This guide was intended for individuals, and their family and friends seeking options to deal with alcohol-related issues. This guide is designed to serve as an information source to know the treatment options available and the factors to take into consideration when choosing between them. Be aware that NIAAA recently introduced its NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator. This online tool will help you locate the best treatment for you and in your area. It walks you step-by step to locate a highly experienced professional provider of treatment.
When is it the right time to get Treatment?
Problems with alcohol related to drinking — which result from drinking excessively too quickly or frequently–are one of the biggest health problems facing the public within the United States.
A lot of people struggle to control their drinking at least once during their lifetime. Over 14 million adults 18 and over suffer from alcohol dependence disorder (AUD), and one in 10 children reside in a household with one parent with an alcohol problem.
Does treatment work?
The positive side is that, regardless of how serious the issue may appear the majority of people suffering from AUD will get some sort of treatment.
Research has shown that around one third of people diagnosed with alcohol problems suffer no symptoms a year after. A lot of people significantly reduce their drinking and experience lower alcohol-related issues. Let see Pompano Beach Alcohol Addiction
An indication for an Alcohol Problem
Alcohol abuse disorder (AUD)is a medical condition that is diagnosed by doctors when alcohol consumption can cause harm or distress. The severity of the condition can vary from mild to serious and is diagnosed when a person responds “yes” to at least two one of these questions.
In the last year, do you remember:
- Did you have a time when you ended having a drink more or staying up more than you planned?
- There have been times when I have you wanted to reduce or quit drinking or stop drinking but could not?
- Did you spend an significant amount of hours drinking? Are you sick or suffering upset from the aftermath?
- Are you experiencing a desire–a urgent need or desire to drink?
- Have you noticed that drinking or getting sick from alcohol frequently affected your ability to take the care for your house as well as your your family? Or caused job troubles? Or school problems?
- You continued to drink even when it caused problems within the loved ones or your friends?
- Did you give to or reduced to activities which were important or interesting for you, or brought you pleasure, to drink?
- Many times, you’ve been in situations following or while drinking alcohol that increase your risk of being injured(such as swimming, driving, operating machines, walking in an area that is dangerous or having sex that is unsafe)?
- Did you continue to drink despite the fact that it made you feel anxious or depressed or causing an existing health problem? or after experiencing an brain blackout?
- Did you have you to consume more alcohol than you used to in order to have the effect you wanted? Did you find that your regular amountof drinks produced an effect that was less as before?
- Discovered that after you realized that the alcohol effects started diminishing You were experiencing withdrawal symptoms like shaking, insomnia and irritability depression, anxiety and nausea. or sweating? or sensed certain things that weren’t present?
If you experience any of these symptoms your drinking might already be a cause of worry. The more you exhibit symptoms the more urgent is the need to change. A medical professional will conduct an assessment of your symptoms in order to determine whether you are suffering from AUD.
Options for Treatment
If asked about how alcohol-related issues are addressed, people typically consider 12-step programs or the 28-day inpatient rehab, but not be able to name alternative options. Actually, there’s various treatment options which are available today, thanks to major advances in the field in the last 60 years.
In the end, there isn’t a universally applicable solution. What might work for one person might not be a great suit for another. Knowing the various choices is a crucial first step.
Treatment Options
Treatments for Behavioral Disorders
The aim of behavioral treatments is improving drinking behavior by counseling. They are supervised by health professionals, and backed by research showing that they are effective.
Medicines
Three drugs are currently accepted within the United States to help people to stop or cut down on their drinking and avoid recrudescence. They are recommended by a primary care doctor or another health professionals and can be administered on their own or in conjunction with counseling.
Mutual-Support Groups
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other 12-step programs offer assistance from peers to those who are trying to quit or reducing their drinking. In conjunction with treatment provided by health experts, mutual-support groups be a beneficial additional to the assistance.
Because of the anonymity of mutual-support organizations they are difficult for researchers to assess their effectiveness rates in comparison to the ones managed by health experts.
Starting with an Primary Care Doctor
If you are considering seeking treatment, speaking with the primary doctor is a crucial initial step. They can be a great source of medication and treatment recommendations. A primary care physician may also:
- Examine a patient’s drinking habits
- Help create a treatment plan
- Assess your overall health
- Determine if alcohol-related medications could be suitable
Patients are encouraged to speak to their physician regarding the most effective method of treatment they can receive.
