Alcoholic man drinking and pouring hard liquor in the glass
Drinking is a common activity for American adults. It happens at parties, in restaurants, and in clubs and bars across the nation. While it’s not a problem for the majority, around 15 million people struggle with alcohol addiction or an alcohol use disorder.
Of course, it’s not just the people with addiction that suffer, but also their loved ones and even their coworkers. Every time a loved one misses an important event or a coworker shows up hungover, it puts stress on those relationships.
If you’re struggling, your main question is likely: how do they treat alcohol addiction? Keep reading for a quick overview of alcohol addiction and its treatment.
What Is Alcohol Addiction?
Broadly speaking, alcohol addiction occurs when your alcohol consumption regularly interferes with other parts of your life. Overdoing it one night a year doesn’t count. If you wake up hungover two or three workdays every week, that’s more of a problem.
Common symptoms include:
- Strong cravings for alcohol
- Inability to limit how much you drink
- Desire or failed attempts to cut back
- Drinking to the point that it affects job performance and family life
- Withdrawal symptoms when you don’t drink
If you experience some or all of these symptoms, consider seeking medical attention and advice.
Detox
Detox is almost always the first stop in treating alcohol addiction. Unlike some drugs, alcohol addiction alters your brain chemistry so much that quitting can prove physically dangerous.
Some of the possible symptoms of withdrawal include:
- Sweats
- Fever
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- High blood pressure
- Delirium tremens
A medical detox program can help you safely navigate the potentially dangerous portion of the withdrawal process. In this type of detox, doctors will often provide medications to help manage the severe or dangerous symptoms.
Rehab
The next recommended step in the process when you treat alcohol addiction is a rehab program. Rehab programs vary in their specific approaches, but some common elements include:
- Group therapy
- Individual therapy
- Courses about addiction and mental health
One of the key things you’ll learn about is tips for overcoming alcohol cravings. Some programs will also teach life skills, such as nutrition and basic cooking.
Recovery
There is this idea that once someone leaves rehab, the process is over. The reality is that someone leaving rehab is only in recovery. They often need ongoing support in the form of support groups, individual therapy, and even family counseling to help repair damaged relationships.
You Can’t Treat Alcohol Addiction Alone
Many people want to treat alcohol addiction on their own, but it’s both impractical and unwise. The withdrawal process from alcohol isn’t just unpleasant, but it can prove deadly. You need medical support for that process.
Rehab programs exist because the cold turkey, do-it-through-willpower approach almost universally fails and leads to relapse. Rehab programs provide you with information and tools that will help you manage your addiction after you leave.
Looking for more on addiction or simply healthier living? Check out some of the other posts in our Health section.
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