In 2005, Mary G. McKinley, RN, published an article in the journal "Critical Care Nurse," indicating that as many as 27 percent of Americans could have a drinking problem. In a 2006 study published in the "Journal of Clinical Psychology", co-author Rudolf H. Moos found that those who stay in treatment for alcoholism for 27 weeks in their first year of sobriety had better 16-year alcohol-related outcomes compared with those who did not.
Rehabilitation
The first step to getting treatment for your alcoholism is identifying as an alcohol abuser, and getting acquainted with the different treatment methods available to you. Rehabilitation can be an inpatient or outpatient program that offers one-on-one counseling, group therapy, alcohol education and relapse prevention. Many programs will also introduce you to 12-step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, known as AA. In rehab, you learn to achieve recovery by surrounding yourself with sober and supportive peers and loved ones.
Alcoholics Anonymous
AA is one of the most popular organizations for promoting alcohol abstinence. AA is a fellowship of men and women who help each other achieve sobriety. It is free to join. The only requirement for membership in AA is a desire to stop drinking. A 2003 study published in the journal "Alcohol and Alcoholism" by co-author Michael Gossop found that those who attended AA meetings for six months after getting treatment for alcohol abuse showed significant improvements in drinking behaviors, psychological problems and quality of life.
Behavioral Therapy
That National Institute for Drug Abuse, knowns as NIDA, identifies behavioral therapy as one of the more effective treatment approaches for alcohol dependence. According to NIDA, cognitive therapy in alcoholism treatment "seeks to help patients recognize, avoid and cope with the situations" that leads you to abuse alcohol. Family therapy, according to a National Institutes of Health report, helps change family dynamics to improve dysfunction and addresses how alcohol affects the family unit.
Government Programs
The government offers an array of programs for people and families struggling with alcoholism. You don't need a lot of money to get help for your disease, just a desire to get healthy. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMHSA, has a program called Access to Recovery. This is a three-year grant program that provides vouchers to receive clinical treatment and recovery-support services.
Medication
The report, "Treatment Approaches for Drug Addiction," published by NIDA indicates that two medications have FDA approval for treating alcohol dependence. Naltrexone works by blocking the brain receptors that produce feelings of pleasure after drinking. Acamprosate reduces craving and other withdrawal symptoms.
References
- Critical Care Nurse: Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome Overlooked and Mismanaged?
- Journal of Clinical Psychology: Participation in Treatment and Alcoholics Anonymous
- Alcohol and Alcoholism: Is Attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings After Inpatient Treatment Related to Improved Outcomes?
- National Institutes of Health: Substance Abuse Treatment And Family Therapy
- SAMHSA: Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
