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  1. Find Your Way to Alcohol Treatment

    Searching for alcohol treatment can be overwhelming. The Navigator will help you focus your search to find higher quality treatment, which can increase the odds of success.

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  5. What is alcohol use disorder (AUD)? What are the symptoms?

    Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a condition that health care professionals diagnose when a patient’s drinking pattern causes significant distress or harm. Previously known as alcohol abuse or alcoholism, AUD can be mild, moderate, or severe. AUD can cause lasting changes in the brain that make patients vulnerable to relapse. The good news is that no matter how severe the problem may seem, most people with AUD can benefit from treatment with behavioral therapies, medications, or both.

  6. How common is a “dual diagnosis”—such as AUD plus anxiety or depression—and how is this treated?

    National data indicate that at least one-third of all persons enrolled in addiction treatment programs for alcohol use disorder (AUD) have a co-occurring mental health disorder—most often anxiety or depression. Likewise, about one out of every four people treated in mental health programs have a co-occurring substance use disorder—most commonly, AUD.

  7. In addition to alcohol, my loved one is also addicted to opioids (pain medications). Can the Navigator help me?

    Individuals with opioid addiction should seek help from a medical professional who is specially qualified to treat this condition.  The medications, providers, qualifications, and regulations for opioid addiction treatment are different from those for alcohol use disorder treatment. 

  8. What is meant by “evidence-based care”?

    Evidence-based care is treatment that is grounded in the best available scientific research, showing a clear link between improved patient outcomes and the use of medications, behavioral therapies, or other treatment components.

  9. What Is Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)?

    Learn the basics of problem alcohol use, the different treatment options available, and what information you’ll need to gather as you start your search for alcohol treatment.

  10. How did NIAAA choose these five signs of higher-quality care?

    The NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator® recommends that people seeking alcohol treatment look for providers with five signs of higher-quality care: credentials, comprehensive assessment, customized treatment plan, evidence-based treatments, and continuing recovery support. These signs are based on a review of the addiction health services research literature and the consensus of health professionals who are experts in alcohol treatment.