How to treat Alcohol Addiction? - Doctor Explains

In this video we will cover alcoholism, some tips and tricks for dealing with it and lastly we will highlight some common treatment options. So make sure to watch the whole video so you won’t miss any valuable information.
This video is part of a videoseries on mental health problems. Find the playlists here:
• Mental Health Problems...
What is alcoholism?
A maladaptive pattern of alcohol use leading to significant impairment and/or distress. In addition at least 2 of the following symptoms should occur in the same 12-month period:
- The Alcohol consumption is often larger than intended.
- Previous efforts to cut down alcohol use where unsuccessful.
- A huge part of the day is devoted on obtaining alcohol, using alcohol or recovering from a hangover.
- There is a strong desire to use alcohol.
- The alcohol usage results in failure to fulfill obligations at work, school or home.
- Important social/occupational or recreational activities are missed because of alcohol use.
- Alcohol is even used in situations which may physically be dangerous (like drunk driving).
The symptoms and risks:
- Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0,03-0,12%: may improve mood, increase self-confidence, decrease anxiety and possible leads to euphoria.
- BAC of 0,09-0,25%: may cause fatigue, sedation, blurred vision and balance problems.
- BAC of 0,18-0,30%: may cause confusion, impaired speech, dizziness and vomiting.
- If someone keeps on drinking at these levels, it may soon lead to unconsciousness, amnesia, respiratory depression and ultimately a fatal alcohol poisoning.
Longterm risks:
It may cause an increased tolerance to alcohol, an increase dependence on alcohol, it may increase your risk for a heart disease, abdominal diseases, neurological diseases, mental health disorders and it may increase your risk on multiple forms of cancer.
Prevalence:
About 5.1% of the worldwide population over the age of 15 deals with alcoholism. Which causes about 95,000 deaths in the United States alone each year.
Treatment plan:
- Visit your doctor for a medical examination.
- Personally you could also try some of these tips and tricks:
- Take some time to reflect on your alcohol usage. Try to find out how much you are actually drinking and why you are doing it.
- Try to talk about it. Let your friends and family know you are trying to stop drinking. They might help and motivate you.
- You could get rid of all your alcohol and change your typical routines.
- lastly take good care for yourself, as quitting alcohol can be challenging. Try to get 7-9 hours of sleep each night, maintain a structured sleeping schedule, eat enough vegetables and vitamines, drink about 2L of water each day and try to exercise regularly.
Quit drinking alcohol. This can be done alone at home, but is usually done in a detox clinic. During the detox patients might be prescribed benzodiazepines, which have a dazing effect or they might be prescribed Disulfiram. This drug blocks an enzyme that is involved in metabolizing alcohol, causing severe side effects like nausea and puking when combined with alcohol. But drugs are meant to prevent a relapse.
After a patient managed to quit alcohol psychotherapy is usually started. This can be follow individually or in a group-setting. In psychotherapy the underlying psychological problems which contribute to alcoholism are address, with the aim to overcome this. In addition you therapist can provide you with skills to prevent a future relapse.
- Effective treatment forms are: CBBT, DBT, motivational interviewing and mindfulness.
- Disclaimer: this video and the comments are meant purely informational! This is not medical advice! If you are looking for medical advice always contact your own doctor. -
I want to give special thanks to my sponsors on Patreon:
- Sebastian Houwing: Investor
Literature:
1: Raypole C. Biggers A. (2020). Thinking of Ditching Alcohol? How to Make a Plan That Works for You. Healthline.
2: CDC. (2020). Preventing Excessive Alcohol Use. CDC.
3: Waren T. Et al. (2020). Alcoholism Clinical Presentation. Medscape.
4: Murray K. (2021). Types of Therapy for Alcoholism. Alcohol Rehab Guide.
5: Wikipedia. (2021). Alcoholism.
* The images in this video are used for educational purposes only. Most of the images and video material in this video come from www.canva.com/.
Music:
1. Verified Picasso, Fish Room
2. Patrick Patrikos, Good Times
3: Patrick Patrikios, Rockville
4: Patrick Patrikios, Grut
Follow me on instagram: @HOWTOMEDICATE
Follow me on twitter: @HOWTOMEDICATE
Support me on Patreon: / howtomedicate

[@Learn_w_K.H]

Alcohol Addiction is such a bad thing. I hope yall are okay and get along with it. Great Vid!

