Alcohol Abuse Advice

A Brief Introduction To Alcohol Treatment

Most addicts find it difficult to give up their alcohol habit because alcohol affects the brain and its affect lingers even after a person discontinues their use. The main affect of alcohol on the brain is that it impedes the ability of the brain to control impulses. Therefore, when a patient stops the intake of the substance, his body cannot control the urge to have it and consequently the patient reverts to alcohol taking habit.

An alcohol rehab program consists of a number of therapies depending upon the case. The two most important parts of alcohol treatment are:

Medication 

A rehab program starts with detoxification. During detoxification, medication is required to prevent relapses. Medication depends upon the type of addiction. For example, for alcohol addiction, medication like disulfiram and naltroxene are used and for nicotine addiction, different types of nasal sprays and lozenges are used to curb the urge. Several types of antidepressants, anti-anxiety, and mood stabilizer alcohol may be used in cases, where the patient is also suffering from depression and anxiety.

Behavioral Therapy

Treating alcohol addiction with medication alone is not possible. Behavioral therapy is an essential part of alcohol treatment. In this therapy, first, the root cause of the problem is determined. The therapist then develops a program in order to induce positive thinking in the patient so that he can handle the adverse circumstances that force him to revert back to his addiction.

Some Benefits Of Behavioral Therapy Are:
*Motivating a patient to participate in the alcohol rehab program or the alcohol rehab program.
*Helping a patient cope with relapses.
*Inducing positive changes in the attitude of an addict so that he responds positively to the treatment and also understands his family and societal duties.

Alcohol treatment should be started as soon as possible. The earlier the treatment starts, the easier it is to treat the addiction.