Is there a quick fix for alcohol addiction (that really works)?

A review of the kinds of ways people try to avoid treating alcohol addiction with psychotherapy. Is there a quick fix for addiction? No. More here.

4
minute read

Q: Is there a quick fix for a drinking problem?
A: Unfortunately, no.

Pros and cons of some popular quick fixes

There are plenty of people out there promising a quick way to stop drinking but it can be very difficult to know how effective these quick fixes can be. Often, they promise wonderful results but many may only treat a symptom of alcohol addiction and others simply do not work. With that in mind, lets look at the pros and cons of some of the most popular quick fixes for alcohol addiction, and a place at the end for you to ask us questions about getting help for alcohol addiction.

1.  Hypnotherapy

Using hypnotism to treat addiction is not a new idea. It has been billed as a great way to stop smoking, cut down on drinking and a cure for drug addiction. Some people even claim hypnotherapy has worked for them. Is hypnotherapy for addiction safe? Generally, yes. However, my opinion is that the problem with hypnotherapy comes down to the underlying causes of addiction.

Hypnotherapy treats a symptom without helping the person work through the underlying cause of their addiction – which can be physical, psychological, and spiritual in nature. Think of alcohol addiction like a broken bone. Hypnotherapy might be able to mask the pain but it is not fixing the cause of the pain. While hypnotherapy might be able to help some people with the symptoms of alcohol addiction, it takes a licensed counselor, psychiatrist, or other mental health professional to help treat the underlying condition.

2.  Alcohol vaccines

There are a number of products on the market that actually block the effects of alcohol. The latest is a pellet that can be injected into the body. It lasts for three months and blocks the buzz alcohol provides.

Many people are actually using this as a way to help them cut down on drinking already. With scientific and government backing, these vaccines can seem like the perfect cure all for alcohol abuse and addiction. The only problem is they, too, are treating a symptom not the underlying disease. The vaccine may remove the reward of a buzz provided by drinking but it does not help the addict understand and deal with the reason they started abusing alcohol in the first place.

That is not to say there is not a place in treatment for these vaccines. They provide a great tool to help people with alcohol abuse problems. The issue is that they are not a cure, nor are they even a full treatment.

3.  Alternative medicines

Alternative medicines are some of the worst offenders when it comes to downright lies about alcohol addiction treatment. Some less reputable addiction treatment providers may claim that natural supplements, vitamins or healing crystals can help treat alcohol addiction.

This is simply not true.

While vitamins can and other supplements can have some health benefits, they do nothing to treat the physical or psychological issues behind alcohol addiction. Worse still, many people waste time and money trying these remedies which may delay them getting effective treatment.

4.  Meditation and yoga

These two therapies are often considered complementary therapies by addiction treatment centers. Meditation focuses the mind on the present, which helps with mindfulness and can relieve stress. Yoga on can strengthen the body and focus your energy on something productive while eliminating distractions like cravings.

That being said, neither of these are primary treatment for alcohol addiction. That means, while yoga and meditation can be a part of alcohol addiction treatment, they are in no way a complete treatment. Things like talk therapies, counseling psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other treatments need to be present before someone with an alcohol addiction can realistically expect to start recovery.

5.  Home detox kits

Often, websites have detox plans, or offer diets for alcohol detox. Some of these are meant for people who are not physically dependent, others may say they will help you beat alcohol addiction. The fact of the matter is, if you are addicted to alcohol, these home detox kits will do nothing for you. They usually recommend a healthy diet drinking lots of water and other healthy activities. That is all great for your overall health but it does nothing to help you break an addiction.

Seek out clinical help for alcohol addiction

None of these treatments provide medical assistance which means none of them are complete. If you are struggling with alcohol addiction, it is important to speak to your GP and find a treatment that includes medical oversight, addresses the underlying causes of the addiction and provides support for you through your recovery. Without these criteria, beating alcohol addiction becomes far more difficult.

All of these treatments are also missing one very important component… medical assistance. Going cold turkey as an alcoholic can be very dangerous. It can lead to seizures, vomiting and in the worst cases, even death.

Do you have a problem with drinking?

We invite you to message us below. We can anonymously respond to your individual needs…and welcome your questions, comments, or ask for help. In fact, we try to respond to all comments personally and promptly.

About the author
Brad Girtz is a blogger working at Life Works Community, a residential treatment centre. He writes content about mental health, addiction and many other conditions treated at Life Works. Brad enjoys sharing news and information about the latest innovations and ideas in the field of addiction and mental health.
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