Sober living
Alcoholic Addiction: Get the Treatment You Need
Someone with an alcohol addiction who has remained sober for months or years may find themselves drinking again. They may binge drink once or drink for a period of time before getting sober again. It’s important that the person get back on track and resume treatment. Alcohol addiction may involve several different treatment methods.
It is intended as a resource to understand what treatment choices are available and what to consider when selecting among them. Get expert guidance on what to ask providers and how to listen for quality in the answers. Ideally, health professionals https://rehabliving.net/ would be able to identify which AUD treatment is most effective for each person. NIAAA and other organizations are conducting research to identify genes and other factors that can predict how well someone will respond to a particular treatment.
You may want to take a family member or friend along, if possible. When is it common in society, it can be hard to tell the difference between someone who likes to have a few drinks now and then and someone with a real problem. 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.
- For many, continued follow up with a treatment provider is critical to overcoming problem drinking.
- If addiction and substance use has led to a medically or mentally dangerous situation, call 911.
- NIAAA cannot endorse any treatment providers nor be responsible for the options ultimately chosen.
- Understanding the available treatment options—from behavioral therapies and medications to mutual-support groups—is the first step.
The Navigator can help you find some mutual-support groups to consider. You can find more recovery support options from the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s list of online support groups, apps, and podcasts. See also the tips and tools on NIAAA’s Rethinking Drinking website. Mutual-support groups can be particularly helpful during this challenging time. These groups can vary widely, so it’s important to try different ones to find a good fit. If you want to take steps to get treatment for your AUD, make an appointment with your doctor.
SAMHSA’s National Helpline
Mental health and wellness tips, our latest guides, resources, and more. Take the assessment and get matched with a professional, licensed therapist. Keep a record of your drinking to marijuana withdrawal timeline help you reach your goal. For 3 to 4 weeks, write down every time you have a drink and how much you drink. Reviewing the results, you may be surprised at your weekly drinking habits.
Tips for Selecting Treatment
Some people drink heavily all day, while others binge drink and then stay sober for a while. If certain people, places, or activities trigger a craving for alcohol, try to avoid them. This may mean making major changes to your social life, such as finding new things to do with your old drinking buddies—or even giving up those friends and finding new ones. Make meetings a priority – Join a recovery support group, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and attend meetings regularly. Spending time with people who understand exactly what you’re going through can be very healing.
Additional Resources
A word of appreciation or acknowledgement of a success can go a long way. The good news is that no matter how severe the problem may seem, most people with AUD can benefit from some form of treatment. Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They will get you the answer or let you know where to find it. Doctors and other experts can keep an eye on you and give you medicine to help with your symptoms.
You can take self-guided online programs to reduce or quit drinking. You might put together a care plan that combines some or all of these choices. See the Frequently Asked Questions for helpful suggestions.
We’ll help you to search the Psychology Today directory. This is the largest listing in the United States of licensed professional therapists. Once you find some programs you’re interested in, be sure to visit Step 2 for questions to ask and answers to listen for. The Navigator helps adults find alcohol treatment for themselves or an adult loved one. If you are seeking help for a teen, check out these recommended adolescent treatment resources.
Addictions that have gone on longer are harder to break. However, long-term addictions can be successfully treated. BetterHelp is an online therapy service that matches you to licensed, accredited therapists who can help with depression, anxiety, relationships, and more.
Alcohol addiction, also known as alcoholism, is a disease that affects people of all walks of life. Experts have tried to pinpoint factors like genetics, sex, race, or socioeconomics that may predispose someone to alcohol addiction. Psychological, genetic, and behavioral factors can all contribute to having the disease. Alcohol abuse and addiction doesn’t just affect the person drinking—it affects their families and loved ones, too. Watching a family member struggle with a drinking problem can be as heartbreakingly painful as it is frustrating. But while you can’t do the hard work of overcoming addiction for your loved one, your love and support can play a crucial part in their long-term recovery.
Trying to tough it out on your own can be like trying to cure appendicitis with cheerful thoughts. Dependency is often accompanied by certain mood or mental health conditions like depression or anxiety. Along with your treatment for AUD, you may need to seek medical care for other complications you experience. Although addiction helplines are trusted resources, they cannot provide emergency care. If addiction has led to a medically or mentally-dangerous situation (such as suicide attempts), call 911 immediately. The Healthline FindCare tool can provide options in your area if you need help finding a mental health specialist.
More often, people must repeatedly try to quit or cut back, experience recurrences, learn from them, and then keep trying. For many, continued follow up with a treatment provider is critical to overcoming problem drinking. Many health professionals can play a role in treatment. Below is a list of providers and the type of care they may offer. Instead, these are groups of people who have alcohol use disorder. Examples include Alcoholics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, and other programs.
