Treatment options for alcoholism
What are the different treatment options for alcohol abuse or alcoholism?
There is no "one size fits all" treatment for alcoholism. Instead, there are many different treatments available that depend on the needs of the individual and the severity of the abuse. Treatments might include:
- Therapy to help understand their behavior and motivation and improve coping skills
- Medication to relieve withdrawal symptoms and control cravings
- Self-help and support groups.
- Treatment can be provided in a variety of settings:
- Medical facility
- Residential setting (round-the-clock or half-way "sober living"house)
- Outpatient
Therapy
The three most commonly used behavioral treatments for alcoholism are:
- Motivation enhancement therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy, and
- 12-step facilitation therapy
These treatment options have proven to be effective in reducing alcohol problems and fostering abstinence. One large-scale study found that each of these treatment modalities significantly reduced drinking in the year following treatment. The study also found that about one-third of the study participants who were followed up either were still abstinent or were drinking without serious problems three years after the study ended.
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