How Can Alcohol Addiction be Treated?

Do you have drinking problem? The first step to the recovery process is the understanding of alcohol addiction and possible treatment options. Alcohol dependency can be overcome with the necessary support and medical treatment, and you will be able to come under your own control again.

The alcohol addiction treatment is a professional assistance that will be able to help you in the closest future; call Solutions Healthcare at the moment (386) 866-3600.

What is Alcohol Addiction?

Alcohol addiction or alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a persistent disorder when a person cannot control or quit drinking even though it has adverse effects on his or her life. It is not just about indulging in this type of consuming occasionally, but it may cause physical addiction, behavioral alterations, and extreme health effects.

The addictive nature of alcohol is not appreciated by many individuals. Then you may say, Will I become an alcoholic? The answer is yes. Alcohol activates the reward system of the brain causing cravings and encouragement of drinking behavior with time thus making it very addictive to some people.

What Are the Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder?

It is important to identify the symptoms of alcohol addiction in order to get an early intervention. The symptoms may be mild and severe including:

• Once addicted, cannot control the drinking.
• Feeling a need to drink or having the thoughts all the time.
• Failure to fulfill duties at work, in school, or at home.
• Unsteady, nauseating, or even anxious with the drink out of the way.
• Tolerance, an ability to consume more and more alcohol in order to achieve the desired effect.
• Influenced risky behavior.

The sooner these symptoms are recognized the higher the probability of successful treatment and recovery.

What Causes Alcohol Use Disorder?

It does not come out overnight that alcohol is addictive. Usually it is a combination of the following factors:

1. Genetic predisposition or hereditary: The family history can be predisposing.
2. Psychological factors: alcohol abuse may be either a result of depression or anxiety or trauma.
3. Social factors: Drinking can be encouraged by peer influence, environmental or culture influence.
4. Biological changes: The persistent use of alcohol has an effect on the brain chemistry, which strengthens the addiction.

Knowing such causes aids health providers in designing effective treatment plans to each patient.

How Can Alcohol Addiction Be Treated?

Alcohol addiction treatment is multifocal and individual. This is aimed at treating both behavioral and physical dependence of the disorder. The most effective methods are the following:

1. Detoxification (Medical Detox)

The initial step of treatment is detox. It entails the medically guided withdrawal in order to handle physical symptoms safely. To achieve alcohol detox, medications can be used to eliminate cravings, complications can be prevented, and withdrawal pains can be alleviated.

2. Inpatient or Residential Treatment

In the case of severe ones, an inpatient program is used that offers 24/7 care in a supportive setting. The patients are given therapy, medical care and support groups which enable them to concentrate on recovery.

3. Outpatient Programs

Outpatient programs enable participants to maintain their daily lifestyle but they come to attend regular therapy sessions. These programs provide counseling, behavior therapy and peer support thus recovery is flexible but structured.

4. Behavioral Therapies

CBT and Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) are treatment approaches that help patients to understand triggers and come up with coping methods and changing the drinking patterns.

5. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Some FDA approved drugs have the ability to decrease cravings and relapse. Such medications as naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram are usually used together with therapy to achieve maximum effectiveness.

6. Support Groups

Peer support, accountability, and guidance are the elements of long-term recovery, which are offered by such programs as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or SMART Recovery.

The two treatment strategies together would enhance the chances of permanent sobriety. Healing is nonlinear but through proper support, people can handle their lives back.