Trauma-Informed Care: Why Its Key in Addiction Recovery And How to Get Started
Success depends on the person’s desire to get better. These complications are reasons why it’s important to treat alcohol addiction early. Nearly all risks involved with alcohol addiction may be avoidable or treatable, with successful long-term recovery. If you’re worried that someone you know has an alcohol addiction, it’s best to approach them in a supportive way. This could push them away and make them more resistant to your help. Understanding the available treatment options—from behavioral therapies and medications to mutual-support groups—is the first step.
Health Categories to Explore
Women for Sobriety – Organization dedicated to helping women overcome addictions. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) – Learn more about AA’s 12 steps and find a support meeting in your area. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. If you think it’s important to have someone involved but worry that it may create an issue during the intervention, consider having that person write a short letter. Then someone else can read the letter at the intervention. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information.
News from Mayo Clinic
- For many, continued follow-up with a treatment provider is critical for overcoming alcohol problems.
- Talk to your healthcare provider about proven strategies.
- When you’re having a good time, you find it hard to stop, especially in the company of friends having the same amount.
- It recognizes that trauma survivors may react differently to treatment, so it’s all about creating a space where they can heal at their own pace.
- An intervention from loved ones can help some people recognize and accept that they need professional help.
- More and more resources are becoming available to those struggling with substance use problems.
Its most recent data says the majority of its visitors are under the age of 35. SLAA is probably the best known, with more than 1,200 meetings in more than 50 countries, according to its website. SLAA did not respond to NPR’s requests for comment, and does not track the demographics of its membership. (After all, it is anonymous.) Vare says many younger people may be drawn to these groups because of the avalanche of apps that enable addictive behavior. “I never thought it would happen for me, but it changes your whole life. The biggest reward was feeling like you can trust and respect yourself again,” she says. Describing her journey to sobriety as a ‘slow unravelling’, Laura faced numerous struggles and relapses before she eventually quit for good, having her final drink on 1 August 2017.
Rehab
However, most people with AUD—no matter their age or the severity of their alcohol problems—can benefit from treatment with behavioral health therapies, medications, or both. As individuals continue to drink alcohol over time, progressive changes may occur in the structure and function of their brains. These changes can compromise brain function and drive the transition from controlled, occasional use to chronic misuse, which can be difficult to control. The changes can endure long after a person stops consuming alcohol, and can contribute to relapse in drinking. Once your loved one has identified their potential triggers, learning how to avoid them is an important part of relapse prevention. Recovery can take a long time, so you may need ongoing treatment.
Listening to others facing the same challenges can serve as a tremendous source of comfort and support, and help you develop new tools for coping. Alateen is a similar support group specifically for teens who have a family member abusing alcohol. In these difficult times of the global pandemic, economic uncertainty, and high unemployment, many people are drinking more than they used to support for those who struggling with alcohol addiction in an attempt to relieve stress. While it’s easy to understand, that doesn’t make it less of a concern.
For example, Mayo Clinic offers various addiction services and has a thorough team approach to treating addiction. People who struggle with addiction often won’t accept their situation and don’t want to seek treatment. They may not accept the negative effects their behavior has on themselves and others. Some people just need a short, focused counseling session. Others may want one-on-one therapy for a longer time to deal with issues like anxiety or depression.
- This may be because the pleasure center of a teen’s brain matures before their capacity to make sound decisions.
- Continuing with therapy that focuses on trauma can also be a game-changer.
- Crystal Raypole has previously worked as a writer and editor for GoodTherapy.
- And these communities make the person with an alcohol addiction accountable and provide a place to turn to if there is a relapse.
- Tell your loved one that you’re worried they’re drinking too much, and let them know you want to be supportive.
Starting with a Primary Care Provider
Consuming alcohol to cope with stress, deal with difficulties, or to avoid feeling bad, may be a sign that your loved one’s drinking has become a problem. Alcohol use disorder (sometimes called alcoholism) is a common medical condition. People with this condition can’t stop drinking, even if their alcohol use upends their lives and the lives of those around them.
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