Psychiatry and psychotherapy for alcohol dependence

The vicious circle of addiction has begun with the process described above. Often, however, behind such a development is a mental illness(depression, anxiety disorder, burn-out, chronic pain, etc.), which can and must be treated well and professionally, or a complex stress situation that requires professional support (medical and therapeutic).

For many people, an addiction problem often begins with a desperate attempt to self-medicate with unsuitable substances (e.g. medication with addictive potential, alcohol or drugs in order to remain efficient and functional in a difficult life situation). In these cases in particular, rapid intervention is required to correct such a crisis in order to avoid dramatic consequential damage (physical, psychological and social).

Very few of those affected drink or consume because they want to or think it's good. Most are in an emergency situation and urgently need multi-professional help. From now on, we can offer you precisely this kind of help in a discreet and pleasant setting.

Medical Treatment for Alcohol Dependence (Dr. Jutta Leth, MD)

In principle, there are two methods of treating alcohol addiction. You can try to slowly and gradually reduce the amount of alcohol you consume by diluting it, or you can temporarily switch from alcohol to benzodiazepines. These drugs prevent the development of a physical withdrawal syndrome (trembling, sweating, restlessness, irritability, insomnia, nausea, epileptic withdrawal seizures and even delirium with psychomotor agitation, delusions and disorientation/confusion). Once the condition has stabilized, they are then slowly reduced and phased out under close medical supervision (this takes around 10 to 14 days on average).

Please contact JUVENIS by phone at +43 1 236 3020by e-mail to empfang@juvenismed.at or via the contact formto make an appointment for a consultation or treatment.

In addition, regular blood pressure and pulse checks, ECG checks and laboratory tests are required. In most cases, gastric protection preparations, vitamin B complex preparations and sleep-inducing antidepressants are also given for several weeks, and if necessary anti-epileptic drugs (as seizure protection and/or mood stabilizers). In rare cases, infusion therapy is required for forced detoxification.

After successfully completing physical (somatic) withdrawal treatment, you can switch to so-called "anticraving drugs" (Campral or Revia) to prevent the craving for alcohol (craving) from recurring and leading to relapses.

Psychotherapy for alcohol addiction (Hilde Winkler)

Psychotherapeutic treatment is recommended in order to remain abstinent after successfully completing physical withdrawal from alcohol.

Every treatment is preceded by a precise diagnosis. In addition, an individual explanatory model is created, which provides insight into the development of the disorder. This includes pre-existing risk factors (e.g. alcohol-dependent parents) as well as triggers (e.g. job loss, separation) and maintaining factors (e.g. high basic tension, lack of problem-solving strategies, pathological personality structure, depression, withdrawal symptoms) of the illness, which are given special consideration as part of the treatment.

The therapeutic relationship between client and psychotherapist is an important factor in treatment. Within this framework, problems from the entire lifespan, i.e. stresses from childhood, difficulties in current life and fears/anxieties about the future, can be dealt with. The therapist provides support in coping and tries to maintain a balance between change and stabilization.

Please contact JUVENIS by phone at +43 1 236 3020by e-mail to empfang@juvenismed.at or via the contact formto make an appointment for a consultation or treatment.

During individual psychotherapeutic sessions, those affected have the opportunity to reflect on and question their problems and ultimately find an individual way of coping with the illness. The therapy supports patients to deepen their decision to abstain, to better recognize the risk of relapse, to reject alcohol offers, to resist cravings and to strengthen their individual skills for relapse prevention and coping. The aim of treatment is also to impart knowledge and skills that will enable our patients to lead an abstinent life and thus promote their long-term health and quality of life. Depending on the problem at hand (e.g. personality disorders, depressive symptoms, anxiety disorders), specific psychotherapeutic methods may be used in individual cases (e.g. relaxation techniques, cognitive techniques, imaginative methods).

In behavioral therapy, a frequency of 1 session per week is common.

A partial refund of the costs via your health insurance is possible if you have a mental disorder that qualifies as an illness.Some private supplementary insurance policies often cover part of the costs—however, patients should check with their supplementary insurance provider.

It is also possible to deduct clinical-psychological treatment from tax as an extraordinary burden.

We have answered the most frequently asked questions about alcohol dependence here. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us at empfang@juvenismed.at or by phone at +43 1 236 3020.

Responsible for the content of this page: MedR. OÄ Dr. med. Jutta Leth & Mag. Hilde Winkler