What Are the Therapies for Alcoholism

Alcoholism, sometimes known as alcohol use disorder, is a form of alcohol problem that involves the inability to manage drinking habits. It can come in many forms including mild, moderate, and severe.

There are various withdrawal symptoms and side effects that come with alcoholism. If left untreated, alcohol addictions can quickly and easily spiral out of control.

Individuals with an alcohol addiction will usually feel like they can’t function properly without drinking alcohol. This can lead to many problems in life including work problems, relationship problems, and both physical and mental health issues. Over time, the addiction will usually get worse and the side effects will also become worse.

Which Therapies are Beneficial for Alcoholism?

There are many therapies that are beneficial for alcoholism. Below, we take a look at the most effective ones.

Psychotherapy

These are classic counselling sessions consisting of simply having a conversation with your counsellor. During these talks, you will discuss your addiction and the problems that it is causing. Talking therapy can take place in a group setting, one-to-one setting, or with family members. This type of therapy can help a psychologist formulate a mental health diagnosis and may prescribe medication. The talks will help you and the psychologist understand your addiction and will help you learn ways to manage your cravings and stay sober.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

This is a proven method for helping people with alcohol misuse. CBT aims to identify the negative thoughts and behaviours that come with your addiction and replace them with positive thoughts and behaviours. The session will involve a conversation between the addict and a psychologist. This type of therapy can be extremely effective when overcoming addictions.

Support Groups

Support groups can be very helpful. This is where you will meet with other addicts and share your thoughts and experiences. This allows you to support each other and gives you people to talk to who are going through the same things that you are. Having a good support group is important when it comes to overcoming addiction.

Holistic Therapy Options

Holistic therapy includes a number of different types of treatment. Some examples include:

• Elective or integrative therapy – This is an approach that draws on multiple techniques and traditions to best address the addict’s needs.
• Mind-body therapy – This is a group of techniques that focus on improving the body’s functions and induce relations to help improve health.
• Somatic therapy – This is a body-centric approach that utilises strategies such as dance, meditation, breathwork and more to heal trauma, stress, and other mental health problems.
• Spiritual therapies – This is an approach that incorporates belief systems and your spiritual faith the help explore the problems that you face in your life.

How Do I Access Therapy for Alcoholism?

If you have a mild alcohol addiction, then you may be able to access alcohol therapies as part of an outpatient rehab program. The best way to find out more about these services is to speak to your doctor. Your GP will be able to give you advice about detoxing and can provide you with information on the therapies that may be available to help you with your recovery.

If you have a moderate to severe alcohol dependency, rehab is always your best option. You should reach out to local rehab centres for more information about their services and the therapies that they offer. A short discussion with a rehab centre will help you determine which therapy options would be most beneficial to you.