Alcohol rehab is a process that allows a person who abuses alcohol or is an alcoholic to stop using alcohol. In mild cases, alcohol rehab can be done one-to-one with a substance abuse counselor or in an outpatient rehab center. An alcohol rehab program generally involves educating a person about the dangers of alcohol abuse while working on the emotional issues that compel a person to drink.

It normally takes a month for a person to go through what is referred to as "recovery" for alcohol abuse. Most people in alcohol rehab will go through some degree of withdrawal at first. In most cases the withdrawal is very mild and needs no real medical treatment. However, in severe cases, hospitalization may be required so that medications can be given and a person can be monitored while withdrawing from alcohol.

After completing an alcohol rehab program of any type, mental health providers recommend a recovered alcohol abuser or alcoholic stay in an abuse program such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) for at least a year to help them stay sober. It isn't uncommon for a person to need alcohol rehab several times before getting and staying sober for good.