Alcoholism Treatment

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Discover Why Professional Alcoholism Treatment is Critical for Alcoholics

Not unlike other illnesses and diseases, alcoholism can be overcome with increased research efforts, effective alcoholism treatment, and prevention.p>

By providing more people with access to quality alcoholism treatment, the costly drain on society and the financial, psychological, and physical burdens that alcoholism places on families can be substantially reduced. 

The Results of Effective Alcoholism Treatment

A review of the research literature reveals strong evidence that successful, professional alcoholism treatment programs and alcoholism prevention efforts result in significant reductions in HIV, traffic fatalities, crime, hearth disease, unwanted pregnancy, child abuse, strokes, and cancer.

Moreover, quality treatment for alcoholism and drug abuse improves an individual's job performance, health, and quality of life while at the same time reducing family dysfunction, drug abuse, and involvement with the criminal justice system.

Alcoholism Treatment: A Mix of Doctor-Prescribed Drugs and Counseling

As serious as alcoholism is, fortunately it can be treated.  Treatment for alcoholism typically includes a combination of counseling and doctor-prescribed medications to help an individual abstain from drinking.  Even though most alcoholics need help to recover from their disease, research has shown that with support and professional alcoholism treatment, many individuals are able to address their drinking problems, quit drinking, and restore their lives.

Treatment for Alcoholism: Withdrawal Symptoms

A number of different techniques exist for treating alcoholism withdrawal.  Whereas some of these therapies use medications, many, on the other hand, do not. 

Non-Drug Alcohol Detoxification

Interestingly, according to current research findings, the safest way to treat mild withdrawal symptoms is without drugs.  Such non-drug detoxification efforts use extensive social support and screening throughout the entire withdrawal process.  Other non-drug detoxification therapies, moreover, use vitamin therapy (especially thiamin) and proper nutrition for treating mild withdrawal symptoms.

Treatment for Alcoholism: Traditional Approaches

There are a number of traditional alcoholism treatment options that are considered "mainstream" therapies.  The following alcoholism treatment programs are considered "traditional" alcoholism therapies:  Behavioral Treatment, Outpatient Alcoholism Treatment and Counseling, Family and Marital Counseling, Therapeutic Medications, Detoxification, and Residential Alcoholism Treatment Programs and Inpatient Alcohol Rehab.

Alcoholism Treatment:  Therapeutic Medications

Since the employment of doctor-prescribed medications is used so extensively in alcoholism treatment, we will go into more detail regarding this subject matter.

A number of research scientists and practitioners strongly feel that chronic alcoholics who cannot maintain their sobriety should receive drug therapy to manage and control their withdrawal symptoms.  It is important to emphasize, by the way that by using medications, individuals who are addicted to alcohol are less likely to experience possible brain damage and/or seizures.

Treating Severe Withdrawal Symptoms with Benzodiazepines

Recent alcoholism research demonstrates that the medications that are most likely to elicit effective results when treating alcoholism withdrawal symptoms are the benzodiazepines.  Examples include the longer-acting benzodiazepines such as Librium and Valium and the shorter-acting benzodiazepines such as Serax and Ativan. 

Traditionally, medical practitioners have used a progressive decrease in doses during the entire withdrawal process when using benzodiazepines.  Moreover, due to the fact that the shorter-acting benzodiazepines do not stay in the person's system for an excessive amount of time and due to the fact that they allow for measurable and observable dose reductions, a number of alcoholism practitioners and researchers have asserted that intermediate to short half-life benzodiazepines should be used for treating alcoholism withdrawal symptoms.

Doctor-Prescribed Drugs to Help Prevent Relapses

Another major component of alcoholism treatment with therapeutic drugs centers on the employment of particular medications such as naltrexone (ReViaT) or disulfiram (Antabuse) that are administered by a healthcare practitioner in an attempt to help prevent the person from returning to drinking after he or she experiences a relapse.

