Alcohol addiction can affect anyone; regardless of age, gender, nationality, religion, social class, profession or upbringing. It is a recognised illness that requires professional support and treatment in order to overcome, both physically and psychologically. Alcoholism is progressive and over time, without the correct treatment, things may get worse – to the point of death. If you think someone you know has an addiction to alcohol, then maybe they have lost the ability to control their drinking and are powerless. Regarding the brain functions, drinking affects the thinking abilities and subsequent actions. Without intervention and support, many of the affected suffer tremendous consequences from this illness; some we have lost forever. Alcohol addiction is a very serious, life-threatening condition.

Do I Have an Addiction to Alcohol?

If you are addicted to alcohol you are likely to suffer from the two main characteristics:

• Once you start drinking, you are unable to control the amount you consume or your actions whilst intoxicated. It is likely you find it extremely difficult to stop or moderate your drinking. Usually, there are mounting consequences, both to you and to your loved ones.
• If you have managed to stop drinking – whether it be due to a devastating consequence, a temporary moment of clarity or a medical detoxification – you find it extremely difficult to remain abstinent and not relapse. At some point, without the correct professional psychological treatment and support, you may be at high risk of relapse. Your mind, where the disease of addiction centres, will convince you, that ‘this time it will be different’.

To be addicted to alcohol, you do not have to be dependent. You may be able to go days, weeks or even months without a drink, but once you start, the disease of addiction kicks in and the whole destructive cycle starts once again.

Alcohol addiction is a progressive disease, that may get worse over time without professional treatment and intervention. So far, science has found no medical wonder-cure for it. We all have to work together and fight it thoroughly.

The good news is that if true alcoholism hasn’t yet kicked in, there is hope. Alcohol addiction can be successfully arrested and rehabilitated. Sobriety can then be maintained.

If you are suffering from alcohol addiction, the only way to avoid letting it destroy your life and hurt those you love is complete abstinence from alcohol. Yes, this means giving up drinking for good! It is highly likely that you will need professional help and support in order to achieve and maintain this. Private rehabs offer inpatient detoxification and rehabilitation, including proven relapse prevention techniques and many specialised addiction treatment therapies that are delivered by professionals.

If you are alcoholic, it is very likely that in the beginning, you will struggle with the concept of complete abstinence. However, picking up even one drink can easily kick-start the whole hopeless cycle off once more.

There will be a reason(s) behind your drinking. It is only through unearthing the issues underpinning your addiction and treating them successfully, that your desire for alcohol can be removed. This often requires specialist therapeutic treatments that are proven to be successful in addiction rehab. You can access them through a detox and rehabilitation programme.

For alcoholics, life may seem meaningless and without purpose unless there is alcohol in it. Not being able to imagine a future free from the bondage of alcohol, as it has become everything, is devastating for all loved ones. That being the case, we can assure you that there is life without addiction and that recovery is possible!

If you or someone you love has, even remotely, presented this line of thought, you should seek assistance. By accessing the correct treatment and support, you can look forward to creating an alcohol-free life, where you and your loved ones are free from the constraints of addiction!

Is Alcoholism a Disease?

Alcohol addiction (or alcoholism as more commonly referred to) is classified as a ‘chronic relapsing brain disease’ by Public Health England and addiction professionals around the world. So in short, yes it is a disease – it resides in the brain and is progressive and chronic in nature. This condition kills when not treated appropriately and quickly.

Let’s look at the evidence, as taken directly from ONS the UK’s Office for National Statistics:

• Shockingly, in 2015, there were 8,758 deaths associated with alcohol in the UK.
• In recent years the alcohol-related death in the UK, have not changed much, but the statistics for 2015 are still considerably far higher than when records first began
• 65% of all alcohol-related deaths in 2015 were males in the UK
• For both genders, those aged 55 to 64 years were the highest age bracket contributing to alcohol-related deaths in 2015.
• Scotland still suffers the most alcohol-related mortality rates in the whole of the UK, despite seeing a large decrease since deaths peaked in the early 2000’s

Why Do We Say ‘Alcohol Kills’?

Alcoholism puts a huge strain on the national health services. Used in moderation it is relatively safe, but when abused and used in excess, alcohol could indeed kill.

