How to Get Help for Alcoholism
Alcohol is a vital part of modern-day social settings in the United States. People use alcohol to enjoy life’s moments and sometimes relieve stress and work pressure. But it is risky if someone drinks more than usual for a long time. You may need help if you develop alcohol abuse.
If you often feel the need to drink or have issues with alcohol consumption, you need instant medical care. You may join a treatment plan that suits your requirements, such as inpatient care or a support group to combat alcohol abuse.
Keep reading to explore more about getting help for alcohol addiction.
Key Takeaways
Excessive alcohol drinking (alcoholism) may give birth to other mental health issues. It is vital to seek early help to combat rising alcohol issues. You may consult an expert or visit a rehab center for more information.
The article will cover the following key points.
- Signs of alcohol addiction may include rising family and health issues and failed attempts to stop drinking.
- Getting help for alcohol abuse includes admitting the problem and planning to combat it.
- Rehab options for alcoholism are numerous. A medical health professional may recommend a patient for the most suitable program.
- Some professional treatment options include medical detox, inpatient care, outpatient care, and joining a support group.
If you have an alcohol or drug abuse problem, visit The Recovery Team rehab facility. Contact us at (800) 817-1247 to learn more.
Is Drinking Alcohol a Problem?
Alcohol usage usually does not cause issues for people in the short term. Almost half of all U.S. adults report having drunk alcohol in recent times, showing that many people engage in social drinking. Others use alcohol in ways that are deemed unhealthy, such as binge drinking.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines binge drinking as exceeding the legal limit of 0.08 grams of alcohol per deciliter of blood. Men typically need five or more standard drinks in two hours, whereas women only need four to reach this blood alcohol level.
Heavy drinking is when binge drinking occurs five or more times a month. A person who engages in binge drinking is at risk of developing alcohol use disorders (AUD), which are risky patterns of alcohol use. Other adverse effects that could be severe include:
- Accidents that cause deaths and serious injuries
- Violence, such as homicide, sexual assault, and domestic violence
- Increased risks of stomach, liver, and mouth cancer
- Higher rates of chronic illnesses, like heart disease and strokes
- Impaired cognition and memory
Signs of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
Due to obsessive alcohol use despite the adverse effects on the body, brain, and overall health, AUD is considered a chronic illness. However, fortunately, a curable medical condition.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM-5), the following are signs of an AUD:
- Having a strong urge to drink
- Failed efforts to reduce or stop drinking
- Using alcohol despite knowing that it causes health problems
- Drinking alcohol even when doing something risky, like driving
- High ratio of family conflict
- Drinking even though it makes it hard for them to carry out their duties at home or work
- Using more alcohol than planned
- If unavailable, put a lot of time and effort into finding it
- Tolerance, in which a person has to use high amounts of alcohol to achieve the same benefits
- When someone stops drinking, they will suffer withdrawal
Getting Help for Alcoholism
Recovery from alcohol addiction can be a complex and lengthy process. It might even seem impossible at times. Yet it isn’t. No matter how much you consume or how helpless you feel, if you’re ready to stop and get the help you need, you can beat alcohol abuse.
Also, you can change it anytime. You don’t have to wait until you’ve reached your lowest point. Some tips can assist you in starting on the path to healing right away, whether your goal is to stop drinking or reduce your use to low levels.
Most persons who struggle with alcohol abuse do not suddenly decide to change or alter their drinking patterns. Recovery happens over time. Denial is a barrier during the early phases of change. You could still find reasons to put things off even once you admit that you suffer from alcoholism.
It’s vital to identify your conflicted feelings around quitting drinking. Consider the benefits of each option if you’re unsure of your readiness for change or are having trouble making up your mind.
Long-term Benefits of Not Drinking
- Your social and family relations would get better
- Both mentally and physically, you may feel better
- You have more time and energy to devote to the people and things you love
The analogy between the above would help you to decide on a change about alcohol abuse.
Other ways to get help for alcohol abuse may include the following:
Set Goals for Change
Setting up specific drinking goals is the next step after deciding to change. Your plans should be as definite, rational, and open as possible.
Decide which days you will drink and how many drinks you will allow yourself each day if your goal is to reduce your use. Try to commit to not drinking for at least two days every week.
