Online Therapy Support To Reduce Alcohol Use
Many people live with alcohol use disorders, which can involve symptoms such as an inability to limit alcohol intake and using alcohol in unsafe situations.
Online therapy can help those living with alcohol use disorder decrease their drinking. Other ways to cut back can include setting goals for drinking in moderation, limiting alcohol exposure, scheduling a break from alcohol, tracking alcohol consumption to discover patterns, and embracing persistence if relapses occur.
If you are struggling with alcohol addiction, choosing online therapy can be a convenient and effective option. Begin therapy by scheduling online sessions with a certified addiction professional who can guide you through the treatment process. Online therapy websites offer online counseling, phone calls, and family therapy sessions to address substance use concerns and mental health disorders. Don't let in-person therapy availability hinder you from getting the help you need.
Alcohol dependence: An overview
While 85.6% of adults in the U.S. are likely to drink alcohol at some point in their lives, approximately a quarter of adults reported binge drinking within the past month in the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). This survey also revealed that 5.3% of Americans 12 and older had alcohol use disorder (AUD). This can account for almost 15 million people in the United States alone. Worldwide, alcohol misuse may account for three million deaths every year, and within the United States, it may account for 95,000 deaths each year.
Signs of alcohol use issues can include:
- An inability to limit your alcohol intake
- Using alcohol in unsafe situations
- Building a tolerance for alcohol that requires you to drink more for the same effects
- Negative impacts on school, work, and social obligations due to alcohol use
- Unsuccessful attempts at limiting your drinking even though you want to do so
Alcohol dependence and misuse can be very challenging to live with. However, some resources can offer support and practical help, one of which may be online therapy. Promoted online therapy websites can offer a convenient and available option for individuals seeking support for alcohol misuse or overuse. They provide an easy way to reach out to licensed therapists and various online resources to aid recovery.
Consider online therapy
In addition, several studies have shown that online therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy and can sometimes act as the catalyst for a person to seek in-person alcohol counseling services. The following study evaluated the impact of internet-based therapy on alcohol use disorders and found significant results.
Online therapy for problematic alcohol use
Alcohol treatment can be effective for most people; a review of seven studies found that two-thirds of people who received treatment saw a large and significant decrease in their alcohol use and related concerns. However, researchers in the Netherlands noticed a “treatment gap” and designed a trial to examine internet-based therapy's efficacy via two different treatment forms.
Participants
Individuals were generally recruited through the website of a substance use disorder treatment center. Those interested in limiting or stopping their alcohol use completed a screening survey through the trial. Inclusion criteria included:
- Currently residing in the Netherlands
- 18 or older
- Scoring above the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) for risky drinking
- Drank over 140 grams of alcohol during an average week
- No previous treatment for substance use disorder
- No significant use of illegal drugs
- No current or past serious illness of specific kinds
Almost 2,000 people completed the initial survey, 832 met inclusion criteria, and ultimately, 205 chose to participate. The participants were, as evenly as possible, split into three groups for the trial: two intervention groups and a waitlist control group.
The average age of participants was 42, with an even mixture of men and women, most of whom worked full-time. Most drank almost every day, and the average AUDIT score was 20, which indicates the “likelihood of alcohol dependence.” Researchers categorized the overall group as a sample of risky drinkers who could be teetering on the edge of alcohol use disorder but were not necessarily there yet.
Interventions
This trial examined two different interventions.
- An automated self-help program was offered to one-third of the study participants. In this intervention, they had content that taught them how to cope with cravings, relapses, and peer pressure. In addition, the program helped monitor alcohol use, set drinking goals, and increase recognition of alcohol-related thoughts and scenarios that might encourage a relapse. Participants in the self-help program were also encouraged to use an online forum for social support from one another.
- A therapist-led program offered similar content in a more structured, guided format to another one-third of the participants. This group was offered chat therapy sessions with psychologists from a substance use disorder center. Seven 40-minute sessions covered the pros and cons of drinking, setting goals, self-control, cravings, relapse, and an initial and final session, all via online messaging.
After a three-month waiting period, the control group was placed on a waitlist and offered a chance to join the therapist-led program.