Most deaths that are alcohol-related are due to alcohol poisoning during a binge, often preceded by organ failure. Lethal consequences of acute withdrawal are also possible. This is why specialist help is very important when there is a dependency present. Dependency is the point of no return when you are physically dependent on alcohol in order to function at a basic level.

Detoxing from an alcohol dependency can put your life at great risk and cause the onset of the following dangerous and potentially deadly symptoms:

• Self-harm
• Suicidal ideation
• Hallucinations and psychosis
• Delirium tremens
• Seizures
• Heart failure
• Complete organ failure due to the body going into shock
• Respiratory failure

The vast majority of these symptoms can be overcome completely, or their severity decreased dramatically with the assistance of a professional medical alcohol detox. This can be accessed through a reliable detox facility. Counselling and support throughout the rehab process, if carried out on an inpatient basis, are a huge help to the body and mind. This has medically been proven to be the safest way to withdraw from alcohol dependency.

How to Notice the Symptoms of Alcohol Dependency?

If you are wondering if you or a loved one are physically dependent on alcohol, there are some easy to notice symptoms to help you find the answer. Do you find it that taking any less than your usual daily intake sends you into withdrawal? The acutest period of withdrawal is for the first 72 hours, but even after that you, or your loved one, can be in danger for the following weeks.

Stopping alcohol abruptly or too quickly is likely to result in some dangerous conditions. You may find that, when you haven’t drunk for some time, you could suffer from the following symptoms of alcohol dependency withdrawal:

• Uncontrollable shaking
• Insomnia
• Restlessness
• Irritability
• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• Nausea
• Acute anxiety and feelings of panic
• Intense craving for more alcohol
• Confusion
• Sweating
• Increased heart rate
• Nightmares
• Depression and even suicidal ideation

These symptoms will be temporarily relieved by taking another drink. Although a quick way to find out if you are addicted, it is not recommended to try detoxing on your own. Hence, a professional medical alcohol detox will alleviate and control the most dangerous symptoms, ensuring your withdrawal from alcohol without putting your life in danger.

Who Is at Risk of Alcohol Addiction?

The simple answer is that anyone can develop alcohol addiction. However, it has been proven through reliable research from the National Institute of Health (NIH) and Public Health England (PHE) that there are those who are more predisposed to developing an addiction of any kind, including alcohol.

Many scientific studies have looked into the probable causes of a child growing up and developing alcoholism. Research conducted by the NIH on twins has shown that genetic factors play a part. Children of alcoholics who are raised in a chaotic and alcoholic environment are also proven to be predisposed. These young ones were four times more likely to develop the condition than those who were not exposed to it.

Other factors also put us at risk of developing alcoholism. Factors such as:

• They are raised by an alcoholic parent who suffers depression or from other psychological problems
• Both parents abuse alcohol and/or other substances
• The parents’ abuse of alcohol is severe and to the extreme
• There are conflicts, aggression and or violence in the family
• A parent or both parents suffer from emotional or psychological illnesses
• Alcohol is often portrayed as having a positive influence on the emotional, fun-loving, psychological state of those around the child

These factors can also apply to major caregivers who are not necessarily related to the child. This shows that environmental upbringing also plays a big part. A child brought up under such conditions, or raised by alcoholic parents, is more predisposed to developing alcoholism.

What to Do If You Have an Alcohol Problem?

If you or a loved one a have a problem with alcohol, it is important to act fast and not waste time. The first step is to contact your local alcohol services, Alcoholics Anonymous or a private rehab facility for a quick intervention and assessment.

A private alcohol rehab will accept an immediate admission through a referral from a third party as well as through self-referral. Free services offer less intensive treatment, but even the least can be very helpful if your alcohol problem is not too severe.

Do not to waste time if you have an alcohol problem. Alcoholism can quickly spiral out of control and can quickly escalate. Many die from alcoholism as a result of delaying or not asking for help. We cannot emphasise enough how important it is to ask for help immediately.

What Is the Safe Way to Stop Drinking?

If you have developed a dependence on alcohol, in other words, you need to drink to stave off withdrawal symptoms, there are a few options to consider if you want to stop drinking:

A community or home medical detox will involve medication, dispensed and controlled by a medical professional to alleviate the symptoms of withdrawal. The problem with attempting to do this in the community is that there is still temptation and access to alcohol. Many that attempt this end up drinking on top of the prescribed amounts. For obvious reasons, this is extremely dangerous and only makes things much, much worse in terms of quitting alcohol completely and safely.

