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Ways to Stop Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol abuse, such as drinking every day or drinking too much alcohol at a time, often leads to problems at work and in relationships and dangers such as drunk driving. People who continue to abuse alcohol run the risk of becoming alcohol dependent. There are several options available to alcohol abusers who wish to stop their behaviors, though none of them are 100 percent effective without proper commitment.

  1. 12 Step Programs

    • Twelve step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, are the most common source of help for alcohol abuse and alcoholism, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. These programs work by providing program participants with 12 activities that must be competed in sequence to aid in the recovery process. AA and similar programs also provide a network of support through other program members, most of whom have been in a similar situation.

    Medication

    • Medication is often used in conjunction with other treatment options to help stop alcohol abuse. There are several medications on the market used to discourage alcohol abusers from drinking, each providing a different effect and offering different modes of delivery, from daily pills to monthly injections. According to WebMD, disulfiram makes drinkers sick to their stomach, naltrexone takes the pleasure from drinking and acamprosate reduces alcohol cravings. In addition, other drugs that have not been specifically approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat alcohol addiction, such as ondansetron, sertraline and topiramate have shown positive treatment results in some people.

    Therapy

    • People who abuse alcohol have a variety of therapy programs available that work to stop the alcohol abuse. Brief intervention therapy provides facts on the dangers of abuse and strategies and resources to help abusers quit. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps alcohol abusers change their thoughts and actions and find ways to deal with alcohol cravings. Motivational enhancement therapy helps abusers find the motivation to quit. Couples or family therapy helps abusers find support in their family and strengthen their relationships.

    Treatment Programs

    • Treatment programs often use a structured setting and offer a range of medical care and therapy depending on the type of program. Outpatient programs allow alcohol abusers to live on their own and stay in the community while attending a program at a local treatment facility or mental health clinic. Inpatient treatment programs have abusers live at a facility, typically for between one and six weeks, according to WebMD. While at the center, therapy is provided during the day and evening, and typically leads to treatment in an outpatient program. Residential treatment often lasts for months and provides alcohol abusers a place to live while they recover.

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