Alcoholism Treatment

O.K. so you’ve found yourself against the wall either for the first time or the hundredth. If you’re reading this then you’ve already decided to get some help, which is a good decision. We here at Treatment4Addiction.org are willing to help you in any way we can, but first we believe you should know what your options are so here is a little information to help get you started:

The Problem:

Alcohol addiction is a treatable brain disease. It is characterized by compulsive craving, seeking, and use that persist even in the face of severe adverse consequences. For many people, alcoholism can become chronic, with relapses possible even after long periods of abstinence. As a chronic, recurring illness, it may require repeated substance abuse treatments to increase the intervals between relapses and diminish their intensity, until abstinence is achieved. Through alcoholism treatment tailored to individual needs, people with addiction can recover and lead productive lives.

The Solution = Treatment

Let’s look at some of the things that need to be considered when seeking alcohol treatment:

• There is no single treatment plan appropriate for all individuals.
• Alcohol abuse treatment needs to be readily available.
• Effective treatment attends to the multiple needs of the individual, not just their alcohol addiction.
• Remaining in treatment for an adequate period of time is critical for substance abuse treatment effectiveness.
• Alcohol counseling and other behavioral therapies are critical components of
• Virtually all effective treatments for alcohol addiction.
• For certain types of disorders, medications are an important element of treatment, especially when combined with alcohol counseling and other behavioral therapies.
• Addicted or alcohol-abusing individuals with coexisting mental disorders should have both disorders treated in an integrated way.
• Medical management of withdrawal syndrome is only the first stage of alcohol addiction treatment and by itself does little to change long-term substance use.
• Treatment therapy does not need to be voluntary to be effective.

So now the question is “what kind of options do I have?” Here are some of the treatment options available to you:

Medical Detoxification is a process where individuals are systematically withdrawn away from alcohol in an inpatient or outpatient setting, typically under the care of a physician. Various medications are available for detoxification from alcohol. In some cases, detoxification may be a medical necessity, and untreated withdrawal may be medically dangerous or even fatal. Detoxification is a precursor of alcoholism treatment.

Outpatient Behavioral Treatment encompasses a wide variety of programs

for patients who visit a clinic at regular intervals. Most of the alcohol abuse programs involve individual or group alcohol counseling and treatment therapy.

Residential Treatment programs can also be very effective, especially for

those with more severe problems. For example, therapeutic communities (TCs)

are highly structured programs in which patients remain at a residence, typically

for 6 to 12 months. Patients in TCs may include those with relatively long histories of drug addiction and alcoholism. TCs are now also being designed to accommodate the needs of women who are pregnant or have children. The focus of the TC is on the re-socialization of the patient to a drug or alcohol-free lifestyle.

Remaining in treatment for an adequate period of time is critical for alcohol treatment effectiveness. The appropriate duration for an individual depends on his or her problems and needs. For most patients, the threshold of significant improvement is reached at about 3 months in substance abuse treatment. After this threshold is reached, additional treatment can produce further progress toward recovery.  Generally, for residential or outpatient treatment, participation for less than 90 days is of limited or of no effectiveness.

So now that you’ve opened the door, give us a call at 310-314-1923 and let’s talk.

Treatment4Addiction.org can help you find the help you need regardless of your current position in life and we’re here to help you find a new way.