It’s estimated that more than 3.5 million young people between the ages of 12 and 20 experience some level of alcohol-related problem, notes Dr. David Szydlo Kon, neuropsychiatry specialist at ABC Medical Center.
Harmful alcohol use is a factor linked to more than 200 diseases and disorders, and results in 3 million deaths worldwide each year, according to the World Health Organization.
When discussing alcohol use problems, or alcoholism, a common question is whether it can be cured. The reality is that treatment is centered on management, since most people need to learn how to control their impulses around drinking.
How Do Alcoholism Treatments Work?
Today, there are various treatments aimed at managing alcohol-related problems, which can help a person eventually feel free from this dependency.
When addressing addiction, and alcoholism specifically, a multi-pronged approach is usually needed, combining medication, therapy, and support groups.
- Medication-Based Treatment
Medications must be prescribed and monitored by a specialist and are used to help control both the urge to drink and how often it occurs. They can also help manage side effects resulting from previous excessive alcohol use.
- Therapy-Based Treatment
Working on oneself gives the patient a greater sense of control, helping them understand the triggers behind their urge to drink. Cognitive behavioral therapy offers several approaches, since every person is different.
Motivational therapies, which have gained popularity in recent years, also help patients find new sources of motivation and fulfillment in life, in a way that positively supports them in giving up alcohol, notes Dr. Szydlo.
- Support Group–Based Treatment
While support groups come in many forms, with different philosophies or approaches to helping patients, they all share the same foundation: allowing individuals to connect with others facing the same struggle and learn how they’ve managed to overcome it, offering a sense of community and support.
Beyond groups for the person struggling with alcohol themselves, there are also support groups for family members, children, partners, and friends, since alcoholism is a condition that affects more than just the person experiencing it.
Successfully treating alcoholism requires drawing on all three of these approaches at once, to help the patient fully address the problem.
Another important step, which may need to happen before starting these treatments, is the detoxification process, aimed at reducing the person’s physical and emotional dependence on the substance. Detox can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, and once complete, multidisciplinary treatment can begin.
Something important to keep in mind is that, when it comes to treating alcoholism, the first and most crucial step is accepting that there’s a problem, notes Dr. Szydlo. Many people struggling with an addiction, especially alcoholism, tend to believe they’re in control and that there isn’t really a problem. But once they acknowledge this, the next steps in treatment become much easier to follow.
At ABC Medical Center’s Neurology Center, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!
