How can I Help Myself?

You have already begun helping yourself by coming to this web site and learning about alcohol use and misuse. The more you know about the effects of alcohol and the interaction it can have with medications, the better able you will be in understanding your options. Knowing how much you drink, your drinking patterns, and why you drink are important in gaining an understanding of what to do. Options range from

• changing your drinking habits
  
• increasing activities without alcohol
  
• utilizing treatment options such as
  
  • brief interventions
    
  • structured outpatient programs
    
  • impatient treatment programs

You may begin by talking honestly with your doctor or trusted health professional. Having a frank discussion about the amounts of alcohol you drink, your current health, and both prescribed and over-the-counter medications and supplements you are taking will help in assessing what the best options are for you.

Enlisting the help of a trusted family member or friend may be useful in providing you with the support you need to address your concerns.

Sometimes people can develop a healthier life style and modify their drinking on their own. The 12 step program offered by Alcoholics Anonymous has been wonderfully successful for older people wanting to stop drinking.

If you try to stop drinking and

• feel nauseated
  
• have tremors
  
• feel increased anxiety

you need medical intervention, and should

• ask for an immediate appointment with your physican
  
• seek services from a mental health clinic
  
• or go to your local emergency room

Depending on the amount of alcohol or drugs you consume, it may be necessary for hospitalization for a safe withdrawal from these substances. Mental health services from professionals trained in substance abuse can provide suggestions and support to reduce or eliminate alcohol intake. Sometimes people need hospitalization to clean out their system from the toxicity of alcohol (called detoxification), or certain medication may make eliminating alcohol easier and safer. Look for various options under the Treatment Options section of this web site.