Results
A baseline assessment was performed before the study began, with two more assessments at the three-month and six-month marks. The study measured four outcomes: weekly drinking amount, AUDIT score, and two quality of life measures. Both interventions produced clinically significant improvements in all four outcomes.
The three-month assessment revealed that weekly drinking amounts decreased in all three groups. However, the drop was most significant for those in the therapist-led intervention.
- Participants in the therapist-led intervention generally decreased weekly amounts from 466 grams to 244 grams, a 51% decrease.
- Participants in the self-help intervention typically decreased weekly amounts from 436 grams to 270 grams, a 38% decrease.
- Participants on the waiting list usually decreased weekly from 472 grams to 355 grams, a 25% decrease.
While both interventions produced more significant changes than were seen on the waitlist, the therapist-led intervention generally produced stronger, longer-lasting results. At the six-month assessment, many of those who completed the therapist-led intervention had decreased their weekly amounts to an average of 180 grams a week, a 61% decrease from their original drinking habits. Individuals from the self-help intervention usually didn’t see much more of a decrease past the three-month assessment.
Future research
Considering that 12% of the people who were initially interested in the study chose to participate, it can be important to understand why individuals are interested—or uninterested—in completing treatment for problematic alcohol use. Understanding the reasons why some individuals prefer in-person treatment over online services, or vice versa, can help researchers design interventions that cater to both preferences and reach a wider population. By addressing the barriers preventing individuals from receiving the type of treatment they prefer, more people can receive the support they need to improve their relationship with alcohol.
Future research can examine the effectiveness of a stepped-care approach that utilizes self-help programs in conjunction with professional therapy. By providing a range of treatment options, individuals can choose the level of support that best meets their needs and preferences. Such an approach can improve the availability and efficacy of therapeutic interventions.
Lifestyle changes to reduce alcohol use
Alcohol misuse can have physical, emotional, mental, and social consequences. If you are concerned about your drinking habits, it can be important to seek help, so you might reach out to your personal care provider. A mental health professional may also provide the support you need, whether in person or online. Online therapy can be affordable and convenient, and you may get the opportunity to connect with your therapist in various ways, including in-app messaging, video chat, and more.
Lifestyle changes are often a necessary part of decreasing your alcohol use. While these adjustments will likely seek challenging, they can ultimately lead to improved quality of life and better relationships with others. We’ve detailed some changes recommended by Harvard Health Publishing below.
Set a drinking goal
According to the CDC, drinking in moderation can mean one drink or less a day for women, two drinks or less a day for men, or no alcohol at all. You might set a goal of following these moderation guidelines.
The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend no alcohol at all for people who are pregnant, under the legal drinking age, taking medication that interacts with alcohol, or who are unable to control how much they drink.
Limit exposure to alcohol
Removing temptation is often the easiest way to avoid it. You might choose not to keep alcohol in your home and avoid spending time with people and at places that typically encourage or enable alcohol consumption. If you’re attending events where alcohol will likely be present, such as holiday parties or weddings, an option could be to create a plan to limit your drinking. It may be helpful to be willing to ask for accountability and support from your close friends and family in those situations.
Do you worry about your alcohol use?
Take a break from drinking alcohol
Most people who drink don’t do so every day. You might consider how often you drink and attempt to schedule alcohol-free days, weeks, or months, depending on the frequency of your drinking. This short-term break can bridge the gap to longer breaks and even help you eliminate drinking if that’s your goal.
During your scheduled breaks—and in general—it can help to stay busy, so you don’t potentially perceive that the only way to fill your time is by drinking. You might try new hobbies, make plans with friends, and spend time doing activities that bring you joy.
Track your consumption
Be persistent in trying to reduce alcohol use
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism shared that 90% of individuals living with alcohol use disorder may be likely to relapse. A commitment to reducing your alcohol intake can be a lifelong goal, so there will likely be setbacks. Whether you want to decrease your drinking or stop completely, it is often helpful to recognize that you may experience challenges. This can limit feelings of disappointment and frustration when they occur.
Anticipate symptoms of withdrawal
If you are a heavy drinker, you may experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms during this process. Anticipating withdrawal's physical, mental, and emotional toll can better prepare you for this process. You may need medical treatment to successfully make it through the withdrawal period.
