Individuals who have Certified Intervention Professional (CIP) credentials have been specifically trained and certified to perform interventions. The team should also ask how much intervention experience the person has, and the type of intervention model they use. This will help the team decide whether or not the person’s approach is suitable for their needs. Motivational enhancement is conducted over a short period of time to build and strengthen motivation to change drinking behavior.

• Often, children, partners, siblings and parents are on the receiving end of abuse, violence, threats and emotional upheaval because of alcohol and drug issues.
• By leveraging technology, AA continues to evolve, meeting the dynamic needs of its members and enhancing the global recovery network.
• NIAAA’s Alcohol Treatment Navigator can guide you to providers who offer evidence-based behavioral health treatment near you, as well as telehealth and online options.
• By finding the right meeting style, individuals can enhance their recovery journey, ensuring that their sessions are both impactful and supportive.

Recommend Evidence-Based Treatment: Know the Options

Results were reported across 36 included published articles (see Table 1). Twenty-one of the 27 studies were RCTs/quasi-experiments; five were nonrandomized and one was purely economic. Twenty-six of these primary studies contributed to the estimate of the effect of AA/TSF and one was used purely for economic purposes (Mundt et al., 2012) and therefore did not contribute to the estimate of the effect of AA/TSF as it did not include a comparison condition. Three of the studies contributing to the estimate of the effectiveness of AA/TSF also included economic studies, for a total of four included economic studies reported across five papers. Most studies were conducted in the USA, with the exception of three conducted in Norway (1 study, Vederhus et al., 2014), the UK (1 study, Manning et al., 2012) and Canada (1 study, Brown et al., 2002). None of the studies included a waitlist control; thus, AA/TSF was always compared to some kind of active treatment.

How to Find an Interventionist for Alcohol

We also included economic studies that examined formal healthcare cost offsets due to the potential healthcare cost savings of people using freely available AA. Building a strong support network through sobriety support groups and community resources provides essential reinforcement during these turbulent times. The early days of sobriety often involve confronting emotions previously numbed by alcohol. Openness to this emotional exploration can significantly aid in recovering from alcohol dependency. Moreover, recognizing that emotions are a natural part of the healing journey empowers one to embrace vulnerability and foster emotional awareness.

An Ongoing Process

The inclusive nature of the twelve-step program allows individuals to redefine their identities, free from the confines of addiction. Here, empowerment is not just a goal; it is a continuous process nurtured by the support and guidance of the AA community. Using a sobriety calculator can significantly enhance the recovery process by measuring progress and milestones. These calculators, available online, allow individuals in recovery to track the number of days, months, or years of sobriety they have achieved. This tangible record of progress serves as a powerful motivator, reinforcing commitment to the recovery journey. By witnessing their achievements, individuals can gain a deeper sense of empowerment and pride in their accomplishments.

In three studies, AA/TSF had higher healthcare cost savings than outpatient treatment, CBT, and no AA/TSF treatment. The fourth study found that total medical care costs decreased for participants attending CBT, MET, and AA/TSF treatment, but that among participants with worse prognostic characteristics AA/TSF had higher potential cost savings than MET (moderate-certainty evidence). In conclusion, clinically-delivered TSF interventions designed to increase AA participation usually lead to better outcomes over the subsequent months to years in terms of producing higher rates of continuous abstinence.

This effect is achieved largely by fostering increased AA participation beyond the end of the TSF intervention. AA/TSF will probably produce substantial healthcare cost savings while simultaneously improving alcohol abstinence. Although AA is well-known and used by millions around the world, mental health professionals are sometimes skeptical of its effectiveness, Humphreys said.

• Primary care professionals can offer medications for AUD along with brief counseling (see Core article on brief intervention).
• These reflections are catalysts for hope, reinforcing the belief that recovery is not only a destination but a fulfilling journey.
• If you’re wondering whether a 12-Step program is right for you, discuss the option with your therapist, doctor, or addiction care specialist, who can provide insight that’s specific to you and your needs.
• Your loved one may feel attacked and become isolated or more opposed to treatment.
• These organizations welcome inquiries from concerned friends or family members of individuals with alcohol use disorders.

Two review authors independently scanned the abstract, title or both of every record to determine which studies should be considered for inclusion. Full-text articles were independently evaluated for inclusion and discrepancies resolved through discussion with the third author. Study data (e.g. study design, sample characteristics, study outcomes, etc.) were extracted from included studies by two authors who used a standardized data extraction form. Original study authors were contacted for clarification or additional study details when necessary.

Treatment takes place in a variety of settings, and the one that’s right for you depends on your individual needs. If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States. Matching the right therapy to the individual is important to its success. It may also be helpful to determine whether the treatment will be adapted to meet changing needs as they arise. Alcohol-related problems—which result from drinking too much, too fast, or too often—are among the most significant public health alcoholism symptoms issues in the United States.

• This variation provides options tailored to personal comfort and openness levels.
• AA typically operates in local rented accommodation (e.g. churches/synagogues, hospitals, community centers and colleges) with meetings typically lasting 60–90 minutes.
• But you can remove yourself — and any children — from a dangerous situation.
• People who struggle with addiction often won’t accept their situation and don’t want to seek treatment.
• Mutual support groups may be beneficial for providing a sense of community for those in recovery.
• We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-RCTs and non-randomized studies that compared AA or TSF (AA/TSF) with other interventions, such as motivational enhancement therapy (MET) or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), TSF treatment variants, or no treatment.

Treatments Led by Health Care Providers

It’s very important to work with a professional for an intervention to succeed. This is especially true if you think your loved one may react violently or harm themselves. People who struggle with addiction often won’t accept their situation and don’t want to seek treatment. They may not accept the negative effects their behavior has on themselves and others.

If you’re wondering whether a 12-Step program is right for you, discuss the option with your therapist, doctor, or addiction care specialist, who can provide insight that’s specific to you and your needs. Couples and family counseling incorporates spouses and other family members in the treatment process and can play an important role in repairing and improving family relationships. Studies show that strong family support through family therapy increases the chances of maintaining abstinence (not drinking) compared with people going to individual counseling. If you are a licensed therapist, see the Resources, below, for therapy manuals from NIAAA-sponsored clinical trials. The manuals contain modules for alcohol-focused CBT, motivational enhancement, mutual support group facilitation, and other evidence-based approaches that can help you treat clients who have AUD.

Acknowledging milestones in recovery is essential in reinforcing the path to sobriety. Acknowledging the progress made, whether it be days, months, or years of sobriety, empowers individuals to remain committed to their recovery. Tools like a sobriety calculator serve as a tangible reminder of these achievements, motivating people to continue striving toward new goals. Celebrating these victories is not just about looking back; it’s an affirmation of one’s strength and perseverance.

As shown in Table 2, other outcomes were comparatively rarely reported across included studies. In general, among the most rigorous studies (1A grouping), there were some slight advantages of AA/TSF on alcohol-related consequences and addiction severity; otherwise, AA/TSF performed equally well as comparison treatments. AA researchers have become increasingly sophisticated at finding methods to rigorously evaluate AA, including in randomized clinical trials.