Alcohol addiction is a complex disorder that can have serious consequences for your health, relationships, and overall quality of life. It is a chronic condition that can be treated with a variety of treatment options.
It is critical to talk about your drinking problem with a qualified therapist or counselor. The right therapy can help you identify the roots of your alcohol use and create a plan to overcome it.
Rehab
Alcohol rehab is a treatment option that allows you to remove drugs and alcohol from your system, change behaviors that trigger drug use and learn new ways to function in society to stay sober. Rehab can be either inpatient or outpatient, depending on your personal situation and addiction.
Rehab programs are a safe and structured environment where you can get treatment from trained professionals and receive support. They typically offer detox, therapy, group counseling, medication management, holistic therapies and other services.
Inpatient or residential alcohol rehab is the most intensive level of care. Patients live in a dorm-like setting while receiving round-the-clock monitoring and clinical management to alleviate withdrawal symptoms.
Inpatient treatment is typically recommended for those with severe alcohol problems or for those who have already tried other treatments unsuccessfully. It is also a good choice for people who have children or have other significant responsibilities.
Counseling
If you have an alcohol addiction, you’ll need counseling as a part of your recovery plan. Addiction counselors can help you develop coping strategies, stress management skills and relapse prevention techniques to overcome your addiction.
Counselors can also assist you in developing achievable goals and benchmarks that you can work towards throughout your treatment. Some may be short-term, such as overcoming an urge to drink that day or attending a self-help meeting. Others may be long-term, such as marking your anniversary of sobriety.
Therapists are trained to ask questions that can better determine your root problems and motivate you to change your behavior. This is a vital skill for any counselor to possess, especially one who is helping someone through a tough time in their life.
Psychotherapy can help resolve the psychological factors that led you to addiction in the first place, and it can show you how to confront moods, feelings and thoughts in healthier ways. Depending on your situation, your therapist may provide psychotherapy alone or with other treatment methods such as group therapy or marital therapy.
Support Groups
Support groups can be a helpful treatment option for people who are recovering from alcohol addiction. They are typically run by a trained therapist or social worker and help group members find empathy and understanding from peers who are also struggling with substance abuse.
There are many types of groups that can be beneficial for individuals who have an alcohol addiction, including psychoeducational, cognitive behavioral and skills development groups. The goals of these groups are to teach members how to cope with emotions and traumas, resolve conflicts, avoid triggers and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
In addition, some groups focus on relapse prevention, spirituality, culture and ceremonial healing practices. These groups also provide a safe space to discuss issues and learn new ways to approach them.
Getting support from others can be crucial to maintaining your sobriety in the long term. If you’re struggling with an alcohol addiction, talk to your doctor about finding a treatment program that will give you the support and accountability you need to stay sober.
Medication
Medication can help you stop drinking or reduce your alcohol use, and some medications are available over the counter (OTC) without a prescription. Medications are often used together with counseling and support groups to treat alcohol addiction, although they can also be used on their own.
Drugs that can help people with alcohol abuse include acamprosate, disulfiram, and naltrexone. These medications can help rebalance chemicals in the brain that may have been changed by drinking too much.
Several antidepressants also can reduce problem drinking. These medicines work by suppressing the brain's release of a chemical called dopamine, which is associated with feelings of pleasure and reward.
Topiramate, a medication that is commonly used for treating seizures and epilepsy, can also reduce cravings for alcohol. Gabapentin, an anti-inflammatory drug used to treat pain conditions, can reduce heavy drinking and cravings in some people with AUD.
