How Does Alcohol Addiction Treatment Work

Treatment for alcohol addiction can vary depending on the facility and the patient. Each year, there are an estimated two million people in the United States that seek treatment for alcoholism. The treatment process they use may include some type of detoxification, medication, counseling, or support groups. One of the largest differences between treatment programs is the location. Clients can choose to use an inpatient or outpatient facility. This decision is normally based on the client’s schedule, budget, and personal needs. Residential rehab centers normally have excellent results because they allow the patient to focus entirely on getting better. The medical supervision and knowledge available at treatment centers also helps to speed the process of recovery.

Detoxification

The first step in most alcohol treatment programs involves detoxification. It takes four to seven days for alcohol to physically leave someone’s body. During this time, they must completely abstain from alcohol. As the chemical exits the body, it may cause them to develop delirium tremens and other withdrawal symptoms. Medications, natural remedies, or other methods can help to relieve some of these symptoms.

Pharmaceuticals

Although medication seems counterintuitive, there are actually several prescription drugs that can greatly help recovering alcoholics stay sober. One of the most common drugs used is disulfiram. This medication works to support recovery by causing a severe physical reaction to the consumption of alcohol. When someone drinks alcohol, disulfiram will make them throw up, feel nauseous, and develop a headache. Naltrexone can also be used to reduce the desire to drink. It causes the parts of the brain that feel pleasurable during drinking to become blocked. The last medication was just approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 2004. Acamprosate targets chemicals in the brain in order to suppress cravings. For cases of alcohol addiction, doctors may prescribe any or several of these drugs. Other over-the-counter medications may also be used to treat withdrawal symptoms.

Counseling Options

Treating alcoholism has to be done holistically. Often, there are factors or habits in someone’s life that are encouraging the addiction. To remain sober, they must learn new ways to deal with stress, and figure out how to identify situations where they may be tempted to drink. Individual or group counseling programs are often developed around finding ways to deal with alcohol cravings and temptations. Several studies have shown that treatment works best when medication and counseling sessions are both used. A counseling session allows the patient to open up in a supportive environment and get the help they need. In group sessions, they will be surrounded by other people who are dealing with the same problems and can offer assistance.

The Recovery Process

The overall chances of recovering successfully are fairly high. Roughly 50 to 60 percent of patients who undergo treatment are sober one year later. The majority of these patients remain sober permanently. Relapses are normally precipitated by problems with motivation, poor social support, or mental disorders. Once the detoxification is complete, the rehabilitation process begins. This step involves counseling and medications. While detoxification occurs in an inpatient facility, rehabilitation can occur in both. When detoxification, medication, and counseling treatments are complete, the recovering alcoholic must work on maintaining their sobriety. This step can be accomplished with the help of a support group and personal motivation. There is no cure that works 100 percent of the time. After detoxification has occurred, the patient will still have cravings for alcohol. If detoxification begins without medical assistance, patients have a higher mortality rate and a lower chance of recovery. Recovering alcohol addicts should seek out treatment programs and rehabilitation centers that can help them return to sobriety.