I Am An Alcoholic, Where Can I Get Help?
August 17, 2011 in Tobacco & Alcohol Issues
There is no cure for alcoholism; however, there are many effective treatments available. Talk to your doctor. If your are heavily dependent on alcohol and develop withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking, you doctor can help you get over withdrawal by working with you to develop a detoxification treatment plan. After you are over the withdrawal period, avoiding alcohol is key. You can do this with medications and behavioral therapy.
What medications are available for alcoholics?
There are several medications available to help you stay sober. Some are listed below:
- Antabuse® is a drug that makes you feel sick when you drink. Even small amounts of alcohol will make someone on Antabuse® feel flushed, nauseous, weak, and sick. This reaction will last as long as there is alcohol in your blood. The more you drink, the more severe the reaction becomes.
- Campral® does not make you feel sick when you drink. It helps reduce the physical and emotional stress or discomfort of alcoholics staying sober.
- Vivitrol® is an once monthly injection given by your doctor that can help you stay sober. As with Campral®, studies show that alcoholics who use Vivitrol® are more likely to stay sober than those who do not. Vivitrol® is also available in a generic tablet form (called naltrexone) that can be given daily.
What is behavioral therapy?
Behavioral therapy is a very critical part of an alcoholics treatment plan. It can come in the form of individual or family counseling, support groups (like Alcoholics Anonymous or Al-Anon), and other forms.
Where can an alcoholic go for help?
The following can help:
- Alcoholics Anonymous – Visit their website at www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.
- Al-Anon – Call their telephone number (1-888-425-2666) or visit their website at www.al-anon.alateen.org.
- Your company’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral Service – Calling their toll-free telephone number (1-800-662-4357) will give the caller access to a person who can provide counsel, printed information and local treatment referral information.
- The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information – Call their toll-free telephone number (1-800-729-6686) or visit their website at www.health.org.
