The South Okanagan Similkameen is one of the first regions in Canada to champion a medical approach to treating alcohol use disorder 害羞草研究所� an option to eliminate cravings and withdrawal symptoms, making a full recovery possible for just about anyone.

For many years, Nienke Klaver, a well-known community organizer and health-care advocate in Princeton, has had trouble controlling cravings and the amount of alcohol she drinks.

Thanks to a new treatment option now available in her community, her life has transformed. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 absolutely fantastic,害羞草研究所� said Klaver. 害羞草研究所淚 don害羞草研究所檛 have cravings anymore.害羞草研究所�

To begin treatment, Klaver visited her family doctor who prescribed a medication to be taken for a short period of time to eliminate cravings. 害羞草研究所淚t started working right away,害羞草研究所� she said.

Alcohol Use Disorder is a medical condition like any other such as heart disease.

In this case, medications work to heal the part of the brain that causes cravings and intensifies withdrawal symptoms.

Several medication options are available for trialing with a patient, depending upon their personal, family or consumption history 害羞草研究所� meaning that a full recovery is possible for just about everyone.

Klaver appreciates that the compassionate understanding and treatment of alcohol use disorder as a medical condition removes stigma and judgment.

害羞草研究所淚 never had a problem telling friends that I害羞草研究所檓 an alcoholic but AUD sounds so much better,害羞草研究所� she said 害羞草研究所淚t implies you have a disease like diabetes and that it害羞草研究所檚 not really your fault that you drink too much.害羞草研究所�

Providing freedom from cravings and withdrawal symptoms is an important part of this approach, as it makes it easier for people to seek counselling, talk with family or to access community services and supports, if they are needed.

Klaver adds she also appreciates that this approach doesn害羞草研究所檛 require abstinence, and that people have the power to choose how much they want to consume.

害羞草研究所淚 might quit altogether one day, but for now I like to have a glass of wine every now and then.害羞草研究所�

It害羞草研究所檚 exciting that Princeton is a leading community when it comes to offering this treatment option, especially as providing relief and destigmatizing alcohol use can be helpful to those trying to cope with the added pressure of ongoing crises.

More broadly, this approach can help reduce alarming statistics in our region.

For the past decade, the communities in the interior region of BC have had higher rates of alcohol consumption than the rest of the province.

According to a recent report by our region害羞草研究所檚 Medical Health Officer, in 2017 we saw 589 alcohol-related deaths in our region, and in 2018, 5,090 hospitalizations.

Both those rates are increasing, exacerbated by a 30 per cent increase in alcohol consumption since the start of the pandemic.

As a non-profit, in partnership with the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen, the Canadian Alcohol Use Disorder Society plans to continue helping more people like Klaver know that hope for recovery is within reach in many communities in the Okanagan Similkameen, and in Princeton specifically.

For more information please visit our website www.cauds.org, share and watch for more columns in this mini-series, or speak with a family doctor or nurse practitioner.

害羞草研究所淕ive it a try,害羞草研究所� encouraged Klaver. 害羞草研究所淚t worked for me.害羞草研究所�

Heather Allen is the communications director for the Canadian Alcohol Use Disorder Society, a national nonprofit, which advocates for a more effective and compassionate approach to treating alcohol use disorder as a medical condition. The organization formed in Penticton and is proud to collaborate with a variety of health-care organizations, and to work in partnership with the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen.

Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email:andrea.demeer@similkameenspotlight.com