An inpatient medical detox is considered the most successful way of quitting alcohol safely, as you will be in a controlled and safe environment with specialists on hand any time of the day or night to assist you. The temptation to drink is removed. As inpatient detoxes are abstinence-based, every measure possible is taken to ensure that alcohol and drugs are kept out of the vicinity and away from patients.

The other option is to reduce your intake over a period of time with the help of your doctor. However, this rarely works for alcoholics as they are compelled to drink. Once you have reached a certain stage in you will have lost the ability to control, reduce or moderate your drinking.

What Are the Treatment Options?

If you have a long-standing or heavy-use alcohol addiction, are experiencing symptoms of withdrawal, or displaying destructive behaviours, an immediate inpatient period of medical detoxification is strongly recommended. Inpatient medical detoxes for alcohol addiction are the safest way to detox and aid your long-term sobriety.

In order to help you maintain abstinence from alcohol and prevent relapse, we strongly advise that you also undergo an intensive inpatient rehabilitation programme with an aftercare package to follow. It is vital that you deal with the psychological issues underpinning the addiction if you are free from alcohol in the long term.

The UK offers an abundance of alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction treatment options, ranging from low-intensity intervention and harm minimisation to high-intensity inpatient treatment to achieve complete abstinence. If you choose to go private, there are also many elite and quality rehabs, also abroad, that can provide full detoxification and rehabilitation.

When considering what is best for you, in terms of alcohol treatment, it is important to keep an open mind and be honest with the severity of your addiction. This way you will be able to access the correct treatment and support, whether that be through the NHS free services or through private rehab centre.

If you need assistance in rebuilding your life and reintegrating back into the community clean and sober, private rehabs offer secondary care and sober living tertiary care. This can prove very effective, especially if you have lost all to alcoholism, have problems with social integration or are homeless. It is also helpful in assisting you to learn a trade or take the opportunity to study.

Many who suffer from addiction have never had the opportunity to learn and grow or be educated, as their addiction always came first. This is why once a problem has been acknowledged, it is vital to seek help from either a rehab, your GP, an NHS representative or a referral service.

What Are the NHS Alcohol Rehab Options?

The NHS does offer help and we can give advice on where your local drug and alcohol team is located. Contrary to popular belief, the NHS have no alcohol rehabs in the UK; they fund patients who need alcohol rehab, but only as a last resort. Once all other cheaper treatment methods have been exhausted, they may then consider this as a valid option.

Most NHS treatments for alcoholism in the UK, is in the form out of outpatient detox plus abstinence-aiding drugs such as disulfiram. It is a ‘postcode lottery’ in the UK in terms of what treatment you’ll get through the NHS and how quickly you’ll get it. Often a lengthy process, resources and funding are scarce.

Recently though, Public Health in England have started to embrace peer-led therapies such as Alcoholics Anonymous and SMART groups. This can only mean good news for those wanting recovery but cannot afford inpatient treatment

What Does Residential Alcohol Detox Offer?

Residential detox offers you the following treatment options to ensure your detox is completed and you have the opportunity to be fully rehabilitated:

• A full medical detox for any alcohol or drug dependency
• 24/7 care and support from professionals
• A safe and temptation-free environment
• A personalised programme of care to help tackle the underlying issues of your addiction
• Short term and long term programmes
• Follow-up care and aftercare programmes

Home Detox

We understand that a residential alcohol detox isn’t suitable or practical for everyone. Many are put off by the idea of spending time away from loved ones or their job. You might have family commitments or a real worry about losing your job if you admit to a rehab. Realistically, the family are usually very relieved and employers usually already suspect that you as their employee has a problem.

Supervised Home Detoxification

It may be the case that you may not be able to afford to go into detox or a rehabilitation clinic. No one should have to go without treatment for an alcohol dependency or addiction, this is why home detoxes can be arranged privately. Private home detoxes are not as safe as inpatient detoxes but are a more affordable and suitable alternative for some.

A reliable home detox should only be administered by someone who is qualified to dispense and prescribe the medication needed to complete the detox. They should also keep a close eye on you throughout the detox and monitor your progress regularly. It is possible for a qualified medical professional to stay with you for the duration of the detox.

