Alcohol Treatment in Charleston, SC
Confidential medication management for alcohol use disorder — you do not have to quit before you call.
Charleston and Alcohol
Charleston is a hospitality city — restaurants, bars, rooftop lounges, wine tours, brewery crawls. Social events center on drinking. Business meetings happen over cocktails. The pressure to participate is real, and the line between social drinking and problematic drinking can blur gradually. Alcohol use disorder exists on a spectrum from mild to severe, and you do not have to hit bottom before seeking treatment.
At Hope Addiction Medicine in West Ashley, we provide confidential, judgment-free medication management for alcohol use disorder. Our approach is evidence-based and tailored to your goals — whether that is complete abstinence or a significant reduction in drinking.
Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder
Naltrexone (oral) is taken daily and reduces the rewarding effects of alcohol. Many patients find that drinking becomes less appealing and easier to control. Vivitrol (injectable naltrexone) is the same medication delivered as a monthly injection in our office — eliminating daily compliance concerns. Acamprosate helps restore the brain chemistry disrupted by chronic alcohol use and reduces the anxiety and restlessness of early sobriety. Your provider will select the medication that best matches your clinical profile and treatment goals.
DUI and Court-Ordered Treatment
We accept patients referred by DUI courts, drug courts, probation, and pretrial services in the greater Charleston area. We provide compliance documentation and communicate directly with your court officer or attorney as needed. Court-referred patients receive the same quality of care as self-referred patients. Whether you came on your own or were sent by a court, you will be treated with respect and clinical expertise.
Common Symptoms
Treatment Options
Frequently Asked Questions
No. You do not have to stop drinking before your first appointment. Your provider will evaluate your situation and discuss the safest way to begin medication.
Yes. Some patients use naltrexone as part of a harm-reduction approach to reduce their drinking rather than abstain completely. Your provider will discuss your goals.
We respect all recovery pathways. If you participate in AA or other recovery programs, we coordinate with those efforts. If you prefer a medication-only approach, that is also fine.
Yes. Most insurance plans including Medicaid and Medicare cover outpatient alcohol use disorder treatment and FDA-approved medications like naltrexone and Vivitrol.