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Treatment Programs for Alcoholism

If someone you know is abusing alcohol, you may wonder what treatment programs are available. Here are some common options.

  1. Alcoholics Anonymous

    • Alcoholics Anonymous is probably the most well-known treatment program for alcoholism. It is a network of self-help groups for recovering alcoholics with a program based on 12 steps. Most metropolitan areas and many small towns have regular AA meetings. Participants are expected to attend meetings regularly and are mentored by a "sponsor" while they work through the 12 steps. The steps include admitting powerlessness over alcohol, asking for help from a "higher power" and attempting to make amends for hurting others. The goal of Alcoholics Anonymous is to abstain from drinking for life.

    Rational Recovery

    • Rational Recovery is a for-profit organization founded by a social worker in 1986. Rational Recovery has no treatment clinics or support groups, and alcoholics are encouraged to recover on their own with a self-directed plan for quitting alcohol. They can receive help and support through reading materials, videos and an associated website. The program uses a kind of cognitive-behavioral psychology that teaches alcoholics to be aware of their "addictive voice" and to counter the messages that voice sends about being powerless over the addiction. This approach does not focus on spirituality or a higher power. Like AA, the goal is total abstinence.

    Women for Sobriety

    • Women for Sobriety is a self-help group that focuses on the special needs women with addiction issues face. Instead of "12 steps," the program has "13 statements" that are meant to be positive and encourage personal growth. Small self-help groups are run by a moderator certified in the program. The program focuses on helping women understand how they use alcohol to cope. It teaches alternative coping mechanisms, such as meditation, relaxation and stress reduction.

    SMART Recovery

    • SMART Recovery treats alcohol abuse through online or face-to-face support groups. The program's steps help motivate participants to change and learn coping mechanisms to manage stress and overcome the urge to drink. The SMART Recovery website indicates that about 450 face-to-face meetings are available around the world.

    Moderation Management

    • Moderation Management is a cognitive-behavioral-based treatment program directed toward people who are problem drinkers but not fully addicted to alcohol. The cognitive-behavioral component helps those who abuse alcohol recognize risky behaviors and stop them early, before any damage is done. The program has nine steps and emphasizes education about alcohol. It allows participants to set their own goals: either moderation or abstinence. Free support meetings are available in 17 states and a handful of other countries.

    Prescription Drug Treatments

    • Prescription medications also can be useful in treating alcoholism. Two common medications used to treat alcoholism are naltrexone and acamprosate. A study by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism found that the combination of naltrexone and therapy was effective, especially among patients who took the drug regularly. Those who stopped taking the drug or did not take it regularly had higher relapse rates.

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