How to Treat Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction is also referred to as alcoholism. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the symptoms of alcoholism include craving (strong need to drink), loss of control (can't stop drinking), tolerance (needing more alcohol to get "high") and physical dependence (withdrawal symptoms). Although the alcoholic may feel he has no problem, his addiction is grave and seeking treatment is his best option. Refusal to seek treatment can result in various medical ailments, such as liver and kidney disease.

Instructions

Treating Alcohol Addiction

• 1

  Take a long, hard look in the mirror and realize your problem. Examine the effects your alcoholism has had on your financial, physical and mental state, and how it has adversely affected your life and the lives of your loved ones. Realize you have a problem because if you keep denying your illness, help will remain elusive.

• 2

  Enlist the assistance of your family, trusted friends, therapist or a medical professional. Tell them you are ready to get help. Do not worry about relapsing or the failures resulting from your alcoholism. Alcohol treatment and recovery is a process that must be taken step by step.

• 3

  Find a treatment center by contacting your physician, therapist or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which offers a comprehensive list of certified alcohol treatment centers. Use their facility locator to find a treatment center near you.

• 4

  Begin the sobriety process by entering a detoxification program. Because your body has become physically dependent on alcohol, once you stop drinking, withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, tremors, sweating and anxiety occur. These effects can be very painful. Your physician may design a detox plan that includes oral medications such as naltrexone, disulfiram and acamprosate--FDA-approved drugs to help reduce your withdrawal symptoms.

• 5

  Enter outpatient, inpatient or residential care. During outpatient monitoring, your recovery happens outside the treatment facility but also in the presence of a sober individual. You will be required to check in with the facility so you can be monitored. If your drinking problem is severe or if you have other chronic illnesses, you may be required to undergo inpatient stay at the hospital so you can be consistently monitored. For residential treatment, some facilities allow on-site detox; however, others may require that you finish the detox process before starting residential care.

• 6

  Continue treatment by enrolling in a 12-step program such as Alcoholics Anonymous. These free programs are designed to offer you group support and to teach you coping skills to help reduce your chances of relapse.