Medical Health Encyclopedia

A technique known as motivational interviewing is aimed at motivating people with alcoholism to change their own behavior. Studies suggest that it is very helpful in encouraging people to quit, even including those with mental illnesses. With this technique, the therapist uses empathy and a nonargumentative approach to encourage patients to make their own changes and to solve their own problems.

Behavioral Therapies for Partners

Partners of people with alcoholism can also benefit greatly from behavioral approaches that help them cope with their mate. Of note, children of an alcoholic mother or father may do better if both parents participate in couples-based therapy, rather than just treating the parent with alcoholism.

Treating Sleep Disturbances

Nearly all patients who are alcohol dependent suffer from insomnia and sleep problems, which can last months to years after abstinence. Sleep disturbances may even be important factors in relapse. Available therapies include sleep hygiene, bright light therapy, meditation, relaxation methods, and other nondrug approaches. Many medications for inducing sleep are not recommended in people with alcoholism. [For more information, see In-Depth Report #27: Insomnia.]

Alternative Methods

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Some people try alternative methods, such as acupuncture or hypnosis. Such approaches are not harmful. In one study acupuncture reduced the desire for alcohol in nearly half of people, although it was not significantly more helpful than conventional treatments.