You can start by discussing your substance use with your primary care provider. Or ask for a referral to a specialist in drug addiction, such as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor, or a psychiatrist or psychologist. Diagnosing drug addiction (substance use disorder) requires a thorough evaluation and often includes an assessment by a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or a licensed alcohol and drug counselor. Blood, urine or other lab tests are used to assess drug use, but they’re not a diagnostic test for addiction.
Your first step in the right direction

And it is only one of many exciting avenues of research being pursued to address the current crisis. These novel technologies provide great hope for the millions of people who struggle with addiction in America and worldwide. Continuing care and support after the initial treatment phase are crucial for long-term recovery. That is why Primrose Lodge offers all our is there a cure for alcoholism clients free weekly group therapies for the first year after they leave alcohol rehab. We also invite all to join our alumni network to stay connected and attend regular events and workshops. This chronic nature of addiction means that it involves continuous efforts to maintain sobriety, which is why we often talk of a recovery “journey” rather than a one-stop cure or solution.
Other Medications
- All calls generated from California area codes will be answered by Refine Recovery, a paid advertiser.
- Regardless of the chosen option, it’s always advisable to seek guidance from a specialist like Rehabs UK who offer free assessments and a variety of treatment options.
- Follow-up care can include periodic appointments with your counselor, continuing in a self-help program or attending a regular group session.
- You’ll learn about addiction itself, how to identify and address the underlying causes, and how to prevent relapse.
If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol addiction, know that help is available. Treatment, whether it be inpatient or outpatient rehab, can help you take back your life and move towards a healthier, alcohol-free future. An alcohol use disorder is a chronic brain condition in which a person loses the ability to control their alcohol use, even when faced with social, professional, or addiction-related health issues. Alcohol misuse can cause severe and permanent changes in the brain, which make it difficult to stop drinking on your own. In conclusion, the journey to recovery from alcoholism is a personal one, and https://newrakesjobhr.allmediagh.tech/side-effects-of-ibuprofen-is-it-safe-to-take-daily/ the most effective treatment varies from person to person.
- The alcohol-aversive effects of Antabuse were first recorded in the 1930s.
- Ask different programs if they offer sliding-scale fees—some programs may offer lower prices or payment plans for individuals without health insurance.
- Seeking professional help can prevent a return to drinking—behavioral therapies can help people develop skills to avoid and overcome triggers, such as stress, that might lead to drinking.
- Individuals attending AA meetings weekly for six months had higher abstinence rates over a two-year follow-up period than those attending fewer meetings.
State Rehab Guides

There is no pill you can take, no magic spell to clear your system and no surgery that will render you impervious to the Alcohol Use Disorder effects of alcohol. Sobriety is a lifelong challenge with obstacles, temptations and triggers requiring continued motivation and dedication to change. Mutual support groups may be beneficial for providing a sense of community for those in recovery. Groups vary widely in beliefs and demographics, so advise patients who are interested in joining a group to try different options to find a good fit.
- An extended-release, monthly injectable form of naltrexone is marketed under the trade name Vivitrol.
- The COMBINE study found that combining another alcohol-deterrent drug Campral (acamprosate) with the medical management program did not improve outcomes.
- They are not addictive, so you don’t have to worry about trading one addiction for another.
- Here’s some more insight into the re-occurring nature of alcoholism, along with suitable treatment recommendations here at Step One Recovery.
- But it is one area of medicine that really doesn’t make its way to people who need it most.
