Alcohol use disorder (AUD), or alcohol dependence, is a brain disorder in which people are unable to stop or control their alcohol consumption, despite the challenging social, practical, emotional, and health problems it leads to. In the past it was referred to as alcoholism, alcohol addiction, and alcohol abuse.
AUD can cause a number of health complications. However, this chronic condition is treatable with several options. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for AUD, but options may include a combination of counseling, support groups, and medications.
Before getting started, it’s important to talk with your healthcare professional about all of the available treatments for AUD to see which ones may be right for you.
Medication
Currently, there are three drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of AUD. These include the following:
Acamprosate (Campral)This an oral medication which can help you continue to abstain from drinking. It works by restoring brain chemical imbalances caused by heavy drinking. It may also help with the anxiety and sleep issues that can persist after the initial withdrawal period has ended. However, acamprosate does not prevent or treat acute alcohol withdrawal.
Disulfiram (Antabuse)This is another type of oral medication that helps you avoid drinking alcohol by causing nausea, skin flushing, and other unpleasant symptoms when you drink alcohol. Disulfiram works by blocking the metabolism of alcohol in your body.
Naltrexone (Revia and Vivitrol)Available by oral tablet or an injection, naltrexone helps reduce heavy drinking by blocking the euphoric effects and feelings of intoxication. Naltrexone is also considered a first-line medication for AUD.
While not as common, there are also other medications that are not approved by the FDA to treat AUD specifically, but may be prescribed off-label for such purposes. According to StatPearls, these include:
baclofen
gabapentin (Neurontin, and less commonly Gralise and Horizant)
topiramate (Topamax, and less commonly Trokendi XR, and Qudexy XR)
Lifestyle Changes
AUD treatment primarily consists of medications and therapeutic techniques. However, there are a few lifestyle changes that may support AUD treatment and overall goals. Try the following:
Exploring New Hobbies These may include outdoor activities, playing sports, or other hobbies that don’t typically involve alcohol.
Finding a New Social Support System If your current social group drinks alcohol and are not supportive of your goals, you may consider focusing on spending time with family and friends who do not drink.
Adopting Healthy Habits Exercising, eating well, and getting enough sleep can help improve your mood and support your efforts to decrease alcohol use.
Rehabilitation
A doctor may also recommend a rehabilitation or therapy program to help support your goal of quitting drinking. Depending on your needs, such programs may be offered on either an outpatient or residential basis.
Detox Programs
One of the first programs a doctor might recommend is a medically supervised detox program. This may be done in a hospital or other type of inpatient treatment facility, and may last between two and seven days. During detox, you might be prescribed medications to help safely treat your symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
Residential Programs
If you need more significant and long-term support, a doctor may refer you to a residential program for AUD. Also called “rehab,” these programs are in a facility that completely removes you from situations and circumstances that perpetuate alcohol use.
These facilities offer a combination of medical treatments and mental health support programs, and you may be able to explore group and family therapies, too. They also offer educational components to help you better understand alcohol use and its effects on your health and relationships.
Support Groups
12-step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), are perhaps the most commonly known group treatments for alcohol problems. AA teaches people to adopt 12 spirituality-based principles in an effort to help you overcome your compulsion to drink alcohol. Many participants have success, with one meta-analysis published in 2020 even suggesting that the AA and other 12-step programs may be more effective than psychotherapy.
Other support groups include SMART Recovery, LifeRing Secular Recovery, Women for Sobriety, and Moderation Management. Not all are spiritual-based, so you may consider a support group that aligns with your personal beliefs.
Mental Health Treatment
Also called “talk therapy,” counseling and psychotherapy can also help to treat AUD, by helping you understand your habits to take better control of them. Talk therapy can be another important tool to treat AUD-related depression or anxiety.
For example, alcohol counseling can help you identify and change behaviors that lead to drinking, build a stronger support system, develop attainable goals, and handle triggers that lead to relapses.
Treatment may also involve standard therapies used to treat other mental illnesses, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). AUD can also increase your risk of depression and anxiety, as well as problems with relationships and work. Mental health treatments, such as psychotherapy, can help in these areas, too.
Mental health treatments may be provided on an individual, group, or even family basis, depending on your needs.
Complementary and Integrative Approaches
Consider exploring activities and techniques that can complement medical and psychological treatments for AUD. These can include options to help reduce and manage everyday stress, and possibly reduce cravings for alcohol. You could try the following:
AUD is usually treated with a combination of options, including medications, mental health therapies, and support groups. Sometimes detox or rehabilitation programs can also help in severe cases. Talk with a doctor about your desire to quit drinking alcohol so they can work with you to determine the best course of action.