A home detox will allow you to detox in the familiar surroundings of your own home with family around you, but it should always be immediately followed up by a rehabilitation programme in order to safeguard against relapse. This can be arranged in the form of a bespoke counselling package arranged with a BACP registered counsellor. Leaving time in between the detoxification procedure and the follow-up rehabilitation programme may lead you into a false sense of security.

NHS Community Detox

If you opt for an NHS community detox, you should never attempt to complete it alone and ensure that someone reliable is with you 24/7 to ensure that you do not abuse the medication and take it as and when prescribed. Do not drink any alcohol whilst completing the detox as this can be extremely dangerous. Having someone with you all the time also means that if you do suffer any adverse reactions or have a seizure or fall, you can be helped immediately.

When deciding what to do in terms of detoxing for alcohol, it is important not to forget family member and loved ones. Alcohol addiction doesn’t just affect the sufferer, but also those who come into close contact with them on a regular basis. In essence, everyone who has been affected by your addiction will also need help to recover. Private rehabs usually offer family recovery programmes and family support. On the NHS there are free and charitable services that are available to help the family in the form of self-help groups.

With all of these choices and your life on the line, it is likely you are very anxious about making the right choices and selecting the treatment that is most likely to be successful for you. Whatever choice you make you do not have to make it alone.

Where Can I Find Reliable Alcohol Addiction Treatment Centres?

Alcohol addiction treatment rehab centres and alcohol detox clinics are essential for anyone suffering from a chronic alcohol addiction, have more than one addiction, or suffer from a co-occurring illness.

Because alcohol affects every part of the body and brain, it is important to treat the addiction sooner rather than later in order to lessen the chances of possible long-term irreversible damage.

The CQC (Care Quality Commission) is a governing body who regulates the best treatment centres to ensure that they are reliable and safe. The regulated centres abide by strict policies and regulations to keep their patients safe at all times. They will ensure that you, or your loved one, receive the best treatment possible in terms of medical detoxification and rehabilitation treatment.

Any reliable and quality alcohol rehab centre will provide you with a full medical alcohol detoxification at the beginning, then a personalised long-term rehabilitation recovery programme; they will treat both the psychological and the physical aspects of your addition. At the same time, they should also offer flexible programmes that aid in meeting your individual requirements as one of their patients.

Treating Co-occurring Illnesses

They also specialise in treating common co-occurring illnesses such as PTSD, Trauma, Depression, Eating Disorders and Anxiety and also those that suffer from dual diagnosis illnesses such as Bipolar disorder or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

Co-occurring mental health illnesses and dual diagnosis illnesses regularly accompany or underpin addiction. It is imperative that all illnesses presenting are treated simultaneously and comprehensively for the best outcome possible.

Reliable and safe rehab centres will be certified as CQC regulated and only be staffed by trained and qualified addiction professionals.

Why Attend a Rehab Clinic for Alcohol Addiction?

As already discussed, once your detoxification from alcohol has been completed, the second stage of treatment is to fully rehabilitate you from your addiction.

What is learned whilst in treatment will not only address the issues underpinning your addiction. It will also provide a valuable recovery toolbox. You can utilise these tools at any point in the future to maintain freedom and ongoing recovery.

Addiction is a disease and therefore not curable, but it can be successfully arrested and recovery maintained from there.

What Do Rehab Centres Provide?

Depending on the chosen rehab programme and the type of the centre chosen, addiction treatment varies. Some alcohol rehab centres provide you with a structured schedule of outpatient counselling sessions and structured daycare professional help. Others provide you with in-patient treatment and accommodation, where you will take up residence for a prescribed period whilst undergoing intensive treatment.

Rehabilitation is equally important as detoxification; alcoholism is a disease of the brain and your, or your loved one’s, whole thinking process and outlook will need to be changed to maintain sobriety. Without rehabilitation, the body had only been cleared of the alcohol, but the huge psychological aspect involved in this deadly and progressive illness will still remain.

With the same thinking and outlook, it is relapse is highly likely and within a very short period of time and end up in just as bad, if not worse, condition than before.

Residential rehab removes the temptation of alcohol and also any outside issues that are likely to trigger a relapse. They provide a safer and recovery focused environment for you or your loved one to fully concentrate on healing and overcoming your problems. We believe that residential rehab is the best treatment option available and produces the most successful outcomes; literally saving and turning the lives around of those afflicted with the disease of addiction on a daily basis.

