Treatment Approaches for Alcohol Addiction

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(Newswire.net — March 4, 2021) — Whether you drink too often, too much, or too fast, it is a clear indication of addiction, and to get rid of it, you must undergo proper treatment at some inpatient alcohol rehab Connecticut. Alcohol use disorder is a massive health problem in the US as 17 million adults over 18 years struggle to control their drinking habits at some point in their lives.

Treating alcohol disorders has become much more useful nowadays as there are wide ranging treatment options resulting from years of research. However, treating addiction is always challenging because of the complexities of the disease that affects various aspects of a person’s life and can have harmful effects on the families. It is as much of a health problem as it is a social problem.

Therapy options

Depending on the addiction level and its length, the choice is between outpatient rehab programs and inpatient rehab programs. Undergoing an outpatient rehab program is like attending a daycare center for medical treatment, and you can go back home every day. Inpatient rehab programs are residential programs that can last from 30 days to 90 days or even longer depend on the diagnosis that determines the treatment plan.  Regardless of the type of rehabilitation program that suits you, the therapies are more or less the same. However, its execution will vary according to the treatment plan customized for the patient.

Here are some popular addiction treatments methods offered at the Louisiana dual diagnosis treatment centers that treat any co-occurring mental condition along while treating patients for alcohol addiction.  After undergoing detoxification to cleanse the body from the traces of toxic substances, the treatment will include some of the therapies that help treat dual diagnosis.

Psychotherapy

Listening to the patient is one of the most critical aspects of the treatment as it helps therapists and doctors understand the patient’s psychological condition. As the patient shares his or her experience in dealing with alcohol and the problems faced, the trained psychologist can understand what is going on in the patient’s mind. During the talk therapy sessions between the patient and the psychologist or even with the patient’s family, several issues can surface, like long-standing issues, daily challenges, and past traumas. It paves the way for the psychologist to diagnose mental health based on psychoanalysis and based on the findings. The psychologist might prescribe medications to patients. After the session, patients can manage their cravings better and remain motivated to achieve sobriety goals.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

To alleviate the burdens of alcoholism, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a traditional and evidence based treatment. The techniques used during the therapy comprises of identifying the negative thoughts and behaviors that dominate the patient’s attitude and replacing these with positive thoughts and attitude. Like psychotherapy, CBT entails a few sessions of discussions between the patient and the therapist, who is also a psychologist.  CBT focuses on the action as it follows a solution oriented approach to drive patients towards positivity. Part of the process includes exercises that help confront fears, challenge harmful beliefs, improve social interactions through role playing, and develop strategies to help stop using substances.

Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)

Dialectical behavioral therapy also includes talk sessions based on a philosophical system of dialectics that assumes that the world is continually changing, that everything is connected. Those opposite elements may fuse or synthesize into a greater truth or better element. The sessions will teach patients to live in the present instead of harping on the past, practicing honest communication, and managing distress and emotions. There is enough evidence about the effectiveness of DBT for treating alcohol addiction.

Motivational interviewing (MI)

Motivational Interviewing encourages patients to set immediate goals for self-improvement by overcoming ambivalence and keep them motivated while driving them towards achieving the goals. As many people feel powerless in the face of addiction, MI will power to stand up against addiction. The technique encourages a person to work for change as the patient can better understand its need. Those who are more or less to embrace change would benefit most from the therapy.

12-step facilitation

12-step facilitation programs provide a platform for the community of addicts to discuss their issues and struggle with substances openly. It offers the opportunity to extend mutual help and support within the group by making them feel well connected and accountable to others for their behavior while practicing sobriety. The sense of others recognizing their importance makes people behave more responsibly.

In addition to the above alternative therapies like Yoga and meditation, exercise more control on the mind and resist cravings. Art and music therapy help to stoke the latent creativity in patients, helping them relax, stay occupied and enjoy positivity.