Alcohol abuse is one of the major substance abuse issues faced by many all over the world. Before a person is diagnosed with alcohol use disorder, they must be drinking too much or too often. This is usually done either to deal with emotional problems or to get high. Whatever the reason or excuse a person has for abusing alcohol, it is important that they seek alcohol addiction help as soon as possible.
Reportedly, one out of every ten children living in the United States lives in a home with an alcohol-addicted parent. It is also stated that about 17 million people from the age of 18 and above in the United States have an alcohol use disorder. The figure is alarming and truly shows how addictive alcohol can be.
When consumed, alcohol releases a psychoactive substance into the human system. This substance leads to changes in how the brain functions and makes it hard for addicts to quit. Most alcohol addicts usually end up experiencing negative physical and mental changes, which affect their relationships with their families, friends, and other people.
Does Alcohol Treatment Work?
Although there is no cure for alcoholism, several treatment methods are available for those battling with this mental disorder. No matter how severe your alcohol drinking problem is, the disorder can be treated. According to recent reports, one out of three people treated for alcohol use disorder shows no further symptoms after one year of treatment. This shows that alcohol treatment is effective, and addicts should be encouraged to take them.
Alcohol Use Disorder Diagnosis
Once you suspect that you have an alcohol drinking disorder, the first thing to do is seek help. Generally, your doctor will refer you to a specialist experienced in alcoholism or mental health professional.
The specialist will assess your alcohol problems by observing you and asking several questions about your drinking habits. If the need arises, the doctor may seek your consent to speak with your friends or family members about your condition. This will help them gather the needed information about how to go about your treatment program.
If you are worried about your doctor divulging your private information to a third party, you shouldn’t be. Confidentiality laws bind Doctors, and, therefore, they would need your consent to give out any information about you. Once this investigation is done, a physical exam will be carried out. With this, your doctor can reach a conclusion.
One other method your doctor can use to determine your alcohol abuse disorder is through image and lab tests. Although there are no specific tests for diagnosing alcohol problems, when some lab test patterns lead to abnormal results, it could be a strong indication of alcohol use disorder.
Some tests may also be carried out to determine if you have any underlying health problems linked to alcohol use. Your organs will be examined to see if they have suffered any damage. You might also be made to undergo a psychological evaluation to check your behavior patterns and ascertain the level of psychological damage done.
Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment
There are various methods to treat alcohol use disorder. This type of method used is dependent on the patient’s needs. Sometimes, the specialist might combine several treatment types and techniques to achieve the desired result.
Here are some effective alcohol use disorder treatments to apply:
Detox and Withdrawal Method
Alcohol use disorder treatments usually start with a program to help abusers detoxify themselves. During this process, a medically managed withdrawal method may be employed. This includes giving the patients sedating medications to help control withdrawal symptoms.
Behavioral therapy can also be used for detoxifying patients and helping them stay sober.
Psychological Counseling
Counseling and therapy is an effective treatment process that has helped many alcoholic patients beat the disorder. Many are encouraged to join groups made up of individuals going through the same problem and those already sober. Psychological counseling can come in the form of Family therapy and mutual help.
Uses of Oral Medications
Medications can also be issued to patients with alcohol use disorder to help with the treatment of the disorder. Drugs called disulfiram are administered to help prevent patients from drinking alcohol. Although this drug will not cure the disorder or stop the compulsion to drink, it produces physical reactions that could lead to nausea or headaches when the patient perceives or takes alcohol. This will prompt the patient to stop the intake of alcohol and serve as a reminder to abstain.