do not define or invalidate the journey. While we don’t make excuses for someone who relapses, we don’t judge them either. 

Myth 7: Medication-assisted treatment is just replacing one addiction with another.

Reality: Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) can be a valuable component of alcohol rehab when used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Our approach involves carefully integrating MAT to manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms, supporting our clients’ recoveries without substituting one addiction for another. MAT should only serve to help clients break free from their patterns of misuse, not trade one substance for another. In reality, most of the medications used in MAT are not habit-forming for most people and aren’t for indefinite use. 

Myth 8: Residential rehab is only for individuals with no responsibilities.

Reality: Residential alcohol rehab for women and men accommodates individuals with various life responsibilities, including work, family, and personal commitments. The misconception that only those without any external life responsibilities can benefit from residential rehab is false. Our programs are structured to support individuals in managing and addressing their commitments while undergoing treatment. We understand that life doesn’t stop during the recovery process, and our approach aims to integrate rehabilitation seamlessly into individuals’ lives, fostering a sustainable path toward recovery. We also offer outpatient treatment programs for specific cases. 

A True Path Toward Recovery at ILC 

As a person moves toward healing and recovery, it’s important to separate fact from fiction. At ILC, we remain committed to combating these myths about residential alcohol rehab with the truth, as we’ve seen it play out over and over again. Our national reputation for clinical and program excellence and a heart-centered and trauma-informed approach sets us apart as a leader in experiential healing and recovery.

If you or a loved one is ready to take the first step toward a healthier, more fulfilling life apart from alcohol, we invite you to complete our Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) assessment. This completely confidential tool helps us understand your unique needs so we can tailor a personalized treatment plan that aligns with your goals.

No one should feel alone in the fight against alcohol misuse. We welcome clients from around the corner and across the country. Thousands of real people from every walk of life trust us to bring the best team, programs, and resources to their healing journey, and you can be one of them. 

You can start today by calling us at (615) 891-2226 and speaking with one of our incredible team members.

Kathy Reynolds, LCSW

"THE ILC ENVIRONMENT ALLOWS FOR TRUE HEALING, AND OUR BELIEF IN EMBRACING THE COMPLEXITY OF EACH INDIVIDUAL CLIENT IS WHAT IS UNIQUE TO OUR APPROACH. WE WILL EMBRACE EACH CLIENT AND HELP THEM BACK TO A WAY OF LIVING THAT GIVES THEM CLEAR DIRECTION AND PURPOSE." – KATHY REYNOLDS

Kathy Reynolds is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been working with addiction and mental health clients for two decades. She has experience working with a multitude of mental health issues, as well as spent many years in a residential setting working with addictive disorders. She is passionate about increasing understanding of how adverse childhood experiences (ACES model) impact development and increase the likelihood of mental health struggles and addiction issues.

Kathy has a wealth of experience treating clients at all levels of care and all types of trauma and family of origin issues, and most  recently worked with veterans who have a history of combat trauma and PTSD. She has held the title of Director of Clinical Services in residential settings prior to ILC with an emphasis on clinical program development, and understands the importance of treating each client as the unique individual they are to ensure each person gets the specialized care they need.

For Kathy, it's important that each client who comes to treatment at ILC gets a chance to unravel the toxic and unhealthy coping mechanisms and behaviors, so that the authentic self can emerge and evolve.

Daniel Barton, MD

ILC exists to help people regain their lives back from the devastating affects of trauma, addiction and mental health struggles. The medical and psychiatric component of that treatment can't be ignored and I'm glad I get to bring my services and experience to this robust team of practitioners so clients can receive the comprehensive care they need.

Daniel Barton, MD is a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist with experience in virtually all environments of mental health services including outpatient, inpatient, crises, and emergency psychiatry. His treatment approach is primarily psychodynamic using a biological, psychological, and social model to evaluate and understand client challenges.

A native to Nashville, Dr. Barton comes from a long line of practitioners who have cared for the mental health needs of the local community for over 3 decades. His father is a psychiatrist and educator, his mother is a clinical social worker and marital therapist, and his brother practices psychiatry in the Nashville area. He earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee - Memphis and trained at Harvard University for adult psychiatry.

Dr. Barton works with the clients of ILC who have experienced trauma, struggle with addiction and substance abuse, and suffer from anxiety, depression, and other mental health and mood disorders.

Greg Kfoury

Greg Kfoury is the friendly face (and voice) a potential client encounters upon their initial contact with Integrative Life Center. Greg has played an integral role on the ILC leadership team having worked in business development, operations and directing our Alumni Services, and is excited to bring his skills and knowledge to this vital role at the organization. His business acumen combined with a passion for behavioral health and intimate knowledge of ILC’s programs keep the admissions department running on all cylinders, ready to serve incoming clients and industry referents.

A native of Northern Virginia, Greg is a graduate of the University of Richmond and is a former high school Latin teacher. He gained business experience working in commercial real estate and project management and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in psychology from the Harvard University Extension School.

Greg is an alumnus of Integrative Life Center where he discovered, and embraced, the integrative approach to treatment. For Greg, that included active 12-step program participation and Refuge Recovery.

Away from work, Greg loves playing sports, especially hockey and volleyball. He tries never to miss sober game night with friends!

Mackenzie Reeser

ILC clients have the opportunity to explore their relationship with food and the coping behaviors they’ve adopted. We help them dive deeply into the work of figuring out how to interact with food in ways that align with their values and fuel their lives. – Mackenzie Reeser

Registered dietician Mackenzie Reeser discovered her passion in the relationship between nutrition and behavioral health. A native of Indianapolis, Mackenzie is a graduate of Nashville’s Lipscomb University. She earned a master’s degree in public health from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. As Director of Nutrition Services at Integrative Life Center, Mackenzie is a key member of the treatment team for clients struggling with eating disorders. As well, she sees nutrition as an essential component in treating clients with a history of substance abuse and mental health challenges.

Mackenzie brings considerable experience to ILC, including work as a health coach, and as a dietician for North Carolina State University. Her background in the behavioral health field includes The Ranch in Nashville, and Carolina House in Durham, where she served clients with primary eating disorders in residential and outpatient settings.

At ILC, Mackenzie helps structure an integrative approach to treatment that uses traditional and non-traditional therapeutic techniques. Clients gain an understanding of their food patterns and relationships, and the issues that underlie their behaviors.

At home, Mackenzie and her husband Isaac enjoy spending time with friends, relaxing on the back porch, and romping with their fun-loving dog Maggie.

Cheryl Brown

“Experience has taught me that facilitating wellness is about helping each person embrace personal accountability while inviting them to move from surviving life to thriving in life. I am honored to witness awareness and hope dawn, with the needed change being sparked and nurtured by actions they take on their own behalf.”

Cheryl joins Integrative Life Center bringing a depth and breadth of experience in addictions and behavioral healthcare. She has held various key roles in leadership, marketing, intake, and clinical aspects of care delivery since joining the field in 1981. Cheryl holds close to the importance of active engagement in providing clinical excellence and integrity in collaboration with the residential and out-patient teams she’s worked. Throughout her career, she has maintained a dedicated focus on working with clients and families, hostage to substance and process addictions, while assisting their healing through evidence-based practices in concert with a trauma resiliency-focused lens.

Brock Woodard, LPC-MHSP

Brock's clinical superpower is his ability to stay calm, to connect with clients, and his knowledge of the addiction cycle.

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