Diagnostics
In fact, the self-assessment of the person concerned plays a considerable role in determining the presence of an alcohol addiction. As a rule, however, people suffering from alcohol addiction are not able to assess their own drinking behaviour as problematic over a long period of time. In most cases, it is not the affected person himself, but rather his relatives who urge him to initiate a therapy.
Various self-tests are offered both on the Internet and in specialist psychological practices, which can help to expose one’s own drinking behaviour as problematic. In medical diagnostics, there are four methods for determining alcohol addiction as such. According to the German health care regulations, the family doctor is the first point of contact for affected patients.
The general practitioner has the possibility to resort to special screening procedures, which serve the purpose of diagnosing alcohol addiction. Probably the most frequently used test is the so-called AUDIT test (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test). With the help of this test, the patient’s handling of alcoholic beverages is assessed by means of ten specific questions about drinking behaviour.
The MALT test (Munich Alcoholism Test), on the other hand, consists of two parts, a third-party assessment part based on laboratory values, withdrawal symptoms and secondary diseases, and a self-assessment part. The third screening procedure that is frequently used in the family doctor’s practice is the so-called CAGE interview. This procedure consists of four questions that should be answered exclusively with “yes” or “no”.
Patients who have at least two “yes” answers in this test are at risk of alcohol addiction. The questions to be answered within this interview are C = Cut down: “Have you (unsuccessfully) tried to limit your alcohol consumption?” A = Annoyed: “Have other people criticised your drinking behaviour and thereby annoyed you?”
G = Guilty: “Have you ever felt guilty about your drinking?” E = Eye Opener: “Have you ever drunk right after getting up, to ‘get going’ or to calm down? – C = Cut down: “Have you (unsuccessfully) tried to limit your alcohol consumption?”
- A = Annoyed: “Have other people criticized your drinking behavior and made you angry? – G = Guilty: “Have you ever felt guilty about your drinking?” – E = Eye Opener: “Have you ever drunk right after getting up, to ‘get going’ or to calm down?
Treatment
In order to ensure the success of treatment, the therapy of a person suffering from alcoholism should and must take place on several levels simultaneously. The appropriate treatment methods for alcohol addiction can be found in various fields of medicine and psychotherapy. Long-term participation in self-help groups specially adapted to the needs of people suffering from alcohol addiction is also a helpful accompanying measure, especially in the initial stages.
Before the treatment of the alcohol patient’s psychological concerns can begin, the body should be completely freed from the smoking agent. For this reason, detoxification or so-called alcohol withdrawal is the first step in a successful therapy. As a rule, this should take place on an in-patient basis and be monitored by medical supervision.
Many affected patients describe detoxification under direct medical supervision as much easier and more promising. Directly after the in-patient alcohol withdrawal, the now dry alcoholic should be included in a suitable psychotherapeutic treatment. This psychotherapeutic treatment for people suffering from alcohol addiction can be carried out both as an inpatient and outpatient treatment.
Especially in the initial period after withdrawal, it can be assumed, based on the relapse rates, that in-patient treatment is probably the better option. The main purpose of psychotherapy is to strengthen the patient in such a way that he or she can resist the alcohol.