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Treatment of alcoholism
In the past, alcoholism carried a tremendous public and social stigma. This was a barrier to many people who needed to seek help but were fearful of employment, family or social retribution. This stigma has lessened greatly due to the increased awareness that alcoholism is a disease, not a choice of the victim, and diseases need professional treatment to be overcome. The more aware the public is, the more apparent that alcoholism affects all walks of life at all ages.
Today, there are a variety of inpatient and outpatient programs that have each met with their own successes. Abstinence from all mood-altering substances is required in nearly all programs to achieve true success in fighting the urge to drink. Holistic, religious and stress-management skills also are employed in various manners, but the most important success factor is a support network and maintaining a healthy lifestyle of balanced diet, exercise and positive work patterns.
Occasionally, drug therapy is introduced to treat depression that can undermine efforts to maintain sobriety. These coincidental health concerns require medical supervision and must also be acknowledged and treated.
Nutritional therapy and biochemistry is being used more and more in the repair of damage done to the body from alcoholism.
Naloxone, an opiate antagonist drug, has received FDA approval as a treatment for alcohol abuse and dependency. It has been shown to be successful in the reduction of alcohol cravings.
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