It is important to note that the vast majority of relapses occur outside of an inpatient facility. Residential alcohol rehab centres are preferred by many patients, as are proven to deliver the most intensive, safest and specialist treatment available.

Can I See My Family During Rehab?

Whilst undergoing alcohol treatment at a rehab centre, your partner, children, close relatives and friends may be able to access family therapy and support by attending dedicated sessions themselves. Many of the clinics offer this invaluable service. Visits are allowed, usually supervised by a trusted relative, partner or friend, once a week at a designated time at the weekends. Phone contact is usually limited to evening and weekends so as not to distract from the therapy that takes place during the day.

What Types of Alcohol Clinics Are There?

Elite and luxury alcohol rehabs will have their own private gymnasiums and provide additional holistic and spa therapies, as well as excursions. They will have their own spacious, well-equipped, en-suite bedrooms, decorated to the highest standards and offer outstanding levels of clinical care with a high counsellor-to-patient ratio.

Affordable alcohol addiction rehabs tend to be larger and accommodate more patients, some will still have private bedrooms within the vicinity whilst others will provide sober living accommodation outside of clinic hours. These houses are often overseen by staff on call throughout the night and dedicated to patients of the same sex. As long as they are CQC regulated, they will still offer very high levels of clinical care and meet with the governing bodies’ standards of health and safety.

There is a third type of alcohol rehabilitation available. If you can get addiction treatment on the NHS, you will still get the same benefits of the clinics, but will not have to pay for the stay. It is possible to gain government funding through your local drug and alcohol team on the NHS. You will need to refer yourself to their services, in order to make the application to see if you are suitable and fit the criteria for funding to be awarded. Outside services can also make a referral for you, but this is not a quick or simple route to accessing alcohol rehab or detox. The NHS is under huge strain financially due to alcohol addiction and abuse, meaning that there are limited funds available for treatment.

What Happens during Rehab?

Reliable alcohol rehab clinics will offer you a structured day programme, using a combination of effective therapies, with regular breaks for refreshments. Fully residential treatment centres, where you would reside within the centre all the time, will also provide all cooked meals by a trained and qualified chef. In the evenings after the intensive therapy has finished, evening activities are often organised to keep you and other patients occupied and engaged. This may include in-house or outside 12 step meetings, movie and games nights or a takeaway meal and holistic therapy night, for example.

An alcohol rehab clinical treatment team, ideally should include a qualified doctor (specialising in the treatment of addiction, detoxification and mental health), qualified and experienced counsellors, addiction specialist nurses, a qualified psychologist, a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse, trained and experienced addiction therapists and support staff that are highly trained and available for you at all times of the day and night.

If you are considering admitting to an alcohol rehab, you should not expect to be looked after by one staff member only, but by the whole team of experienced and qualified specialists within the clinic. You will also receive valuable support from your peers who, like you, are there to recover from their addiction.

How Do I Find a Local Private Alcohol Clinic?

Considering all the options available, you may prefer to select an alcohol rehab clinic that is not too far away from home so that relatives and partners can visit. The most important thing for you should be receiving the correct treatment for your individual condition and associated problems. It may be that a rehab nearby is not the best choice in terms of this, as cannot accommodate your specific treatment needs. Please try to keep in mind that within a lifetime of addiction, a period of time away from family and friends is nothing when looking at the bigger picture.

We understand that the separation from family is difficult, especially when children are involved. But the important thing is that you receive the best treatment available that will serve your long-term recovery. This way, you will have the rest of your life to enjoy your family and make up for lost time and disappointments caused by the consequences of your alcoholism.

How Can Rehab Help Me?

Alcoholism is a chronic condition which, if left untreated, can quickly take over your life and destroy everything you hold dear. It can also cause untold emotional damage to your family and loved ones, sometimes even physical damage – especially if you are violent or aggressive when intoxicated.

Alcohol rehabs are places where someone with a destructive alcohol problem or the disease of alcohol addiction can go to get specialist help to get well.

You will receive specialist treatment to help you detox and remain sober in the long term. These clinics will provide you with a safe, non-judgemental environment. The staff are experienced in delivering the latest in evidence-based alcohol addiction recovery treatments.