Stated simply, this type of alcoholism treatment is based on doctor prescribe medications that are used to treat a person's alcoholism dependency.  For instance, antabuse is a medication given to alcoholics that elicits negative effects such as vomiting, flushing nausea, and dizziness if the person consumes alcohol.

Not surprisingly, antabuse "works" basically because it is a such a powerful deterrent.  Naltrexone (ReViaT), from an entirely different therapeutic perspective, is effective because it targets the brain's reward center and reduces the craving the alcoholic has for alcohol.

Treatment for Alcoholism: Alternative Therapies

Although the research findings are not definitive, there are a number of alternative alcoholism treatment approaches that are becoming more researched, widely used, and mainstream.  Examples include the following therapies that have been proposed as "natural" forms of alcohol abuse treatment:  the holistic and naturalistic approaches employed by Traditional Chinese Medicine, various vitamin and supplement therapies, and "Drumming out Drugs" (a form of therapy that employs the use of drumming by clients). 

As promising as these alternative therapies are, more research, nevertheless, is needed to establish their effectiveness and to evaluate whether these forms of treatment for alcoholism provide long-term success.

Alcoholism and Depression

While on the topic of alcohol treatment, it is important to mention that according to the research literature, alcoholism and depression often take place in the same person.

Perhaps this is somewhat related to the fact that alcohol is a depressant and, as such, is one reason why so many people get depressed when they drink in an abusive and excessive manner.

In any event, alcohol abuse and alcoholism research studies emphasize the point that the person needs to get treatment for both medical conditions if he or she has alcoholism and depression.

Alcoholism Treatment:  Conclusion

A key factor in successful alcoholism treatment is finding a treatment program that you believe in and one that "works" for you.  Simply put, the best method of treating alcoholism in the world amounts to little if you don't want to quit drinking, if you don't want to overcome your drinking problems, and if you don't follow the treatment protocol.

Message to Alcoholics

Don't just sit there and think that your drinking problems are simply going to go away and that things are going to get better. Addiction doesn't get better. It gets worse until somebody dies. You need to take appropriate action by getting professional treatment and you need to take action now!

Alcoholism Treatment and Other Alcoholism-Related Quick Facts 

Did you know...

"There are no quick fixes for drug addiction and alcoholism. Recovery is an ongoing process. The skills one learns during intensive drug addiction treatment must be integrated into everyday life and this takes time."

"With or without treatment, one fact is certain: the longer an individual abstains from alcohol, the more likely he or she will be able to stay sober and avoid the negative consequences of alcohol abuse."

"According to one U.S. study, 68% of those people who come to a trauma center have an alcohol or drug problem."

"Young U.S. people ages 18 to 25 have the highest prevalence of binge drinking (38.7 percent) and heavy drinking (13.6 percent), with a peak rate (48.2 percent for binge and 17.8 percent or heavy drinking) occurring at age 21, according to the 2001 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse."

"In the United States, approximately 50,000 cases of alcohol poisoning are reported each year, and roughly once every week, someone dies from this preventable condition."

"According to a 2007 Science Daily report, previous studies have found that alcohol use reaches its peak level during and immediately after high school graduation and remains high through the age of 25."

"As much as 50 percent of police work is spent addressing alcohol-related problems in the U.S. This would mean that the annual cost to law enforcement agencies is at least $7.5 billion dollars."

"U.S. alcoholics spend four times the amount of time in a hospital as non-drinkers, mostly from drinking-related injuries."

"During the third stage of alcohol addiction, the drinker frequently makes half-hearted attempts at seeking medical aid. Due to the fact that drinkers in this stage rarely, if ever, admit the extent of their drinking, however, they seldom receive any lasting medical treatment."

"Fortunately, research is helping to define the barriers that exist in accessing care and achieving recovery from alcohol abuse and alcoholism."

"Although some people can stop drinking on their own, others need medical help to manage the physical process of withdrawal. If you think you have an addiction to alcohol, talk to your doctor about whether you need to withdraw from alcohol under medical supervision."

