Alcohol Services: A Guide to Treatment and Support Resources

Alcohol services include medical treatment, counseling, medication, and support programs designed to help people change their relationship with drinking.

What You'll Discover:

• Types of alcohol services available.

• Medical and medication services.

• Counseling and therapy options.

• Support group services.

• How to access services.

• What to expect from different services.

• Finding the right combination of services.

Various alcohol services exist to help people at every stage of addressing their drinking. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, people who access support services have significantly better outcomes than those who try to change their drinking alone. Understanding available services helps you find what fits your situation.

Types of Alcohol Services

The first thing to know is that alcohol services span a wide range of options.

Medical services:

• Primary care evaluation

• Addiction medicine specialists

• Telehealth consultations

• Detox supervision when needed

• Medication management

Counseling services:

• Individual therapy

• Group therapy

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy

• Family counseling

• Brief interventions

Medication services:

• Prescriptions for FDA-approved medications

• Medication monitoring

• Side effect management

• Ongoing prescription support

Support services:

• AA meetings

• SMART Recovery

• Online communities

• Peer support programs

• Recovery coaching

Program services:

• Outpatient treatment

• Intensive outpatient programs

• Partial hospitalization

• Residential treatment

• Telehealth programs

Something to consider is that these services often work best in combination rather than isolation.

Medical and Medication Services

Medical services provide professional evaluation and medication access.

Primary care: Your regular doctor can:

• Evaluate your drinking

• Screen for alcohol-related health issues

• Prescribe medications like naltrexone

• Provide referrals to specialists

• Monitor progress

Addiction medicine specialists: Physicians specializing in substance use provide:

• Detailed evaluation

• Expertise in medication options

• Management of complex cases

• Coordination with other providers

Telehealth services: Remote medical care offers:

• Video consultations with physicians

• Prescriptions sent to local pharmacy

• Convenient scheduling

• Complete privacy

• No waiting rooms or travel

Medication services: FDA-approved medications for alcohol use disorder include:

• Naltrexone: blocks opioid receptors, reduces cravings, taken as daily 50mg tablet

• Available through telehealth for convenience

Naltrexone works by making alcohol less rewarding. When you drink with the medication in your system, you don't get the same pleasurable effect. Over time, cravings decrease.

Detox services: For people with physical dependence, medically supervised withdrawal may be needed. This ensures safety during the initial period of stopping.

Our article on how naltrexone helps you regain control explains medication options in detail.

Counseling and Therapy Services

Counseling addresses the psychological aspects of alcohol problems.

Individual therapy: One-on-one sessions with a therapist provide:

• Personal attention and focus

• Deep exploration of patterns

• Customized treatment approach

• Confidential support

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): A structured approach that:

• Identifies triggers for drinking

• Develops coping strategies

• Changes thought patterns

• Builds skills for managing urges

Motivational interviewing: A technique that:

• Explores ambivalence about change

• Builds internal motivation

• Respects your autonomy

• Avoids confrontation

Family therapy: Sessions including family members help:

• Improve communication

• Address relationship damage

• Build supportive home environment

• Educate family about alcohol problems

Group therapy: Sessions with other people addressing alcohol include:

• Shared experience and understanding

• Learning from others

• Accountability

• Reduced isolation

For that reason, counseling services complement medical treatment by addressing patterns and underlying issues.

Support Group Services

Peer support provides community connection.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA):

• 12-step program

• Meetings available everywhere

• Sponsor relationships

• Spiritual component (can be adapted)

• Free to attend

SMART Recovery:

• Science-based approach

• Cognitive-behavioral tools

• No spiritual requirement

• In-person and online meetings

• Free to attend

Online communities:

• Reddit communities (r/stopdrinking)

• Forums and apps

• 24/7 availability

• Anonymous participation

• Free access

Recovery coaching: Professional coaches provide:

• Regular accountability check-ins

• Practical strategy development

• Goal setting and tracking

• Often combined with other services

For more on peer support, see our article on sober community.

Program Services

Structured programs offer comprehensive support.

Outpatient treatment:

• Attend sessions while living at home

• Typically 1-3 sessions per week

• Individual and group components

• Flexible scheduling options

Intensive outpatient programs (IOP):

• More hours per week (typically 9-20)

• Usually 3-5 days per week

• Structured curriculum

• Often includes group and individual sessions

• Continue working and living at home

Partial hospitalization:

• Day treatment (5-7 days per week)

• Return home at night

• Intensive support without residential

• Bridge between outpatient and inpatient

Residential treatment:

• Live at treatment facility

• 24-hour care and support

• Structured environment

• Typically 30-90 days

• For more severe situations

Telehealth programs: Comprehensive remote programs offer:

• Medical evaluation via video

• Medication prescriptions

• Coaching or counseling sessions

• Ongoing support

• Complete privacy and convenience

All that said, the right level of service depends on severity and individual circumstances.

How to Access Services

Different pathways lead to alcohol services.

Through insurance:

• Check mental health and substance use benefits

• Ask about in-network providers

• Understand coverage and copays

• Use employee assistance program (EAP) if available

Through primary care:

• Talk to your regular doctor

• Ask about referrals

• Discuss medication options

• Request screening

Through telehealth:

• Research telehealth providers

• Complete online assessment

• Schedule video appointment

• Receive treatment from home

Through SAMHSA:

• Call 1-800-662-4357 (National Helpline)

• Free, confidential, 24/7

• Information and referrals

• Available in English and Spanish

Directly:

• Contact treatment programs directly

• Attend open AA or SMART Recovery meetings

• Join online communities

• Research local resources

If it seems overwhelming to navigate options, consider that many people start with one simple step, such as a telehealth consultation, and build from there.

What to Expect From Services

Understanding what different services provide helps you choose.

From medical services:

• Assessment of your drinking patterns

• Evaluation of physical health

• Discussion of medication options

• Prescription if appropriate

• Follow-up appointments

From counseling:

• Exploration of your relationship with alcohol

• Identification of triggers and patterns

• Development of coping strategies

• Processing of underlying issues

• Ongoing support and accountability

From support groups:

• Shared experience with others

• Practical wisdom from people in recovery

• Regular meeting attendance

• Community connection

• Long-term ongoing support

From structured programs:

• Comprehensive evaluation

• Treatment plan development

• Multiple service components

• Progress monitoring

• Discharge and aftercare planning

Finding the Right Combination

Most people benefit from multiple services working together.

Common combinations:

Medication + coaching: Medical support addresses biological cravings while coaching provides accountability and practical strategies. This combination works well for many people with mild to moderate alcohol problems.

Outpatient + support group: Professional treatment combined with peer support provides structure plus community connection.

Telehealth + online community: Remote medical care with online peer support offers comprehensive support without leaving home.

Intensive program + ongoing support: Initial intensive treatment followed by continuing care and community support.

The right combination depends on:

• Severity of alcohol problem

• Presence of other health issues

• Schedule and logistics

• Personal preferences

• Available resources

Taking the First Step

Alcohol services exist at every level, from brief medical consultations to comprehensive residential programs. Finding the right services starts with understanding your needs and accessing the support that fits your situation.

If you want to explore medical services with medication and coaching support, take the online Alcohol Use Assessment to see if naltrexone and the Choose Your Horizon program might be right for you.