Higher and more intensive levels of care, support and help for more complex detoxes and cases of alcoholism. This is especially appropriate if you are addicted to one or more substances in addition to alcohol, drink much more than the recommended, have a history of seizures, or you are in very poor mental and/or physical condition. This being the case, you will be in the best hands possible and receive the help that you so desperately need.

Some alcohol rehabs will only provide a medical detox with little follow-up or treatment. However, a good alcohol rehab will help you by offering you a full medical detox and rehabilitation programme with aftercare.

Helping You and Your Family Recover

Finding the right rehab with so many to choose from can be very challenging. Naturally, you will be anxious to access the rehab which will help you the most. This is why professional assessment, assistance and referral services are much useful for all who are affected by addiction.

It is often not until you become sober, that the reality of the extent of the damage caused to others hits home. Some of the damage can never be fully repaired, but with help from a good rehab, perseverance and willingness from all those that are involved or affected, the whole family can work together and be able to recover as a unit.

If, however, you feel your alcohol problem is so bad that you have driven your family and friends away, a good alcohol rehab will do their utmost to help you to reconstruct these bridges. Nevertheless, with the correct treatment and help, it is entirely possible to get and stay sober regardless of your external circumstances!

What to Expect Whilst Residing in an Alcohol Rehab?

Going into rehab may be a very scary prospect, this is perfectly normal. You may be very apprehensive as to what to expect during your stay. Once there you will quickly settle in and find the staff very compassionate and understanding. Alcohol rehabs save lives. If you apply yourself and are willing to fully engage in the therapeutic programme that they have on offer, you can expect almost incredible results. You will leave rehab looking and feeling very different from when you first walked in!

Alcohol rehabs specialise in the treatment of alcoholism and not only look after you from a physical point of view but also from a psychological and spiritual point of view. You will undergo intensive rehabilitation during your stay, with all therapies designed to bring about a huge change in your thinking and outlook on life. You will be shown many tools that you can use back home to maintain your sobriety and help safeguard against you relapsing.

At times, you can expect to feel challenged by staff or even your peers, but this is all part of the necessary recovery process. In real life, not everyone is going to do things your way. Staff are there to challenge you to encourage change. You may find you are resistant to this at first, but as you start to build trust and observe dramatic positive change happening in your peers, you will feel less challenged and more inspired to get well and take on the suggestions being made to you.

The Benefits of Being Treated for Alcoholism in a Dedicated Facility

There are many benefits from staying in an alcohol rehab centre that you would not receive in the community.

Inpatient alcohol rehab centres firstly focus on detoxing you, where there is an alcohol dependency present, then unearthing and treating the root causes of your addiction. Their aim is to treat the physical and psychological aspect of your addiction comprehensively and arm you with a box of recovery tools that you can access at any time, which will prove extremely beneficial to your ongoing recovery back in the community.

Many of our alcohol rehab centres also offer short-term, long-term, secondary care and tertiary care programmes. On assessment, it will be determined which is the most appropriate programme according to your individual’s specific treatment needs and requirements; this is to ensure that you undergo a treatment programme that will benefit you the most and thus give you the best chance of a long and successful recovery.

Often, there are other addictions involved or other illnesses. They can include overspending, gambling, drug taking, depression, anxiety or eating disorders. They will also need to be attended to. This can be very difficult to treat in the community comprehensively. By admitting to an alcohol rehab centre, you will receive treatment simultaneously for all conditions presenting. Furthermore, you will also benefit from the following addiction-specific treatments:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (designed to challenge and change your thinking that drives your addiction)
• Dialectical Behaviour therapy (used to develop a trusting relationship with a qualified counsellor and encourage ownership of your own recovery)
• Trauma Therapy (used to process and heal past traumatic events) This is particularly beneficial as very hard to access in the community
• 12 Step therapy (a recognised recovery programme, which has saved many an alcoholic from death). The benefit of this is that you will be able to continue accessing 12 step fellowships on leaving the rehab environment.
• Process Therapy (designed to help you identify and process emotions) This particular therapy cannot be accessed in the community
• Individual Therapy (will benefit you by enabling your to process and resolve issues you may feel uncomfortable disclosing in a group, or that are of a sensitive nature)
• A range of powerful, healing Holistic Therapies such as art, meditation, mindfulness, yoga, music and Tai Chi ( these are alternative therapeutic mediums, that you will find are non-threatening and non-invasive, allowing you to connect to your true authentic self and express yourself without reservation). You may enjoy these therapies so much and find them so beneficial to your recovery, that you choose to keep developing them once leaving rehab and returning back home
• Tailored fitness programme (this is suitable for all ages and abilities; it releases natural endorphins and feel good chemicals and helps to improve your overall physical condition and self-esteem)

All of the above are designed specifically to treat the psychological aspect of your alcohol addiction and aid in your physical recovery.

