Do you find yourself drinking to relax, driving under the influence of alcohol, having problems with friends and family because of drinking? Perhaps, you also have legal issues because of alcohol, or you are often neglecting responsibilities, then you are most likely suffering from alcohol abuse.
Alcohol abuse arises when you drink too much alcohol on occasion and too often such that your drinking habits often cause you to exhibit some risky behaviors and poor judgments.
Alcohol abuse can cause severe health conditions such as cirrhosis, a disease of the liver, or worsen certain disorders, for example, osteoporosis, or can prevent an early diagnosis of heart disease.
Most times, treatments for alcohol abuse are focused on helping you learn to control your level of alcohol consumption.
First, recognize you need help so, commit yourself to stay sober and practice healthier drinking habits. Treatment often aims at finding healthy ways to manage stress, therapy, and learning new skills to cope with managing your alcohol consumption.
Effective treatments for alcohol abuse are:
- Medication: Treatment can be through medical management using alcohol-deterrent medications, such as Revia or Vivitrol (naltrexone) or as prescribed by doctors. These medications will help you reduce symptoms of withdrawal and can also help you quit drinking. They tend to block the feeling of intoxication and help reduce cravings or make you feel sick upon alcohol consumption.
- Behavioral therapy: This includes specialized alcohol counseling or joining support groups consisting of people with the same issue. You could also be involved in both counseling and support groups. These can increase your chance of recovery from alcohol abuse.
You must note that treatment would work differently per individual so, you should ensure you find a treatment that is most effective for you and find it sooner.