Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Addiction treatment can help you become alcohol-free!

Alcoholism is characterized as a disease that results in the physical dependence and craving of alcohol with an inability to withdraw without difficulty. Individuals affected by alcoholism often lose control of their drinking habits and frequently deny their addiction. There are many treatment methods and support centers available for those who cannot beat their addiction on their own. Rehab centers provide treatment tools to both the alcoholic and their families. Most rehab centers focus on detox while providing counseling and therapy. In addition, most centers provide an aftercare program to assist with continued success and freedom from alcoholism.

Types of Alcohol Addiction Treatment

There are different types of treatment depending on the severity of alcoholism an individual is suffering from. Inpatient care is provided for those who want to learn how to recover without the temptation of external influences. During recovery, alcoholics may experience withdrawal symptoms. Inpatient treatment can help the patient cope with these symptoms and provide around the clock supervised care. Residential treatment is similar to inpatient care; however, the length of stay is typically longer in a residential treatment program.

Outpatient treatment does not require a patient to stay in a treatment center. Individuals can enjoy their own freedom while attending regular support meetings. During these meetings, individuals will have the opportunity to talk with others, express their own dependency struggles and work together as a group to discuss ways of coping without drinking.

Medications Used During Alcohol Addiction Treatment

After the body has gone through the detoxification process, withdrawal symptoms appear and are often hard to overcome alone. Medications may be used to help alleviate the effects of withdrawal symptoms. Disulfiram is a drug that delivers severe side effects to the individual when alcohol is consumed. It does not reduce the cravings for alcohol but instead discourages alcohol consumption by producing undesirable consequences.

Naltrexone manages alcohol dependency by reducing the occurrence of relapse after withdrawing from alcohol. It works by reducing the pleasurable effects that an individual receives from drinking alcohol. This helps to decrease cravings for a better chance of successful recovery. Acamprosate is another medication that helps to reduce alcohol cravings by stabilizing the chemical balance that is disrupted by alcohol consumption.

Anticonvulsants may be prescribed to individuals who suffer from severe alcoholism. Alcoholics in the later stage of alcoholism may suffer from seizures, hallucinations, confusion or other serious complications. Anticonvulsants help prevent these complications while easing the withdrawal symptoms.

Benefits of Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Recognizing an alcohol addiction problem is the first step to treatment. Seeking out help can help alcoholics develop coping techniques that can be used throughout their life to overcome their reliance on alcohol. Rehab centers can provide individuals with a combination of treatments to best suit their lifestyle and situations. Most centers offer continued support through encouragement of sobriety and dealing with the avoidance of alcohol continuously. Individuals suffering from alcoholism can learn to live a new lifestyle with the care and support of groups and individuals for a continued, successful recovery.