Can Alcohol Addiction Really be Cured? Blog

Even if it has been decades since a person’s last drink, a person with AUD will often require vigilance and ongoing involvement with recovery groups or services to maintain abstinence. But, with engagement in alcohol treatment services, a person can successfully manage their AUD and live an otherwise fulfilling life despite their diagnosis. While alcohol addiction may not have a definitive cure like an infection treated with antibiotics, recovery is very real, very possible, and very life-changing. They rebuild careers, restore relationships, rediscover joy, and reclaim control. Real recovery takes commitment, strategy, support, and compassion. Recognizing the symptoms of alcohol addiction is a crucial step toward seeking help and beginning the recovery process.

Coping and support

Unlike other medications, disulfiram does not treat symptoms or prevent cravings. People suffering from severe alcoholism may benefit from the 24-hour monitoring in inpatient treatment. During detox, you’ll be assisted in overcoming physical and psychological alcohol dependence. Although excessive drinking is not always a sign of alcohol dependence, it increases the risk of developing AUD. Also, using medication without changing your drinking habits can lead to more serious problems. If your doctor writes a prescription, it will also be followed by medical advice to get seek a professional therapist.

Stage 3: Treatment and Therapy

Lasting changes in the brain caused by alcohol misuse perpetuate AUD and make individuals vulnerable to relapse. Inpatient rehabs offer housing and 24/7 treatment services for people enrolled in them. These programs may take place in residential or hospital settings. Inpatient programs are often well-suited for people with severe alcohol addiction, complicated medical histories, multiple mental health conditions, https://drdoudman.com/sobriety-gifts-thoughtful-recovery-gifts-bundles/ or little support at home. After a person is stabilized in an inpatient rehab program, it is often beneficial to transition to an outpatient program for continued recovery. Once a formal program at any level is completed, involvement in an aftercare program or support services is highly recommended.

• As the withdrawal period increases, symptoms grow more severe and result in delirium tremens, which includes a group of life-threatening complications.
• Over time, alcohol becomes a self-reinforcing habit, where the neurons experience functional changes so that they only function normally in the presence of alcohol.
• Using different techniques, counselors can teach you different ways to change behaviors that trigger alcohol cravings, alleviate stress without drinking, and achieve your goals.

Seacrest Recovery Center Ohio is a substance abuse treatment center located in Columbus, OH. We utilize both traditional and holistic therapies and are comprehensive in our approach. Our treatment plans are customized for each individual based on their presenting issues.

Helps prevent the infection from worsening

Instead, those struggling with AUD face ongoing challenges that require continuous effort, management, and support. Environmental factors, including exposure to trauma, high-stress situations, and social or cultural pressures, can also increase vulnerability to addiction. At our First City Recovery center, we understand the importance of addressing these underlying causes. Alcohol treatment offers a comprehensive approach for those struggling with alcohol addiction, providing can alcoholism be cured both inpatient and outpatient options to support recovery.

Practice strong sleep hygiene (supportive but not a standalone cure)

I want to help people, but a lot of what happened in my heaviest drinking days is really personal and embarrassing. Everyone was supportive, though, and I think that it is ultimately worth it as I hope this treatment really can save lives. In September 2022, I took a month off drinking to see how I felt.

Dating After Rehab: Things I Wish Someone Told Me

If you notice loud snoring plus witnessed pauses and significant daytime sleepiness, it’s a strong reason to schedule a sleep evaluation soon (Mayo Clinic, 2024). This article focuses mainly on OSA, because many of the most effective lifestyle changes for sleep apnea target airway obstruction and common OSA triggers (Mayo Clinic, 2024). However, when high ALT levels result from more serious underlying conditions, medical treatment may be necessary to reduce levels. In one study, 140 people with obesity and NAFLD joined either an intensive weight-loss program or a control group to see how weight loss would affect liver function. ALT levels improved significantly in 66.7% of those on the weight loss program, compared with 18.2% in the control group.

Please know there are similar organisations known as mutual support groups. They work with recovering alcoholics and their families simultaneously. Through mutual support, all the parties affected by alcoholism can work towards recovery. Should you choose to seek out treatment options on behalf of your loved one, we invite you to collect as much information as you possibly can. You might also talk to a professional about conducting an alcohol intervention. Interventions have proved successful tools for encouraging alcoholics to seek treatment.

For more information on a return to drinking, see An Ongoing Process. Brief Interventions are short, one-on-one or small-group counseling sessions that are time limited. The counselor provides information about the individual’s drinking pattern and potential risks. After the individual receives personalized feedback, the counselor will help set goals.

• Alcoholics Anonymous® (also known as “AA”) and other 12-step programs provide peer support for people quitting or cutting back on their drinking.
• For example, if your typical environment makes it difficult to remain sober, inpatient rehab may be your best option for remaining on the path toward recovery.
• There is no set amount of time for a person to stick with an aftercare program.
• Continuing care and support after the initial treatment phase are crucial for long-term recovery.

Treatment can be as minimal as brief intervention counselling or as extensive as residential rehab. High levels of the liver enzyme ALT can be a sign of liver damage. Some natural remedies — such as weight management, dietary choices, and avoiding exposure to toxins — can help boost liver health and prevent high ALT levels and liver disease. In the case Substance abuse of a relapse, naltrexone helps prevent the euphoric feeling caused by alcohol.