ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE TREATMENTS

There are a few researchers who believe alcoholics can learn to drink "normally." However, most experts believe that total abstinence for life is the only way alcoholics can recover and avoid relapse, and that is the goal of most successful treatment programmes. Treatment usually begins with an initial period of detoxification (getting alcohol out of the system safely), followed by counselling, a nutrition programme, and sometimes prescription medicines to help prevent relapse.

Treating alcoholism is a long and difficult process, and few people can weather it on their own. Your GP can help you find treatment programmes and support groups in your area. Alcoholics Anonymous, the best-known programme, offers a 12-step path to recovery that focuses on getting alcoholics to admit that their drinking is a problem and that they need to stop. The AA programme has a slightly religious bent that encourages alcoholics to rely on a "higher power" to help them stop drinking, and suggests that they spread AA's message as a means of atoning for the harm they've caused themselves and others.

With the help of such programmes, millions of alcoholics have gone on to lead healthy lives free of alcohol.