Alcohol addiction treatments are widely available for those who are seeking to end their destructive drinking habits. However, among the many kinds of treatments for alcohol addiction, how would you know which ones are the best for you? We’ll share with you some of the best treatment options in this article so that you are well-informed of your choices.
What is Alcohol Addiction?
Alcohol addiction’s medical term is alcohol use disorder. It is when you are no longer able to control the amount of alcohol that you drink. At the same time, you experience having trouble with yourself if you can’t consume alcohol.
For many people, they think that you lack the willpower to stop yourself from drinking. However, the truth is that you are going to need more than willpower to address this problem. That’s why you should look at your options for alcohol addiction treatments.
The fact is that alcohol addiction is a brain disease. Too much alcohol consumption for a long period can cause changes in the brain. These changes make it very difficult for you to stop your drinking habit. While your willpower can do a lot in making you stop, it simply isn’t going to be enough. It would be like treating hypertension with happy thoughts.
The first step that you have to make would be to know about the best alcohol addiction treatments. Now that you’re reading this article about it, you are taking a huge first step and that’s great!
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Talk to Your Doctor to Know More about Alcohol Addiction
There are several kinds of alcohol use disorder. It can range from mild to severe cases. For example, if you have a mild case of an alcohol use disorder, you may be abusing alcohol but you are not dependent on the substance. Nevertheless, it can still lead to alcohol addiction in the long run. Here are some of the questions that your doctor might ask to assess if you have alcohol addiction:
- Do you feel that you need to drink?
- Can you control the amount of alcohol that you drink?
- Do you feel bad whenever you can’t drink?
Try your best to be truthful in answering those questions. You have to be absolutely honest with yourself and your doctor. That is the only way that you can get the help that you need for your alcohol addiction.
Another thing that you should talk to your doctor about would be your goals. Do you want to drink less or do you want to stop drinking altogether? You have to be clear about what you want so the doctor can assist you in reaching those goals.
You and your doctor can then begin to design a treatment plan. The physician will also be able to refer you to good rehabilitation and treatment centres where you can talk with addiction treatment specialists. They can help you extensively in dealing with your problem with alcohol addiction.
Related article: How to Know if Alcohol Abuse is Already a Problem
Alcohol Addiction Treatment Options
The best treatment option for alcohol addiction will have to depend on a number of things. Some of the factors include the severity of your case and also your goals. For many recovering alcohol addicts, they find that combining some of the treatments is a good strategy for a more successful recovery.
To get the best combinations, you should definitely try enrolling in a rehab program. The program will be designed specifically for your case.
Alcohol addiction treatments may either be an outpatient or inpatient program. Many studies state that enrolling in an inpatient program is better. You will be able to focus on the treatment and on getting better. You will also be given supervision and assistance 24/7. In an inpatient rehab program, you will be staying in a treatment centre for a given time. If this is not possible for your case, an outpatient program is also available. You can go to the centre for your treatments and then go back home.
Detoxification
A key step to many alcohol addiction treatments is detox. This process will be especially beneficial for you if you have a case of severe alcohol addiction. The goal of detox is for you to stop your drinking habits. It will also give the body adequate time for the alcohol to be released from your system. Detox will take about a few weeks.
It will be best to go through detox in a treatment centre or hospital because it can be dangerous. Don’t do it alone because you will be experiencing withdrawal symptoms. The symptoms can be very uncomfortable. You will experience tremors, seizures, and hallucinations. It is best that you will be medically-supervised during your detox process. You will also be given medications by your physician so that the withdrawal symptoms can be more tolerable.
Try Attending Therapy Sessions
When you have an alcohol addiction, part of the strategy to stop your drinking habit is to control your behaviours. However, you need to be able to learn a lot of useful skills as well as strategies to deal with triggers. You can go to a therapist or counsellor to help you with this. They can assist you in altering the behaviours that cause you to drink.
You can train yourself in dealing with stress and triggers. In the process, you will also be able to build your support system. And lastly, going to therapy sessions will teach you how you can set goals for yourself and how to reach them.
For some cases of alcohol addiction only need a few short counselling sessions that focus on attaining your goals. However, you may also opt for individual counselling sessions that can deal extensively with other problems like depression and anxiety. It is a good and effective alcohol addiction treatment.
Alcohol addiction can cause problems in your personal life as well as in the lives of the people dear to you. You may consider going to family therapy sessions as well. It will be a healthy way for your family to express their feelings about your drinking habits and their effects.
Medications for Alcohol Addiction
As of now, there’s no type of drug that can absolutely cure alcohol addiction. However, as part of the alcohol addiction treatments available, there are medications that can help you recover. These medications can make drinking alcohol less enjoyable for you. As a consequence, you won’t be drinking as much. Here are some of the drugs used to treat alcohol addiction.
- Naltrexone helps in blocking the high that you can get when you drink alcohol.
- Acamprosate is especially helpful during detox because it reduces the cravings.
- Disulfiram is a drug that will make drinking unpleasant because you’ll throw up if you do.
There are also medications that are originally for other conditions such as epilepsy, pain treatments, and smoking that may help in treating alcohol addiction. It is best if you talk to your doctor about the alcohol addiction treatments available especially the meds you can try to make detox and recovery more successful.
Attending Group Therapy
Attending a support group is one of the alcohol addiction treatments that you can try. If you’re going to choose an inpatient rehab program, you’ll be able to attend these meetings regularly. Even if you’re in an outpatient program, you can still find and join a group therapy session for recovering alcoholics. These sessions will help you to be firm and stay on your course during recovery.
In group therapy sessions, you will have a therapist to lead the group. You can get so many benefits from joining these sessions. You’ll learn new skills and gain friends who are going through similar battles with alcohol addiction. You will be supported by these people. In turn, you can also give your support to them.
In support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, there won’t be any therapists to lead the group. The group is composed of people dealing with alcohol addiction. Your peers in such support groups will be understanding people who are willing to help you get through the toughest times in your recovery. You can go to them for advice on strategies for dealing with triggers and stress. They will also help in keeping you accountable for your actions.
Takeaway
Alcohol addiction treatments are available. You only have to make the decision to get help. As for your recovery, know that it won’t be an easy and quick process. You have to work hard for it and do your best to achieve it. Recovery doesn’t end with you graduating from a rehab program. You will need ongoing treatment to make sure that you don’t go back to your old habits.
Relapse or going back to drinking is possible, especially in the first year of your recovery. Know that you have not failed when this happens. Get back up and learn from your mistakes. Take note of the triggers you need to avoid so that you don’t end up drinking. Be honest with yourself and with your support group about your weaknesses. They will be with you to support you all the way. Lastly, celebrate each day that you are sober.
Want to end your alcohol addiction today? Contact us now so we can help you live an alcohol-free life!
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