In this section, learn more about AUD, the professional treatment options available, and why different people may take different routes to recovery. People with severe or moderate alcohol use disorder who suddenly stop drinking could develop delirium tremens (DT). It can be life-threatening, causing serious medical issues like seizures and hallucinations that require immediate medical care. Studies show most people with this condition recover, meaning they reduce how much they drink, or stop drinking altogether.

National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH)
Specialists who are board certified have thousands of hours of training and practice. And they must continue to take training courses to keep their certification. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 95,000 people in the United States die each year from alcohol-related causes. First and foremost, if the situation is life-threatening please call immediately. From 2000 to 2020, the number of overdose deaths in New York City more than tripled. During 2020, 2,062 New Yorkers died of a drug overdose.
Recommended Resources
This online tool is designed to help consumers find quality treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD). If you have insurance coverage or other means to cover the costs, you can build your Drug rehabilitation own care team. The Navigator can help you find therapists and doctors with addiction specialties to team with your primary care provider. In the U.S., more than 5,000 medical doctors are board-certified addiction specialists. They are highly trained to provide full assessments, treatment plans, and medications for alcohol problems. See the Navigator’s summary of five signs of quality alcohol treatment.
Evidence-Based Treatment

These tips can help you get started on the road to recovery. This guide is written for individuals, and their family and friends, who are looking for options to address alcohol problems. It is intended as a resource to understand what treatment choices are available and what to consider when selecting among them.
- The terms below are not mutually exclusive, and the services are often used to complement each other.
- They are highly trained to provide full assessments, treatment plans, and medications for alcohol problems.
- The National Poison Control CenterOffers a free, confidential service where you can speak to poisoning professionals (including cases involving drugs, including heroin, and/or alcohol).
- The organization has an updated list of psychologists across the nation and what they specialize in.
- Some people may think the only way to deal with it is with willpower, as if it’s a problem they have to work through all on their own.
They’re trained in counseling, relapse prevention, and helping patients recognize patterns and make healthy changes. Counseling can help members with SUD explore the reasons behind their drug or alcohol use and come up with new, healthy coping strategies. It can alcohol addiction help be especially effective for members who also have a mental health condition, or who started using to deal with distressing emotions, trauma, or excessive stress. We offer individual and group therapy for all our members.

Setting Healthy Boundaries in Relationships
- For any alcohol treatment program you are considering, be sure to ask the 10 recommended questions, and use the answers to check for five signs of higher-quality care.
- Continued care in residential or outpatient settings or both is often needed to sustain abstinence and promote long-term recovery.
- Your doctor can help you determine whether support groups may help your AUD.
- Treatment options can vary in intensity and scope, and they occur in various settings.
- Treatments may include medication and behavioral therapy.
Some people are able to stop drinking on their own or with the help of a 12-step program or other support group (see below for links). Others need medical supervision in order to withdraw from alcohol safely and comfortably. Which option is best for you depends on how much you’ve been drinking, how long you’ve had a problem, the stability of your living situation, and other health issues you may have. Instead, these are groups of people who have alcohol use disorder. Examples include Alcoholics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, and other programs. Your peers can offer understanding and advice and help keep you accountable.
Some offer full services to cover mental health and medical care and other support. The ADAA is an organization that provides an array of resources about the effects of anxiety and depression. Oftentimes, alcoholism may co-exist with other mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, phobias, and anxiety disorders. ADAA provides information about treating a mental health condition, debunks common misconceptions, and publishes stories of recovery. If you are seeking professional help, the organization also has a directory of therapists across the United States.
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If you’re a long-term, heavy drinker, you may need medically supervised detoxification. Talk to your doctor or an addiction specialist to learn more. Overcoming an addiction to alcohol can be a long and bumpy road.
Featured Programs
The search for alcohol treatment can feel overwhelming. The Navigator’s 3-step “road map” offers expert guidance to focus and support your efforts. We’ll help you learn how to find higher-quality, science-backed care that can raise your chances for success. Alcohol dependence is often accompanied by certain mood or mental health conditions, like depression or anxiety. Along with your treatment for AUD, you may need to seek medical care for other complications you experience. Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) concentrates primarily on individuals who have a mental health disorder and alcoholism dual diagnosis.
What to Know About Alcohol Treatment
Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. For more information about treatment options, see NIAAA’s Treatment for Alcohol Problems booklet. The Navigator will steer you toward evidence-based treatment, which applies knowledge gained through decades of carefully designed scientific research. Group therapy or a support group can help during rehab and help you stay on track as life gets back to normal. Alcoholism is a common and different term for alcohol use disorder.