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Tell Me More about Alcohol Dependence.
3. What are the psychological therapies for Alcohol Dependence?
Alcohol Dependence is often the result of a person turning to alcohol to relieve the symptoms of a psychological problem, such as depression. Treating the underlying psychological problem can sometimes resolve the drinking problem. Controlled clinical studies on the effectiveness of self-help groups, psych-osocial approaches, and medications in achieving and maintaining abstinence indicate the following forms of therapy work best.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT relies on evidence that people with Alcohol Dependence think differently than those without a drinking problem. CBT helps a person examine the distorted assumptions that go with Alcohol Dependency. The distortions maintain the person thinking and acting in ways that keep them drinking. The therapist helps the person learn new coping skills and how to change harmful behavior patterns, such as alcohol abuse.
Self-Help Programs
Self-help groups are the most commonly sought therapies for alcohol-related problems. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), one of the most popular self-help groups, outlines 12 steps that alcoholics should achieve during the recovery process. AA may be helpful in part because it replaces the participant's social network of drinking friends with a fellowship of AA members who provide motivation and support for maintaining abstinence. In addition, AA's approach often results in the development of coping skills, many of which are similar to those taught in more structured psycho-social treatment settings.
Couples Therapy
Evidence indicates that involvement of a non-alcoholic spouse in a treatment program can improve patient participation rates and increase the likelihood that the patient will alter drinking behavior after treatment ends. There are various approaches to marital family therapy. One common form is Behavioral-Marital Therapy (BMT). BMT focuses on drinking and strengthening the marital relationship through shared activities, and teaching communication and conflict resolution skills.
Brief Interventions
Many persons with alcohol related problems receive counseling from health care providers in the context of five or fewer office visits. Such treatment, known as brief intervention, generally consists of straightforward information on the negative consequences of alcohol consumption along with practical advice on strategies and community resources to achieve moderation or abstinence. Most brief interventions are designed to help those at risk for developing alcohol related problems to reduce their alcohol consumption. Alcohol dependent patients are encouraged to enter specialized treatment with the goal of complete abstinence.
Studies show that brief intervention among freshman college students, previously identified as being at high risk for Alcohol Dependence, is effective in reducing future alcohol-related problems.
Reference:
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Alert No. 49 October 2000.
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