Alcohol Addiction Centre

Going to an alcohol addiction centre is a choice many people have made to better their lives and find freedom from their alcohol abuse issues. Alcoholism is one of the most common addictions there is. Because alcohol is legal, it’s readily available and often promoted as a way to let loose and take it easy at the end of the day. Alcohol however, is also highly addictive and can become a serious problem for people that end up abusing it. If you or a person you love is struggling with an alcohol problem, getting help is often the best way out. Alcohol abuse can be devastating, but doesn’t have to be when help is so readily available. There are countless alcohol addiction centres across the UK that can help with a variety of different needs regarding alcohol abuse and dependency.

Understanding Alcohol Abuse

Alcoholism is a problem that can be difficult to recognise. Not only is alcohol legal, it’s also widely accepted socially, and even encouraged in many circles. Alcohol has long been promoted as a great way to relax and have a good time and there are countless people worldwide that use it to do just that. The problem is that for some, drinking alcohol occasionally simply doesn’t work. Just because it’s legal, doesn’t mean alcohol isn’t addictive. Drinking every day to excess is unfortunately a reality that many people face.

Figuring out if you or a loved one has a drinking problem isn’t always as straightforward as it might seem, simply because it’s sometimes difficult to gauge between an acceptable level of alcohol consumption and when someone has issues with drinking too much. Alcohol abuse can be tricky, but if you suspect you or a loved one might have a problem with alcohol abuse, it’s important to know your different options regarding help. Alcoholism is a serious condition that if left untreated can cause irreparable damage, not just to the addict, but the people that care about them as well.

Signs of Alcohol Addiction

Because alcohol is so easy to abuse, it’s easy to slip into the threshold of addiction without even realising you’ve done so. Confronting the idea that your problem with drinking might be more serious than you thought is never easy, but it’s important to be objective in the face of denial. Even if your drinking is only problematic, becoming dependent on alcohol is an easy thing to do.

Knowing what to look for in yourself or a loved one is vital if you’re questioning a problem with addiction. The following are all signs of alcoholism:

• The inability to stop drinking once you start
• Regularly experiencing blackouts
• Lying about or hiding your drinking
• Drinking to relax or feel better about yourself on a regular basis
• Neglecting responsibilities
• Drinking when you shouldn’t be drinking (at work, school, etc.)
• Experiencing problems in your relationships because of your drinking
• Drinking more to receive desired effects
• Having mental and/or physical withdrawal

Experiencing just one of these signs doesn’t necessarily warrant a serious problem with alcohol, but if you or someone you love is going through two or more on a regular basis, this could mean there is a serious problem with alcohol consumption.

Alcohol Withdrawal and Detox

Withdrawal from alcohol can be deadly depending on the severity of a person’s addiction. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome occurs in people who have been drinking heavily for weeks, months, or years and then suddenly stop. Severe cases of alcohol withdrawal will most often require a medically-assisted detox. It’s vital that those with a severe addiction to alcohol do not try to detox on their own.

Even amongst people with an addiction to alcohol that isn’t as severe, withdrawal from alcohol can be a debilitating process. Common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include anxiety, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, mood swings, irritability, confusion, and depression. For critical cases of alcohol addiction, hallucinations, fevers, and seizures can be a side effect of not drinking as well.

Detoxing from alcohol in a professional setting is an integral part of the rehab process. Because alcohol withdrawal can present grave danger to those with more serious cases of addiction, detoxing with the aid of a professional medical staff is highly recommended.

Alcohol Addiction Treatment Options

Although admitting to a problem with alcohol isn’t easy, getting help is vital to living a future free from addiction. While some people can put down the bottle and never look back, most people that suffer from alcoholism will need to get some kind of help. Treatment for alcohol abuse comes in many different forms. Knowing the options when facing the idea of getting help for addiction can make the process far less daunting.

Inpatient Alcohol Treatment

When getting inpatient addiction treatment, an individual will stay at the alcohol addiction centre the entire length of their programme. The average inpatient stay is anywhere between 28 and 90 days, but can be longer if a person needs more time to recover. At an inpatient centre, there are no external distractions and all a person needs to focus on is getting well. The goal of an inpatient addiction programme is to give an addict all the tools and resources they need to successfully overcome their addiction.

After intake, detox is the first thing to take place and will most often happen at the inpatient centre. Sometimes detox will take place at another facility, although the goal of inpatient treatment is to completely remove a person from the external environment. Therapy is an integral part of any rehab programme and will make up a large part of a person’s stay at an inpatient centre. Counselling and therapy should be expected daily, as well as various treatment modalities that aid in the recovery process. A quality inpatient centre will also offer a detailed aftercare plan to ensure a person is successful in maintaining their sobriety.

Outpatient Alcohol Treatment

For people who are unable to take an extended stay away from home, outpatient rehab is a viable alternative to an inpatient setting. At an outpatient alcohol addiction centre, a person will still get the help for addiction that they need, but they will stay at home while they do so. Outpatient treatment is best suited for people with other responsibilities to attend to, as well as individuals who haven’t struggled with addiction for a long time.

In an outpatient setting, a patient will go to several appointments each week where they will receive therapy and the various treatments beneficial for overcoming addiction. Outpatient rehab services aren’t nearly as intensive as an inpatient programme, but they do provide people with what they need to successfully overcome addiction.

What is Private Rehab?

When looking for alcohol addiction treatment options, private rehab is something you’ll most likely come across. Private rehabs are addiction treatment programmes that are privately funded and offer a wide variety of options to people looking for addiction rehabilitation services. Private rehabs can range from the most basic accommodations to luxury facilities with state-of-the-art amenities. Private rehab is most often paid for out of pocket, though some insurance companies will pay for help at a private alcohol addiction centre.

What Treatment is Best for You?

Ultimately, you’re the only person who can decide what the best treatment option is for you or a loved one struggling that is struggling from problems with alcohol. An inpatient setting can be the most beneficial simply because it offers a safe place where the only thing a person has to think about is getting well. Outpatient treatment however, can be just as beneficial, especially for those who can’t forgo their other responsibilities.

How Successful are Addiction Treatment Programmes?

Studies have shown that getting treatment for alcohol addiction drastically increases a person’s chances in maintaining sobriety. A person’s success rate is dependent on several different factors including age, gender, the nature of a person’s addiction, and they type of treatment they received. A person’s attitude will also influence the success they experience with their treatment programme.

Aftercare for Recovering Alcoholics

Aftercare is an integral part of addiction treatment. The importance of attending an aftercare programme should not be underestimated. Most alcohol addiction centres will put together a detailed aftercare programme that includes strategies for staying sober and avoiding relapse. Continued therapy and participation in 12-step programmes like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) have been shown to be extremely beneficial for sustained sobriety after treatment is over.

Getting Treatment for Alcoholism in the UK

Deciding on treatment for alcohol addiction is the best thing a person can do to regain their freedom. After making the decision to get help for addiction, the next step is finding the best treatment centre possible to fit your individual needs. We can provide you with an array of different options…and help through the entire process of choosing the best rehab.

When helping you choose an alcohol addiction centre, we look at numerous different factors based upon your own personal circumstances. We believe patient needs are the number one priority and are here to ensure you get into an alcohol addiction centre that will best suit your needs. We want to see you overcome your alcohol addiction and will help you find the best treatment possible.