"There are many symptoms related to drinking problems. Alcoholism is considered a progressive disease, meaning that the symptoms and consequences of alcohol abuse and alcoholism become increasingly more severe over time."

"According to the Silver Gate Group, pro-drinking messages saturate almost every sports environment, on billboards, in promotional materials, and in advertising, perverting the true nature of sport and, too frequently, targeting youth with engaging messages to drink."

"United States alcoholism statistics demonstrate that individuals who start using alcohol before the age of 15 are four times more likely to become alcoholic at some time in their lives, compared to those who start drinking at the legal age of 21."

"Next to smoking, excessive drinking is the most common preventable cause of death in the United States."

"Dealing with alcohol abuse is difficult, not only for the alcohol abuser but also for friends, family members, and even for coworkers. Unfortunately, as the abusive drinking progresses, so do the alcohol-related problems that affect virtually every facet in the drinker's life."

"According to one study, alcohol use is a factor in 40% to 60% of auto accidents resulting in personal injury or death among American college students."

"Substance abuse research demonstrates that people who are entering substance abuse treatment, as well as their families and friends, may benefit by becoming aware of those 'Risk Factors of Dropping Out' associated with dropping out and plan accordingly."

"The other family members can begin to recover whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not. But it can't happen until somebody picks up the telephone and asks for help. There is hope and help out there."

"Alcoholism research scientists have discovered that dopaminergic abnormalities may contribute to alcohol craving in depressed individuals."

"According to the alcoholism and alcohol abuse research literature on teens and alcohol abuse, more than two thirds of teenagers who start drinking before the age of 15 will also try an illegal drug."

"Research shows that even moderate amounts of alcohol can have damaging effects on the developing fetus, including low birth weight and an increased risk for miscarriage."

"According to U.S. research scientists, long-term excessive drinking can lead to pancreatitis (that is, an inflammation of the pancreas). Pancreatitis is associated with severe abdominal pain and excessive weight loss and can result in death."

"Alcohol is a problem if it causes problems in any part of your life. This includes your health, your work and your life at home. You may have a problem with alcohol if you think about drinking all the time, if you keep trying to quit on your own but can't, or if you often drink more than you plan to."

"Research reveals that alcohol policies actually result not from science, logic, or evidence, but from a continuing struggle between those who wish to use alcohol beverages and those who don't want them to."

"About half of U.S. state prison inmates and 40% of federal prisoners incarcerated for committing violent crimes report they were under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of their offense."

"U.S. research indicates that children of alcoholic parents are at greater risk than other children of becoming alcoholics."

"Studies have shown that inpatient detoxification programs are more effective and longer lasting than outpatient detox programs. The important issue here, however, is the following: the more severe the alcohol-related withdrawal symptoms, the more likely that inpatient detox programs should be used."

"According to U.S. alcoholism research statistics, approximately 95% of the people who quit drinking alcohol suffer from mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms and can normally be treated on an outpatient basis by a health care professional."

"According to a 1999 Federal Trade Commission report, alcohol companies placed their product in 233 motion pictures and in one or more episodes of 181 different television series in 1997-98. In the fifteen shows most popular with teens, eight had alcohol product placements."

"According to recent research, 62% of U.S. high school seniors reported that they have been drunk recently."

"When an individual consumes a heavy amount of alcohol over a short period of time, or use is continuous over a number of days or weeks, this is called bingeing, intensive use, or binge drinking."

"According to a study undertaken from 2000 to 2001, men are much more likely than women to drink in ways that are harmful."

"In the early stage of alcoholism, drinking is no longer social but becomes a means of psychological escape from inhibitions, problems, and stress. Stated differently, early in the disease a person starts to depend on the mood altering capabilities of alcohol."

"Research studies about alcoholism and its effects reveals that chronic, excessive, and abusive drinking increases the risk of developing certain types of cancer, especially cancer of the voice box, colon, throat, esophagus, the rectum, and of the mouth."

