Loved ones, employers, or others may then have the painful task of committing the alcoholic to treatment. This is very tough but necessary. To say the alcoholic can't be helped until he or she wants help is untrue and a cop-out. Detoxification may take 3 to 4 days. This may include social, medical, and psychological therapy.
Social treatment involves family members and focuses on problems in the home and at work.
To discourage you from drinking again, your health care provider may prescribe the medicines disulfiram or naltrexone. These medicines work best as one part of a full treatment program. Knowing you will have this reaction will discourage you from drinking. Psychological therapy usually involves group therapy sessions to understand the illness and why you drink. At local chapter meetings you can meet other alcoholics, share experiences, and receive encouragement.