Getting Help for Alcoholism and Addiction

By Buddy T, About.com Guide

If you have decided, for whatever reason, that you want to stop drinking, there are many resources and sources of support available, including medical assistance, treatment facilities, medications and support groups. If you have been affected by someone else's alcoholism or addiction, there is also help available to you. You are not alone.

Detoxification And Withdrawal
Rehab and Treatment Facilities
Pharmaceutical Treatment
Recovery Support Groups
Non-Step Support Groups

Experiences of Real People
Maintaining Sobriety
Support For Families
Stories From Families

Detoxification And Withdrawal

For many who try to quit drinking, it becomes a vicious cycle. When they stop drinking, the withdrawal symptoms begin and gradually increase, so they drink to stop the symptoms. That is the reason that it is wise for anyone planning to quit drinking to seek medical assistance, so their withdrawal symptoms can be reduced without alcohol.

Rehab and Treatment Facilities

Detoxification from chemical alcohol and drug dependence actually takes only a few days, then the battle to remain clean and sober really begins. Professional rehabilitation and treatment programs offer the alcoholic a wide range of services to help them deal with the psychological and emotional barriers to maintaining sobriety.

Pharmaceutical Treatment

Unfortunately, there is no "magic pill" that will stop an alcoholic from drinking or a drug addict from using, but there are medical treatments available that can help reduce the cravings associated with addiction, or reduce the effects of alcohol and drugs in the brain. These medications are for those who have already quit and want to remain clean and sober.

Recovery Support Groups

There is a growing body of scientific evidence that says participation in a support group will increase the chances of positive recovery outcomes when combined with other treatment options, including inpatient facilities, therapy or pharmaceutical treatment. Best of all, participation in these recovery programs is free of charge.

Non-Step Support Groups

Although the 12-step support groups have been around the longest and are generally more widely available, the 12-step approach does not work for everyone. In recent years, other non-step support groups and program have been developed for those who prefer a more secular approach to recovery.

Experiences of Real People

Visitors to the About.com Alcoholism site have shared their experience in dealing with alcohol and drug abuse in their lives or the lives of their loved ones. Using our Reader Response tool, visitors have shared on the following topics.

Maintaining Sobriety

After you quit drinking or doing drugs, the goal is to maintain your sobriety as an on-going lifestyle. This requires more than merely not drinking or drugging. It can mean making changes in many areas of your life.

Support For Families

Alcoholism is considered a family disease, because every member of the family can be affected by the alcoholic or addict, often in ways they do not even realize. As the alcoholic's disease progresses, the dysfunctional thinking of the family progresses too, usually so slowly nobody notices until the situation explodes into a crisis.

Stories From Families

Alcohol and drug abuse does not just affect the user, but everyone around them. Visitors to the About.com Alcoholism site who have been affected by the substance abuse of others share their personal experiences on the following topics.

Alcoholism