Alcohol Addiction Treatment

The OWH states, “Treatment for an alcohol problem depends on its severity.” Even for someone who is absolutely addicted to alcohol, this still applies. First and foremost, a person must be treated for the alcohol withdrawal symptoms they will experience when they stop drinking.

Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment

• There are two types of alcohol withdrawal treatment centers: inpatient and outpatient-based.
  • If you are experiencing “mild-to-moderate alcohol withdrawal symptoms,” you can comfortably attend treatment at an outpatient center where you will be given sedative medication to ease your symptoms and counseling to prepare you for alcohol addiction treatment (NLM).
  • In this case, you can come and go from the facility, but you should definitely consider staying with a friend or family member.
  • If you are experiencing severe symptoms of alcohol withdrawal (like delirium tremens), you should consider inpatient alcohol withdrawal treatment.
  • You will likely be sedated with the use of benzodiazepines until your withdrawal is over, and you will be in a controlled environment so doctors can monitor your symptoms.
  • After this part of treatment has ended, you will need to continue into formal alcohol addiction treatment as medically-assisted detox does little on its own to reverse the effects of addiction.

Alcohol rehab centers will help you recover from alcohol abuse safely and comfortably.

According to the NIAAA, some of the most successful treatments available to those with alcohol addiction or alcoholism problems are:

• Medications approved by the FDA to treat alcoholism including: 
  • Disulfiram (Antabuse)
  • Naltrexone (Vivitrol)
  • Acamprosate (Campral)
• Therapies and behavioral treatments like
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy
  • Contingency management
  • Community reinforcement approach
  • Motivational Enhancement therapy
  • Couples and family therapy
  • Interventions
  • Group therapy
• Mutual-help Groups like 
  • Alcoholics Anonymous
  • SOS Sobriety

Depending on how strong your cravings and addiction symptoms are, you may want to choose inpatient rehab for your alcoholism treatment. There is also the possibility of attending outpatient treatment for your alcohol addiction and, over time, you may choose to only attend a mutual-help group.

Alcohol addiction is a serious issue that can cause your life to feel like it’s crumbling. But there are treatments available to help you recover so that you can gain back your control over alcohol.