Alcoholism is a medical condition that can be diagnosed and treated, like any other medical condition. Treatment programs for alcoholism can involve multiperson treatment teams which include, among others, social workers, counselors, doctors, and nurses. These individuals work as a team with members of your family to give you the best all-around care possible and get you started on the road to recovery. It is up to you and your healthcare professional treatment team to determine how best to manage the Road to Recovery.

The first step in the treatment process is usually the establishment of a treatment plan, based on information gathered by a counselor or other healthcare provider. The information requested might be factual in nature, like the type, amount, and duration of alcohol consumption, or possibly personal information like work or school performance and mental health issues. The person gathering the information will use all of the resources available to get an accurate picture of your history. This could include interviews with your family members and friends. It is important here to understand that the information your healthcare provider is seeking is not meant to be an invasion of your privacy, but a way to fully understand the roots of the problem so the best care possible can be provided.