What Is Alcoholism? What Are AUD Signs and Treatment Options?

A heavy drinking binge may even cause a life-threatening coma or death. This is of particular concern when you’re taking certain medications that also depress the brain’s function. If your pattern of drinking results in repeated significant distress and problems functioning in your daily life, you likely have alcohol use disorder. However, even a mild disorder can escalate and lead to serious problems, so early treatment is important. Prescription medications, including Acamprosate, Naltrexone, and Disulfiram, help manage withdrawal symptoms and ongoing physical aspects of addiction. Studies show that alcohol abuse and alcoholism present substantial health concerns for men and women.

• Individuals involved in behavioral therapy will develop the skills needed to identify and correct damaging behaviors.
• Combined with treatment led by health professionals, mutual-support groups can offer a valuable added layer of support.
• One medium avocado contains 3.5 mg of niacin, about 25% of the daily recommended value.

Changing these behaviors is often difficult for alcoholics, as it usually involves avoiding places they used to drink or people they would drink with regularly. For serious alcohol use disorder, you may can alcoholism be cured need a stay at a residential treatment facility. Most residential treatment programs include individual and group therapy, support groups, educational lectures, family involvement, and activity therapy.

Gene Therapy Offers New Way to Fight Alcohol Use Disorder

Overcoming alcohol use disorder is an ongoing process, one which can include setbacks. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three medications for treating alcohol dependence, and others are being tested to determine whether they are effective. Some are surprised to learn that there are medications on the market approved to treat alcohol dependence.

The newer types of these medications work by offsetting changes in the brain caused by AUD. If you have any of these symptoms, your drinking may already be a cause for concern. A health https://ecosoberhouse.com/ professional can conduct a formal assessment of your symptoms to see if AUD is present. For an online assessment of your drinking pattern, go to RethinkingDrinking.niaaa.nih.gov.

Alcohol Abuse Vs. Dependence

While you can’t cure a hangover, some foods have been shown to lessen hangover symptoms by helping the body better metabolize alcohol, quell inflammation, or soothe the digestive system. Certain foods might also worsen hangover symptoms and should be avoided after drinking too much alcohol. After the inpatient portion of the treatment process is over, the outpatient program can begin. When it is finished, it is highly recommended that addicted individuals stay connected to an aftercare program. If a person tries to suddenly stop drinking, they will begin to feel withdrawal symptoms that are very uncomfortable.

Understanding the available treatment options—from behavioral therapies and medications to mutual-support groups—is the first step. The important thing is to remain engaged in whatever method you choose. Ideally, health professionals would be able to identify which AUD treatment is most effective for each person.