Instead, those seeking recovery must commit to a treatment and aftercare plan designed by professionals. There is no quick fix or “cure” for alcohol addiction, but it can be overcome and effectively treated with the help of professional treatment programs. Contact your primary care provider, health insurance plan, local health department, or employee assistance program for information about specialty treatment. If you have any of these symptoms, alcohol may already be a cause for concern. The more symptoms you have, the more urgent the need for change. A health care provider can look at the number, pattern, and severity of symptoms to see whether AUD is present and help you decide the best course of action.

• As a loved one of someone with an alcohol addiction, try to be encouraging and provide emotional support.
• Treatment may involve a brief intervention, individual or group counseling, an outpatient program, or a residential inpatient stay.
• Some people drink heavily all day, while others binge drink and then stay sober for a while.
• Seeking professional help early can prevent a return to drinking.
• Because he is a member of a support group that stresses the importance of anonymity at the public level, he does not use his photograph or his real name on this website.

The stages of alcohol recovery

When is it common in society, it can be hard to tell the difference between someone who likes to have a few drinks now and then and someone with a real problem. You may experience relapses and temptations, but this is completely normal. It’s not uncommon to slip in and out of sobriety on your recovery journey. Support groups can be especially helpful when you’re going through treatment for AUD. A support group can help you connect with other people who’re facing similar challenges.

How to manage alcohol use disorder

They can help you develop a game plan to work through alcohol use disorder and learn skills to prevent or recover from returning to drinking in the future. Studies show most people with this condition recover, meaning they reduce how much they drink, or stop drinking altogether. They may start drinking to cope with stressful events like losing a job, going through a divorce, or dealing with a death in their family or a close friend. Talk to your healthcare provider if you’re under stress and think you may be at risk for relapse.

Long-term outlook for alcohol use disorder

You may be able to better compare your options by assessing whether and how the program or provider measures success. Since withdrawal symptoms tend to ebb and flow, you may be tempted to feel like you’re not making progress ― even though in reality, you’ve come a long way. So far, there’s no consensus on the medical definition of recovery in alcohol treatment literature. Recovery from alcohol addiction generally follows the stages of abstinence, withdrawal, repair, and growth. Others may want one-on-one therapy for a longer time to deal with issues like anxiety or depression. Alcohol use can have a big effect on the people close to you, so couples or family therapy can help, too.

• Changing these behaviors is often difficult for alcoholics, as it usually involves avoiding places they used to drink or people they would drink with regularly.
• When asked how alcohol problems are treated, people commonly think of 12-step programs or 28-day inpatient treatment centers but may have difficulty naming other options.
• You may want to learn if the program or provider offers medication and whether mental health issues are addressed together with alcohol treatment.
• Below are samples of e-health tools developed with NIAAA funding.
• When alcohol is suddenly removed or reduced, the body must adjust again to its absence, which can result in withdrawal symptoms that may be experienced during detox.
• Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a mental and physical dependence on alcohol.

There may also be recovery resources available in your community. Helping someone with an alcohol use problem may be a challenge, but it is possible. More and more resources are becoming available to those struggling with substance use problems. The future of addiction recovery is becoming increasingly brighter. Through it all, however, be sure to take care of yourself and your mental health.

What are the symptoms of alcohol use disorder?

Just as some people with diabetes or asthma may have flare-ups of their disease, a return to drinking can be seen as a temporary setback to full recovery and not as a failure. Seeking professional help can prevent a return to drinking—behavioral therapies can help people develop skills to avoid and overcome triggers, such as stress, that might lead to drinking. Most people benefit from regular checkups with a treatment provider. Medications can also deter drinking during times when individuals may be at greater risk for a return to drinking (e.g., divorce, death of a family member).

Overall, gather as much information as you can about a program or provider before making a decision on treatment. If you know someone who has firsthand knowledge of a program, it may help to ask about their personal experience. Given the diverse biological processes that contribute to AUD, new medications are needed to provide a broader spectrum of treatment options.

Alcohol Detoxification: Part of the Treatment

Along with alcohol abuse, alcoholism is now considered part of a broader condition called alcohol use disorder (AUD), as defined by the American Psychiatric Association. You can can alcoholism be cured also explore other tools to help you reduce your alcohol consumption. If you’re living with alcohol use disorder, you might be tempted to quit “cold turkey,” or immediately.