- Alcohol dependence is a common, diagnosable medical condition. Almost one in ten people in the United States experience alcohol dependence at some time during their lives. Alcohol dependence occurs in both sexes, in all ethnic and racial groups, and in people from all walks of life. It develops when someone drinks too much, too often. If you are a woman, drinking more than four drinks a day, five drinks a day if you are a man, increases health risks, including your risk for alcohol dependence.
- Alcohol dependence usually starts in the late teens or early twenties, yet most people don't seek help until fifteen to twenty years later. Earlier treatment is more successful and results in far less destruction to individuals and their families. Seek help if you keep going over your limit, can't quit or cut down on your own, continue drinking in spite of emotional, physical, or social problems caused by drinking, or find that your friends or family are expressing concern. You don't have to wait for a crisis.
- Only about one in ten people with alcohol dependence ever receive professional treatment. Recent research suggests that newer medications offer effective treatment for alcohol dependence, when combined with a brief period of counseling by a health professional. This means that many more people can receive treatment from their regular doctor. Specialized alcohol counseling also works well, and all approaches (twelve-step, cognitive, motivational) are about equally effective. Some people require more intensive programs.
- Whatever treatment you receive, the most important thing is to stick with it. The longer you stay in treatment, the more likely you are to succeed. If you have a relapse, recognize that alcohol dependence is a chronic disease and try to get back on track as quickly as possible. If you are taking medication for alcohol dependence, be sure to take it as prescribed. Do not discontinue it even if you don't notice feeling any different. You know the medicine is working if you are not drinking or if you are drinking much less.
- Twelve-step and other support programs really do work! Recovering people who attend groups regularly do better than those who do not. If you are staking medication for alcohol dependence, don't worry about whether it is a "crutch." Medication can improve recovery rates by 20 to 40 percent in the first three months after you stop drinking. Also, it's fine to combine medication and support groups or alcohol counseling.
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