Alcohol use disorder is what doctors describe as when you are unable or unwilling to stop drinking. As if this is a problem they must solve, some people might think willpower is all that’s needed.
Alcohol abuse disorder is a form of brain disease. Your brain is affected by alcohol which can make it difficult for you to quit. It is like trying to treat appendicitis on your own.
Check If You Are Misusing Alcohol
Alcoholism, a term used to describe alcohol-related disorders, is a more common term. Milder cases, where people misuse alcohol but aren’t dependent on it, are also available.
You can get help from your doctor or another healthcare provider. If you’re a victim of alcohol abuse, your doctor may recommend that you seek treatment.
- Feel like you can have to drank
- It’s impossible to control how much alcohol you consume
- You shouldn’t feel guilty if you can’t drink.
Discuss your goals with the doctor when you meet. Are you trying to stop drinking or reduce your alcohol intake? Together you can make a treatment program. Your doctor might also recommend a center or expert who can assist you.
Treatment Option
Addiction treatment is not for everyone. There are many treatment options available depending on your specific needs. You can choose which treatment is best for you, based on the substance that you’re using, your mental health needs, and what healthcare options you have. Here are some of these most effective addiction treatments that have proven to be successful in helping patients move on to recovery.
The best one depends on your needs and your goals. People find that it works best to combine several treatments, and you can do this through a program. These include residential and inpatient programs that allow you to stay for a time at a treatment facility. Some programs allow you to live at home, while the center provides the treatment.
- Detoxification
Detox center allows for the safe removal of addictive substances from your body. This is important because withdrawal from addictive substances can often cause life-threatening and unpleasant symptoms. This is because detox doesn’t address the underlying behavioral reasons for addiction. It is often combined with other therapies.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
American Addiction Centers believes Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (CBT), a powerful treatment tool, can be used for many types of addictions such as food addictions, alcohol addictions, and prescription drug abuse. CBT is a tool that can help you recognize and overcome unhealthy behaviors. Other therapeutic techniques can also be used in conjunction with CBT.
- Rational Emotive Therapy
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy is a way to recognize negative thoughts and find ways to overcome self-destructive feelings. REBT helps you to see that rational thinking can be found within yourself and not in external situations.
You can use Contingency Management to treat a variety of addictions such as alcohol, narcotics, and tobacco. The tangible rewards of contingency management therapy will reinforce your positive behavior (i.e. keeping sobriety). According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, this type of therapy has been successfully used to fight relapse.
- 12-Step Facilitation
The 12-step facilitation program (“12-step programs”) can help with substance abuse and alcoholism. It is a group therapy that recognizes that addiction can lead to many adverse consequences. These include social, emotional, and spiritual. This therapy starts with acceptance. Then, you can surrender to a higher force, and then finally, you can be involved in regular group meetings. Alcoholics Anonymous and other popular programs use group meetings for mutual support and discussion.