Author: Gary Jackson

Treatment for Alcohol Problems: Finding and Getting Help National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism NIAAA

Alcohol use disorder (sometimes called alcoholism) is a medical condition. It involves heavy or frequent alcohol drinking even when it causes problems, emotional distress or physical harm. A combination of medications, behavioral therapy and support can help you or a loved one recover.

Behavioral treatments are aimed at changing drinking behavior through counseling. They are led by health professionals and supported by studies showing they can be beneficial. However, even with this great accomplishment, it’s also important to remember that this is just the beginning. Having consistent accountability and support can make all the difference when it comes to abstaining from alcohol long-term.

Advice For Friends and Family Members

If a relapse occurs, it’s important to remember that this is not a sign of failure, but a blip on the road to lifelong sobriety. Relapsing also does not mean that treatment is not working. It may signify that your course of treatment needs to change for the time being, but that is something you should always discuss with your healthcare provider and/or therapist. Your health care provider or counselor can suggest a support group. Someone with an alcohol addiction who has remained sober for months or years may find themselves drinking again.

Seeking professional help can prevent relapse—behavioral therapies can help people develop skills to avoid and overcome triggers, such as stress, that might lead to drinking. Most people benefit from regular checkups with a treatment provider. Medications also can deter drinking during times when individuals may be at greater risk of relapse (e.g., divorce, death of a family member). For serious alcohol use disorder, you may need a stay at a residential treatment facility. Most residential treatment programs include individual and group therapy, support groups, educational lectures, family involvement, and activity therapy. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other 12-step programs provide peer support for people quitting or cutting back on their drinking.

Who can I call for help with alcohol use disorder?

People with alcohol use disorder will continue to drink even when drinking causes negative consequences, like losing a job or destroying relationships with people they love. They may know that their alcohol use negatively affects their lives, but it’s often not enough to make them stop drinking. An important first step is to learn more about alcohol use disorder and your treatment options. If you drink more alcohol than that, consider cutting back or quitting. It’s a disease of brain function and requires medical and psychological treatments to control it. Understanding the available treatment options—from behavioral therapies and medications to mutual-support groups—is the first step.

• When addressing drinking problems, it’s important to also seek treatment for any accompanying medical and mental health issues.
• Scientists are working to develop a larger menu of pharmaceutical treatments that could be tailored to individual needs.
• This can mean cutting off financial assistance or making it difficult for them to fulfill the addiction.
• No cure, however, does not mean there is no hope for long-term recovery.

It’s important to not enable destructive behaviors and to maintain appropriate boundaries if the person with the alcohol addiction is still drinking. This can mean cutting off financial assistance or making it difficult for them to fulfill the addiction. Treating alcohol addiction can be complex and challenging. In order for treatment to work, the person with an alcohol addiction must want to get sober. You can’t force them to stop drinking if they aren’t ready.

Management and Treatment

The good news is that no matter how severe the problem may seem, most people with AUD can benefit from some form of treatment. If you do feel the urge to relapse, reach out to your therapist, sponsor or sober mentor (if applicable), a friend, or a family member. There’s no shame in having the urge to relapse, but telling someone sooner rather than later will allow them to get you the help you need. After completing treatment, the thought of relapsing can be scary. Many people fear that relapsing means they have undone all of the hard work previously done in treatment and that they will never achieve sobriety again.

Sober communities can help someone struggling with alcohol addiction deal with the challenges of sobriety in day-to-day life. Sober communities can also share relatable experiences and offer new, healthy friendships. And these communities make the person with an alcohol addiction accountable and provide a place to turn to if there is a relapse. A common initial treatment option for someone with an alcohol addiction is an outpatient or inpatient rehabilitation program.

Is There a Cure for Alcoholism?

An inpatient program can last anywhere from 30 days to a year. It can help someone handle withdrawal symptoms and emotional challenges. Outpatient treatment provides daily support while allowing the person to live at home. Though there may be no easy “cure” for alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder, the condition is treatable.

Combined with treatment led by health professionals, mutual-support groups can offer a valuable added layer of support. Three medications are currently approved in the United States to help people stop or reduce their drinking and prevent relapse. They are prescribed by a primary care physician or other health professional and may be used alone or in combination with counseling. Alcoholism and its symptoms can be successfully managed with effective treatment. It’s important to note, however, that the most effective treatment for alcoholism will vary for each individual. Regardless of the type of support system, it’s helpful to get involved in at least one when getting sober.