Best Treatment For Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol Addiction Treatment Options
Essentially, Alcohol Use Disorder treatment provides alcoholics with the tools they need to combat their disease. It’s up to them, once the defenses have been built, to massage their willpower and keep to the given path. Yet, when it comes to treatment metrics, it’s important to count success in increments. Simply deciding on a treatment plan is paramount for the alcoholic, as they have admitted there’s a problem. Even if treatment keeps an alcoholic away from substance abuse for a month, that’s a success. Treatment programs work—but it’s not a cure, it’s a lifestyle that must become law to the AUD sufferer.
Behavioral Therapy
Therapy, regarding alcohol use disorder treatment, was implemented in the 1980s, driving forward a new standard of treatment rooted in common practices today. What we are referring to here is behavioral therapy. The thesis is brilliantly simple; while healthcare professionals can target the addiction, often what led to the ailment comes from life factors outside of AUD.
Behavioral therapy works to identify areas in which the person(s) did not experience proper development, encouraging them to become self-aware in ways they were not originally. It creates the foundation for lifestyle changes and encourages them to set goals, monitor progress, an analyze the root of drinking patterns.
This then allows the sufferer to gain coping tools, improve their communication, and understand their reactionary tendencies. Essentially, treatment works to identify the symptoms of AUD and therapy asks the question: outside of dependency, why do you feel that need to drink? For what reason is alcohol a solution? Once these questions are answered, the AUD sufferer can than use other solutions to fill these voids, or cope, which then becomes part of their alcoholism treatment methods. It’s not just about treating the disease, it’s treating the person as a whole.
Therapy helps:
- Identify Root Problems
- Establish Coping Mechanisms
- Treat the Person and the Condition
- Create Tools That Assist in All Facets of Life
- Establish Self-Awareness
- Set Future Goals
- Create A Self-Monitoring System
Types of Alcohol Addiction Therapy
An Ongoing Process
Relapse Is Part Of The Process
Persistence is key. While speaking on relapse can be difficult, it is paramount in regards to recovery. Statistically, when an AUD sufferer attempts to break their chains, they have a higher likelihood of relapse than not. Similar to smoking, it often takes several attempts before a patient can manage their AUD, then continue on the route of sobriety afterward.
If you happen to be reading this because you tried quitting cold turkey—and you relapsed—then rest assured that this is not an end-all, nor is it indicative of your capacity for recovery. It is merely a part of the process—another hurdle you must overcome in order to find long-term treatment.
Thus, we encourage you to identify your needs, speak to a professional, and research alternate methods that may compliment you perfectly. We commend you for your courage and want to reiterate, as we hope you know, you are not alone. You will beat this. The best treatment plan for alcohol use disorder is a question you and you alone must answer. We are simply here to guide you to the best option for your individual case.
Medications For Alcohol Withdrawal
In a medically assisted detox, there are a few medications that are used to help the individual withdrawal symptoms become less severe and more tolerable. Some of these medications could include:
ANXIOLYTICS – These can promote the relief of stress and anxiety, and also allow the individual to sleep.
SEDATIVES – Sedatives to dull senses, create a sense of calmness, and allows them to sleep. Most of the time FDA approved Benzodiazepines are used.
ANTABUSE & VIVITROL – Antabuse makes one sick if the ingest alcohol, and Vivitrol removes the ‘reward’ sensation from alcohol.
CAMPRAL – Mitigates cravings
Does Alcohol Treatment Work?
When it comes to the efficacy of AUD treatment, it’s astounding. While there is no cure for alcoholism—given that any alcoholic will tell you it’s a lifelong struggle—treatment can, at a minimum, mitigate problems brought on by AUD. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism explains that “one-third of people who are treated for alcohol problems have no further symptoms one year later. Many others substantially reduce their drinking and report fewer alcohol-related problems.’
Essentially, AUD treatment provides alcoholics with the tools they need to combat their disease. It’s up to them, once the defenses have been built, to massage their willpower and keep to the given path. Yet, when it comes to treatment metrics, it’s important to count success in increments. Simply deciding on a treatment plan is paramount for the alcoholic, as they have admitted there’s a problem. Even if treatment keeps an alcoholic away from substance abuse for a month, that’s a success. Treatment programs work—but it’s not a cure, it’s a lifestyle that must become law to the AUD sufferer.
If you happen to be reading this because you tried quitting cold turkey—and you relapsed—then rest assured that this is not an end-all, nor is it indicative of your capacity for recovery. It is merely a part of the process—another hurdle you must overcome in order to find long term treatment.
Thus, we encourage you to identify your needs, speak to a professional, and research alternate methods that may compliment you perfectly. We commend you for your courage and want to reiterate, as we hope you know, you are not alone. You will beat this.
The best treatment plan for alcohol use disorder is a question you and you alone must answer. We are simply here to guide you to the best option for your individual case.
What To Look For In An Alcohol Rehab
We know the decision in choosing the correct treatment center is an important one. Once you have determined the level of care you or your loved one needs, there are a few factors to consider before making the final decision. With each individual and circumstances varying, consider some of the following:
Find The Best Treatment For You
The issue with AUD is that it takes many forms. There is no single miracle pill that can cure the disease outright. It is often a co-occurring disorder, mixed with either mental illness or a place in which the patient is lacking. Thus, the best alcohol use disorder treatment that cured and changed the life of a given patient may not have the same effect on you.
It is paramount that you address your circumstances, needs, and the goals you have for yourself before choosing a treatment method. We will talk on some of the obvious limitations but ultimately, no matter what you do, treating your alcohol dependence should be your number one priority. The rest of your life can wait, as the rest of your life could be tainted by the issues you are currently facing.
Here are some important questions to ask yourself before choosing a treatment mode for your substance abuse:
- Do you have health insurance? If so, what sort of treatment can you realistically afford? Is there anyone that can help you fund the endeavor?
- What is the severity of your condition? What is your current alcohol intake?
- Do you think, if left in your environment, that you would be able to handle triggers?
- If you have tried to kick your addiction in the past, what worked? What didn’t?
- What are your primary goals in treating AUD?
- Are these goals attainable given a specific type of alcohol use disorder treatment?
The reality is that everyone values sobriety. If you have forces (people) in your life that react negatively to your goals (an example would be an employer not keen on the idea of you gone in rehab for 30 days), then they should no longer be a part of your life. Overcoming AUD and obtaining a skill set which helps you cope in your everyday life is not an easy task. If it were, sufferers across the world would have an easier time righting their disease. As it stands, alcoholism is merciless, powerful, and difficult to control.
What you are doing takes courage and we commend you for it. That is why it is important you know that there is a treatment that complements you, your circumstances, and the goals you wish to achieve. Research alternative or traditional methods, then reach out to a professional for advice—at the very least, someone will provide information to point you in the right direction.
Alcohol Addiction Services
Drug & Alcohol Detox
Peaks Recovery is medically staffed by a primary care physician, a psychiatrist, and round-the-clock nursing. The medical team’s acumen provides the safest medical detox in Colorado.
Inpatient & Residential Treatment
Peaks Recovery is licensed to provide the highest level of inpatient and residential programming in Colorado. In addition to satisfying state criteria, we have further received the highest recognition from the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) for our 3.7 and 3.5 levels of care.
IOP Treatment
Peaks Recovery provides accommodating support for individuals who may be experiencing some obstacles in their recovery journey or are looking for a step down from an inpatient program.
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