For all the efforts of doctors, therapists, social workers and support groups, only a fraction of those addicted to alcohol manage to stop drinking and remain abstinent for a significant period. Below is a list of providers and the type of care they may offer. You’re likely to start by seeing your primary health care provider. If your provider suspects that you have a problem with alcohol, you may be referred to a mental health provider. Studies show that Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), a support group that helps people with drinking problems, does work for many participants.
We’re here to help you figure out what the right program might mean for you. ” At New Directions for Women, we offer individualized treatment per patient because we understand that there is no one-size-fits-all plan. We offer 12-step programs along with other forms of treatment that may better suit individuals recovering from AUD. It’s worth mentioning that any of these programs can complement an AA program. AA is a faith-based program that incorporates religion of all kinds into its framework.
More in Addiction
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. It’s important to remember that these medications are prescribed on a case-by-case basis based on an individual’s specific needs and preferences and are not guaranteed to help everyone struggling with alcohol addiction. In an alcoholic, the brain’s pleasure centers, as well as neurotransmitters that affect brain stimulation, are essentially out of whack. Although we can rebalance the brain’s neurotransmitters over time, the neural pathways that were created while engaging in addictive behavior (or, in this case, alcohol abuse) will always be there. This is a topic that continues to be of great debate in our society.
Ongoing treatment and continued recovery efforts can be helpful in successfully managing alcoholism and preventing relapse in the long term. Read on to learn more about the disease of alcoholism and how it is treated. If you’re a long-term, heavy drinker, you may need medically supervised detoxification. Detox can be done on an outpatient basis or in a hospital or alcohol treatment facility, where you may be prescribed medication to prevent medical complications and relieve withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor or an addiction specialist to learn more.
Other NIAAA Sites
Our trusted and compassionate recovery advisors will provide a free, confidential consultation so you can decide on a course of action for treatment. Contact Nexus today and get started on the road to recovery. When you or your loved one completes an inpatient or outpatient alcohol treatment program, this is a time for celebration. Like with all drugs, long-term alcohol abuse creates changes in the brain’s biochemistry. New Directions for Women helps patients join the positive side of alcoholism recovery statistics. It’s possible with the right program, whatever that may be.
- If certain people, places, or activities trigger a craving for alcohol, try to avoid them.
- A number of these therapies, including cognitive-behavioral coping skills treatment and motivational enhancement therapy, were developed by psychologists.
- Other mutual support groups include Refuge Recovery, Women for Sobriety, and All Recovery.
- Alcoholics Anonymous is available almost everywhere and provides a place to openly and non-judgmentally discuss alcohol problems with others who have alcohol use disorder.
- If any person, regardless of gender, finds themselves drinking every day it could be a problem.
Like other chronic diseases, such as diabetes or heart disease, alcoholism and its symptoms can be successfully managed with proper treatment. Before joining the group, about 20% of them had alcohol-free days. In other words, the large majority of members didn’t drink for can alcoholism be cured 80% of a year after their treatment ended. Though, this publication notes that the study didn’t compare the AA group to those attempting to recover without treatment. At that point, they’re unable to control their alcohol use which can permanently ruin their health.
Understanding Your Options
It started through the friendship between a physician (Bob Smith, aka Dr. Bob) and a businessman (Bill Wilson, aka Bill W). At the time, most people might have dismissed their alcohol dependence. However, both of them struggled with maintaining a normal life and their relationship with alcohol.
A drinking relapse doesn’t mean you’re a failure or that you’ll never be able to reach your goal. Each drinking relapse is an opportunity to learn and recommit to sobriety, so you’ll be less likely to relapse in the future. When you’re craving alcohol, there’s a tendency to remember the positive effects of drinking and forget the negatives. Remind yourself of the adverse long-term effects of heavy drinking and how it won’t really make you feel better, even in the short term. Lean on close friends and family – Having the support of friends and family members is an invaluable asset in recovery.
Start the road to recovery
Once you are relaxed, they will suggest ways for you to stop drinking. They may also have you focus on images of you achieving your goals, talking you through situations in which you successfully manage cravings and temptations. Alcohol-related disorders severely impair functioning and health. But the prospects for successful long-term problem resolution are good for people who seek help from appropriate sources. There are several approaches available for treating alcohol problems.