The goal in treating alcoholism is to help the patient quit drinking. The likelihood of an alcoholic recovering is good if they are otherwise healthy, motivated, and have social support. There are many rehab facilities that offer help for alcoholics.
There are three stages in treating alcoholism. They are:
Detoxification doesn’t keep the cravings down, so it can be difficult to maintain sobriety. Typically, medications are used for the detoxification process. These medications are usually tapered down over time and then eventually discontinued. Since these medications can also be addictive, they must be used under the supervision of a doctor.
Medications are often used in the rehabilitation and maintenance stages as well. Some of these drugs will reduce alcohol cravings, while others produce severe side effects if the recovering alcoholic drinks alcohol. The side effects can include breathing difficulty, confusion, blurred vision, vomiting, and nausea.
Since an alcoholic is susceptible to relapsing and returning to their dependency, the goal of alcohol recovery is complete abstinence. Recovery that provides help for alcoholics takes a broad-based approach that can include individual therapy, group therapy, education programs, family involvement, and participating in self-help programs.
If you are interested in getting help with your alcohol dependency, give us a call today at Coastline Behavioral Health. We can give you the tools you need to start your road to sobriety.