Besides detoxification and the medications given to patients with alcoholism, support groups are important to boost their morals and courage to finish the treatment. In this article, we are going to give light on support groups for alcoholics, and how it can help in the recovery process.
How Serious is Alcoholism in the United States
3% of the general population are extreme alcohol drinkers- There are around 1 million individuals aged 18 and older are diagnosed with an alcohol use disorder (AUD)
- Approximately, 414,000 adolescents within the age group of 12-17 are having an AUD
- 6% of the alcohol drinkers are age 18 years and older
- 8% of binge drinkers are age 18 years and older
- There are about 95,000 reported deaths related to alcoholism every year in the U.S., while 9,967 deaths were caused by vehicular accidents due to drunk driving.
- Around $249 billion expense is incurred due to alcohol use disorder
With that, it cannot undermine the health and economic consequences of alcoholism among teenagers and adults in the United States.
The Role of Support Groups for Sobriety
Along the way to sobriety, the patient will experience various hurdles and triggers which can cause a relapse. To avoid this from happening, finding a support group will reinforce their willpower and focus to achieve long-term sobriety.
Likewise, it will give emotional and moral support to the patients, that will boost their motivation to bring back their normal life.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Support Group
This sober support group aims to provide assistance and guidance for alcoholics. In the group, there is the “sponsor” or a member who has successfully maintained sobriety for a long duration.
The sponsor can provide support and guidance to any member of the AA, and this process is called “step work”, which is part of the 12-step program for AA. If an alcoholic likes to join an AA support group, then he must reach out to a nearby hospital or medical office for direction and contact details.
Al-Anon Family Support Group
It is a support group for the people or loved ones affected by the alcoholism of their family members. Through this network, the affected families and loved ones can interact with one another by sharing their experiences and insights.
Besides that, the families can better understand the condition of their patient-member, so they can find better ways of helping them. If you have other questions about the Al-Anon support group, then talk to a professional today.
Alateen – Support Group for Children
It is a support group for the children of the parent alcoholics. Through this network, children who are in the same situation can communicate with each other for enhanced support and understanding about alcohol use disorder.
Furthermore, it is like a casual sharing session with less emphasis on instructions and learnings. Overall, it aims to provide a comfortable environment for the children of the alcoholics to find peace and support amidst this scenario.
What is the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD)?
This agency can help a person gain contact with the right medical personnel or rehab facility that handles alcoholism. Also, performing an intervention must be done by either the family or a professional, to prepare the patient for treatment.
Role of National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACoA)
This agency provides indirect assistance to the children of alcoholic parents. With that, NACoA offers intensive training programs for teachers, doctors, clergymen, and social workers in helping these kids cope with the alcoholism of their parents or guardians.
What Is the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)?
An organization that produces educational content that will help the alcoholics, family, children and medical personnel gain sufficient knowledge on how to efficiently handle alcohol use disorder.
How do I know if someone is an alcoholic? Symptoms of Alcoholism
Alcoholism starts when the person is unable to control his urge to drink, where it causes adverse health effects and behavioral changes to the drinker. The severity of alcohol use disorder (AUD) depends on how long an individual has been excessively drinking.
Alongside this, here are some common questions or signs that a person is suffering from alcoholism:
Several failed attempts of stopping from drinking alcohol- An uncontrollable urge to drink
- Continued drinking habits despite conflicts with family or loved ones
- Prioritizing drinking than other important matters
- Likelihood of drinking more than the usual
If the person is unsure if he has an alcohol use disorder, then consulting with a medical personnel is the best choice.
What Are the Three Main Treatment Methods for Alcoholism?
Here are the three main types of treatment for alcohol abuse:
- Medication and Detoxification
In this phase, a doctor or medical personnel will prescribe the patient the right medicine and detoxification process for alcohol use disorder. These medications aim to reduce the side effects and withdrawal symptoms by gradually stopping this negative habit.
Here are the common medicines used for treating alcohol abuse:
- Naltrexone – Ideal for excessive drinkers
- Acamprosate – helps keep abstinence from alcohol drinking
- Disulfiram – Disables the metabolism of alcohol in the body, which causes discomfort to the patient, in turn, it motivates them to stop drinking
- Behavioral Therapies
Alcohol drinking is still a habit that can be slowly changed with proper intervention from a seasoned personnel. There are several behavioral therapies applied in the industry that can effectively help the patient gain sobriety.
Here are some examples of behavioral treatments used in the field:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)
- Marital and Family Counseling
- Interventions
- Support Groups
These support groups for alcoholics follow the 12-step program, that aims to provide a systematic support network for the patients. Most people who have gained long-term sobriety have enrolled with support groups.
When is the Best Time for Treating Alcoholism?
Detecting it as early as possible is the best time to start one’s treatment. A person must never allow this unhealthy habit to linger for a longer duration because the adverse effects worsen through time.
If you or anyone suffering from alcoholism needs medical advice, then seeking professional assistance from a doctor or seasoned addiction specialist is highly recommended.