Seek mental health support for alcohol-related challenges
Recovery from addiction can be challenging, but with the help of a mental health counselor and addiction treatment, such as in-person therapy or alcohol online therapy, it is possible. Family therapy sessions can also provide support for both drug use and mental illness. Individuals struggling with alcohol abuse who lack financial resources can benefit from government-sponsored health insurance, which can provide coverage for addiction treatment services such as therapy and medication-assisted treatment.
Remember to be kind to yourself and persistent in your efforts to achieve lasting success.
Takeaway
Those who have alcohol use disorders may experience difficulty limiting their alcohol intake, and this may sometimes have negative impacts on various aspects of their lives.
If you are considering seeking help for an alcohol use disorder, online therapy services can offer a convenient and effective option for treatment. With the ability to schedule online therapy or phone calls, individuals can get traditional therapy methods in a more flexible manner. However, in-person therapy or treatment may still be necessary for certain individuals depending on their individual needs.
Meanwhile, there may be other methods to employ to successfully reduce alcohol consumption, such as tracking drinking patterns, scheduling breaks from alcohol, setting goals for drinking in moderation, limiting alcohol exposure, and embracing persistence throughout the process. Please be sure to reach out for support if you believe it would help you to work with a mental health professional.
Frequently asked questions
What is considered the most effective alcoholism treatment?
Multiple treatments can be effective at treating alcohol use disorder, including the following:
- Behavioral treatments: Behavioral treatment for alcohol use disorder helps people develop the coping skills they need to stop or reduce drinking, build a support system, set reachable goals, and manage or avoid triggers that may make them want to drink. Multiple types of therapy can be effective, including cognitive behavioral therapy, brief intervention, family counseling, and couples counseling.
- Medication: There are medications available that can help mitigate the changes that alcohol causes in the brain that can help some people stop drinking. These medications work by reducing the urge to drink, causing unpleasant symptoms when someone does drink, or managing symptoms of withdrawal and other symptoms that may appear when people stop drinking, which can make it easier for people to maintain abstinence.
- Support groups: Support groups and 12-step programs can provide peer support, which can play an important role in maintaining sobriety.
Everyone will respond to treatment differently. Some people may be able to stop drinking altogether using one of these approaches, while others may need a combination of approaches.
What are five types of therapy that can be used to treat alcohol-related problems?
Five types of therapy that can be used to treat alcohol-related problems include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy: This type of psychotherapy involves working one-on-one with a therapist or in small group sessions. It focuses on changing the thought processes that lead to alcohol misuse and learning how to cope with the situations that may encourage someone to drink.
- Motivational enhancement: Motivational enhancement focuses on identifying the pros and cons of treatment, making a plan for change, building confidence, and developing the skills needed to meet treatment goals.
- Contingency management: This approach involves tangible rewards for achieving specific, measurable goals that reinforce positive behaviors.
- Couples and family counseling: These sessions include partners and other family members in the treatment process and can help improve these relationships.
- Brief interventions: In these short one-on-one or group counseling sessions, people learn about the risks associated with their behaviors. A counselor will give personalized feedback and then work with the person to set and achieve goals and make changes.
What are the best ways to stop drinking alcohol?
Behavioral therapy, medication, and support groups have all been found to be effective in helping people stop drinking alcohol. Some people may have success using only one of these methods, while others may need to use a combination of two or three.
How do you help someone who can’t stop drinking?
Knowing what to do if you are concerned about how much a friend or family member drinks can be challenging. Here are some tips on approaching the topic and what you can do to help.
- Talk to the person about your concerns when they are sober.
- Be clear and straightforward by saying something like, “I am worried about how much alcohol you drink.”
- Avoid using labels or saying something like, “I am worried that you are an alcoholic.”
- When you spend time with them, suggest you do activities that do not involve alcohol. For example, you can start a new hobby together.
- Encourage them to seek support from their doctor or a counselor or to attend a support group.
- Offer to drive them or attend counseling or a meeting with them.
- Prioritize taking care of yourself. Helping someone manage their drinking behavior can be stressful. If you are feeling anxious, depressed, or overwhelmed, reach out to your support system or consider talking to a therapist.
How do psychiatrists and mental health professionals treat alcoholism?
