Since alcohol is widely accepted in our society, it may be challenging to differentiate casual drinkers from real alcoholics. Many cultures associate alcohol with social functions, including celebrations. However, you can know that you are addicted to alcohol if you experience the following symptoms:

• Lack of hangovers despite frequent and excessive alcohol intake. When you drink frequently, your body develops tolerance to alcohol.
• Increased frequency and quantity of alcohol intake. Over time, your body becomes used to alcohol, leading to an increased craving for more of it. Hence, you have to drink more frequently to satisfy your body’s needs.
• Changes in social ties. When you become addicted to alcohol, you may not want to associate with sober people for fear of criticism and blame. As a result, you may tend to associate with other alcoholics.
• Inappropriate drinking. This involves taking alcohol anywhere and at any time, irrespective of who is watching you.
• Escaping your family responsibilities.
• Depression. You may tend to take alcohol to avoid feeling stressed. However, you will realize that alcohol has not solved your problems once you become sober. This worsens your stress, leading to depression.
• Being combative. This usually happens when you face criticism or correction from your family and friends.
• Failure to acknowledge that you have a problem. You may tend to turn down any help from your friends and relatives.
• You may face frequent alcoholism consequences, including frequent arrests and loss of a job.
• Inability to survive without alcohol. Your system needs alcohol throughout.

If alcohol addiction is not treated early enough, it may lead to life-threatening conditions. Possible complications that may result from alcoholism include heart and liver diseases. It can also cause dehydration, which impacts the normal functioning of your body. Other complications include:

• Weakened immune system
• Loss of sexual urge, which may affect your marriage life
• Increased vulnerability to cancer infection
• Loss of proper vision

You can also endanger the lives of others if you are addicted to alcohol. For instance, drunk driving exposes passengers to deaths and serious injuries. Seeking substance abuse treatment as soon as the symptoms of alcohol addiction manifest is necessary for preventing complications associated with alcoholism.

Successful recovery depends on the desire of the addict to get sober. Since alcoholics may not acknowledge their problem and accept help, treating alcoholism can be challenging. Forcing someone to receive treatment may only complicate the treatment process. Some may even turn wild when they hear of treatment. Hence, treatment calls for patience due to the challenges involved. Additionally, alcoholism treatment needs a lifetime commitment on the part of the patient. Close monitoring may also be necessary since some patients may develop alcohol withdrawal syndrome, which may cause relapses.

Common treatments for alcoholism include:

This is one of the initial measures to cure alcoholism, and it can either be inpatient or outpatient, depending on the seriousness of the condition. The duration of rehabilitation will depend on how quickly you respond to the treatment. An outpatient rehabilitation program takes place while you are away from a rehabilitation center, and it involves getting support daily. On the other hand, an inpatient program occurs in the rehabilitation center and may last from 30 days to a year. The inpatient program helps you effectively deal with the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome and other challenges during recovery.

This type of treatment in which a therapist counsels you. It seeks to help you understand your situation and accept help. Also, this therapy allows you to learn healthy skills for coping with the challenges of alcoholism. During this treatment, you get to enhance your self-monitoring, reasoning, and behaviour. This helps you to change and resume your normal lifestyle. Other benefits that you may derive from psychotherapy include:

• Improved communication skills
• Improved social ties or relationships
• Proper problem solving

To ensure better results, therapists apply various strategies when working with alcoholics. Some of them include:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Motivational Interviews
• Improved patient’s social support
• Involving patients in goal setting

Medicines help in relieving the physical and emotional symptoms of alcoholism. Examples of medications that might help with alcohol abuse withdrawal are disulfiram and acamprosate. Disulfiram works by causing an unpleasant reaction with alcohol. The effectiveness of this medication also depends on your ability to follow your doctor’s instructions. Though effective, this medication is associated with notable side effects. Acamprosate works by relieving the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Doctors suggest pairing this medication with therapy or social support for better results. To enhance the results of this medication, you need to take it according to your doctor’s instructions. Your doctor may prescribe a medication to accompany other alcoholism treatment methods, including therapy. In conclusion, there is no magical cure, and there is no single pill that can eliminate alcohol abuse.

These mutual-help groups give alcoholics the platform to share their problems and support one another. You feel a sense of belonging when you join any of these groups. Examples of support groups that help in the treatment of alcoholism include:

• Women for Sobriety
• SMART Recovery
• Alcoholics Anonymous

While some support groups admit any alcoholic, others target specific demographics. Additionally, the groups may differ in terms of approach. While Alcoholics Anonymous apply 12-step modules, SMART Recovery uses behavioural methods. Typically, these groups are flexible, and they offer free services.

Although many alcoholics give up when they suffer relapses, it is crucial to understand that alcohol addiction is not an irreversible disease. It can easily be treated if you accept that it is a problem that negatively impacts your life; thus, it imperatively needs treatment. Although the treatments discussed in this article work, your commitment to getting sober has a significant impact on the effectiveness of these treatments. Plus, proper treatment for alcoholism may involve two or more treatment methods for better results.