Alcohol abuse is among some of the most common addictions in the world with many people struggling with alcohol use disorder (AUD). When the habit of drinking starts affecting a person’s daily life and their health, it is classified as alcohol addiction. In 2017, it was estimated that 19.7 million people battled alcohol use disorder in the US. The WHO informs us that alcohol abuse claims almost 3.3 million lives all around the world. These statistics show the alarming level of harm that alcohol abuse poses. In order to protect yourself and combat AUD, professional help should be sought out. The best way to protect yourself against alcohol addiction is to seek professional help. The following are the treatment options for those who battle alcohol addiction. 

Medication

Medication is an effective treatment for alcohol abuse disorder (AUD).. There are certain medicines that have been approved by the FDA that are employed in this type of treatment. Primarily, three of the drugs have been approved: 

• Disulfiram
• Naltrexone
• Acamprosate

Alcohol treatment Drugs like acamprosate can aid in lowering alcohol consumption. They are prescribed by a primary care physician or another healthcare provider and can be taken alone or in conjunction with psychotherapy. However, it is important to get help from other treatments, such as therapies.

Detoxification

Alcohol detoxification, commonly addressed as detox, is  the process in which toxins left by heavy alcohol usage are eliminated from the body. t. It is usually the first step when a treatment is sought out. This is done to reduce withdrawal effects and clear the body of whatever hazardous items remain inside and keep pestering the body. In a therapy context, alcohol detox is often supported by medicine, medical monitoring, and counseling. Therapists are available in the addiction clinic to assist those who may start to experience withdrawal symptoms while undergoing alcohol detox.

Behavioral Therapies

Behavioral therapies are crucial for people who deal with alcohol addiction or any other form of addiction. They help the patients develop skills and attitudes that help them stay away from drugs and alcohol. They also assist individuals in adhering to a healthier lifestyle. There are various therapies that are offered to individuals and are usually part of treatment plans. The following are some of the therapies that are also found in outpatient alcohol addiction treatments:

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

This type of therapy assists patients in identifying, avoiding, and resolving situations where drug use is most likely to occur. The core tenet of the CBT paradigm is the interconnectedness of your ideas, emotions, and actions. For instance, if you are self-conscious, you may feel alone and unhappy, which may encourage you to drink alcohol to dull the pain inside of you. The purpose of CBT, which is a problem-focused treatment method, is to discover healthy solutions to your present difficulties rather than concentrating on the underlying causes of these problems. By addressing the root cause of a problem, CBT can be an excellent way to provide long-term recovery and reduce the risk of relapse in people.

Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT)

Addiction can be a hereditary issue, and this therapy can be effective for people with co-occurring disorders because it addresses a person’s underlying issues. To address issues in this way, a holistic therapy known as multidimensional family therapy and an outpatient counseling technique is also well known. Using a combination of family therapy, drug counseling, and personal and multiple-systems-focused intervention techniques, MDFT is an integrated outpatient treatment. The interventions focus on the interrelated areas of development of an individual and, within them, the situations and activities that are known to cause and/or maintain dysfunction.

Support Groups

Support groups, such as Alcohols Anonymous (AA) meetings or 12-step rehabs, are one of the treatments that may be opted by the people who struggle with AUD. These support groups cater to people who are looking to relinquish or reduce drinking habits. With the assistance of medical expertise and mutual-support groups, most efficacious results for AUD can be attained. As the name suggests, these organizations operate anonymously. However, this is exactly why researchers find it challenging to evaluate the likelihood of success of mutual-support groups. Organizations for the treatment of alcoholism and support groups may be crucial components of the trip. These organizations can help individuals who are looking to minimize chances of relapse.. These organizations persistently assist with “step work,” which is the process of going through all 12 AA stages in order to become sober and keep it that way.

Alateen 

Some unique support groups, such as Alateen, are also available. Alateen caters to those whose parents struggle with alcoholism. People share their experiences and traumas in this support group. Lessons and directions are given less attention. Alateen can link you with other young people dealing with comparable difficulties. It can aid in both finding support and becoming more comfortable asking for help.

There are plenty of treatments for those who struggle with alcohol addiction. The journey is not always easy, and alcoholism is not easily cured. It requires years to break the drinking habit. However, help is available, and with some effort, there is a great chance that you will live a more fulfilling life.