Alcohol use disorder treatment

Overview

Alcohol use disorder is a treatable medical condition. It can range from mild to severe and may involve difficulty controlling drinking, cravings, or continuing to drink despite problems with health, relationships, or work.

Care begins with an evaluation to understand your drinking, health history, and goals. We’ll talk through treatment options with you, which may include therapy, medication, or both.

Therapy

Therapy can help you understand patterns in your drinking, build skills for managing cravings and stress, and work toward the goals you set with your therapist.

We offer individual therapy in person at our Lisle office and through telehealth for patients in Illinois when appropriate. Therapy can be used on its own or alongside medication.

Naltrexone

Naltrexone is a medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating alcohol use disorder. It is available as a daily tablet.

Naltrexone is not habit-forming. It is an opioid antagonist, which means it blocks opioid receptors, so it cannot be started while opioids are in your system and it can affect pain treatment that uses opioid medications.

Vivitrol (extended-release naltrexone)

Vivitrol is a monthly injection of extended-release naltrexone. It is FDA-approved for alcohol dependence and may be an option for people who prefer not to take a daily pill.

Before starting Vivitrol, your clinician will review your medical history, current alcohol and opioid use, and other medications to decide whether it is appropriate for you.

Care at Lott Behavioral Health

Treatment plans are individualized. Your provider will help you weigh therapy and medication options, monitor how treatment is going, and adjust your plan over time.