TMS for addiction is a relatively new treatment that has proved to be highly effective in treating alcohol addiction and dependency. Magnetic pulses are used in the non-invasive procedure to target the region in the brain responsible for cravings. Patients can start their road to recovery without medication while allowing TMS to address withdrawal symptoms.
When alcohol becomes a problem
Several alcohol misuse indicators are easily recognized. However, some signs are more challenging to identify because of the person’s tolerance to and concealment of alcohol. Often, alcoholism is disregarded when it is not severe, but over time, a problem that initially seems trivial can become dangerous.
If left untreated, alcohol abuse can spiral out of control, negatively impacting one’s life and relationships. The ability to recover is significantly improved by receiving the appropriate care. Even though there isn’t a precise test to identify if someone is an alcoholic, the following symptoms frequently co-occur and may trigger the onset of other symptoms.
- Having momentary blackouts or memory loss.
- Displaying impatience and drastic mood swings.
- Providing justifications for drinking, such as needing to manage stress.
- Alcohol has become a priority and gets precedence over responsibilities and activities.
- Increased self-isolation to secretly drink.
- Having no control and regulation of where and when to drink and how much to consume.
- Drinking privately at work at inappropriate times, or missing work to stay home and drink.
- Needing to drink more to experience the same effect leads to increased tolerance.
- Showing signs of stress when not drinking, which results in urges and cravings.
Alcohol addiction treatment – what methods of treatment are available?
Generally, the first step in treating alcohol dependence is the drinker acknowledging there is a problem. Next is to seek help from a healthcare professional who will recommend a combination of treatments commonly used to treat alcohol-use disorders:
Detoxification and withdrawal
Detox is abstaining from any form of alcohol while under medical supervision to deal with the emotional and physical withdrawal symptoms. A medically managed withdrawal may be the first step in treatment, which could be up to a week in a hospital or inpatient treatment facility.
Psychological counseling
Patients can better understand their alcohol use disorder with group and individual therapy, which starts and supports the recovery from the psychological effects of alcohol abuse. Couples or family therapy also help the healing process and restore relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can improve negative thinking patterns that lead to drinking.
Support groups
Mutual help groups help partly because of the new network of support that a person gains. They can help people adjust their thinking and attitudes toward themselves and others. For example, Alcoholics Anonymous is a global organization that offers a framework for introspection and a path to alcohol-free recovery through a twelve-step program.
Pharmacological treatments
For individuals attempting to abstain, medications may also play a part in preventing relapse. Although prescribed drugs won’t cure alcohol abuse or stop the need to drink, they can aid in abstinence. Other medicines may help to avoid binge drinking, lessen urges, and manage cravings once drinking has stopped. Each medication comes with its side effects.
How does TMS treat alcohol addiction?
When a person stops alcohol, withdrawal symptoms can be incapacitating and affect the entire body. Conventional therapies like CBT or group therapy may not be sufficient to prevent relapses since the cravings may be too strong to ignore. TMS for addiction can aid patients who have recently completed a detox program to extend their success by decreasing associated cravings, managing triggers, and altering perceived dependence.
TMS for alcohol addiction uses concentrated magnetic pulses to target a region of the brain known to be responsible for alcoholic urges. TMS has grown in popularity as a neuromodulation therapy for alcoholism. Repetitive sessions have been demonstrated to reduce cravings and boost abstinence rates.
What are the benefits of TMS therapy for alcohol addiction?
TMS for alcoholism is a safe and effective treatment option for alcohol addiction that offers the following benefits:
No hospitalization.
TMS is non-invasive and does not require surgery or sedation. It is done in a clinician’s practice where the patient comfortably receives treatment while they are awake.
No recovery period.
There is no recovery and rest period after treatment and patients can go back to work as usual after the session. There may be mild and temporary side effects that can be managed with over-the-counter painkillers.
No medications.
Patients do not receive anesthetic, nor do they require prescribed medications before, during, or after treatment. The overseeing clinician will advise if the current medication should be discontinued.
Low risk.
This is a low-risk procedure with rare serious side effects for patients who are eligible for TMS therapy. Additionally, there is no hospitalization, sedation, or recovery required that could complicate treatment.
Are there any side effects?
Even though TMS therapy is generally well tolerated, there are a few potential side effects to be aware of before starting treatment. The most common adverse effects are relatively minor, and they most often occur in the first few therapy sessions. Moderate headaches, dizziness, and mild scalp irritation are possible, and seizures are the most severe but rarest side effects.
Does TMS therapy for alcohol addiction really work?
There has been plenty of evidence that shows how damaging alcohol is to one’s health, relationships, functioning, and future. Excessive alcohol use accounts for approximately 6% of deaths globally, and only 25% of people with alcohol addiction ever receive treatment, and conventional treatments have not always been effective. Addiction is a disease that is fully treatable with the right resources.
Research shows that TMS therapy for alcohol addiction can significantly reduce cravings to prevent relapse and counteract the addiction’s neurological effects in the prefrontal cortex. TMS stimulates neurons and causes gradual changes in the brain when treatment is applied consistently over the course of a few weeks.
Patients who are dependent on alcohol must complete a detox treatment before they can start TMS therapy. Following treatment, the clinician can advise on continuous care programs and additional psychotherapies that can help support the transition to sobriety.
