Alcohol dependence, according to the Centers for Disease Control, is a disease characterized by having a strong craving for alcohol, the inability to stop drinking and experiencing withdrawal symptoms after a period of abstinence. Alcohol works by depressing the central nervous system. It can slow your reaction time, impair your memory and slur your speech. More than 40 percent of those who start drinking before the age of 15, according to a 2003 National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) study, "Underage Drinking," become alcoholics.
Determining if You Have a Problem
The NIAAA recommends asking yourself these questions: Have you ever thought about cutting down on drinking? Have your friends or family ever commented on your drinking? Do you ever feel guilty about your drinking? Have you ever needed to have a drink after waking up? Answering yes to any one of these questions, according to NIAAA, indicates that you already abuse alcohol.
What is Treatment
Alcohol treatment has a variety of levels. For those who are dependent on alcohol, the first step is detoxification. For about five to seven days, you may need to take medication to reduce or prevent withdrawal symptoms that include tremors, insomnia, depression--and possibly seizures and coma. After detox, you can begin rehabilitation, a time in recovery that can last from 14 days to 90 days or longer. In rehabilitation, you receive addiction counseling and education. Rehab can be done in an inpatient or outpatient setting. In relapse prevention, you learn to use tools to help reduce craving and being triggered.
Medication
The National Institute on Drug Abuse, or NIDA, reports that three medications have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of alcohol addiction. Naltrexone is used to block receptors in the brain that produce feelings of pleasure derived from drinking. It also helps minimize craving. Acamprosate helps reduce withdrawal symptoms. Disulfiram produces an unpleasant reaction if you drink.
You can talk to an addiction specialist to see if any of these medications are appropriate for your treatment.
Behavioral Treatment
Behavioral treatment will help you better cope with the feelings and emotions that may have led you to desire alcohol in the first place. During cognitive-behavioral therapy, your counselor helps you recognize and avoid the situations that may trigger craving. Family therapy addresses patterns of abuse in the family and helps improve functioning. Motivational interviewing helps patients develop the desire to change their behavior and stay in treatment. Motivational incentive therapy uses positive reinforcement to encourage you to abstain from alcohol.
How to Get Help
The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment encourages you to carefully consider your unique needs prior to choosing a treatment facility. Do you need detoxification services or inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation? You need to consider the setting you desire, the length of stay you will need and the philosophical approach the facility takes. Some treatment centers are based on 12-step programs like Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous. Others are faith-based. For more information on how to choose the correct facility for your needs, see Resources.
