While people who are alcohol abusers but who are not dependent on alcohol may be successful at practicing moderation, those who are dependent need to stop drinking entirely. Achieving and maintaining sobriety through alcohol abstinence usually requires a treatment program with three phases: intervention, detoxification, and rehabilitation. Intervention involves helping the patient realize and address the problem either by confronting them or by simply helping them see how drinking is affecting their life. Detoxification involves withdrawing from alcohol in a controlled setting (often a medical clinic) with medication to control withdrawal symptoms. After this, rehabilitation begins, which requires a lifelong commitment to abstain from alcohol.

Rehabilitation is not easy. Successful treatment programs that help rehabilitate alcoholics usually offer counseling, support, therapy, alcohol education, and medical treatment for the problems caused by long-term alcohol use. Depending on the severity of the problem, treatment may be inpatient, in which the patient lives at the treatment facility, or outpatient, where they attend meetings but live at home.

Prescription medications are available that can help some people avoid relapses. They are usually prescribed in combination with counseling or therapy. These include:

• Disulfiram (Antabuse): produces unpleasant side effects including nausea if the patient drinks even a small amount of alcohol within two weeks of taking the drug.
• Naltrexone (ReVia): decreases alcohol cravings and also causes unpleasant side effects if alcohol is consumed. It is available in a pill and an injected form.
• Acamprosate (Campral): is a newer anti-craving medication that may help combat alcohol cravings and lowers the chances of relapse. Unlike the other two drugs, acamprosate does not cause illness if the patient drinks while taking it.

A doctor can work with the patient to decide which of these drugs may be the best option for them. They can also provide the patient and their family guidance and support to help ensure the patient takes their medication properly.