You can choose from different types of therapy such as alcohol counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based therapy, or couples or family therapy. Being around others 24-7 who share your goal to quit drinking may make recovery easier for you. You could distinguish between alcohol abuse and alcoholism also benefit from daily check-ins with a nurse, doctor, and therapist. Your doctor can help you find an in-person treatment program that’s right for you. Another barrier to receiving care is that doctors screen only about 15% of their primary care patients for AUD.
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It also includes alcohol dependence or alcoholism, which is when you’ve lost control of your drinking. Experts advise speaking with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of action. They can help you develop a game plan to work through alcohol use disorder and learn skills to prevent or recover from returning to drinking in the future. If you’re considering quitting alcohol, there are many benefits to consulting your healthcare professional about how to do so safely. They may also recommend medication that can help ease withdrawal symptoms. We use “women” and “men” in this article to reflect the terms that have been historically used to gender people.
- It can be hard to identify the lines between casual and occasional drinking and unhealthy alcohol use including alcohol use disorder.
- AUD treatment is usually centered on abstinence — getting you to completely give up alcohol.
- As you recover from AUD, you may find it helpful to see a psychotherapist who uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques.
- If you’re younger than 18, pregnant, or nursing, harm reduction isn’t a good option.
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The one that’s right for you depends on your situation and your goals. Many people find that a combination of treatments works best, and you can get them together through a program. Some of these are inpatient or residential programs, where you stay at a treatment center for a while. Others are outpatient programs, where you live at home and go to the center for treatment. Traumatic childhood experiences, such as neglect or abuse, can also be a contributing factor.
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They can help you get the treatment you need to move forward and make positive changes. Your healthcare professional might recommend one or a combination of the following approaches, depending on what they think might work best based on your specific situation and needs. Inability to manage your alcohol intake despite negative consequences is a key sign you may have alcohol use disorder and may want to consider seeking help.
Learn more about whether you might have alcohol use disorder. However, genetics doesn’t guarantee a problem with alcohol. The exact mechanism that causes people to misuse alcohol is unclear. As you recover from AUD, you may find it helpful to see a psychotherapist who uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques. CBT helps you modify your thoughts and actions, while also learning alternative coping mechanisms. AUD refers to what is colloquially known as alcoholism, which is a term that the DSM-5 no longer uses.
If you suggest a dramatic action, be prepared to follow through with it. Working with an addiction or intervention specialist can often be helpful, but some people arrange interventions on their own without professional help. If you’re under 30, this grassroots organization, which offers life skills, community chapters, and an opportunity to reduce the stigma around abuse issues, could be a good fit. You can join no matter what belief system you have, or if you don’t have one at all.
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Drinking may become a regular part of your life, although it may not seem like anything to worry about. If you began drinking alcohol before the age of 15, you may be more likely to have AUD, especially if you’re assigned female at birth. About 1 in 12 adults in the U.S. are believed to misuse alcohol or have an alcohol addiction. For many years, drinking too much was blamed on a character flaw or not having enough willpower. Be prepared to discuss any problems that alcohol may be causing.
