If you have a problem with alcohol, getting treatment can help. But treatment options vary, and not all treatments work for everyone. The sooner you recognize that there may be a problem, the better your chances for recovery. To start, you should talk to your health care provider. He or she will ask you about your drinking habits and may do a physical exam. Your doctor can also give you advice about reducing your alcohol intake or abstaining completely. In addition to counseling, some treatment programs offer specialized education and skills training, group therapy, activity therapy, and other services that can help you overcome your alcohol dependence.
Alcohol dependence is a serious disorder that causes you to experience cravings and urges to drink even when it causes problems with your family, work, school or social life. It can cause you to drink even when it makes you feel sick, and it can lead to serious health problems. Some people with alcohol dependency also have a mental illness, such as depression or anxiety, that can make it harder to manage their drinking.
Heavy alcohol use can damage many organs in your body, including your brain, heart, liver, stomach and pancreas. It can also cause mental health problems, such as delirium tremens and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, irregular heartbeat, an increased risk of stroke and high blood pressure, liver disease and cirrhosis, and cancer. It can also affect your skin, causing dryness and peeling, and cause nerve damage that can result in trouble with thinking, movement and speech. It can also cause poor bone health, leading to thinning bones (osteoporosis), and affect your immune system, increasing your risk of infection.
Getting treatment for alcohol addiction usually starts with your primary care physician. Your doctor can help you decide whether to reduce or stop your drinking, and can refer you for counseling or other treatment if necessary. Treatment for alcohol abuse can include doing things like keeping a drinking diary and setting goals to change your behavior. You can get support in a group, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, which is available almost everywhere and provides a place to openly discuss your alcohol problem with other people who have a similar problem.
If you have a problem with alcohol, it is important to get help as soon as possible. It is easier to treat an alcohol problem when it is caught early on. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has a hotline that can help you find treatment options near you. You can call 1-800-662-HELP (4357). It is free and confidential, and someone will answer your questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also get information online, including a list of treatment programs in your area. Before you choose a program, check to see how it measures success and what happens if you relapse. Then compare your choices. It is important to find a treatment that will work for you.
