“What are the symptoms of alcoholism?” Janet asked Megan, her drinking friend.  “Is it possible that we are becoming alcohol dependent?”  Megan thought about these questions for a few seconds and then told Janet that they might in fact be addicted to alcohol but that they need to find out the facts from someone who an alcoholism professional or a doctor.

“Do you think we should talk to counselor Paterson at school?” wondered Megan.  “I heard from my boyfriend Paul that Miss Paterson is “approachable” and is particularly knowledgeable about drug and alcohol addiction.  Let’s go and talk with her tomorrow” Janet added.

So both girls went to school the next day and stopped in to talk to counselor Paterson after school.  Miss Paterson called the lab at the local hospital and scheduled a series of tests the girls would take the next morning that would help determine the extent of their abusive drinking and whether they are alcohol abusers or dependent on alcohol.

After talking to Miss Paterson, both girls were much relieved and felt good about themselves for finally deciding to address their drinking problems.

According to the substance abuse research literature, the most effective treatment programs for overcoming drug and alcohol addiction incorporate a wide variety of approaches such as social services and rehabilitation, behavioral therapies, out-patient drug or alcohol treatment follow-up, recovery support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, counseling, and drug therapy via doctor prescribed medications.