Alcohol-related issues are rampant in society, and too often, it is one of the USA’s significant problems. Many teens and adults are struggling to control their addiction to drinking at some point in their lives.

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According to reports, 17 million adults have some form of alcohol abuse disorder. That is why the severeness of alcohol disorder is considered a brain disease as it causes some changes in behavior. Moreover, 1 in 10 children has a parent with drinking problems. Hence, it’s time to consider alcohol addiction treatment before it gets out of hand. Let’s learn more about the treatments and how to choose the best.

What are the signs of an Alcohol problem?

Addiction needs systematic treatments that address the underlying symptoms causing the issues. Although receiving treatment is essential to end the self-destruction cycle, it is necessary to note alcohol addiction signs.

Alcohol Use Disorder, also known as AUD, is a severe medical condition diagnosed by health professionals if a person’s drinking activity brings imminent harm. The situation is categorized as mild to severe based upon the extensive symptoms. Here are some questions where the patients must answer yes or no to decide the treatment’s course.

1. Have you experienced times when you ended up drinking more than intended?
2. Did you try to cut down the drinking spree but could not?
3. Have you spent a lot of time drinking and being sick while getting over the aftereffects?
4. Have you experienced immense craving or urge to drink?
5. Did you find that your usual number of drinks is less effective than the last time?

These are only a handful of questions you may expect to answer to receive the true extent of alcohol addiction treatment. But there are much deeper questions designed by the professionals.

Different Types of Therapy you Must be Aware of

Usually, addiction treatment contains several groups or individual therapy sessions which focus on the patient’s recovery. Since behavioral therapy is known as one of the most widely used methodologies in therapies, let’s take a deeper look at the types of treatments used for alcohol management.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a solution to various problematic substance abuse. The treatment is effective in identifying such disturbing patterns and negative influences on a person’s behavior.

CBT offers essential benefits by helping people to cope through prevention skills. It identifies risky situations and prevents relapse. If a patient’s addiction is responsible for some emotional difficulties or depression, the spontaneous CBT helps organize the disruptive thoughts and brings you to have realistic ideas.

Contingency Management, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Matrix Model, Rational Behavior Therapy, and 12-step facilitation are other types of behavioral therapies that help ward off addiction.

Medications and Treatment

Currently, various medications are approved by the government in the United States for maximum support. The medicines are responsible for stopping or reducing the drinking process as well as prevention of relapse.

These medications are prescribed by a health professional or a physician in combination with counseling. People who want to stop drinking can use this dose of medications. The three drugs which have approval from FDA are Disulfiram, Naltrexone, and Acamprosate.

Mutual-Support Groups

Peer support for patients who want to quit or cut back on alcohol has a good response; Due to the anonymity of mutual support groups, it is hard to determine their success rates. One example is Alcoholics Anonymous, which offers an added layer of support led by health professionals’ counseling. Hence, understanding the difference between distinct support groups will be the first step.

Primary Care Health Professional

That is a significant step for those looking for effective treatment. Talking to a primary care physician is a great source of motivation with the right medications and referrals. A physician can help the patient by:

• Assessing the effectiveness of medications depending on their appropriateness.
• Crafting a treatment plan
• Evaluation of drinking pattern and overall health.

Which are the alternate types of therapies that complement the main treatments for alcohol addiction?

Apart from the aids listed above, there are alternate sources of treatments to promote your recovery. Take a look at these complementary therapies to manage your alcohol addiction:

Meditation

When recovery is so stressful, medication can prove effective with its positive impact on your body. The overall benefits range from depression, anxiety, and health. A mindful meditation maximizes the benefits once you get out of the actual treatment.

Yoga

Yoga is an age-old remedy for various activities. It comes with different styles and gentle actions where you can choose the one that focuses on breathing and relaxation. Include yoga into your self-care routine to get a feeling of self-awareness, a peaceful mind, and physical fitness.

Exercise

Exercise is a great way to reduce uncomfortable emotions that plague your mind. As substance abuse causes people to gain weight, a clear workout session can help you manage stressful situations.

Massage

Massage is another technique that assists in reducing physical tension. A proper massage can help you relax without ever relying on alcohol. If it becomes a part of your routine, you can manage various symptoms associated with the withdrawal phase.

Make sure to reward yourself with an impressive dose of self-care activities in your recovery journey.

Conclusion

Addiction has several negative consequences for both the patient and his family. Therefore, the person must start with the acceptance and then move on surrendering to the higher power of medical support.

Just because treatment works well for one person does not mean it works for every person with alcohol addiction. There are individualized treatments available depending on the severity of the situation. Over time, discoveries may happen, and the needs will change too. The above therapies plan works wonders if, combined with proper counseling sessions with a qualified physician, various medications also reduce the overall cravings and manage withdrawal symptoms.

If you or your loved one find it hard to overcome an addiction, remember that you don’t have to fight the battle alone. Talk to your family or a medical professional because successful treatments are available to get you through the struggle.