Stages of Alcoholism Can Alcoholism Be Cured?

can alcoholism be cured

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can alcoholism be cured

What is alcohol use disorder?

  • Detoxification is the process by which a person’s body cleanses itself of toxins like alcohol.
  • Behavioral therapy works to identify the source of addiction, whether it be a co-occurring disorder, trauma, or both.
  • Current medication that’s available as part of the addiction recovery process is only suitable to alleviate withdrawal symptoms or reduce cravings.
  • If any of the above symptoms felt familiar, or if you’re able to place someone in one of the stages of alcoholism, it’s time to seek treatment.
  • Treatment may involve a brief intervention, individual or group counseling, an outpatient program, or a residential inpatient stay.
  • With over a decade of addiction treatment experience, Mark deeply understands the complex needs of those struggling with addiction and utilizes a comprehensive and holistic approach to address them.

If a person tries to suddenly stop drinking, they will begin to feel withdrawal symptoms that are very uncomfortable. Talk therapy is an important part of treatment for alcohol use disorder, but Dr. Streem says just about anyone who is making a life change, like quitting drinking, can benefit from therapy. Dr. Streem says that if your goal is to stop drinking altogether, you’re more likely to have success quitting all at once, rather than weaning off alcohol. Similar to other chronic diseases such as arthritis or diabetes, alcoholism can be treated.

can alcoholism be cured

How Alcohol Affects The Brain And Body

  • Like with all drugs, long-term alcohol abuse creates changes in the brain’s biochemistry.
  • Non-the-less, people do overcome their addictions to alcohol by learning how to manage their alcoholism through therapies, support groups, and treatment medication.
  • The degree to which the body and brain can recover from alcohol-related damage directly correlates with the amount of alcohol consumed each time and the length of time spent with AUD.
  • This broad category of alcohol consumption comprises a continuum of drinking habits including at-risk drinking, binge drinking, and AUD.
  • This vicious cycle is the reason that alcoholism is considered to be a disease—it changes the body’s response to it, the brain reactions and structure, and eventually, a person’s behavior.
  • These will determine if the alcoholism has caused any long-term effects.

Some people develop alcoholism because of pressure from their peers who are heavy drinkers too. That being said, there are many cases of people developing an addiction to alcohol when they had no previous family history of it. The reason that brain damage from alcoholism seems to occur is because of the way that it depletes the level of thiamine in the body, which is an important vitamin that is necessary for brain health. Most people know about the damage that the heavy consumption of alcohol causes to their liver. But what they may not realize is that the brain is seriously affected by it, too. Many years ago, those who struggled with alcohol addiction or dependency were considered to be people with weak morals who were missing the strong characteristics needed to overcome their struggles.

Seeing a Mental Health Professional

  • So does the amount of time that has passed since they drank alcohol.
  • You, nor your loved one, are under any obligation to commit to a Treatment X treatment program when calling the helpline.
  • People who binge drink often lack the ability to control their alcohol intake.
  • In these meetings, you’ll meet other individuals who are also recovering from AUD, share experiences, and provide support to help each other remain sober.

While treatment programs can be highly effective to encourage sobriety, many people require a long-term maintenance program to remain sober. Many people develop a dependence on alcohol because they used it as a way to cope with mental health struggles. Seeing a therapist for these issues is one way to help abstain from alcohol.

can alcoholism be cured

Medications For Alcoholism

  • This can cause severe organ damage, especially to the liver, heart, kidneys, and even the brain.
  • It can mean more time for your other interests, and even new interests.
  • This path, paved by a combination of medical intervention, therapeutic insights and ongoing support, offers a beacon of hope to both those struggling with alcoholism and their loved ones.

Using different techniques, counselors can teach you different ways to change behaviors that trigger alcohol cravings, alleviate stress without drinking, and achieve your goals. Moreover, they encourage you Alcoholics Anonymous to build a strong support system that promotes a culture of sobriety. Medical professionals working in the field of addiction recovery explain that abstinence is the only cure for alcoholism.

Short Takes With NIAAA: What Are the Treatment Options for Alcohol Use Disorder?

The short answer to the question of whether alcoholism is a disease and if it can be cured is that while it is most certainly a disease, there is no known cure for it. Therapy can help you understand why you drink and learn new habits so you can live a healthy lifestyle that doesn’t rely on alcohol as a crutch. It can also help you gain a new perspective as you consider how your life will change without alcohol. A sober life doesn’t have to mean more time at home as you try to block out triggers. It can mean more time for your other interests, and even new interests. More time to meet new people, catch up with old friends and try new things.

Rehab

Common treatments include medication, psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and support group meetings. In addition, some individuals may benefit from detoxification and rehabilitation programs. Disulfiram is mainly a medication to prevent relapse in individual struggling with alcoholism, but it can also discourage them from drinking. By making alcohol consumption an unpleasant experience, it encourages people suffering from chronic alcohol https://ecosoberhouse.com/ abuse to practice abstinence. Treatment can help anyone battling addiction learn to cope without the use of substances. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is a leading treatment provider and has trusted rehab programs across the U.S.

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