Alcohol Use Disorder: Getting Help

Primary care

Talk with your primary healthcare provider. Sometimes your provider can give you safe, effective medicine that can help you stop drinking. If your healthcare provider can't offer this medicine, they can refer you to a specialist.

Specialist care

This kind of care can be inpatient. It means you spend a period of time in a facility. Or it can be outpatient. This means you come and go. The facilities have medical support and can help a person detox. Most health insurance plans will cover at least some treatment. To find this kind of care, talk to your healthcare provider or a counselor. Or call a mental health clinic and ask for information. You can also look for providers online at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website at findtreatment.samhsa.gov .

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) helps members get sober and stay sober. They help you build healthy patterns of living. Everyone is welcome at an AA meeting. You don't have to identify yourself. Some people find it easier to go to the first meeting with a friend. To find a meeting near you, go to the Alcoholics Anonymous website at www.aa.org.

The road to recovery

Many people with alcoholism can give up alcohol for good. But change may not be easy or quick. Treatment is only a start. Relapses can be common. A relapse is not a sign of failure. Instead, it means treatment should continue. Once a person stops drinking, support is needed for them to stay sober. After-care programs and groups, such as AA, are good for this kind of support.

To learn more

• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism at www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health

• Alcoholics Anonymous at www.aa.org

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at findtreatment.samhsa.gov

• SMART Recovery at www.smartrecovery.org