Choose a limit for how much alcohol you’ll consume, but make sure it’s one drink daily for women and two for men. Moreover, try to have certain days each week when you won’t consume any alcohol at all.
To assist you in achieving your objective, keep a log of your drinking. Write down when and how much you drink for three to four weeks. You might be surprised by your weekly drinking patterns after reviewing the results.
Limit or get rid of the alcohol in your house. Don’t keep temptations close by if you want to avoid drinking.
When you consume alcohol, sip it carefully and wait 30 or 60 minutes between them. Alternately, sip juice, soda, or water in between alcoholic drinks. Ensure to eat before drinking because it is never a good idea to drink on an empty stomach.
Then attempt to abstain from alcohol for a week. Record your physical and emotional well-being during these days to quit alcohol use.
Treatment Options for Alcohol Addiction
Some people can quit drinking on their own. Others need professional assistance or a support group like a 12-step program or another support group’s help to combat alcoholism.
Often heavy users need medical help to safely and securely stop drinking. It would help if you chose the ideal choice considering how much you drink, how long you’ve had a drinking problem, how stable your living situation is, and your health issues.
The first step is often to speak with your physician. Your doctor can examine your drinking habits, identify co-occurring conditions, evaluate your general health, and provide rehab options. To help you quit, they may be able to prescribe medicine.
Medical Detox
Medical detox is a vital step if you have a severe drinking issue. But detox alone is not a treatment. It is the process to remove toxins like alcohol from your body. The idea is to reduce drinking and give your body time to process the alcohol. Usually, that takes a few days to a week.
Most people visit a treatment center due to withdrawal symptoms like tremors, illusions, and seizures. Doctors can monitor and administer drugs to treat your withdrawal signs and symptoms.
Inpatient Care
If you have a history of alcohol problems, inpatient care might be your best bet. You occupy a clinic, hospital, or detox facility full-time. During your withdrawal, you will receive 24-hour medical supervision. Health professionals track your progress for an effective outcome.
Outpatient Care
During the daytime, when you see your doctor for treatment according to a schedule, that is outpatient care. It may be safe if you have a minor or moderate ailment. Outpatient is better for those who want to continue their routine while receiving rehab treatment.
Support Groups
During rehab and as your life returns to normal, group therapy or a support group might be helpful. You can get the benefits of healing and the support of other members in a group therapy session.
The leaders of support groups are not therapists. Instead, these are social groups of people who have experienced a similar situation.
Examples include SMART Recovery, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and other programs. Your peers can help you stay responsible by providing insight and counsel. Over many years, people have remained in the same groups. These groups not alone help overcome alcoholism but also minimize the chances of relapse.
Speaking with someone about their drinking is not easy. If you voice your worries, the other person might become angry, defensive, lash out, or deny that they have an issue. Yet, that does not mean you should remain silent. Your loved one’s drinking will worsen if you don’t speak up. But you cannot make someone quit using alcohol alone. However, you may support them by telling them actions they can take to deal with their issue. It may include phoning a hotline, visiting a doctor, enrolling in a treatment program, or attending a group meeting.
Most studies that assessed abstinence found that AA did noticeably better than other therapies. Experts found it to be 60 percent more efficient in one study. No study called AA to be less efficient. AA was successful in trials that looked at outcomes other than total abstinence. Most studies that noted costs found that AA joining led to cost savings. One study found that AA and 12-step plans therapy cut mental illness costs by $10,000 per person.
Depending on your needs, there are various types of AUD rehab. Possible options include quick intervention, individual or group therapy, an outpatient plan, or a residential stay. The primary healing goal is to try to stop drinking to boost the quality of life. AUD rehab options include medical detox as the base point. A medical detox program is the first step in treatment. It typically takes two to seven days. Sedative drugs can help stop withdrawal signs. In most cases, inpatient rehab facilities offer detox services.
The best way to help people with alcohol abuse is through discussion. You can urge your family or friends to agree by conversing with them. There’s a chance that some friends or family members might be helping the person with alcohol abuse in your life even if you aren’t. Removing the enabling factor is the best way to help achieve sobriety. Get close relatives and friends together for a discussion. Bring any books that may be helpful. Set clear limits on engaging with your loved one after having an open talk. Research various treatment options and educate them. Encourage them to seek medical advice to choose the best treatment options.