If you or someone you know has a problem with alcohol, you are certainly not alone. Among adults 18 and older, 17 million have an alcohol use disorder, or AUD. AUD is a medical condition—not a lack of willpower or character flaw. And like many other conditions, AUD can be treated, and recovery is possible, even when severe.

Not all people who drink alcohol regularly have AUD. But continued heavy drinking increases the risk of developing AUD and having it impact your physical health, your functioning at work and your relationships with family and friends. So if you can’t control your drinking, it may be time to seek professional help.

What are the signs?

If alcohol use is causing problems in your life, or when you are drinking too much, too often or too fast, you could have AUD. Some signs include feeling guilty about your drinking; using alcohol to relax or deal with a problem or emotions; blacking out or not remembering; and lying to people about your drinking .

An actual diagnosis is made based on your answers to a series of questions about your alcohol use over a one-year period. The questions center around your drinking behaviors, negative consequences of your drinking, and its physical effects on you. Your primary care provider, therapist, or other health care professional can give you the test as well. If the results show that your alcohol use is a risk to your health and well-being, you may want to explore your options for getting help.

Treatment options

There are multiple treatment methods available for alcohol use disorder. The decision on what treatment plan to follow is a highly individual one. Finding the right option is important .

Many people can benefit from treatment given on an outpatient basis. This means you meet with a doctor or therapist regularly or attend an outpatient treatment program.

Inpatient hospital stays should be followed by additional treatment that can be in the same or a different facility and does not include overnight stay, or with outpatient treatment.

Your primary care doctor can be a good starting point. Be honest, and let the doctor know that you’re ready to take a serious look at your drinking. Along with assessing your risk and the severity of your use, he or she can help point you in the right direction toward next steps. The doctor might also ask if you’re misusing any other drugs, whether you’ve been through treatment before, and what kind of support system you have in your life . You’ll likely be checked for any other possible health issues as well . From there, your doctor may help sketch out a treatment plan. You will probably be referred to a professional or treatment facility specializing in AUD.

In some cases, medications can be given to treat alcohol disorders. These medications are given by prescription only. They are not addictive. There are currently three medications approved by the FDA for treating the disorder. The medications help curb the urge to drink and can help prevent you from starting to drink again (relapsing). They  might be prescribed along with another recommended form of treatment, such as individual or group counseling and/or support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA ).

Does treatment work?

One of the keys to successful treatment is finding the treatment method that’s right for you. What works for one person might not work for another. Exploring options, asking questions about the treatment approach and knowing what the program expects of its participants are all important in deciding on what’s best. Developing a trusting relationship with the professionals helping you in treatment is also crucial to success . Once you have the right treatment program in place, you’re on the path to recovery—treatment does work. In fact, about a third of those who undergo treatment are symptom free a year later .

One day at a time

An important slogan in the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-Step peer support program is “One day at a time.” Rather than challenge yourself with an overwhelming statement like “I’ll never drink again,” just focus on taking it day by day.

And it’s important to know that relapsing is extremely common for people trying to quit or cut back on their drinking. Know that this is just a setback and not a failure. Continue to get support from your doctor, therapist, drug counselor, family and friends as well as from others who have shared your recovery journey.

It takes courage to admit to yourself and others that drinking is a problem for you. But admitting the problem is your first step toward recovery and wellness.

 

Sources:

Treatment for Alcohol Problems: Finding and Getting Help. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Accessed 10/12/2018

What is alcohol use disorder? National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Accessed 10/12/2018

Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse. Helpguide.org. Accessed 10/12/2018

What types of alcohol treatment are available? National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Accessed 10/12/2018.