In 2019, 14.5 million Americans over the age of 12 had alcohol use disorder (AUD). For many people, alcohol is a prevalent part of their lives, whether they consume it to relax after a hard day of work, let loose during parties, or to deal with tough issues they can’t handle on their own.
As you can see, it’s easy to go down the slippery slope of frequent drinking, into the territory of AUD. And once you have an addiction, it becomes very hard to quit.
However, the good news is, there are various types of therapy you can get into that’ll successfully help you get sober.
Are you interested in hearing more? Then keep reading. In this article, we’ll discuss the types of therapy for alcoholism.
Medication Therapy
For some people, their alcoholism can be so bad that if they quit cold turkey, it can be fatal. Or they might experience “alcohol shakes” if they don’t regularly drink.
Medication therapy aims to help you withdraw as safely and comfortably as possible. For individuals experiencing severe health issues, such as symptoms of internal bleeding from alcohol, medication therapy can be critical in stabilizing their condition during withdrawal. A board-certified doctor can prescribe you non-addictive medications to aid the process. These can also help with preventing relapse.
Talk Therapy
Alcoholism (and any addiction) is complicated. Rarely do we pick up drinking just for the fun of it and get hooked as a result.
Often, there are past traumas or mental health issues that are unaddressed. In fact, around 9.2 million American adults (older than 18) have both a substance use disorder (SUD) and some sort of mental illness.
Unfortunately, many of them don’t seek out help for either issue. Instead, they self-medicate with alcohol and/or drugs, which can then lead to a dark spiral. This cycle can become even more dangerous when mixing kratom and alcohol, as both substances have sedative effects that can lead to increased drowsiness, impaired judgment, and a higher risk of overdose. Talk therapy can help individuals uncover the reasons behind substance use and develop healthier coping mechanisms to break this cycle.
Talk therapy can actually be hugely beneficial when it comes to addiction therapies. In a rehab setting, you can attend sessions on your own, in a group, and with your family for the maximum benefits.
Below are some of the evidence-based therapies we use here at The Ohana.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
As you might’ve already guessed from the name, cognitive behavioral therapy for alcohol abuse focuses on identifying and changing the negative thoughts and emotions that often trigger drinking. By addressing these root causes, individuals can learn healthier ways to cope with stress, anxiety, and depression, reducing their dependence on alcohol. Turning these thoughts around is a significant step toward overcoming alcoholism.
You’ll learn to recognize negative behaviors and emotions, such as anger, as well as anxiety and depression. The licensed therapist will also give you constructive ways to deal with these things so you don’t fall back onto alcohol as the “cure”.
What’s great about CBT is that the skills you learn from it can be applied to many other aspects of your life. As a result, there’s the potential for improving your overall quality of life.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
DBT is similar to CBT in that both therapies allow patients to reflect on themselves. The main goal is to help you regulate your emotions, which is very useful if you’re usually impulsive and/or avoid distressful situations.
You’ll work with a licensed therapist to practice mindfulness and to learn how to regulate your emotions better. They’ll also help you to learn that 2 opposing ideas can coexist, which can decrease distress in your life. From there, you can then choose better pathways in your life rather than the ones that always lead to alcohol abuse.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy takes a good look at the whole picture. What this means is your age and stages in life are heavily considered, as well as what your family system’s like.
You’ll explore your childhood and how your adult life was shaped by those experiences. And if they’re causing disruptions in your life, the licensed therapist will help you change your current path.
This type of therapy works to increase your self-awareness. You’ll work with the therapist to understand how your past influences your present. And with this knowledge, you can then work toward a better future.
Holistic Therapy
To effectively treat addiction, you need to address not just the body and mind, but also the soul. Here at The Ohana, we provide holistic therapies to help give you effective ways to deal with your addiction.
You’ll get to participate in activities like:
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Mindfulness
- Ecopsychology
All of these alcohol treatments aim to get you in touch with yourself and nature so you can increase your overall well-being.
Adventure Therapy
Along the same lines as holistic therapy, adventure therapy also looks after your body and soul. However, these are more active, as they combine exercise as well.
You’ll get to go hiking along beautiful volcanoes and coastlines, zipline across stunning canopies, snorkel in clear waters, and wander in botanical gardens and plant mazes. In addition, you can participate in dolphin and equine therapy, as well as go on dolphin and whale sea adventures.
Many of these activities also help you develop healthy relationships with those also in rehab. These sober activities can help you transition back into regular life, as you’ll pick up interpersonal skills while working to better yourself.
Reap the Benefits of These Types of Therapy for Alcoholism
As you can see, there are several types of therapy you can experience when you check into rehab. It might not be easy at first, but just taking that first step to seek help is significant when it comes to battling your addiction!
So think about removing yourself from your current environment and getting into one that promotes healing and recovery. Once you’re done with rehab, you’ll walk away as a different and stronger person!
If you or your loved one is ready for alcoholism treatment, then get in touch with us today. Our staff is waiting to hear from you so you can start on your journey to recovery!
