Author: John Carter

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

Find a supportive friend or family member to be with you while you withdraw and support your new non-drinking lifestyle. Online groups and apps can provide much-needed support, but some issues need the help of a professional. In these cases, see above to find telehealth options for professional care. And use the Navigator to choose quality care that is backed by science. In the United States, check to ensure the program is in-network with your health insurance as well.

Studies show that people who are alcohol dependent are two to three times as likely to suffer from major depression or anxiety over their lifetime. When addressing drinking problems, it’s important to also seek treatment for any accompanying medical and mental health issues. Psychologists specialize in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions, SUD, and addiction.

Social Support and Treatment Programs

These advances could optimize how treatment decisions are made in the future. It is important to remember that not all people will respond to medications, but for a subset of individuals, they can be an important tool in overcoming alcohol dependence. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three medications for treating alcohol dependence, and others are being tested to determine whether they are effective. If your doctor brings up concerns, it doesn’t mean you have a problem.

Withdrawal symptoms can quickly go from a bad hangover to a serious medical situation. This process temporarily restores homeostasis, or chemical balance, in an effort to counteract the impact of long-term alcohol use on the brain. Take the assessment and get matched with a professional, licensed therapist. Individuals are advised to talk to their doctors about the best form of primary treatment. Alcohol-related problems—which result from drinking too much, too fast, or too often—are among the most significant public health issues in the United States. Make your tax-deductible gift and be a part of the cutting-edge research and care that’s changing medicine.

BetterHelp is an online therapy service that matches you to licensed, accredited therapists who can help with depression, anxiety, relationships, and more. Take the assessment and get matched with a therapist in as little as 48 hours. Depending on the severity of your addiction, residential treatment may last at least a month and up to several months. Whether you’re looking for treatment for yourself or a loved one, this guide can help steer you through the available options and begin the journey of recovery. All approved medications are non-addictive and can be used alone or in combination with other forms of treatment.

What to look for in an alcohol rehab program

They’re trained in a variety of evidence-based treatment methods designed to improve emotional and interpersonal well-being. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health, including substance use disorders. They’re trained to understand the complex relationship between mental health and substance misuse and how to deliver evidence-based treatment for addiction. Once you get back into the swing of your normal life, it might be easy to relapse and start drinking again. You have lots of options, including 12-step programs, private therapy, and group counseling.

These first few weeks are critical because they are when the risk of relapse is highest. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms range from mild but annoying to severe and life-threatening. An outpatient service could involve meeting one-on-one with an addiction counselor, therapist, or psychologist in a clinic or office. You might be transferred “down” to outpatient service from an intensive inpatient service after showing signs of progress. Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) are similar to PHP because they don’t involve live-in services.

1. It is rare that someone would go to treatment once and then never drink again.
2. In other cases, medication is used to help reduce cravings, ease withdrawal symptoms, and help prevent relapse.
3. Over time, however, the body builds a tolerance to alcohol, and a person may have to drink more and more to get the same feeling.

For people who experience hallucinations as part of alcohol withdrawal, these may begin in the 12- to 24-hour time frame. There is no exact timeline for alcohol withdrawal, and individual factors, such as the level of dependence on alcohol, will influence it. The Navigator can help you find some mutual-support groups to consider. You can find more recovery support options from the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s list of online support groups, apps, and podcasts.

Choosing an Alcohol Rehab Treatment Program

The Navigator will steer you toward evidence-based treatment, which applies knowledge gained through decades of carefully designed scientific research. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Ideally, you want to find a program you can afford that has licensed, trained staff and a high success rate. If you don’t already have a supportive network, you can make new connections by joining social media communities dedicated to alcohol-free living. People who drink daily or almost every day should not be left alone for the first few days after stopping alcohol.

Red flags to look out for when choosing a rehab or treatment program

It’s just another way they’re looking after your health — no different than taking your blood pressure and sharing the results with you. The goal is to help you understand the risks, empower you to make informed choices about your health, and help you take whatever steps you’re ready to take. Inpatient treatment at a hospital or medical center isn’t as common as it used to be, but these programs make sense if you have serious medical or mental health issues. When you think about detox programs, it helps to look a step ahead to rehab. That’s because you’ll also need treatment to break your addiction, and some programs combine the two.

When people become physically dependent on alcohol or drugs, it’s not safe for them to stop drinking or using without medical supervision. Our addiction medicine care teams can help members with severe SUD stop drinking or using drugs safely and comfortably. This doesn’t treat SUD, but it’s an important first step toward recovery for the members who need it. Many health care professionals and programs have offered telehealth alcohol treatment for years.

Overcoming Alcohol Addiction

See also the tips and tools on NIAAA’s Rethinking Drinking website. Millions of readers rely on HelpGuide.org for free, evidence-based resources to understand and navigate mental health challenges. Research shows that most people who have alcohol problems are able to reduce their drinking or quit entirely. Certain medications have been shown to effectively help people stop or reduce their drinking and avoid relapse. Some are surprised to learn that there are medications on the market approved to treat alcohol dependence.

As more medications become available, people may be able to try multiple medications to find which they respond to best. If you are seeking treatment for yourself, you are taking an important step in your route to recovery. You may wish to ask someone you trust to help you through the process and for support along the way. You can talk to anyone on your care team about your drug or alcohol use — there’s no wrong door. You can start the conversation at any time, and we’ll connect you to the next appropriate level of care. Outpatient, where you get some treatment during the day but live at home.