The NIAAA has a very helpful set of resources for the general public and for clinicians. If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States. Overcoming AUD is an ongoing process—one that can include setbacks.
- We drink a bit more and it eventually produces a sedative-like effect.
- People often wonder whether it’s better to go to inpatient or outpatient rehab for alcohol.
- But these may be easier for concerned family members and friends to ask, since they may hesitate to ask direct questions about quantity.
- After detox, you’ll meet with a counselor who will help you determine which type of treatment and setting is best for you.
- Alcohol use disorder is what doctors call it when you can’t control how much you drink and have trouble with your emotions when you’re not drinking.
Aftercare and relapse prevention
- Ultimately, receiving treatment can improve your chances of success.
- Just as some people with diabetes or asthma may have flare-ups of their disease, a return to drinking can be seen as a temporary setback to full recovery and not as a failure.
- Alcohol’s effects are heightened by medicines that depress the central nervous system, such as sleeping pills, antihistamines, antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs and some painkillers.
Our PHP track offers a variety of therapeutic services and benefits to individuals in early recovery from substance addiction. Alcohol dependence is often accompanied by certain mood or mental health conditions, like depression or anxiety. Along with your treatment for AUD, you may need to seek medical care for other complications you experience.
Health Conditions
Comprehensive treatment gives individuals the needed tools to stay sober for the long-term and enjoy productive lives despite the disorder. Similarly, alcoholism can be managed through treatment and recovery with diligence and commitment. After your body has been fully cleared of alcohol and the worst of the withdrawal symptoms have subsided, you’ll move into the next phase of your rehabilitation.
E-Health Alcohol Treatment Tools*
The following alcohol recovery options can help you begin treating AUD and reversing the effects alcohol has had on your life. Makes available free informational materials on all aspects of alcoholism, including the effects of drinking during pregnancy, alcohol use and the elderly, and help for cutting down on drinking. People who are not alcoholic sometimes do not understand why an alcoholic can’t just “use a little willpower” to stop drinking. Alcoholics are in the grip of a powerful “craving,” or uncontrollable need, for alcohol that overrides their ability to stop drinking. It is never easy for family members and friends to talk about a drinking problem.
Addiction and Recovery Educational Blog
Professional addiction treatment is also highly effective in preventing relapse. According to the Center for Health Care Evaluation, studies estimate that relapse rates range from 50 to 80% in the absence of addiction treatment. While alcohol addiction can be managed, it often remains a lifelong battle. Relapse is a common part of recovery, with studies showing that about 40-60% of individuals will relapse at some point.
Some people recover from AUD the first time they seek treatment, while others may require several treatment attempts. If you want to take steps to get treatment for AUD, make an appointment with a doctor. They’ll likely ask you a series of questions to determine the severity of your AUD. These questions can also help them determine the best treatment option for your needs. Cassiobury Court is a beautiful, homely residential facility, situated in a charming residential area and set within lush grounds, offering a really relaxed and peaceful environment. All bedrooms are individual and there are shared bathrooms and ensuite rooms available so that you can have quiet time to yourself when you need it.
If they can’t stay within those limits, they need to stop drinking altogether. Research shows that the risk for developing alcoholism does indeed run in families. The genes a person inherits partially explain this pattern, but lifestyle also is a factor. Currently, researchers are working to discover the actual genes that put people at risk for alcoholism.
Relapses are very common and do not mean that a person has failed or cannot recover from alcoholism. Keep in mind, too, that every day that a recovering alcoholic has stayed sober prior to a relapse is extremely valuable time, both to the individual and to his or her family. If a relapse occurs, it is very important to try to stop drinking once again and to get whatever additional support you need to abstain from drinking. Once an individual commits to stop drinking, the physician will watch out for and treat withdrawal symptoms. During the withdrawal process, the doctor may prescribe a class of antianxiety drugs called benzodiazepines for a short period in order to reduce withdrawal symptoms. Three medications are currently approved in the United States to help people stop or reduce their drinking and prevent a return to drinking.
To increase the chances of success, medical supervision is established to ensure each client remains safe and healthy throughout the process. With medical supervision, medications can be administered to reduce withdrawal symptoms and curb Sober living house cravings. As there is no “cure” with addiction treatment, success in recovery from alcohol addiction is not usually measured by a complete absence of the desire to drink. Instead, successful alcohol recovery involves a complete rebuilding and reshaping of your life. It encompasses improved physical and mental health, mending relationships, and making positive, lasting lifestyle changes. However, even individuals who are determined to stay sober may suffer one or several “slips,” or relapses, before achieving long-term sobriety.
The Importance of Support Systems and Family Therapy in Recovery
It’s important to note, however, that the most effective treatment for alcoholism will vary for each individual. One of the most important elements of recovery from alcohol addiction is having a strong support system. This may include family, friends, support groups, and healthcare professionals.
This path, paved by a combination of medical intervention, therapeutic insights and ongoing support, offers a beacon of hope to both those struggling with alcoholism and their loved ones. For those looking for a quick fix, the truth is that for most people, it is a lifelong journey that requires a firm and lasting commitment to maintaining sobriety. One of the most common questions asked by those who have an alcohol addiction is whether the condition can be “cured”. This query reflects the hope and desperation of those affected and touches on a broader, more complex medical debate about what “cure” means.
Alcohol treatment center is a generic term for a facility that treats patients who are struggling with alcohol abuse or addiction. Many treatment centers combine some or all of these different levels of care. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating alcohol addiction.