If you think you may have a drinking problem, you’re definitely not alone. In 2021, researchers estimated nearly 30 million people ages 12 years and older in the United States had alcohol use disorder (AUD). You doctor also can refer you to a treatment center or experts who can help. Alcohol use disorder is what doctors call it when you can’t control how much you drink and have trouble with your emotions when you’re not drinking.
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Some of these are inpatient or residential programs, where you stay at a treatment center for a while. Others are outpatient programs, where you live at home and go to the center for treatment. By classifying alcoholism as a chronic disease, it means that alcoholism is viewed as a progressive, long-lasting illness where there is no cure. No cure, however, does not mean there is no hope for long-term recovery.
Types of Treatment
- Though there may be no easy “cure” for alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder, the condition is treatable.
- Too much alcohol affects your speech, muscle coordination and vital centers of your brain.
- It is important to remember that AUD is not due to an individual’s lack of self-discipline or resolve.
If you want to take steps to get treatment for your AUD, make an appointment with your doctor. They’ll likely ask you a series of questions to determine the severity of your dependency. These questions can also help them determine the best treatment option for your needs. The road to recovering from AUD can be a long process that requires various treatments or therapies. Unlike cocaine or heroin, alcohol is widely available and accepted in many cultures. It’s often at the center of social situations and closely linked to celebrations and enjoyment.
Addiction
Many people with alcohol use disorder hesitate to get treatment because they don’t recognize that they have a problem. An intervention from loved ones can help some people recognize and accept that they need professional help. If you’re concerned about someone who drinks too much, ask a professional experienced in alcohol treatment for advice on how to approach that person.
Healthcare providers diagnose the condition by doing a physical examination to look for symptoms of conditions that alcohol use disorder may cause. Just like any other medical condition, people with substance use disorders deserve to have a range of treatment options available to them. Scientists are working to develop a larger menu of pharmaceutical treatments that could be tailored to individual needs.
Care at Mayo Clinic
Brief Interventions are short, one-on-one or small-group counseling sessions that are time limited. The counselor provides information about the individual’s drinking pattern and potential risks. After the individual receives personalized feedback, the counselor will work with them to set goals and provide ideas for helping to make a change. Professionally led treatments include behavioral treatments and medications. Many people struggle with controlling their drinking at some point in their lives. Millions of adults in the United States have alcohol use disorder (AUD), and approximately 1 in 10 children live in a home with a parent who has AUD.
What are treatments for alcohol use disorder?
Your peers can offer understanding and advice and help keep you accountable. Recognizing that you or a loved one has a problem with alcohol can be jarring. If you’re concerned that someone you know may be struggling with alcoholism and don’t know where https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/how-to-make-your-home-more-environmentally-friendly/ to turn, Nexus is here to help.
- Many rehab centers will set patients up with aftercare as part of discharging them from a program.
- Care is integrated with patients’ other health care to improve treatment access, reduce costs, and promote better physical and mental health outcomes.
- Patients may also receive different medications while in the care of an addiction treatment professional to help address symptoms of co-occurring disorders if necessary.
- Some may have an increased ability to manage co-occurring mental or medical conditions alongside addiction.
Alcohol addiction may involve several different treatment methods. It’s important that each person get involved in a recovery program that will support long-term sobriety. This could mean an emphasis on therapy for someone who is depressed, or inpatient treatment for someone with severe withdrawal symptoms. People with severe or moderate alcohol use disorder who suddenly stop drinking could develop delirium tremens (DT). It can be life-threatening, causing serious medical issues like seizures and hallucinations that require immediate medical care.
If your loved one needs help
Ask different programs if they offer sliding-scale fees—some programs may offer lower prices or payment plans for individuals without health insurance. The three-step road map outlined in the NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator offers expert guidance to focus and support your efforts. Learn how to find higher quality, science-backed alcohol treatment to raise your changes for success. Motivational enhancement is conducted over a short period of time to build and can alcoholism be cured strengthen motivation to change drinking behavior. Many others substantially reduce their drinking and report fewer alcohol-related problems.
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