Alcohol use disorder Diagnosis and treatment

Psychotherapy may help a person understand the influences that trigger drinking. Recovery programs focus on teaching a person with alcoholism about the disease, its risks, and ways to cope with life’s usual stresses without turning to alcohol. Also not approved by the FDA, there is limited evidence that baclofen, a drug used to treat muscle spasticity, could help people quit alcohol use. Disulfiram does not reduce craving, but it creates an incentive not to drink, because drinking alcohol while taking it causes nausea and vomiting. During the withdrawal process, the doctor may prescribe a class of antianxiety drugs called benzodiazepines for a short period in order to reduce withdrawal symptoms.

This is not an uncommon concern, but the short answer is “no.” All medications approved for treating AUD are nonaddictive. These advances could optimize how treatment decisions are made in the future. Learn more about these approved medications in “What Medications Are Available for Alcohol Use Disorder?” The newer types of these medications work by offsetting changes in the brain caused by AUD. Acceptance- and mindfulness-based interventions increase awareness and acceptance of present-moment experiences. The counselor provides information about the individual’s drinking pattern and potential risks.

Behavioral Health Interventions and Therapies

Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.
Research shows that initiating long-term treatment concurrent with withdrawal management greatly improves outcomes.
Caring for a person who has problems with alcohol can be very stressful.

The brain adapts to the presence of alcohol and undergoes persistent changes. A hallmark of the disorder is that the person continues to drink despite the problems that alcohol causes. Intensive care patients are at high risk for falls and injuries when they return home Relapse is an expected part of the recovery process as you work toward recovery. Vivitrol is an injected form of naltrexone that a doctor can give you once a month.

You doctor also can refer you to a treatment center or experts who can help.
A doctor can help you choose the best one for you.
Understanding your genetic risk factors can help your healthcare provider personalize your treatment approach and improve your chances of successful recovery.

Evidence shows that integrating FDA-approved medications with behavioral interventions yields superior outcomes. You’ll find that successful care integration relies on coordinated teams combining primary care providers, addiction specialists, and therapists. Best practices include implementing systematic screening through EHR-prompted symptom checklists and leveraging social workers trained in shared decision-making to support treatment initiation. For ideal results, you’ll need to implement quality improvement strategies, including protocolized MAUD prescribing and enhanced clinical pharmacy support. Your treatment delivery should extend beyond detoxification, incorporating extensive discharge planning and continuity of care pathways.

International Patients

Caring for a person who has problems with alcohol can be very stressful. Studies show that people who have AUD are more likely to suffer from major depression or anxiety over their lifetime. It is rare that someone would go to treatment once and then never drink again. Your provider may also be able to suggest an online self-guided program. In addition to choosing the type of treatment that is best for you, you will also have to decide on the setting for that treatment. For more information on a return to drinking, Alcohol disorder treatment see An Ongoing Process.

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An alcohol use disorder (AUD) is drinking that causes distress and harm. Two of three people seeking treatment do reduce their intake and improve their overall health. After detoxification, many people with alcohol disorders need some form of long-term support or counseling to remain sober. If an individual is beginning to think about alcohol as a problem worth trying to solve, educational groups may provide support for weighing the pros and cons of drinking. For most people who have an alcohol use disorder, the first alcohol-related life problems usually appear in the mid-20s to early 40s.

Lifestyle and home remedies

The provider can help adjust the treatment plan and aid long-term recovery. For many, continued follow-up with a treatment provider is critical for overcoming alcohol problems. Such e-health tools have been shown to help people overcome alcohol problems. Certain medications have been shown to effectively help people stop or reduce their drinking and avoid a return to drinking. 12-step facilitation therapy is an engagement strategy used in counseling sessions to increase an individual’s active involvement in 12-step-based mutual-support groups.

The good news is that no matter how severe the problem may seem, most people with AUD can benefit from some form of treatment. Millions of adults in the United States have alcohol use disorder (AUD), and approximately 1 in 10 children live in a home with a parent who has AUD. Many people struggle with controlling their drinking at some point in their lives. Alcohol-related problems—which result from drinking too much, too fast, or too often—are among the most significant public health issues in the United States. The Navigator offers a step-by-step process to finding a highly qualified professional treatment provider.

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Ultimately, receiving treatment can improve your chances of success. If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States. Below are samples of e-health tools developed with NIAAA funding.

Why Investing in Mental Health Care Pays Off Long-Term?

E-health platforms and telehealth services expand treatment accessibility while maintaining privacy and routine care. The data shows that early intervention and extensive outpatient programs considerably lower overall healthcare spending by preventing costly complications and reducing hospital readmissions. Telehealth services have expanded treatment accessibility, while digital platforms like CBT4CBT provide flexible care options. States are increasingly adopting value-based payments to incentivize quality outcomes in integrated AUD treatment programs.

Natural Remedies That Provide Relief From Anxiety Symptoms

Couples and family counseling can significantly improve treatment outcomes by enhancing communication and support systems. Digital health solutions and telehealth applications have enhanced patient engagement and treatment compliance across various therapy models. Although treatment success metrics vary across facilities, empirical data reveals both encouraging progress and persistent challenges in alcohol use disorder interventions. The NIAAA Medications Development Branch actively supports ongoing research to develop and evaluate new pharmaceutical treatments for AUD. These evidence-based treatments provide clinicians with validated tools for tailoring AUD intervention strategies to individual patient needs. Despite their proven effectiveness, only 1.3% of Medicare patients receive pharmacologic treatment after hospitalization for alcohol use.

National Institutes of Health

If you have an AUD and a mental illness, it is important to get treatment for both. For many people, using both types gives them the best results. Severe AUD is sometimes called alcoholism or alcohol dependence. An AUD can range from mild to severe, depending on the symptoms. Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. PLUS, you’ll get the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts, and special offers on content from Harvard Health Publishing.

If you have any of these symptoms, alcohol may already be a cause for concern. AUD is characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. Many others substantially reduce their drinking and report fewer alcohol-related problems.

Disulfiram acts as a deterrent through adverse reactions, naltrexone reduces heavy drinking by blocking opioid receptors, and acamprosate modulates glutamate systems. Understanding medication efficacy across these options is essential for treatment planning. Recent data shows that alcohol-related deaths have risen dramatically to 178,000 in 2021. Each medication offers distinct mechanisms targeting different aspects of alcohol dependence. You’ll find that disulfiram, approved in 1949, pioneered pharmaceutical treatment, while naltrexone (1994) and acamprosate (2004) later expanded therapeutic options.

Almost always, people feel nervous or defensive about their drinking, which is one reason this very common problem so often goes undetected or unaddressed. Therefore, screening is very important, whether primary care physicians or friends and family do it. A person with alcohol use disorder has come to rely on alcohol physically, psychologically and/or emotionally. Some people recover from AUD the first time they seek treatment, while others may require several treatment attempts. Alcohol dependence is often accompanied by certain mood or mental health conditions, like depression or anxiety.