Alcohol Addiction: Treatment options
Alcohol is a depressant drug, widely available and legalized in lots of countries. Drinking alcohol is a part of many lives and cultures. Depressants slow down the thinking abilities of a person and adversely affect the heart rate and breathing.
Alcohol use disorder is the condition where uncontrolled and excessive alcohol consumption hurts the health and life of the user. It is the umbrella term covering alcohol abuse, dependence and addiction.
Alcohol addiction or alcoholism is defined as the uncontrollable craving for alcohol, with or without realising the harm it causes to the body. Excessive alcohol damages all the organs of the body; the brain, liver and heart in particular. Diagnosing alcoholism is difficult because of variability in its use; the frequency of drinking and the amount consumed. Every person has a different potential for exhibiting symptoms of alcoholism at different levels of intoxication. Even a mild level of addiction can elevate quickly to a severe disorder.
Irrespective of the presentation, if a person is reliant on alcohol and is unable to maintain sobriety for long-term, so much that it disturbs their everyday life, they are assumed addicted and should undergo treatment.
Addiction, Tolerance and Withdrawal:
Progressively increasing the quantity of alcohol consumption to attain same level of contentment is termed tolerance. Dependency or addiction is the desire or need for alcohol to the point that its absence leads to feeling of incompleteness and incites anxiety.
Higher tolerance means more dependency to alcohol, and more dependency means more adverse effects in the body.
Once dependent on alcohol, any attempt to stop intake would result in withdrawal symptoms, such as shaking, confusion, vomiting, depression, etc. If you know someone who has been struggling with the mentioned symptoms above you can check abbeycarefoundation.com to help you further.
How much is too much:
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, a moderate amount of alcohol is permissible for any person, which is a maximum of one drink per day for women, and two drinks per day for men.
Binge drinking and heavy alcohol use may lead to alcoholism.
A male consuming more than four drinks a day or female having more than three drinks per day is considered heavy alcohol use.
Binge drinking describes the pattern of alcohol intake that raises the blood alcohol level to 0.08%, which equates to five or more drinks for men and four or more drinks for women, in about two hours.
Symptoms of alcohol addiction:
- Increased frequency and quantity of alcohol intake
- Higher tolerance and lesser hangover
- Inappropriate timing of drinking
- Going where alcohol is, and avoiding where it is not
- Reduced contact with family and friends
- Secretly drinking alcohol
- Elevated fatigue, lethargy
When to see a doctor:
Alcohol abuse impacts the brain, heart, digestive tract, immune system, hormonal balance, sexual functions, bones, in fact all components of the human body. Sustained insult to the body can lead to deterioration in function of vital organs and becomes life threatening. It can also decrease the mental capacity of the person and poses physical risks to the body.
Treatment options:
Alcohol use disorder is difficult yet treatable at most levels of severity. Quite a few treatment programs have been developed over the last 50 years to help quit alcoholism. An early treatment prevents settling of adverse drinking habits, dependency, and severe withdrawal.
The physician recommends the programs that best fit the patient’s alcoholism profile, health status and needs. In addition to the primary care physician, the multi-disciplinary approach to treating alcoholism includes psychiatrist, psychologists, social workers and alcohol counsellor. The main steps for any addiction remain the same; detoxification, rehabilitation and maintenance.
The following text provides a discussion of some of the prevalent treatment options.
1. Behavioural treatments or alcohol counselling:
Counselling by health professionals helps the person identify their behaviour and the realization for amendment. It comprises of step wise development of skills for quitting alcohol use, support system building, setting realistic goals and avoiding triggers of relapse. Cognitive-behavioural therapy is the most common type of counselling done to treat alcoholism. The other types include Motivational enhancement therapy, Marital and family counselling, and Brief interviews. Self form a big part of counselling sessions.
2. Rehabilitation:
An inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation program is the first step for those with severe alcohol dependency. It helps them in detoxification, developing abstinence, and coping with severe withdrawal effects.
3. Support groups:
Alcoholics anonymous and other peer support groups help quit alcohol addiction by a positive support system. These groups encourage and promote practices to face the challenges in achieving and maintaining sobriety. They also help people in case they are on the edge of relapse.
4. Medicines:
Three medicines are currently FDA approved to help reduce drinking, withdrawal symptoms, and relapse rates. They are prescribed by physicians or health care experts. Not everyone is prescribed medicines and not everyone responds to medicines. These medicines are non-addictive and can be given as part of therapy or alone. They are:
- Naltrexone- to reduce heavy drinking
- Acamprosate-to maintain abstinence
- Disulfiram- causes adverse effects by blocking alcohol metabolism, which in turn, refrain the patient from using alcohol.
Medications for treating depression and anxiety are also used in some patients, especially those who drink alcohol to bury their depression and sadness.
- Nutritional Support:
A healthy diet is advised to all patients recovering from alcohol addiction. Alcohol abuse can lead to nutrient and vitamin deficiency in the body, and negatively affects the weight.
5. Treating underlying and developing conditions:
As mentioned above, the person may be using alcohol to cover up some personal or social issues, including depression and anxiety disorders. In addition, alcoholism leads to a range of health issues. These issues are dealt with simultaneously with treating alcoholism.
Relapse:
After achieving sobriety, the person may go back to drinking, abiding by the allowance. However, some people relapse and find themselves back in the grip of alcoholism. This should not be considered failure but an indication for a firmer sobriety maintenance regime. Their family and friends should support them in setting limitations and providing motivation.
Alcohol use disorder encompasses alcohol dependency, alcoholism, and alcohol addiction. It is a continuous disorder, completely treatable yet with risks of difficulties and relapse. Behavioural therapies, medications, and support groups help the patient gain and maintain sobriety. Persistence and motivation are essential factors for the treatment and therapies to work. Ongoing checkups and care from family and friends keeps the patient from going back into the abyss of alcoholism.
