Overcoming alcohol addiction is completely dependent on the will and commitment of the user. A person has to want sobriety for themselves before they can truly accept help. The doctors, the medications, and therapies are merely aids in coping with withdrawal symptoms and side effects. The rest lies on the person’s ability to take these tools and use them to rebuild a fresh, sober life.
There are several options available for alcohol addiction treatment : detoxification, behavioral therapy, counseling, and medication are the primary methods. Depending on the level of addiction, a user can be recommended one or more of these treatments at once.
Detoxification
Detox is the first step in the treatment of alcohol addiction, as it helps the user break their physical dependence to the drug. The primary focus of alcohol detox is to help the body clear itself from the need to consume alcohol to function, and get it back to working in a natural, sober state.
Detoxification is an inpatient treatment program that requires the person to stay in a hospital or rehabilitation center. Staying in a monitored environment allows patients to receive effective treatment from withdrawal symptoms, which tend to be severe in the beginning stages of alcoholism detox. The patient may not be able to handle these symptoms and the discomfort that stems from them on their own. Therefore it is best-suited that professionals are there to take control of the situation, if need be.
Behavioral Therapy
To recover from alcohol addiction, it is necessary that the user is subjected to behavioral modification. Habits can become such a fixed part of our routines that it can be hard to realize when something has become a problem. The act of drinking is actually a very strong component in this addiction: a user has to work not only on substance dependence, but on the physical habit of tipping back a drink as well. Overall, behavioral therapy provides users with the opportunity to develop coping mechanisms and healthier habits that can help them avoid alcohol once they are recovering in a normal setting.
Counseling
Counseling helps individuals voice their concerns, insecurities and challenges involving their addiction. It also helps rehab professionals identify the core reason behind the dependence on alcohol.
Once those reasons are identified, the user can be counseled on how to cope with solutions that pertain to their particular struggles, and embrace a healthier attitude towards life. Counseling can encourage a person to engage in their treatment in a productive, dedicated manner.
Medication
Medication is also an integral part of alcohol addiction treatment. It helps the user deal with the symptoms that accompany alcohol withdrawal, which range from tremors and disorientation to vomiting and seizures. Certain medicines are effective in lowering a person’s desire to drink, which helps maintain sobriety in the beginning stages of recovery. Other medications, like acamprosate, help the user restore the chemical balance of their brain that has been damaged extensively under the influence of alcohol.
Alcohol addiction can be difficult to treat, but with proper planning and assistance, the person with the disorder can be brought back to reality and live life with purpose. The best treatment plan is one that follows an integrated approach, combining all of the factors above.
Scottsdale Recovery Center has been providing professional alcohol addiction treatment to its clients for years. If you know a loved one suffering from alcohol addiction, don’t let them waste their life away. Help them get the support they need. With our highly trained team of professionals at your assistance, we can put them back on the right path in life. We believe nothing is impossible, as long as someone is willing to take the first step.
