When someone drinks alcohol excessively, they may be diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (AUD), which is a chronic and recurring brain disease. AUD is characterized by the compulsive use of alcohol, the inability to control alcohol intake, and experiencing negative emotions when not using it. It is estimated that 16 million people in the United States have AUD, including 15.1 million adults and 623,000 adolescents aged 12 to 17 years old. At Achieve Whole Recovery, Alcohol Addiction Treatment in Colorado is available to address this issue, offering specialized care in Denver, Westminster, and Colorado Springs.

To diagnose AUD, individuals must meet at least two of the 11 criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) during the same 12-month period. The severity of AUD is based on the number of criteria met, ranging from mild to severe. If you or someone you know may have AUD, you can ask questions related to the criteria to assess the situation. Although most people with AUD can benefit from treatment, less than 10 percent of them receive any treatment. There are medications approved to treat alcohol dependence that work by offsetting changes in the brain caused by alcoholism. All approved medications are non-addictive and can be used alone or in combination with other forms of alcohol addiction treatment as part of alcohol addiction recovery path.

Behavioral treatments, also known as alcohol counseling, involve working with a health professional to identify and change behaviors that lead to heavy drinking. These treatments typically involve developing skills to stop or reduce drinking, building a support system, setting achievable goals, and coping with or avoiding triggers that could lead to relapse. There are several types of behavioral treatments, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Enhancement Therapy, Marital and Family Counseling, and Brief Interventions. The goal of these alcohol addiction treatments is to change thought processes, build motivation, improve family relationships, and provide personalized feedback to help individuals make a change. Ultimately, the most important aspect of treatment is to avoid confrontation, incorporate empathy and motivational support, and focus on changing drinking behavior, which is a cornerstone of alcohol addiction recovery.

Certain medications have been found to be effective in helping individuals reduce or stop drinking and prevent relapse, an integral aspect of alcohol addiction treatments. The FDA has approved three medications to treat alcohol dependence, but more are being tested to determine their effectiveness. There are three medications approved by the FDA to treat alcohol dependence: Naltrexone, Acamprosate, and Disulfiram. Naltrexone helps to reduce the craving for alcohol and can be taken daily orally or monthly by injection. Acamprosate can be helpful for those with a significant family history of Alcohol Use Disorder by decreasing cravings and making it easier to maintain abstinence. Disulfiram works by blocking the breakdown of alcohol in the body, which leads to unpleasant symptoms like nausea and flushing of the skin. This can help some people to avoid drinking while taking the medication. It is important to note that not all people will respond to medications, but they can be a helpful tool for some individuals. Medications for alcohol dependence are non-addictive and are designed to manage a chronic disease, similar to drugs used to treat other medical conditions In Colorado, Achieve Whole Recovery offers comprehensive alcohol addiction treatment in Colorado, including these FDA-approved medications as part of their tailored treatment plans.