Primary care professionals can offer medications for AUD along with brief counseling. (See Core article on brief intervention.) Addiction physicians, clinical psychologists, and other licensed therapists also provide outpatient care in private practices and community clinics. Here, we briefly describe options available to help patients with AUD. Outpatient alcohol treatmentis the most flexible level of care. Recovery services are provided in a day center, clinic, rehab facility, or other location, while the patient lives at home.

When addressing drinking problems, it’s important to also seek treatment for any accompanying medical and mental health issues. In the past, alcohol rehab programs provided a standardized set of treatments for all patients, regardless of age, gender, psychiatric history or other demographics. Today, alcohol treatment programs and alcohol treatment centers have become more specialized to meet the needs of a diverse, highly-varied group of patients.

Therapy and behavioral modification

Alcohol abuse is a pervasive issue affecting millions worldwide, often leading to significant health, social, and economic consequences. Addressing alcohol abuse requires a multifaceted approach that includes medical intervention, psychological support, and lifestyle changes. Primary care and mental health providers can provide effective AUD treatment by combining new medications with brief counseling visits.

Personalized Medicine

After the individual receives personalized feedback, the counselor will help set goals. Professionally led treatments include behavioral treatments and medications. Naltrexone is a medication that blocks the “feel-good” effects of alcohol. If you drink alcohol while taking this medication, you won’t feel drunk or euphoric. This can help reduce your urge to drink since you know that drinking won’t feel as rewarding.

Lifestyle Quizzes

Specific details can vary, but programs typically involve a combination of individual and group therapy, educational sessions, and self-help and peer support meetings. Your health care provider or mental health provider will ask additional questions based on your responses, symptoms and needs. Preparing and anticipating questions will help you make the most of your appointment time. Based on clinical experience, many health care providers believe that support from friends and family members is important in overcoming alcohol problems. But friends and family may feel unsure about how best to provide the support needed.

• Peer support groups are an excellent add-on to therapy since they can help you build your support network of people who are in support of recovery, Lonano says.
• These people can provide you with accountability in your sobriety, a shoulder to cry on, or people to have fun with.
• Scientists are working to develop a larger menu of pharmaceutical treatments that could be tailored to individual needs.
• The American Medical Association recommends a two-drink daily limit for men.

Medical Detox

Medications can also deter drinking during times when individuals may be at greater risk for a return to drinking (e.g., divorce, death of a family member). When seeking professional help, it is important that you feel respected and understood and that you trust the person, group, or organization to help you. However, remember that relationships with health care providers can take time to develop. Our clinical team meets you where you are on your recovery journey. We incorporate evidence-based therapies, like CBT, motivational interviewing, and DBT, into individual counseling, family therapy, and group sessions. An IOP is a great option for those who want to recover from AUD and need more support than weekly therapy but don’t require the 24/7 monitoring of inpatient or residential care.

Overall, gather as much information as you can about a program or provider before making a decision on treatment. If you know someone who has firsthand knowledge of a program, it may help to ask about their personal experience. Given the diverse biological processes that contribute to AUD, new medications are needed to provide a broader spectrum of treatment options. Motivational enhancement is conducted over a short Drug rehabilitation period of time to build and strengthen motivation to change drinking behavior. Charlie Health’s virtual substance use disorder treatment program for individuals with a primary substance use disorder diagnosis is only available in select states. On top of social support from peer support groups, it’s great to lean on support from loved ones, whether that’s friends or family members.

Studies show most people can reduce how much they drink or stop drinking entirely. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Healthcare providers typically prescribe short-term medications to relieve the symptoms of mild to moderate alcohol withdrawal.

Medical Treatment Options

Many people repeatedly try to cut back or quit drinking, have a setback, then try to quit again. If you do relapse, it is important to return to treatment right away, so you can learn more about your relapse triggers and improve your coping skills. Many treatment plans begin with a detoxification program to help treat withdrawal symptoms after you stop drinking alcohol. Before delving into treatment options, it is essential to understand what constitutes alcohol abuse. This condition involves the chronic consumption of alcohol despite negative consequences and the inability to limit drinking. Recognizing the signs of alcohol abuse is the first step towards seeking help.

Alcohol Rehab Treatment Medications

Fill out the form below or give us a call to start your sobriety journey today. When people become physically dependent on alcohol or drugs, it’s not safe for them to ethanol abuse stop drinking or using without medical supervision. Our addiction medicine care teams can help members with severe SUD stop drinking or using drugs safely and comfortably.