In 1982, the French company Laboratoires Meram developed acamprosate for the treatment of alcohol dependence. It was tested for safety and efficacy from 1982 until 1988 when it was authorized for use by the French government to treat alcoholism. Initially, disulfiram was given in larger dosages to produce aversion conditioning to alcohol by making the patients very sick if they drank.

• However, your participation can make a big difference.Based on clinical experience, many health providers believe that support from friends and family members is important in overcoming alcohol problems.
• According to research, medications seem to be a positive part of the most effective combination for treatment for alcohol use disorders.
• All things being equal, alcohol treatment is aimed at helping people with this condition for the rest of their lives so that they do not relapse into alcoholism.
• We are honored to have Ben writing exclusively for Dualdiagnosis.org.

Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are serious problems in the U.S. In 2019, 14.5 million adults had alcohol use disorder, with only 7.9% receiving treatment. Another 401,000 teens aged 12 to 17 had an alcohol use disorder.

Types of Professionals Involved in Care

As shown by West Virginia College School of General Wellbeing, or temporarily, alcohol use has a high risk of injury and various threats. Prolonged use and abuse of alcohol can cause great hardship, including alcoholism, as one cannot control alcohol consumption despite the side effects. When asked how alcohol problems are treated, people commonly think of 12-step programs or 28-day inpatient rehab but may have difficulty naming other options. In fact, there are a variety of treatment methods currently available, thanks to significant advances in the field over the past 60 years. Seacrest Recovery Center Ohio is a substance abuse treatment center located in Columbus, OH. We utilize both traditional and holistic therapies and are comprehensive in our approach. Our treatment plans are customized for each individual based on their presenting issues.

Addiction is a disease and those who have it shouldn’t be shamed and left helpless when there is a cure. The Sinclair Method is offering a way for addicts to get their life back. You experience consistent issues with memory, depression, and sleep deprivation. In cases where heavy drinking has gone on for many years, you may have permanent brain damage derived from alcohol, known as Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome. Alcohol use disorder is a medical condition involving frequent or heavy alcohol use. People with alcohol use disorder can’t stop drinking, even when it causes problems, emotional distress or physical harm to themselves or others.

Get support

Even after admitting you have a drinking problem, you may make excuses and drag your feet. It’s important to acknowledge your ambivalence about stopping drinking. If you’re not sure if you’re ready to change or you’re struggling with the decision, it can help to think about the costs and benefits of each choice. When seeking professional help, it is important that you feel respected and understood and that you have a feeling of trust that this person, group, or organization can help you. Remember, though, that relationships with doctors, therapists, and other health professionals can take time to develop.

The environmental risk factors and genetics work together and determine the course of the disease. That means that it lasts for a long time, or it causes problems again and again. The main treatment for alcoholism is to stop drinking alcohol. Most people who are alcoholics still feel a strong desire for alcohol even after they can alcoholism be cured stop drinking. Naltrexone and Nalmefene are both approved for treating addiction-related problems by the FDA. Your medication with The Sinclair Treatment would consist of taking Naltrexone every day for as long as alcohol is a part of your life. Some providers may also offer monthly injections with a time-released formula.

Behavioral Treatments

Behavioral treatments are aimed at changing drinking behavior through counseling. They are led by health professionals and supported by studies showing they can be beneficial. Those with severe alcohol addictions experience the most dangerous withdrawal symptoms, including tremors and seizures.

Without those good feelings, you may feel less inclined to drink. The road to recovering from AUD can be a long process that requires various treatments or therapies. This chronic illness can include symptoms like an intense need for using alcohol, even when the use has become problematic. Symptoms can also include intense periods of withdrawal once you stop using alcohol. When you consume alcohol, it enters the brain and increases the production of both dopamine and GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid).

So, can you cure yourself of alcoholism without seeking professional help?

The same can be accomplished by those with an alcohol use disorder. If you or someone you care about is struggling with an alcohol use disorder, there are treatment options available. It is believed that the main reason the Sinclair Method has not caught on in the U.S. is two-fold. Treatment for alcohol use disorder may include talk therapy (also called “psychotherapy”), support groups, medicines, or a combination of treatments.