Treatment Options
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is treatable, but there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Recovery is unique to each person's needs and experiences.
Focus on building a treatment plan that works for you and your providers. The first step is knowing what options are available.
The American Society of Addiction Medicine has identified four levels of care:
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Outpatient: Live full-time in the community and meet with licensed treatment providers.
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Intensive Outpatient: Live full- or part-time in the community with a coordinated care plan to address complex needs.
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Residential: Live full-time in a therapeutic setting with coordinated treatments.
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Intensive Inpatient: Live full-time in a therapeutic setting under medically-directed supervision.
It's difficult to know what the right level of care can be. Take the Treatment Atlas Assessment and get empowered about where to start.
There are three medications currently approved in the U.S. to treat alcohol dependence and maintain recovery.
They must be prescribed by a licensed treatment provider, and can be used on their own or with other therapies.
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Naltrexone: Blocks the effects and feelings of alcohol by targeting the body's endorphin receptors.
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Acamprosate: Helps restore the neurotransmitters damaged by alcohol dependence to maintain recovery.
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Disulfiram: Prevents alcohol from metabolizing in the body. Instead of endorphins, this drug causes negative side effects in response to consumption.
Counseling can help people understand and change their relationship with alcohol. There are several recommended types of therapy to treat alcohol dependence.
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Talk Therapy: Most common, talk therapy can help people with a range of emotional concerns. It focuses on exploring and address troubling emotions and thoughts through conversation.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of psychotherapy that can help to change patterns of feelings or behavior. CBT focuses on the present, rather than past difficulties that led to it.
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Motivational Interviewing: This style can help support those who are conflicted about change. The goal is to provide a non-judgmental space for patients to be open about internal conflicts.
Medication and therapy are only two elements of treatment. Community support can be essential for some people on their recovery journeys.
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Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): Started in 1935, AA is an international network of individuals in recovery. The groups are anonymous and use a 12-step program to support people at all stages of recovery.
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Al-Anon Family Groups: Al-Anon has in-person and online programs to those who love someone struggling with alcohol. Alateen is for teenagers, complete with an easy-to-use online chat option.
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SMART Recovery™: This organization’s 4-Point Program focuses on sobriety from all substances. They have in-person meetings as well as 24/7 chat rooms, message board, and daily online meetings.
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Women for Sobriety: Like AA, Women for Sobriety is based on a multistep recovery process with meetings nationwide. The major difference is the focus on personal growth, rather than a higher power.