In therapy or counseling, a qualified mental health professional can work with the person to help them understand the thoughts and behaviors that can lead to heavy drinking and learn how to change them. Someone who is receiving treatment for alcohol use disorder will work on developing the skills necessary to drink less alcohol or quit drinking altogether. These skills can include setting goals, learning to cope with triggers that may cause them to start drinking again, and building a strong support system.
What is the first step in the treatment of alcoholism?
For some people, the first step in the treatment of alcoholism may be detox. The more often someone drinks, the more likely they are to experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop drinking. Some people may experience mild withdrawal symptoms, like headache, sweating, or trouble sleeping, while others may have severe symptoms that require in-patient treatment, including tremors, confusion, hallucinations, and seizures.
What are the two drugs used to treat alcohol dependence?
There are multiple drugs used to treat alcohol dependence, including acamprosate, disulfiram, and naltrexone. Acamprosate and naltrexone are used to help reduce cravings, while disulfiram creates an unpleasant reaction to alcohol.
Is there a pill for alcoholics?
Some of the medications used to treat alcohol use disorder are available in pill form.
How long is the treatment for alcohol dependence?
Many factors can contribute to the length of time it takes to be treated for alcohol dependence. Physical withdrawal symptoms can last from six to 72 hours. Mild symptoms typically appear between six and 12 hours after the last drink. For those who have a severe alcohol dependence, hallucinations may begin within 24 hours of their last drink. Symptoms will generally peak between 24 to 72 hours after the last drink and then start to resolve. For people with severe withdrawal, the risk of seizures is highest between 24 and 48 hours. Delirium tremens, a life-threatening severe form of withdrawal, can occur between 24 and 72 hours.
It can also be fair to say that treatment for alcohol dependence is ongoing. Many people may have to work at staying sober for the rest of their lives.
What is the gold standard treatment for alcohol use disorder?
Treatment for alcohol use disorder typically includes withdrawal and detoxification when necessary, counseling, medication, and support groups.
Can I stop drinking on my own?
Cutting back on the amount of alcohol you drink or stopping drinking entirely can make a big difference in your health and well-being, but it can be challenging to do on your own. Some people can experience significant and even life-threatening withdrawal symptoms that can be difficult or even dangerous to manage on their own.
If you want to stop drinking, talk to a medical professional, like a physician or nurse practitioner, to get personalized advice on how you can stop drinking safely and treatment referrals for in-patient care if needed.
How do I know if I’m an alcoholic?
The signs of alcohol addiction are not always obvious, and there aren’t clearly defined criteria for being called an “alcoholic,” an outdated term used to describe someone with alcohol use disorder.
One way to determine if you have a problem with alcohol use is to consider how much and how often you drink. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines heavy drinking as five or more drinks a day or 15 or more drinks per week for men and four or more drinks a day or eight or more drinks per week for women. (In contrast, moderate alcohol use for men is two drinks or less a day; for women, it’s one drink or less a day.)
The NIAAA defines alcohol misuse as “drinking in a manner, situation, amount, or frequency that could cause harm to the person who drinks or to those around them.” This can include drinking frequently or binge drinking, which is drinking a large amount of area in a short period of time.
Alcohol use disorder is a common medical condition in which someone cannot stop or control their alcohol use despite negative effects on their health, work, or social life.
What happens if you can’t stop drinking?
Alcohol has many negative effects on physical and mental health. People who continue to drink increase their risks of developing a number of health conditions, including high blood pressure, stroke, cirrhosis, and multiple types of cancer in the body, including esophageal, colon, and breast cancer. Alcohol use disorder also commonly occurs with other mental illnesses, like sleep disorders, general anxiety disorders, and mood disorders.
What do you call a person who drinks alcohol every day?
Some people may refer to someone who drinks alcohol every day as an alcoholic, but this is an outdated term that healthcare professionals do not use.
What do you say to someone who won’t stop drinking?
Talking to someone about their alcohol use can be difficult. Here are some ideas that can help you start the conversation.
- How about we try having a few nights every week when we don’t have an alcoholic beverage?
- I’m worried about your well-being because I’ve noticed you’ve missed a few days of work lately.
- Many people have quit drinking; you’re not alone.
- What can I do to support you?
- Call or text me when you’re in the mood for a drink.
- I can see you’re not ready to discuss this, but I will be here when you are.
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