Regularly drinking too much alcohol may indicate alcohol abuse or the chronic disease alcoholism, also called alcohol dependence. Alcohol abusers can control their drinking while alcoholics cannot, but both types of heavy drinkers may require treatment to avoid damaging their health through associated medical problems, such as liver disease or cancer.
Function of Treatment
The ultimate goal of completing alcohol treatment is to understand why excessive drinking occurs and to learn effective ways to stop the destructive behavior. If a person only abuses alcohol but can control drinking, treatment may only require learning how to drink less. But alcoholics must stop drinking altogether.
When to Pursue Treatment
Alcoholics are often in denial, causing them to hide the problem or refuse to admit one. Friends and family members should encourage them to seek treatment when it becomes clear an alcohol-dependent person feels guilty about drinking, wants to drink less but cannot, requires a drink in the morning to start the day or grows irritated when someone notes how much she drinks. Alcoholics not in denial should seek treatment when they realize they are abandoning activities because of drinking, continuing to drink even after it starts causing problems, drinking more or for longer than intended, experiencing withdrawal symptoms after decreasing or stopping alcohol consumption, failing to decrease or stop drinking even when desired, requiring larger amounts of alcohol to become intoxicated and devoting substantial time to drinking and related activities, such as recovering afterward.
Beginning Treatment
Treatment for alcohol dependence usually starts with detoxification at an inpatient facility lasting approximately four to seven days. The process helps remove alcohol from the system completely and often leads to such withdrawal symptoms as confusion, shaking and hallucinations, also called delirium tremens. Detoxification requires medical supervision because the patient is at risk of developing seizures during withdrawal, which can be fatal in some cases.
Types of Treatment
Options for treating alcohol dependence include psychological therapy, support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and consultations with alcohol abuse specialists to create treatment plans and learn how to not drink. Some alcoholics may also take injected or oral drugs that help prevent or reduce symptoms related to alcohol consumption. These include naltrexone to combat the positive feelings associated with alcohol, or disulfiram to produce negative symptoms when drinking alcohol, decreasing the desire to drink. Individuals with severe alcoholism may pursue residential treatment in a live-in facility to receive around-the-clock assistance and services.
Selecting a Treatment Program
Alcoholics should pursue the treatment program that best suits their personal situation and needs. Factors to consider while choosing a treatment program include how long treatment will last, whether insurance will help pay for it, the reputation of the program or provider, the types and extent of services offered and how well participants are monitored. Family members may want to verify that services will be available to them as well to help them cope and also help the alcoholic recover.
References
- American Psychological Association: Understanding Alcohol Use Disorders and Their Treatment
- Cleveland Clinic: Alcoholism
- Helpguide: Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse
- MayoClinic.com: Alcoholism
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: A Quick Guide to Finding Effective Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment
