Fortunately, there are several ways in which you can help treat alcoholism. Those ways include Outpatient treatment, Support groups, and medications. Depending on your preferences, you can try one or more of these ways.
Support groups
Getting support from family and friends is essential for anyone with alcohol problems. However, it can be confusing when a family member is an addict. There are many support groups for treating alcoholism available for family members.
Family support groups have an impact on all family members affected by addiction. These groups provide support and encouragement to help everyone in the family heal. These groups can also help to avoid relapse and create a new family routine without alcohol.
Finding a support group can be the first step in treating alcoholism. Support groups can be found in the community, online, and through treatment centers. They can also be a part of aftercare plans.
Stout Street emphasizes the importance of a higher power in the healing process. Its members share the same experiences and worries and seek to support one another.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Using Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in treating alcoholism can be a very effective way to help you overcome your addiction. It focuses on changing negative thoughts and beliefs about alcohol and other substances. These negative thoughts can lead to unhealthy behavior and undermine healthy choices.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in treating alcoholism is an evidence-based treatment that is widely used in drug and alcohol treatment programs. Usually, a person diagnosed with an addiction will receive a series of psychotherapy sessions. These sessions are often for several weeks.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in treating alcoholism helps the patient learn new coping mechanisms and understand the impact that alcohol has on the body. The therapy program consists of structured conversations with the therapist and the patient. The patient will be able to practice new skills, including stress management, relaxation, and positive thinking.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in treating alcoholism also focuses on preventing relapse. It includes identifying and preventing situations that trigger cravings. The therapist helps the patient understand how these situations can undermine healthy choices and a commitment to abstinence.
Medications
Medications are designed to help people with alcohol dependence. These medications can treat symptoms, prevent withdrawal and reduce cravings. They are best used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes counseling and group support.
There are three FDA-approved medications for alcohol use disorder. Acamprosate, disulfiram and naltrexone. The medicines work by blocking opioid receptors in the brain. These receptors are believed to be involved in the reinforcing effects of alcohol. When these receptors are blocked, people experience fewer cravings. They also reduce the chances of relapse.
Acamprosate is usually given with counseling to help people abstain from alcohol. It is a structural analog of GABA. The drug affects the calcium channels in the brain, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
The drug has limited abuse potential and is generally well tolerated. It is given in the course of treatment for up to six months.
Disulfiram is an aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor. It has been used for forty years to treat alcohol dependence. However, it has not been shown to improve abstinence rates.
Outpatient treatment
Whether it’s the need for alcohol treatment for an alcoholic spouse or an alcoholic child, outpatient treatment for alcoholism can offer a supportive environment where the patient can continue to live everyday life. It can also provide medical and behavioral treatments, such as group therapy.
Outpatient alcoholism treatment is available through a variety of treatment facilities. The type of treatment that’s right for you will depend on the nature of your addiction, your situation, and your life goals.
There are several types of outpatient treatment for alcoholism, including standard and intensive outpatient programs. The standard program usually involves individual and group therapy sessions once or twice weekly.
Intensive outpatient programs can last several hours daily and involve consistently scheduled mental health counseling sessions. These programs can last several weeks or even months.
The 12-step program is another example of outpatient alcoholism treatment. The 12-step program teaches clients how to treat their addiction and understand the principles behind the recovery process.
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