The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 79,000 deaths are attributed to alcohol abuse each year in America, making it the third leading cause of lifestyle-related deaths. Alcohol-related illnesses, accidents and traumas account for more than four million emergency room visits each year. Women who drink more than one alcoholic beverage a day on average, and males who consume more than two, are considered heavy drinkers.
Starting Treatment
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMHSA, reports that once you commit to getting treatment for alcohol abuse, you will be evaluated by an addiction specialist to determine the type of treatment best suited for your needs. The stages of alcohol abuse include binge drinking, alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence.
Alcoholism can also be divided into two types. Type one represents about 75 percent of alcoholics, according to Robert Perkinson of Keystone Treatment Center in Canton, South Dakota. People classified as type one alcoholics begin abusing alcohol after the age of 25. They do not seek out dangerous situations like criminal behavior or fights.
Type two alcoholics, on the other hand, typically begin having alcohol-related problems prior to turning 25. They're more likely to seek fights and expose themselves to harm. They do not feel fear or guilt about their alcoholism.
Detox
Most alcohol-dependent people require detoxification before they can begin rehabilitation. During detox, you will either be given medication on a fixed schedule, or on a symptom-triggered basis. The withdrawal symptoms alcoholics experience once they abstain from drinking can be psychological, including depression, anxiety, and mood swings; and physical, include sweating, nausea and tremors. In the late stages of alcoholism, you can experience convulsions and breathing problems. During detox, your vital statistics will be monitored around the clock. Detox from alcohol can take about one week.
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment, according to SAMHSA, is provided in hospitals or facilities that specialize in alcohol and substance treatment. During inpatient treatment, you may be introduced to Alcoholics Anonymous, or AA, a 12-step fellowship for men and women who desire to stop drinking. You will also receive alcohol education, attend one-on-one and group therapy meetings and learn about relapse prevention. Inpatient rehabilitation can take anywhere from a few weeks to 90 days or longer.
Medication and Therapy
Medication, combined with therapy, is an important step in achieving sobriety, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIDA. In a study published in "American Family Physician" in 2005, lead researcher Steven H. Williams, PhD found that the drug naltrexone helps prevent craving. Williams reported that naltrexone was shown to increase rates of abstinence and reduce relapse episodes in alcohol-dependent people. NIDA reports that cognitive-behavorial therapy is one of the more common therapeutic treatment approaches. It can help patients recognize, cope and avoid situations that can cause alcohol craving. Family therapy helps relatives and loved ones understand addiction and addresses family dynamics affected by alcoholism.
Self-Help Treatment
In 2006, a study published in the journal "Alcohol and Alcoholism," by lead researcher S.E. Mueller, reported that after a one-month follow-up, patients who sought treatment in self-help groups like AA had a lower rate a relapse compared to those who did not attend self-help treatment. Levels of social functioning also showed improvement after a one-year follow-up.
