Understanding alcohol use disorders and their treatment

At the end of the day, one of the most important tools you have at your disposal is self-compassion. Instead of criticizing yourself for having a hard time or slipping up and having a drink, remember that no one’s perfect. What matters most is your ability to maintain an open, curious outlook as you learn what does and doesn’t work for you. Satisfying hobbies can distract you from wanting to drink, but they also help you relax — something everyone needs to do. If you turn to alcohol to manage emotional distress, the added overwhelm can prompt the urge to drink, making success seem even more out of reach. What’s most important is looking at your drinking habits and finding a way to cut back that works for you.

Sustaining an unhealthy alcohol addiction can be very expensive, and this may lead a person with AUD to engage in dangerous behaviors to keep purchasing alcohol. They may always be short on money, pawn valuables, or even take money and belongings from loved ones to purchase more alcohol. As your loved one continues to engage in unhealthy drinking patterns, they may lose interest in the activities they once enjoyed in order to drink more. Your loved one may longer engage in the hobby they’d cultivated for years, or they might stay away from friends, family, and social gatherings. The chart below gives more information about each medicine.

What is alcohol use disorder?

The focus then becomes what you did (moved them) rather than what they did (drinking so much that they passed out outside). Remember, it’s not your responsibility to “cure” their AUD. You just happen to love someone who is probably going to need professional treatment to get healthy again. This is available from a range of support groups and professional services.

The administration has a great list of treatment programs for persons dealing with alcohol use disorder and their loved ones to research options. Diagnosis is based on a conversation with your healthcare provider. The diagnosis is made when drinking interferes with your life or affects your health.

Stop trying to save the alcoholic.

Withdrawal symptoms start about 8 hours after your last drink, peak after 24 to 72 hours, and can linger for weeks or months, depending on the individual. AUD (formerly known as alcoholism) is a medical condition in which a person has an impaired ability to stop sober house or control alcohol use despite consequences. If you have tried unsuccessfully to quit drinking on your own, you may meet the criteria. To protect your mental health, visit a therapist to process your emotions and discuss your experiences with your loved one.

Oftentimes, alcoholism may co-exist with other mental health conditions such as bipolar, phobias and anxiety disorders. ADAA provides information about treating a mental health condition, debunks common misconceptions and publishes stories of recovery. If you are seeking professional help, the organization also has a directory of therapists across the United States. Many people with alcohol problems and their family members find that participating in support groups is an essential part of coping with the disease, preventing or dealing with relapses, and staying sober. Your health care provider or counselor can suggest a support group.

AA and Other Peer Support Groups for Alcohol Addiction

In one study, people who binge drink took either kudzu extract or a placebo before a 90-minute session of drinking beer. Kudzu extract has shown some promise in helping people avoid binge drinking. Binge drinking is when someone has more than four or five drinks in two hours. Herbal supplements may help to ease withdrawal symptoms, speed liver healing, and help to relieve alcohol cravings. You should never replace medical treatments or counseling with alternative remedies for AUD.

Some research shows that milk thistle may help those looking to treat alcohol-related liver disease. It’s important to note that more studies are needed to confirm that the herb enhances liver health. It also cut the number of heavy drinking days and increased the number of days they didn’t drink at all.