[@howtomedicate]

Thank you for commenting!

[@terrapinflyer273]

It really is. Truly. I've never had a problem w alcohol (even though I have alcoholism on both sides of my family), but I don't drink at all anymore after, and continuing to live through alcoholism w my parents. Still trying to get my dad to stop drinking. Up to a gallon or more per day :(

[@kennethford3550]

I'm a current alcoholic The best drink I've ever had is water Really, it acts as a ground for me The 12 steps isn't good for me but replacing everything with water was good enough for me Medical note: do *not* drink more water than recommended, even water can kill you from intoxication

[@lynntracy6085]

Has it helped and how long does it take please

[@kennethford3550]

@@lynntracy6085 it does, I think a flavored drink such as coke vanilla (assuming it isn't close in flavor to your poison of choice) would work better for most people The process time depends on your own addiction, there is not a get quick fast legal under the FDA. The *most* important thing is to remember that you need to taper down rather than stop cold turkey, especially if you're pounding the bottle hard. There's a litany of negative things that are possible if you could turkey it. Get a buddy to check you if you need it (and even if you don't think you do)

[@lynntracy6085]

Hi im trying to get help with my addiction in my home town, there are too many questions and they close at 8pm, i really do need to clean myself up but i cant do it alone please help me

[@billmoore1936]

Lynn my name is Bill try and think positive every day and not think about the drink I know is hard for you but talk to your family and friends best of luck I have been sober for going on 6 years if that helps you

[@billmoore1936]

Yes I no longer drink Alcohol you have to have a very good positive attitude every day and the years thus go by is going on 6 years now fantastic life Bill

[@gta1172]

Haven’t watched it yet, I saw this pop up. But for alcohol I’ve found that baclofen, which is a gaba b inhibitor works quite well to lessen cravings as well as stopping withdrawals.

[@howtomedicate]

Thank you for commenting Dalla!

[@monstermind4286]

Hi is this a perscribed medicine or where can I find this? Thank you

[@harshitraghuwanshi6831]

@@monstermind4286 take it with the psychiatrist consult only

[@monstermind4286]

@@harshitraghuwanshi6831 I been having one since 16 I'm 29. Exactly what should I ask

[@monstermind4286]

@@harshitraghuwanshi6831 what I've has for. Different ones for 12 years my dude

[@diamondunbreakable3257]

Rum til I die, Is rum til I die. She tell meh she don't love me and that's the reason why.

[@zaynali5588]

what a loser for a women who doesn't care waste your life

[@officialrobertcenox]

is a therapist a good solution my gf cant stop drinkinng cuse of anxiety and overthinking

[@Milburt]

I have this too. The alcohol is both causing her anxiety and making it worse. Seeing a doctor is a good idea so they can prescribe Librium or diazepam to help with the anxiety and/or other withdrawal symptoms. I bet the worst she’ll feel is in the morning, after waking when there’s little to no alcohol in the body.

[@garthprice6402]

What about naltrexone?

[@KlyneMangayon]

I am drinking alcohol while watching you. instead of learning, I am falling in love with you in stead. how can I treat it?

[@th3killuminati281]

thank you

[@timothyu8405]

The real change is definitely the drive which arises within, the natural life essence everybody is entitled to, quite possibly trying the suggestions in Steffon Barkload's homepagw, although not for everyone, can also help you just forget about ever drinking again.

[@LaraWhitlock]

So many programs out there that promise you'll quit drinking from one day to the next and feel great for the rest of your life. Listen, Steffon Barkload's Quit Drinking Forever takes a lighter, safer approach which you decide to go with at your own pace. Best shortcut I go’ogled that only took days to rewire my brain to continually experience mental peace.

[@navjotbaskar]

Completely ignorable and out of context comment on the video, 1. Face too close to the camera, and no background, it looks unnatural hence creepy, 2. Stop looking at the screen and look straight into the camera lens.

[@KlyneMangayon]

the ending of this is... consult your doctor. thang tho