The main benefit of attending an alcohol rehabilitation centre is that the treatment programme you receive will be tailored specifically to your individual clinical, physical, psychological, emotional, social and spiritual needs. CQC-regulated rehabs use only evidence=based treatments that are cutting-edge and delivered by qualified professionals. This is followed up by a period of aftercare to ensure you remain connected to recovery and continue to grow in your sobriety.

You need never be alone in your journey to and through sobriety. Alcohol rehabs are extremely supportive both for you and your family. You will also benefit from meeting a new network of likeminded positive recovery friends during your stay and can maintain contact with them after and by attending aftercare.

The services offered by CQC-regulated alcohol rehab centres will be at their most beneficial when you or your loved one has a great desire to cease using alcohol. Even when this is not the case, trained counsellors are very proficient in breaking down the walls of denial and uncovering your truth. On entering into a rehabilitation programme, to gain the most benefit, you must be prepared to commit to the programme and be honest with rehab centre staff right from the very start.

How to Help a Loved One Fight Alcohol Addiction?

If your loved one is suffering from alcoholism, it will be rare for them to experience clarity and admit that they have a problem they need help with. We refer to this as a ‘window of opportunity’. When a loved one is suffering from an alcohol addiction asks for help, it is important to act promptly. Failing to do this may let them quickly go back into a state of denial, as this is the nature of the disease of addiction.

Wherever necessary, we can arrange for your loved one to be admitted immediately; we fully appreciate the nature of alcoholism and how important it is to act quickly whilst they are showing willingness. This can be the difference between life and death.

If they are unwilling to receive help, for both your and their good, it is best to step back until they are ready. Standing by them when they are still unwilling to admit that they have a chronic problem, whilst admirable, is likely to break your heart further and enable them to carry on as they are without suffering the consequences of loss.

If your loved one is alcoholic, they are only likely to ask for help when they have reached a rock bottom. In other words, they will feel trapped and that there is no point to their suffering. They may have lost relationships, money, careers, dignity, sanity and respect. Everything they value in life, alcohol may have taken from them. It is usually at this point that they surrender and ask for help.

When helping a loved one with an alcohol problem, be sure that you are not enabling them in any way with money, shelter or covering up for them. The most loving thing to do is to help them see the truth and urge them to seek help. If they refuse, unless you walk away, they will still see they have a safety net and that they can manipulate you.

Please remember you are dealing with a person who is suffering from a chronic illness of the mind, and who is very mentally unwell. They will do anything to feed their alcohol addiction, even if it means inadvertently hurting you in the process. The nature of alcoholism is that if your loved one is suffering from it, they are likely to deny they have a problem until they have reached their own internal rock bottom.

If your loved one does admit they have a problem and has agreed to accept help, then it is time to act quickly.

Is There Aftercare Treatment?

Many CQC regulated alcohol rehabs will offer free aftercare as part of their treatment package. Where this is not available it is possible to arrange for an outpatient counsellor to follow on from your alcohol detoxification and treatment.

There are many accredited BACP Counsellors available, who specialise in treating addiction and its common co-occurring illnesses. If you need help in arranging this, we can help. Aftercare is a vital part of addiction treatment; ensuring you stay on track, in recovery and continue to address any issues that challenge you in your newfound sobriety.

How Addiction Helper Can Help You

If you or a loved one need help with an alcohol abuse or addiction problem, we are here to help. Our telephone lines are open 24/7 and staffed by friendly, professional and highly skilled addiction treatment experts. You can also contact us on LIVE CHAT, request a callback or email us. We work with CQC-regulated alcohol rehab and detox centres across the UK and also some elite addiction rehabs abroad.

We can take all of the stress out of the arrangements for you and arrange a whole treatment package including detox (if required), a full and personalised rehabilitation programme and aftercare programme. We will support you every step of the way and carry out a free and comprehensive assessment before recommending a recovery programme that is likely to offer the most successful outcome.