Types of Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Addiction, as defined by the Merriam Webster dictionary is a compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal. Are you or your loved one addicted to alcohol? You are not alone, there are so many people that are addicted to alcohol and we want to help you. It is so important to realize that there are treatments out there that can help you or your loved one. You should research any and all types of treatments that are available as each person has their own individual needs and their treatment should be specific to those needs.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse in 2007, approximately 8.4 percent of the population that needed treatment for either drug or alcohol addiction but never received it. Those statistics have only increased as of today and that is scary.

Types of Treatment Programs

Inpatient rehab programs offer around the clock care and support for your alcohol abuse recovery.

• Inpatient: If you choose an inpatient setting, you would be completely removed from your current living situation and admitted into a clinical setting where your main focus is recovery. There are staff members with you 24/7 that will get you through some of the more difficult periods of your recovery. You will also attend counseling and rehab sessions that will prepare you once you leave this setting. Some people need this to get them into a mindset that will keep them on the path to complete recovery.
• Outpatient: If you choose an outpatient setting, you would be able to continue with your regular, daily life and attend counseling and rehab sessions that would be able to assist you with your recovery.

In either setting, you will be taught how to deal with any type of stressors or anxiety. These programs will help you realize what triggers affect you and make you crave alcohol and what to do when you encounter these triggers.

Medications

There are also medications that can assist you with treating your alcohol dependency. It is important to understand what you are comfortable with as far as your treatment; some people just choose not to take medications while others look favorably upon taking it.

Three FDA approved medications that can assist you with your recovery:

• Naltrexone: This medication blocks out the feeling of reward that comes from your brain when consuming and craving alcohol. This drug has also been known to lessen the impact of relapse in most patients, not all.
• Acamprosate: This medication can help in lessening the symptoms of withdrawal such as insomnia, anxiety and restlessness.
• Disulfiram: This medication counteracts the effect of alcohol as it is ingested. It can cause a reaction such as nausea or palpitations if the person drinks alcohol while taking this drug.

So as you can see there are many options when it comes to getting help for alcoholism. Your doctor or treatment professional will help you to choose the best course of treatment for your individual circumstances and needs. Generally, treatment will consist of a multitude of therapeutic methods including medical intervention, behavioral therapy and relapse prevention.