Instead, these are groups of people who have alcohol use disorder. Examples include Alcoholics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, and other programs. Your peers can offer understanding and advice and help keep you accountable. When you or your loved one completes an inpatient or outpatient alcohol treatment program, this is a time for celebration. By classifying alcoholism as a chronic disease, it means that alcoholism is viewed as a progressive, long-lasting illness where there is no cure. No cure, however, does not mean there is no hope for long-term recovery.

What are treatments for alcohol use disorder?

Alcohol addiction may involve several different treatment methods. It’s important that each person get involved in a recovery program that will support long-term sobriety. This could mean an emphasis on therapy for someone who is depressed, or inpatient treatment for someone with severe withdrawal symptoms.

Just like any other medical condition, people with substance use disorders deserve to have a range of treatment options available to them. Scientists are working to develop a larger menu of pharmaceutical treatments that could be tailored to individual needs. Certain medications have been shown to effectively help people stop or reduce their drinking and avoid a return to drinking. Couples and family counseling incorporates spouses and other family members in the treatment process and can play an important role in repairing and improving family relationships. Studies show that strong family support through family therapy increases the chances of maintaining abstinence (not drinking) compared with people going to individual counseling. Too much alcohol affects your speech, muscle coordination and vital centers of your brain.

However, remember that relationships with health care providers can take time to develop. What kind of treatment does the program or provider offer? It is important to gauge whether the facility provides all the currently available, evidence-based methods or relies on one approach.

About Mayo Clinic

1. Because denial is common, you may feel like you don’t have a problem with drinking.
2. Our trusted and compassionate recovery advisors will provide a free, confidential consultation so you can decide on a course of action for treatment.
3. The more symptoms you have, the more urgent the need for change.
4. Relapsing also does not mean that treatment is not working.
5. It can be life-threatening, causing serious medical issues like seizures and hallucinations that require immediate medical care.
6. Drugs used for other conditions — like smoking, pain, or epilepsy — also may help with alcohol use disorder.

It may also be helpful to determine whether the treatment will be adapted to meet changing needs as they arise. Acceptance- and mindfulness-based interventions increase awareness and acceptance of present-moment experiences. Mindfulness-based skill-building strategies promote flexible, rather than autopilot, responses to triggers that can prompt drinking. Be prepared to discuss any problems that alcohol may be causing.

Ways to Prevent Relapse

You’ll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Ultimately, receiving treatment can improve your chances of success. If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States. Overcoming AUD is an ongoing process—one that can include setbacks.

Healthcare providers diagnose the condition by doing a physical examination to look for symptoms of conditions that alcohol use disorder may cause. You doctor also can refer you to a treatment center or experts who can help. If your pattern of drinking results in repeated significant distress and problems functioning in your daily life, you likely have alcohol use disorder. However, even a mild disorder can escalate and lead to serious problems, so early treatment is important.

A heavy drinking binge may even cause a life-threatening coma or death. This is of does alcohol cause dry eyes particular concern when you’re taking certain medications that also depress the brain’s function. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a health condition that is best assessed and treated by a health professional.

Research shows that most people who have alcohol problems are able to reduce their drinking or quit entirely. Given the diverse biological processes that contribute to AUD, new medications are needed to provide a broader spectrum of treatment options. Currently, there are three medications approved for AUD in the United States, and they are an effective and important aid in the treatment of people with this condition. Some people are surprised to learn that there are medications on the market approved to treat AUD. The newer types of these medications work by offsetting changes in the brain caused by AUD. 12-step facilitation therapy is an engagement strategy used in counseling sessions to increase an individual’s active involvement in 12-step-based mutual-support groups.

This disorder also involves having to drink more to get the same effect or having withdrawal symptoms when you rapidly decrease or stop drinking. Alcohol use disorder includes a level of drinking that’s sometimes called alcoholism. Regardless of how the addiction looks, someone typically has an alcohol addiction if they heavily rely on famous fetal alcohol syndrome adults drinking and can’t stay sober for an extended period of time. The severity of the disease, how often someone drinks, and the alcohol they consume varies from person to person. Some people drink heavily all day, while others binge drink and then stay sober for a while.

The important thing is to remain engaged in whatever method you choose. You may be able to better compare your options by assessing whether and how the program or provider measures success. Overall, gather as much information as you can about a program or provider before making a decision on treatment.

Remember that changing long-standing patterns is hard, takes time, and requires repeated efforts. We usually experience setbacks along the way, learn from them, and then keep going. Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and what may work for one person may not be a good fit for someone else. Simply understanding the different options can be an important first step. After completing treatment, the thought of relapsing can be scary. Many people fear that relapsing means they have undone all of the hard work previously done in treatment and that they will never achieve sobriety again.

You may want to learn if the program or provider offers medication and na vs aa whether mental health issues are addressed together with alcohol treatment. Your health care provider or mental health provider will ask additional questions based on your responses, symptoms and needs. Preparing and anticipating questions will help you make the most of your appointment time.

Friends and family members of people who have an alcohol addiction can benefit from professional support or by joining programs like Al-Anon. It can cause changes to the brain and neurochemistry, so a person with an alcohol addiction may not be able to control their actions. The three-step road map outlined in the NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator offers expert guidance to focus and support your efforts. Learn how to find higher quality, science-backed alcohol treatment to raise your changes for success.

Contact your primary care provider, health insurance plan, local health department, or employee assistance program for information about specialty treatment. Treatment for alcohol use disorder can vary, depending on your needs. Treatment may involve a brief intervention, individual or group counseling, an outpatient program, or a residential inpatient stay. Working to stop alcohol use to improve quality of life is the main treatment goal.