Behavioral therapy — also known as counseling or talk therapy — is one of the primary ways we treat AUD. Through regular meetings with a psychologist or mental health counselor specializing in addiction treatment, you can learn ways to change your behaviors and your relationship with alcohol. Behavioral therapy can also address underlying mental health conditions that may contribute to your AUD.

UVM Health offers different levels of care to treat patients at all stages of AUD:

• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): Intensive treatment for those who have recently completed inpatient treatment or rehab, are new to recovery, or have had a recent return to use. This consists of structured group therapy three days per week for three hours a day and weekly individual counseling as needed.
• Group counseling – early recovery: Group counseling twice a week for two hours per day, for people in early recovery and who do not need more intensive treatment.
• Group counseling – recovery support: Group therapy once a week or twice a month for one and a half hours, for those who are stable in their recovery and want ongoing support.
• Individual counseling: Weekly or as-needed individual therapy for people who need short-term (two to six months) support.

Three medications have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for AUD. These medications can help treat AUD but do not provide a cure.

• Naltrexone: Reduces the pleasurable feelings you get from drinking
• Acamprosate (Campral): Reduces alcohol cravings
• Disulfram (Antabuse): Makes you feel sick when you drink alcohol

You may also be prescribed medications to treat co-occurring mental health conditions like depression or anxiety.

Case managers and social workers are available to support you in your treatment and recovery. They offer:

• Referrals to community resources for housing and transportation needs
• Help enrolling in Medicaid and other benefits programs
• Continued care planning (discharge planning) after treatment
• Care coordination with outside providers

Some people may require more intensive treatment for AUD. Providers at UVM Health can refer you to programs offering round-the-clock medical supervision and monitoring (often called detox) to help you safely stop using alcohol.

Many of these programs also offer residential treatment (rehab), which typically lasts two to four weeks and can help you learn the skills needed to change your thoughts and behaviors around alcohol.

SBIRT is a comprehensive, integrated public health approach to the delivery of early intervention and treatment services for patients at risk of developing substance use disorders. Screening is incorporated into some UVM Health primary care offices, which allows our trained counselors to identify and intervene with patients using tobacco, alcohol or drugs at risky levels.

Our SBIRT program offers free individual behavioral health counseling to those identified as being at risk for AUD. Our counselors work closely with your primary care provider in order to coordinate your care and support the changes you desire. When a referral is necessary, your counselor will keep in contact with you and your doctor to offer ongoing support and continuity of care.

As part of a health system anchored by an academic center, our physician-leaders have a rich history of introducing research and innovation to improve patient care.

Your provider may talk with you about participating in a clinical trial or research study. Participation is entirely voluntary and can give access to new care methods before they are widely available.

If you are eligible for a specific trial, your provider will explain the benefits and risks of participating and the steps for enrollment.