Alcohol treatment center is a generic term for a facility that treats patients who are struggling with alcohol abuse or addiction. Many treatment centers combine some or all of these different levels of care. People who drink too much alcohol are at risk of developing a host of health conditions and disorders including certain types of cancer, liver disease, and heart disease. Excessive alcohol consumption can damage the brain and other organs, and it also increases the chances of developing sleep problems, depression, and other mental health problems.
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- The therapy focuses on identifying the pros and cons of seeking treatment, forming a plan for making changes in one’s drinking, building confidence, and developing the skills needed to stick to the plan.
- It may also be helpful to determine whether the treatment will be adapted to meet changing needs as they arise.
- As the loved one of someone struggling, remember that it’s ultimately up to them to manage the condition.
- Drugs used for other conditions — like smoking, pain, or epilepsy — also may help with alcohol use disorder.
- For people who drink several times a week and do not have alcohol dependency, even slightly reducing intake can have significant health benefits, Keyes added.
- Medications also can help deter drinking during times when individuals may be at greater risk of a return to drinking (e.g., divorce, death of a family member).
You’re likely to start by seeing your primary health care provider. If your provider suspects that you have a problem with alcohol, you may be referred to a mental health provider. The first step in getting help for alcoholism is finding a rehab or treatment facility that provides research-based treatment aimed at helping the individual recover and manage the condition.
What to expect from your doctor
Residential treatment programs typically include licensed alcohol and drug counselors, social workers, nurses, doctors, and others with expertise and experience in treating alcohol use disorder. People with alcohol use disorder (AUD) cannot control how much they need and desire alcohol and, as a result, consume it in amounts that can lead to severe health issues. Genetics may make some individuals more susceptible, but a person’s environment plays an important part. Alcoholism, now known as alcohol use disorder, is a condition in which a person has a desire or physical need to consume alcohol. Treatment can include counseling, medications, residential programs, and support groups.
Treatment Options
What’s more, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excessive alcohol use leads to over 95,000 deaths in the U.S. every year. Knowing that others are going through what you are can help with the loneliness and stigma and support you when you’re struggling. AUD can cause unintended consequences even before a child is born.
- You may want to take a family member or friend along, if possible.
- If your pattern of drinking results in repeated significant distress and problems functioning in your daily life, you likely have alcohol use disorder.
- Many people struggle with controlling their drinking at some point in their lives.
- Enter your phone number below to receive a free and confidential call from a treatment provider.
- Below is a list of some of the providers who are typically involved in alcohol treatment and the type of care they may offer.
Does drinking three beers a day make me an alcoholic?
- The therapy goals are to develop the skills needed to manage your habits, build social support, set and work toward realistic goals, and deal with or avoid things that trigger drinking.
- These advances could optimize how treatment decisions are made in the future.
- When healthcare providers screen for AUD, they look at drinking behavior patterns within the last year to determine a diagnosis.
- Your health care provider or counselor can suggest a support group.
- Group therapy, led by a therapist, can give you the benefits of therapy along with the support of other members.
Behavioral therapies can help people develop skills to avoid and overcome triggers, such as stress, that might lead to drinking. Medications also can help deter drinking during times when individuals may be at greater risk of a return to drinking (e.g., divorce, death of a family member). Behavioral treatments—also known as alcohol counseling, or talk therapy, and provided by licensed therapists—are aimed at changing drinking behavior. Intentionally staying involved with addiction recovery support, also known as aftercare, can help minimize relapse. Recovery support could include formal aftercare programs facilitated by professional addiction services, informal relationships built in the community, and much in between.
Treatment can be outpatient and/or inpatient and be provided by specialty programs, therapists, and health care providers. If you think you may have alcohol use disorder, you’re not alone. Realizing you may have an issue is the first step toward getting better, so don’t hesitate to talk to a healthcare provider. They’ll recommend treatments and resources to help you recover from alcohol use disorder.
Many rehab centers will set patients up with aftercare as part of discharging them from a program. Treatment professionals help patients navigate aftercare options to find the right fit. A medically managed detox conducted at an addiction treatment center or hospital offers services and medications that may minimize withdrawal symptoms and reduce the risk of relapse during detox.
Is It Safe to Drink Rubbing Alcohol?
Enrolling in medical detox for AUD can prevent serious symptoms and the risk of death when quitting alcohol use. Depending on how bad the person’s dependency on alcohol is, these symptoms can range in severity. A detoxification usually requires a small stay in a hospital or rehabilitation center, although alcoholics who are considered low-risk may be considered can alcoholism be cured for an outpatient detoxification. Certain safe-substitute drugs, such as benzodiazepine, can only be administered in a hospital. A detoxification is considered only part of the treatment, as it only deals with the physical dependency on alcohol. Regardless of the type of support system, it’s helpful to get involved in at least one when getting sober.