Treatment for Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol consumption can lead to a number of problems, especially violence, because alcohol can impair the brain’s ability to make a rational judgement, causing a loss of self-control, diminished inhibition, and a sense of intoxication. This can have detrimental impacts on one’s social life, work, relationships, and mental health. The good news is, alcohol addiction can be effectively managed through various strategies such as

• Increase awareness of the alcohol use problem. Early detection and intervention are pivotal to successful treatment
• Foster motivation to abstain from alcohol.
• Encourage and provide guidance on quitting alcohol.
• Control drinking whilst monitoring withdrawal symptoms. For a heavy drinker, a gradual reduction (as opoosed to abrupt cessation) is recommended to reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms.
• Address the underlying issues related to alcohol use, such as psychosocial stressors.
• Join alcohol quitting groups or Alcoholics Anonymous. Talking to those who have stopped drinking alcohol or even offering advice to others on quitting will boost self-confidence and set a good example.
• Consider using medication to support the process of quitting alcohol.

Ariyaporn Tangcheewinsirikul, M.D.