Alcohol abuse and alcoholism happens in all types of families from all walks of life. If you are realizing you have a problem with alcohol, don’t try to go it alone or feel that you are weak. On the contrary, it takes enormous courage and strength to admit that you have an alcohol problem.
While it might feel overwhelming, millions of people and their families have gone through the recovery process and are leading successful lives. Recovery is possible with the right medical help and social support. Help and support is available to help you and your family through this process.
Does alcohol treatment work?There are no easy solutions to alcohol abuse and alcoholism. Relapses often happen, which can be frustrating and discouraging. But does alcohol treatment really work? It can- and does- for many people. There are many types of alcohol treatment for all levels of alcohol use, from attending peer support meetings to staying in a residential treatment facility.
Treatment is more than getting soberWhile getting sober from alcohol is an important first step, it is only the beginning of alcohol recovery. Both your body and mind need some time to recover. In this period, depression and cravings to use can be intense and very hard to fight. Without support, relapse is very likely. Like it or not, you will most likely face alcohol again since alcohol use is so common in our society. Good treatment helps you develop new coping skills to deal with stressful situations and pressure to drink socially. Without these skills, stressful situations frequently trigger relapse.
Getting startedRealizing that you have a problem and that you need help is a tremendous first step. You might realize that you are an alcoholic, physically dependent on alcohol. Declining health, a job loss, a lost relationship, or trouble with the law over alcohol might also be a wake up call. Maybe you are concerned about binge drinking, or seem to be turning to alcohol more and more to manage your problems.
The following resources are a good place to start. Remember, the earlier you seek help if you have a drinking problem, the better. It is not a sign of weakness or an inability to “handle your liquor”.
Trusted friend or family. Trusted friends or family might be a good sounding board for concerns about alcohol abuse. Alcohol might be affecting you more than you think, since denial is a key part of alcoholism.
Peer support. Peer support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) provide a place to share experiences with alcohol abuse and others experiences in alcohol recovery. More information about these groups is below.
Therapy. If you are seeing a therapist, share your intentions with him or her. A therapist can be a good resource and support for alcohol treatment.
Medical professional. If you are an alcoholic, getting sober may cause withdrawal symptoms that require medical intervention. Your primary care doctor can be a good starting reference, and you may want to consider working with an addiction medicine specialist.