The results of the assessment can offer initial guidance to the drinker about what treatment to seek and help motivate the problem drinker to get treatment. Individuals with drinking problems improve their chances of recovery by seeking help early. Spouses and children of heavy drinkers may face family violence; children may suffer alcohol addiction help physical and sexual abuse and neglect and develop psychological problems. Women who drink during pregnancy run a serious risk of damaging their fetuses. Relatives, friends and strangers can be injured or killed in alcohol-related accidents and assaults. Genetic factors make some people especially vulnerable to alcohol dependence.

What we really want you to know about alcohol addiction is that it’s treatable. Detoxification, which is a process that helps a person clear alcohol out of their system and prepares them for treatment. Talk to other people, such as family members or friends, to get support.

How to support your loved one through their journey

You may continue your alcohol rehab as an outpatient, or you may start your treatment in one of our outpatient programs if you don’t require inpatient care. Outpatient services may include medication management, behavioral therapy, expressive therapy, and peer group support. Just as some people with diabetes or asthma may have flare-ups of their disease, a relapse to drinking can be seen as a temporary setback to full recovery and not a complete failure. Seeking professional help can prevent relapse—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.

During and after a rehabilitation program, individuals might find themselves grappling with some psychological and physical issues that emerged as the underlying cause of their addiction. This is why it’s so important for family members to provide as much support as possible. Positive attitudes and reinforcement encourage a family member in recovery to overcome any obstacles in communication, self-image or self-esteem they may uncover during their treatment. Adjustment can be tough sometimes, but it is more than possible when there’s a solid support system in place. Treatment may begin with a program of detoxification — withdrawal that’s medically managed. Sometimes called detox, this generally takes 2 to 7 days.

What causes alcohol-related disorders?

Short-term, excessive alcohol use can cause memory loss or problems with coordination. Long-term, however, alcohol addiction can lead to an increased risk of suicide, partly because social isolation is a side effect of the disease. Overall, the impact of long-term alcohol abuse is severe, both mentally and physically.

When appropriate, recommendations for further services such as counseling or treatment are discussed with the teen and family. Depending on the severity of the AUD, individuals can enter into a number of alcohol rehabilitation programs includinginpatient and outpatient settings. We help thousands of people change their lives with our treatment programs. Depending on the severity of your alcohol addiction, treatment may begin with inpatient services, so that we can closely monitor your physical response to withdrawal. Medication may help you physically and emotionally through the detox period as your body and mind adjust to not having alcohol in your system. Millions of readers rely on HelpGuide.org for free, evidence-based resources to understand and navigate mental health challenges.

How Alcohol Addiction Treatment Works at Our Facility

Ideally, health professionals would be able to identify which AUD treatment is most effective for each person. NIAAA and other organizations are conducting research to identify genes and other factors that can predict how well someone will respond to a particular treatment. These advances could optimize how treatment decisions are made in the future. It is important to remember that not all people will respond to medications, but for a subset of individuals, they can be an important tool in overcoming alcohol dependence. Disulfiramblocks the breakdown of alcohol by the body, causing unpleasant symptoms such as nausea and flushing of the skin. Those unpleasant effects can help some people avoid drinking while taking disulfiram.