Is a year away from alcohol enough to stop having a drinking problem?

[1924]

my 22 year old daughter is in jail for the next year for a hit and run. If she admitted what she did they would have gone easier on her but she refused. She was also drunk when the accident happened and she revealed to me she has a drinking problem. Something I was never able to see before. So I wonder, in jail you obviously won't have access to alcohol. Is one year away from it enough to be able to give it up? If so, then maybe a year in jail won't be a bad thing for her and she will learn some discipline and maybe realize because of her problem she lost her freedom.  I will not lie, it is kind of comforting to know exactly where she is everyday and know she is not out doing something dangerous.

[BluCrystal]

Well, I have seen this go both ways for different people.  Some will stay clean after they come out, others will immediately go back to abuse.  I think you should look at the forum on this site called Alcoholism (found under the forums button at the top of your screen), you may find some helpful advice there.  Your daughter has to WANT to quit, and she has to want it badly enough to give up anything to stay sober.  If she is not at that point, she will not stop.  The best you and other family members can do for her is to refuse to help her get alcohol, and if possible, make it difficult for her to get it.  She will do it anyway.  But sooner or later a light will come on in her head that tells her how much she is hurting herself and her family and her life in general.  That will be the day she asks for help.  God Bless - Blu

[Julia M Aharonov, DO]

Alcoholism is a disease and often it is genetically predisposed, needing a life long treatment. There is a new FDA approved treatment now and most insurances cover it. It is an injection called Vivitrol.  I highly recommend that you look into it. It works for a full month and can be repeated as many times as needed.  It will take away your daughter's drive to drink, lessen the craving for alcohol and decrease binge drinking. It significantly reduces the pleasure alcoholics get from drinking, but does not make them sick. Thus they gradually stop drinking by themselves. You can get a lot of good  information on this medication on website Vivitrol.com.
Good luck to you, it is an awful affliction and invariably leads to tragic result if not treated, but there is hope now.