Alcohol addiction occurs when a person is unable to control drinking, which may then start to affect their emotional and physical well-being. Excessive consumption of alcohol can cause serious health complications such as liver failure and even death. Therefore, any person with heavy drinking habits requires immediate help for alcohol addiction.

1. When should you see a doctor?
You need to seek help for alcohol counseling if:

• If you’re unable to get through a single day without drinking alcohol
• You get physically sick and emotionally distressed when you cannot drink
• You’re unable to control the urge to drink
• Drinking is affecting other aspects of your life such as your work

2. What are the steps involved in alcohol addiction recovery
The first step for any patient recovering from alcohol addiction is to seek immediate help from a professional at a rehab center. Depending on the severity of the addiction, the treatment may require the patient to be admitted for a few weeks or get outpatient care. Treatment for alcohol addiction involves:

• Medication

There are certain medicines such as Disulfiram that help make a person feel averse to drinking, while Acamprosate helps curb cravings for alcohol. One should remember that no medicine can cure alcohol addiction; they can only aid in the process of recovery.

• Counseling

Counseling forms a huge part of the process of alcohol addiction recovery. A counselor can help set goals to recover well, assist in getting group support, provide methods to cope with anxiety of quitting, and address all kinds of emotional disturbances and withdrawal symptoms.

• Group therapy sessions

In group therapy, an alcoholic gets to recover along with others in a similar situation. Support groups for therapy are usually headed and managed by other recovering alcoholics. An example of this kind of a group is Alcoholics Anonymous.

3. Are there any withdrawal symptoms during recovery?
Immediately stopping the consumption of alcohol is good for health in the long-run. Only by quitting entirely can you recover properly. You should be aware that quitting alcohol suddenly can produce a lot of side effects such as:

• Anxiety and depression
• Hallucinations
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Instability in blood pressure and heart rate
• Shaking or trembling hands

Therefore, do not try to quit on your own but seek professional help. A rehab center can help you effectively tackle these withdrawal symptoms.

4. What are some tips to stay on the path to recovery?
Staying on the path of recovery can be tougher for some than others. Here are tips that really work to help you cope and stay on track:

• Avoid hanging out at restaurants where you would drink with friends earlier
• When heading for an event with your friend choose someone who does not drink so you can get support
• Keep your support group sponsor’s number on speed dial at all times
• Build a routine to help keep your mind calm
• Try to join a gym or some fitness group