Medically Reviewed by Dr. K on 17 March 2021
Table of contents
Treatment for alcohol is not one-size-fits-all. Treatments can differ depending on the specific needs. You should choose the medication that is appropriate for you depending on the drug you are abusing, the quality of support you need, your specific mental wellbeing conditions, or your financial resources. Here are a couple of the more popular alcohol therapies that have helped people maintain long-term sobriety.
Detoxification
Detoxification with medical assistance helps you to safely rid the body of addictive drugs. This is advantageous since drug withdrawal will sometimes result in painful or even life-threatening physical effects. Detox is usually used in conjunction with other treatments and it does not address the root behavioral mechanisms of addiction.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a powerful coping technique and it can be applied to a variety of addictions, including but not restricted to sugar addiction, alcohol addiction, and prescription opioid addiction. CBT can help you not only understand dysfunctional behavioral habits but also learn to recognize stimuli and improve coping strategies. CBT may also be used in conjunction with other treatment methods.
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
Reasonable Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) could be able to assist you with recognizing and combating suicidal emotions and feelings of self-defeat. The aim of REBT is to make you understand that your ability to think rationally is internal and unrelated to external circumstances or stressors.
Contingency Management
Contingency Management (CM) may be used to combat a multitude of addictions, including alcoholism, narcotic abuse, and cigarette addiction. Contingency maintenance counselling gives you tangible rewards for your positive behaviour (i.e., being sober). According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, this method of therapy has been seen to be effective in preventing relapse.
12-Step Facilitation
Alcohol and drug misuse can be treated through 12-step facilitation treatment (“12-step programmes"). It’s a form of community counselling that acknowledges that addiction has a variety of negative effects, including psychological, mental, moral, and physical ones. Acceptance is the first step of this form of treatment, accompanied by submission to a greater authority, and then attendance in daily community sessions. Alcoholics Anonymous, for example, uses community groups for conversation and shared encouragement.
Treatment with Medication
When paired with therapeutic therapy, medication may play a significant role in rehabilitation. Certain drugs may be used to help with cravings, mood, and addiction habits. For example, the FDA recently authorised lofexidine to support people undergoing opioid abuse therapy to relieve cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Acamprosate, for example, is a medication that may help them from drinking.
You don’t have to battle addiction alone whether you or a loved one is suffering from one. Speak to a medical expert. There are effective therapies that will assist you with overcoming your addiction.
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