AUD is mental and physical alcohol dependence.
This chronic condition might cause a strong desire to drink, even when it’s harmful. Alcohol withdrawal is another symptom.
If you or someone you know has an AUD, your doctor can help you find the best treatment. Detox, medicine, or relapse prevention training may be recommended.
Learn about AUD treatment below.
Alcoholism Treatment:
AUD is incurable. AUD recovery can be a long process requiring multiple therapies.
Your treatment strategy may be based on your American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Criteria results and particular circumstances, such as:
- Alcoholism And Withdrawal
- Medical/Psychiatric Conditions
- Treatment-Option Interest
- Environmental Conditions
Make a doctor’s appointment to obtain AUD treatment. They’ll ask you questions to assess your addiction. These questions can help select the best treatment for you.
Your doctor or therapist may recommend these treatments:
- Detoxification
- Medications
- Relapse prevention training (therapy, behavior change)
Detoxification
Many treatment methods start with detox to manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Inpatient detoxification is common. It takes one week. Because withdrawal symptoms might be life-threatening, you may be given drugs to:
- Shaking
- Confusion
- Sweating
- Agitation
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Insomnia
- Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat)
- Hallucinations
- Convulsions
Behavior Therapy
Alcohol rehabilitation centre may recommend individual or group therapy.
Therapeutic Benefits
A therapist can help you determine your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to diagnose your AUD. Other therapeutic benefits:
- Coping with dependency
- Being judge-free
- Self-awareness
- Developing healthy habits to reduce dependency
Modifying Behavior
Alcoholics may need to develop skills and coping techniques to avoid drinking once they leave a treatment center or return home.
Your doctor may recommend you to a counselor or therapy program to develop coping techniques.
Support Groups
AUD treatment support groups can be useful. A support group can link you with others facing similar issues. They can answer inquiries, offer encouragement, and recommend resources.
Support groups aren’t for everyone and may not benefit some.
Alcohol support groups exist. Family and friend groups assist AUD patients cope. Examples:
- Children of Alcoholics
- Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Source Reliable
- AA groups
Medications
AUD is treated with medicines. Them:
- Naltrexone: This prevents alcohol’s brain-altering effects. Without nice sentiments, you may drink less.
- Acamprosate: This may reduce alcohol cravings by balancing brain chemicals.
- Disulfiram: This medication makes alcohol sickening. Alcohol causes flushing, nausea, and headaches.
This medicine is the least chosen for AUD because side effects can be severe and it doesn’t alleviate fundamental symptoms.
Naltrexone is a pill or injectable. Vivitrol is a once-a-month injection. This may be more reliable and convenient than oral medications if you forget or won’t take them daily.
Alcoholism Prognosis
AUD can cause physical difficulties. It can increase risks like:
- Cardiovascular
- Cancer Types
- Liver Cirrhosis
- Stomach Lining Inflammation (Gastritis)
- Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Ed
Depression or anxieties often accompany addiction. You may need medical attention for consequences in addition to AUD treatment.
Takeaway
AUD treatment might be a lifelong. Relapses and temptations are normal. It’s normal to relapse throughout recovery.
Some people recover from AUD after the first therapy, while others need numerous. More attempts increase success odds.