Alcoholism Treatment Programs

Alcohol addiction treatment is a challenging task. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, over half of all Americans over the age of 13 have used alcohol at some point in their lives. With a statistic like this, it is not surprising that many individuals are suffering from alcohol abuse. Successful treatment programs vary depending on the individual and most often require a combination of treatment methods.

How to Know If You Are Addicted

Alcohol becomes an addiction when you no longer get joy from normal, everyday activities. If you constantly wonder if you are addicted to alcohol, then there is a good chance that you are. Other signs that you may be addicted to alcohol are drinking even in the morning or putting yourself or others in danger, such as drinking while pregnant or while driving.

Types of Treatment Available

The most important step in the treatment of alcohol addiction is complete abstinence. Once you completely remove the stimuli, it will be easier to fight. You must also acknowledge the fact that you need help.

One of the most common methods used in alcoholism treatment programs is medication. Anti-anxiety medication can help control the symptoms of anxiety and depression that go along with detox. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, there are three drugs that have been approved for the treatment of alcohol addiction. These drugs are disulfiram, naltrexone, and acamprosate. Naltroxone and acamprosate help control the withdrawal symptoms and cravings of alcohol addiction. When disulfram is taken while still drinking, it can cause severe reactions, such as nausea and vomiting. The reaction is often so bad that it is enough to deter one from drinking.

Medications are given along with group therapy. Talking to others who know exactly what you are going through can often be enough to keep you from relapsing. You can help encourage one another along the process and share each other’s success. It is important that you attend all group meetings necessary for your treatment.

Proper exercise and nutrition will help you get healthy and feel better. Once you begin to feel good about yourself, it will help you resist the need to use alcohol as a crutch. This allows you to replace alcohol addiction with positive hobbies and activities.

An alcoholic treatment center can provide inpatient help. This allows you to check into a treatment center and completely focus on rehabilitation. You remove yourself from negative situations, and you are allowed to undergo detox in a safe environment.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Detoxification from alcohol will result in a wide variety of withdrawal symptoms. Some of the symptoms can be severe, but if you are prepared for what will happen, you can have a plan of action to get you through it. Some symptoms of withdrawal include, but are not limited to:

• Headache
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Sweating
• Increased heart rate
• Upset stomach
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Trembling
• Insomnia
• Hallucinations
• Confusion
• Agitation

What You Should Know about Treatment

The length of time that it takes to recover from alcohol addiction can vary, depending on the person and the severity of the problem. Most inpatient treatments can take approximately two months to complete, while outpatient programs generally take longer. The road to recovery is generally a long one that requires consistent work and support from family and friends. No single treatment will work for everyone. You may need to try different treatment options or a combination of treatments. The important thing is to keep trying-keep all of your scheduled appointments and avoid situations that will cause you to relapse. It is often necessary to continue going to meetings even after you have beaten the addiction. This will help ensure you will not fall back into old patterns.

If you believe you or someone you love is suffering from an addiction, call our free national referral hotline at 1-800-660-0986. Alternatively, you can fill out our short contact form. We can help you locate an alcohol addiction treatment facility near you. The information you provide will always be confidential, private, and secure.