Alcoholism Treatment Options

What are the alcoholism treatment options?

Effective treatment generally involves the willing participation of the alcoholic. Although there are methods of forcing treatment on your alcoholic, they are usually much less effective if the alcoholic is participating under duress. Without the willingness to engage and address their problem, most alcoholics going through treatment are simply “doing time” until they can get back to drinking.

If your alcoholic ever expresses interest in getting help or treatment, you might find it useful to have some information on the options available. Depending on one’s financial and medical insurance situation, some options are more accessible than others. Here are some of the alcoholism treatment options that are available:

• Alcoholism recovery support groups
• Alcoholism counselors
• Pharmaceutical treatments
• Alcohol treatment and recovery facilities

What are alcoholism recovery support groups?

One of the alcoholism treatment options is a selection of alcoholism recovery support groups. Some have a religious basis, some do not. Some are based on the 12-step process developed by Alcoholics Anonymous, some have other approaches. Each has their strengths and weaknesses, however, one thing on which most of the literature agrees is that some kind of ongoing support organization greatly increases the chances of long-term sobriety.

• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
• Biochemical Restoration
• Eclectic Recovery
• Harm Reduction Network (HAMS)
• LifeRing Recovery
• Moderation Management
• Rational Recovery
• S.O.S.
• Secular Organizations For Sobriety
• SMART Recovery
• The 16-Steps for Discovery and Empowerment
• Trust and Triumph
• Women for Sobriety

Most towns and cities have some kind of alcoholism and drug recovery support groups. Check your telephone book for local group meeting information.

What are alcoholism counselors?

Another alcoholism treatment options is alcoholism counselors. They can help in a variety of ways from providing private counseling and guidance to the alcoholic and their family to coordinating interventions. There are many types of certified counselors with training in psychology, medicine and/or psychiatry. The best choice is likely a counselor with specific alcoholism and addiction training and experience. Your physician or medical insurance provider can recommend an appropriate counselor.

What pharmaceutical treatments are there for alcoholism?

Some look for a pharmaceutical based alcoholism treatment option. Under care and direction of a physician, there are drugs that can assist with maintaining sobriety. Here are some of the more commonly used medications for the treatment of alcoholism:

• Acamprosate (common brand name: Campral) – Although researchers are still trying to determine how Acamprosate works, it appears to help the return of normal brain function to those who have quit consuming alcohol leading to a reduction in alcohol cravings.
• Disulfiram (common brand name: Antabuse) – Disulfiram generally works by creating the equivalent of a severe hangover within five to ten minutes of having consumed alcohol. The effect can last up to several hours. If a large quantity of alcohol is consumed, the effects can be quite severe.
• Naltrexone (common brand names: Revia, Depade) – Naltrexone generally works by reducing the craving for alcohol and blocking the effect of alcohol on the brain.
• Topiramate (common brand name: Topamax) – This is primarily an anticonvulsant drug that in recent studies has shown promise as a another tool in the alcoholism treatment drug kit.

There are other drugs and brands with effects similar to these. Your alcoholic’s physician will prescribe those best suited for their circumstances. As with any prescription drug, these should not be administered without the care of a physician. Interactions with alcohol and with other drugs can be dangerous if not correctly administered and monitored.

What about alcoholism treatment and recovery facilities?

Alcoholism recovery and treatment facilities offer a variety of services, often in combination, including:

• Detoxification – Abrupt, controlled cessation of alcohol consumption, often combined with drug therapy to reduce the withdrawal symptoms.
• Psychotherapy – This generally takes the form of one on one therapy between a recovery center client and a therapist.
• Group therapy – This is a form of group psychotherapy where a small group of recovery center clients work together with a therapist to address their problem.

Most commonly clients will sign in for a specific period of inpatient treatment followed by an extended period of outpatient support therapy. The inpatient period can last from a few days to several months.

If financially feasible, a recovery and treatment facility makes a good starting point for long-term sobriety, if the alcoholic continues appropriate ongoing support group work and/or counseling.

Return from Alcoholism Treatment to Finding Help

Return to My Alcoholic Addict