Alcohol addiction, also known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a serious health condition. It can cause a wide range of problems, from health complications to criminal justice issues and even death.

If you feel like you're struggling with an alcohol problem, you need to seek help. Treatments can include medications, behavioral therapies and support groups.

Symptoms

Alcohol is a common drug that can be enjoyed by many people. But too much can cause severe physical and emotional harm, or even death.

If you suspect that you or someone you know is struggling with an alcohol addiction, it’s important to get help right away. Getting treatment soon can help you get back to enjoying your life and the activities that matter most to you.

The symptoms of alcoholism include cravings, social problems, tolerance, and physical dependence. These effects can lead to a wide range of negative consequences and complications for the individual, family members and friends, and the community as a whole.

As with any other disease, recovery from an alcohol use disorder takes time. Residential or outpatient treatment is recommended, and should address both psychological and physical needs. Medications are also sometimes used to reduce the risk of relapse. These treatments can help you manage triggers and cravings, and develop healthy habits such as better sleep, physical activity, stress management, and nutrition.

Treatment

If you have a drinking problem, there are treatment options available to help you. Some of these include talk therapy, medications and support groups.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective treatments for alcohol addiction. It helps you identify the feelings and situations that trigger your use of alcohol. It also teaches you skills to control your drinking and change the way you think about alcohol.

Psychological counseling is another proven treatment for alcohol addiction. It can be one-on-one or in a group setting and includes coping strategies for your emotional life, relationships and work situation.

Medications can also help you quit drinking or reduce your cravings for alcohol. A primary care doctor or board-certified addiction specialist may prescribe a medication, such as naltrexone, acamprosate or disulfiram.

Many people with alcohol addiction also have mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety. For these conditions to be treated effectively, they must also be addressed during treatment for alcohol addiction.

Prevention

Alcohol use can take a significant toll on your health, relationships and work performance. It also can cause financial, legal and social problems.

Preventing alcohol addiction is one of the most effective ways to reduce costs and harm from alcohol abuse. It is especially important for young people, who are at a high risk for alcohol-related harms.

A healthy lifestyle is the best way to prevent alcohol addiction. This means avoiding drinking excessively or using drugs or alcohol to cope with stress or other problems.

Getting help when you have an alcohol problem is another key factor in successful treatment. Counseling can help you identify and change behaviors that lead to drinking, develop a stronger support system, set attainable goals, learn healthy coping skills, and handle triggers that can trigger relapse.

If you’re a heavy drinker, you may need to be medically supervised for detoxification (going without alcohol). This can be done on an outpatient basis or in a hospital or alcohol treatment facility. You might be prescribed medication to stop withdrawal symptoms and prevent medical complications.

Relapse

When someone who is in recovery from alcohol addiction experiences a period of substance use that is out of control and comes close to the levels of use they had previously controlled or quit, it is called a relapse. Relapses can happen to almost everyone who is in recovery.

A relapse is generally considered a normal part of the journey towards recovery. It’s important to understand that relapse does not mean failure in the recovery process and is instead a signal that old ways of coping need to change.

Relapse can happen for many reasons and in a variety of situations. Some of the most common reasons include:

If a person experiences a relapse, they should immediately seek clinical treatment. This will help them learn to cope with the triggers that caused their relapse and prevent future ones. It also helps them build long-term recovery.