Getting Help for Alcoholism and Addiction

By Buddy T, About.com Guide to Alcoholism

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.

1. Detoxification And Withdrawal
2. Rehab and Treatment Facilities
3. Pharmaceutical Treatment

4. Support For Families
5. Recovery Support Groups
6. Non-Step Support Groups

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.

• What Is Detoxification, or Detox?
• Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal
• Withdrawal: From Mild to Severe
• How Withdrawal Is Treated
• Relapse and Craving

• Relapse Triggers
• Relapse Prevention
• Stress Should Be Avoided in Early Sobriety
• Spouse's Attitude Can Affect Relapse

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.

• Alcohol and Drug Treatment Centers
• Does Treatment Work?
• Components of Effective Treatment Programs
• Finding the Right Treatment Program

• Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Addiction
• Getting Help for Drinking Problems
• Why People Drop Out of Treatment
• Canadian Rehab Centres

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.

• Medications for Alcoholism
• Campral (acamprosate calcium)
• Revia / Vivitrol (naltrexone)
• Antabuse (disulfiram)
• Rapid Detox Is No Magic Pill

• New Vaccines Help Stop Drug Addiction?
• Acomplia: Diet Pill Fights Addiction, Too
• Buprenorphine Proves Promising for Heroin Addiction
• Ondansetron May Reduce Craving
• Anti-Nicotine Drug Could Help Alcoholics

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.

• Why Do I Need Help? He's the Alcoholic!
• How Can I Get Him to Stop?
• Enabling - When 'Helping' Doesn't Really Help
• Denial - A Symptom of Alcoholism?
• Detachment - Letting Go of Someone Else's Problem
• Games Alcoholic Families Play
• 40 Issues for Alcoholic Families

• Are You Troubled by Someone's Drinking?
• Did You Grow Up with a Problem Drinker?
• Adult Children of Alcoholics Quiz
• Tips for Parents
• A Look Inside One Alcoholic Family
• Children in Alcoholic Homes

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.

• What Is Alcoholics Anonymous?
• What Is Al-Anon Family Groups?
• What Can I Expect at a 12-Step Meeting?
• Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings
• Al-Anon Meetings
• Adult Children of Alcoholics Meetings

• Narcotics Anonymous Meetings
• 12 Step Recovery Resources
• Official World Service Web Sites
• How It Works in Online Meetings
• Online A.A. Meetings
• Online Al-Anon Meetings

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.

• SMART Recovery
• Moderation Management
• Rational Recovery
• Women For Sobriety
• More Non-Step Groups