Alcoholism is a treatable disease and many treatment programs and approaches are available to support alcoholics who have decided to get help, but no medical cure availableRegardless of how someone is diagnosed as alcohol dependent or how they came to realize they have a serious drinking problem, the first step to treatment is a sincere desire to get help Alcoholics who are pressured into treatment by social pressure or forced to quit by circumstances rarely succeed in the long runEven most alcoholics who seek help on their own volition have at least one relapse before they obtain long-term sobrietyAlcohol WithdrawalAlmost all alcoholics who have been chronic, heavy drinkers will experience some level of withdrawal symptoms when they suddenly stop drinking These symptoms can range from mild shakes and discomfort to life-threatening delirium tremens