"Previous studies have shown that alcoholic women perform just as poorly as alcoholic men on thinking and memory tests, even though the women hadn't been drinking as long as the men had."

"In 1999, the average American drank 32 gallons of beer compared to 51 gallons of soft drinks, 24 gallons of milk, and 26 gallons of coffee."

"Codependency is defined by a group of symptoms that typically occur in those who live with someone afflicted with alcoholism or with some other addiction."

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Feedback from Visitors and Friends 

Thank you for visiting my "Alcoholism Treatment" lens. Feel free to post a quick hello and share some of your thoughts and stories about alcoholism and alcohol abuse.

Thanks,

denman4

UMT wrote...

Informative lens. As I always state, it needs courage, endurance and God's help to overcome any addictive stuff like this one.

ReplyPosted April 01, 2008

ringinginears wrote...

Great info! Nice lens! Alcoholism is a bad habit and must be treated the soonest possible time. It can also cause the pulsatile type of tinnitus and it can make you hear a ringing in the ears.

ReplyPosted February 13, 2008

flaminglacer wrote...

Glad to have you as a member of the Health and Wellbeing Group - drop by the Group HQ sometime and see what is there for you.

ReplyPosted July 27, 2007

The_Wizard wrote...

Greta lens . . what a diverse subject this is. The Russian research on http://www.squidoo.com/controlalcohol/
is amazing to say the least. The Soviet scientists are over here in the West and have made the product available for FREE for a few lucky people. Thanks again for a great lens Denman4

ReplyPosted May 15, 2007

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A Key Point...

If you want to avoid the devastating, unhealthy, and insane consequences of alcoholism, get professional alcohol treatment as soon as possible!

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Alcoholism Treatment Videos From YouTube 

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News About Alcoholism Treatment From Google 

Your online resource for current info, facts, and news about alcoholism treatment directly from Google

Environment plays a key role in Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation
Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center has been helping people recover from drug addiction and alcoholism for over 12 years. ...
Drug And Alcohol Treatment Transforming The World Of Rehabilitation
[Malibu, CA] ? Sunset Malibu, an exclusive drug and alcohol treatment center on the California coast, has long been a transformational force in the field of ...
INVITED COMMENTARY ON ... THE FUTURE OF SPECIALISED ALCOHOL ...
Alcohol and Alcoholism; 30: 287?96.[Abstract/Free Full Text] Luty J, Carnwath T (2008) In debate. Specialised alcohol treatment services are a luxury the ...
A congressman's call
John Sullivan said his surprise announcement in late May that he had checked into a California treatment center for alcohol addiction was not triggered by a ...

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Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Photos From Flickr 

Your online resource for alcohol abuse, alcoholism, and other alcohol-related photos

Not enough alcohol by quinn.anya

Not enough alcohol

Free Ale Voucher (1) by Smabs Sputzer

Free Ale Voucher (1)

Bad example by dno1967

Bad example

double room with a view of the giant by bullfrogphoto

double room with a v...

Drunk Driving Kills by Rennett Stowe

Drunk Driving Kills

Heavenly witnesses by C-Ali

Heavenly witnesses

Alcoholism Treatment Links 

Alcoholism and Treatment
Treatment for alcoholism frequently includes a mixture of doctor prescribed drugs and counseling to help an individual quit drinking and become sober.
Treatment for Alcoholism
Similar to other diseases, alcoholism can be overcome with proper alcoholism treatment, increased research efforts, and prevention.
Alcoholism Treatments
Even though a cure for alcoholism has not been discovered, many alcoholism treatments, however, exist that help alcoholics recover from their alcohol dependency.
Treatment Alcoholism
There is a lot of information regarding the treatment of alcoholism that is available both online and offline.
Alcoholism Treatment
Even though most alcoholics need professional help in order to recover from their dependency, the research literature has demonstrated that with expert alcoholism treatment and support, many people who are alcohol dependent are able to stop drinking and reclaim their lives.