While admitting that they have a problem might be the first step to an alcoholic's sobriety, following up with appropriate treatment is essential to ensure success. Although treatment depends on the individual, a variety of treatment options are available for alcoholics.
12-Step Programs
Twelve-step programs such as Alcoholic Anonymous are the most common type of group support programs for alcoholics, according to HelpGuide.org. These programs foster a sense of community among members, who encourage and support each other throughout the recovery process. A person joining will be issued a sponsor, who will be a fellow recovering alcoholic who has remained sober for an extended period of time and can help the person navigate through his own recovery process. Part of the philosophy of 12-step programs is surrendering the addiction to a higher power. Although most 12-step programs will not endorse any particular religion or define what that higher power is, those who are uncomfortable with this thought might be more comfortable finding a more secular program. Secular Organization for Sobriety (SOS) and SMART Recovery are two choices that might be good options for these people.
Counseling
Many types of counseling options are available to alcoholics, and using a combination of approaches may make treatment more effective. One-on-one counseling sessions can help alcoholics learn more about themselves, why they feel the need to drink and how they can begin to make better choices. Couples counseling or family counseling sessions might be useful to those struggling with family or relationship issues because of their alcoholism. Support groups are also a good option for those who would like additional help from those who have been in their shoes and understand what they are going through.
Rehabilitation Programs
A variety of alcohol rehabilitation programs are available, depending upon the level of help the alcoholic needs or desires, explains HelpGuide.org. Live-in residential centers are available for those requiring intensive treatment, with programs typically lasting between 30 and 60 days. Sober living homes, which are places where recovering alcoholics live together and support each other during the transition to regular life, are available after residential treatment is completed. Those requiring intensive treatment but are unwilling or unable to participate in a residential program or sober living home might find that partial hospitalization is a good choice. Programs from a partial hospitalization facility typically meet three to five times a week for about four to six hours a day and provide medical monitoring. Outpatient programs are also available, which typically meet about three times a week for two to four hours a day.
Medications
Although medication without counseling or other treatment support is usually effective, according to HelpGuide.org, it might be useful when used in conjunction with other treatment options. Disulfiram is a medication that causes unpleasant reactions in the body when combined with even small amounts of alcohol. MentalHealth.com lists nausea, vomiting, sweating, thirst, breathing problems, flushing, throbbing in head and neck, chest pain, heart palpitations, hyperventilation, confusion, weakness, vertigo, blurred vision and a general sense of unease as common reactions to alcohol while on Disulfiram. Another medication, naltrexone, can also be used as a treatment for alcoholism. Naltrexone blocks certain chemicals in the part of the brain that draw pleasure from drinking, but does not produce unpleasant reactions if a drink is taken, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.
