Successful treatment programs usually involve a combination of medication, psychotherapy, community aid programs, and the support of family and friends. Recovery rates vary from 20 to 80 percent. The earlier help is sought, the greater the chance of recovery.

Most alcoholics should be hospitalized in the early phases of treatment, especially when there are physical complications or when active intervention is needed to interrupt drinking patterns.

Be wary of drugs or other products that claim to cure alcoholism. There are no easy or secret treatments, no drugs conclusively demonstrated to remove or overcome addiction to alcohol permanently and safely, or to make it possible for the alcoholic to drink normally.

Recovery requires total abstention. Those who have recovered say that it’s the first drink that gets you drunk. Most specialists hold that no alcoholic can ever learn to drink moderately. For almost all alcoholics a return to drinking, even after many years of complete sobriety, will often trigger all of the old symptoms. Recovered alcoholics should also avoid cough medicines and other over-the –counter drugs that contain alcohol.