The Latest Breakthrough in Treating Alcoholism

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Alcoholism is such a pervasive problem in the United States that experts have determined that at least 1 out of every 12 people is currently battling it. This means that 17.6 million Americans are alcoholics, with millions more engaging in risky behaviors such as binge drinking. Some people are able to quit without assistance or by going to AA meetings, but the vast majority of people that hit the bottle will need additional help in order to get sober and stay that way.

There are many rehab facilities and programs available for those who need a more concentrated approach, but many of them are very questionable. For example, most rehab programs are ultimately unsuccessful, and only 5 percent of individuals who join AA will stick with the 12-step program for more than a year. Despite this, some of these options cost as much as $48,000 for a one month treatment that may not work beyond this time period.

A New Approach to Conquering Alcoholism

Fortunately, attitudes about alcoholism are beginning to change, along with the methods that are used to help people who want to truly quit drinking. Alavida’s treatment program offers a good example of these changes, and it boasts a 78 percent success rate. The major difference between this and a more traditional rehab facility is the specific techniques that are used to help people curb their addiction.

Each participant is slowly weaned off of alcohol with pharmacological assistance and behavioral therapy. Over time, medication usage is also reduced until the individual is no longer consuming any type of drug. This type of program can take as long as six months, which is actually a more realistic standard than expecting people to go cold turkey and remain sober moving forward. Interestingly, the program is also geared toward alcoholics who wish to be able to get their addiction under control so that they can responsibly drink socially instead of quitting altogether.

All Alcohol Demons Aren’t Created Equal

Unfortunately, recent research indicates that some people will have a much more difficult time getting sober than others. In fact, members of a fraternity often consume the same amount of alcohol, or even more, after going through an intervention or treatment. Although the reasons behind this are still being closely explored, it appears that social pressure and expectation is the biggest factor. In other words, if you or someone close to you truly want to quit drinking, it will be necessary to remove yourself from a non-supportive environment.

Of course, before someone can be ready to get help, they have to first understand that they are an alcoholic. In the case of the fraternity brothers, it is highly likely that even those who need the most help have not yet come to the conclusion that they have a serious problem. If you know someone in this position and decide to intervene, be sure to speak to them in a kind and respectful manner to minimize defensiveness.

There are also several holistic treatment approaches available, and all of them offer varying levels of successful assistance. Meditation, acupuncture, the kudzu herb, yoga and nutritional counseling can all be helpful. Combining these options with a targeted treatment program and a strong desire to quit will give you the best possible outcome.

About the Author

Jade Rich currently works as an LPN at a Skilled Nursing Facility and Inpatient Rehabilitation Center. Through her work, Jade has witnessed firsthand the type of physical and emotional damage that alcoholism can lay in its wake. Her research on this topic led her to learning about the multiple-tiered approach to treating alcoholism that Alavida’s treatment program provides.

Jade Rich