Outpatient Alcoholism Treatments

Selection of an outpatient alcohol treatment program depends on personal characteristics and the stage at which the alcoholic is suffering. Early-stage alcoholism is easier to diagnose and treat and usually can be done with outpatient therapy. Middle and advanced stages may require detoxification, which should always be done with medical supervision. Consult a health-care specialist or an alcohol-abuse counselor in your local area to ensure that outpatient treatment is appropriate.

• Treatment is available.

Motivational Enhancement Programs

• According to Types of Alcohol Therapy at Learn-About-Alcoholism.com, "These programs are designed to raise drinkers' awareness of the impact alcohol has on their lives, as well as the lives of family, co-workers and society." It is difficult for alcohol patients to accept that the most likely cure for their condition is abstinence. Types of Alcohol Therapy continues to explain that these therapists assist alcoholics to "review treatment options and design a treatment plan to which they will commit." All programs encourage that without commitment, there is no likely relief.

Cognitive-Behavioral Coping-Skills

• Types of Alcoholism Therapy explains that cognitive-behavioral coping-skills therapy "helps alcohol-dependent people acquire skills to recognize, cope and change problem-drinking behaviors." The therapist will assist the patient to find out what needs are filled by drinking, and find new ways to fulfill those needs without drinking and thus "modify psychological dependence on the drug." Patients also learn to "manage negative moods and emotional vulnerabilities" and "change social outlets and friendships to focus on something other than drinking." Again, abstinence and commitment are stressed.

Behavioral Couples Therapy

• As the name implies, behavioral couples therapy concentrates on a relationship in which only one of the partners has a drinking problem. Both partners will need to be committed to the program for it to be effective. Types of Alcoholism Therapy explains that since the behavior of the alcoholic affects the other partner, the "therapy includes providing the non-dependent partner with training on communication and support strategies that facilitate the advancement of treatment and sobriety." The couple forms a contract of mutual support that the therapist monitors in periodic sessions.

12-Step Facilitation Therapy

• Peer support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, Women for Sobriety and others, according to Types of Alcoholism Therapy, all "focus on abstinence and foster each individual's physical, mental and spiritual health." These programs complement professional supervised therapy and are often recommended as continuing support programs after the treatment is completed, to maintain abstinence. An anonymous saying about drinking, "one's too many, a thousand's not enough," may well sum up the problem of alcoholism. So to avoid that first drink, these support groups are available at little or no cost for the rest of the alcoholic's life.

Prescription Drugs

• The prescription drugs, disulfiram, naltrexone and acamprosate, can assist the recovering alcoholic by reducing the compulsion to drink. But although these medications reduce the urge, they can have adverse or even severe effects if the alcoholic drinks while taking them. The alcoholic must understand that these medications cannot cure alcoholism on their own, and can only be used in combination with therapy. According to Alcohol Addiction Treatment at Learn-About-Alcoholism.com, "There is no silver bullet to help someone stop drinking." The medications are only coupled with the alcoholic's commitment to stop drinking.

Understanding Relapse

• Most programs strongly encourage the alcoholic to maintain total abstinence after completing outpatient treatment. But many alcoholics are skeptical and often try again to drink with control. But the majority of them return to the dependence they had before treatment or worse. Counselors understand this, and the alcoholic is always welcome to repeat the treatment or continue therapy. To get a better understanding of relapse, you can speak anonymously with alcoholics in the process of recovery by attending an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. You will not be charged and will only be asked your first name. AA usually can be found in your local phone book or at http://www.aa.org.