Alcohol Addiction Treatment - What are the options? - UK Home Detox
Content Overview
Concluding that you or a loved one may have an alcohol problem can be scary. When this happens, you may wonder what alcohol treatment and support options are available to you. Admitting that you struggle with alcohol dependence is not shameful, and recovery is very much possible if treatment is sought. This guide will explain the process of alcohol addiction treatment and the different options available in the UK, including options like online rehab.
Identifying Alcoholism (AUD)
Unlike cocaine or heroin, recognising alcohol use disorder (AUD) or alcoholism can be difficult. After all, many people drink alcohol; it’s a widely accepted part of life for many people and is socially acceptable. So, when is ‘one more drink’ no longer enough? And how can you identify this disease in yourself or a loved one?
Alcohol addiction symptoms may include the following:
High tolerance to alcohol – being able to ‘hold your liquor’ or ‘drink another person under the table’
Drinking at socially inappropriate times or places – in the morning, at work,
Inability to function without a drink
Hiding alcohol use from friends and loved ones who may disapprove
Increased depression
Aggression
Problems at work or with the law related to drinking
Breakdown of relationships.
If you are concerned about your or a loved ones drinking habits, please contact us so we can assist you in finding an alcohol treatment option that is best suited for your needs.
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Why Alcohol Addiction Treatment is Important
Sure, people with alcohol abuse tendencies may be able to carry on their lives with an appearance of normality. But once dependence or addiction kicks in, alcohol takes over your life. Along with the risks to your relationships, employment, and financial situation, alcoholism and heavy drinking can lead to a wide range of health conditions:
Hypertension
Liver disease
Heart disease
Ulcers
Diabetes complications
Suppressed immunity
As well as mental health deterioration:
Depression
Anxiety
Suicidal ideation
Increased risk-taking
Loss of inhibition
If you have noticed a change in your mental and physical health due to your drinking habits, you may need to ask for professional help. Talking to your GP is a good place to start, as they can give you advice on quitting or reducing your alcohol intake (unless addiction has started, then you will need to stop drinking completely) they will also be able to give you treatment options and referrals if needed.
Choosing a treatment option:
Your GP will start with a medical assessment, and may ask you some questions from the CAGE questionnaire to determine your dependence:
Have you ever felt like you should cut down on your drinking?
Have people annoyed you by criticising your drinking?
Have you ever felt bad or Guilty about your drinking?
Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover (Eye-opener)?https://patient.info/doctor/cage-questionnaire
If you quit drinking ‘cold-turkey’ with no medical supervision or help, it can be very dangerous. Therefore, a GP may recommend the following options for you:
Home Detox Service
We have developed an affordable, safe, and confidential Home Detox Programme with a brief intervention for alcoholism treatment UK. It includes medically-assisted detox, telephonic assessment, and support medications to ease your withdrawal symptoms delivered to your door with same-day start, as well as the options for a Sober Coach to provide you with one-on-one assistance and home-based therapy to treat the addiction not just the alcohol. For more information on our Home Detox Service visit our webpage or give us a call.
Outpatient Services
You can also receive alcoholism treatment uk as an outpatient, this involves contacting your GP who will assess your dependence on alcohol and offer suggestions of support options available to you such as:
Counselling through NHS psychological therapies service(IAPT) – https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/talking-therapies-and-counselling/benefits-of-talking-therapies/
The NHS offers advice and intervention counseling if you have had an accident or injury related to alcohol use or are concerned about your drinking. You may be prescribed medication to assist you if you are detoxing at home. This may take a few weeks as there are waiting lists and you may not have much choice in who your alcohol counselors are. (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alcohol-misuse/treatment/)Charity groups – You can consider going to a charity group-sponsored treatment center to treat alcohol related problems. Again, there may be waiting lists for their free services
Turning Point that offers support for alcoholic treatment and is endorsed by the NHS and Public Health England https://www.turning-point.co.uk/services/drug-and-alcohol-support.html
Private therapists who are trained and experienced in treating alcoholism are available. They use strategies like cognitive behavioural therapy to manage unhelpful thoughts underlying your alcohol problems. They also employ family therapy to improve relationships with family members, as well as guiding parents, siblings, and spouses on how they can support your recovery journey.
Seeking outpatient services for alcoholism treatment uk can have some drawbacks though:
You will be trying to focus on your recovery whilst dealing with everyday stressors
You may not have enough support at home
Risk of dehydration as well as inadequate nutrition as you may forget to eat and drink during withdrawal
high risk of relapse
Residential Alcohol Rehab Programmes
Residential alcohol treatment involves a 28 day stay in a private rehabilitation treatment centre where your treatment is delivered in a supportive and holistic environment.
Upon arrival, you will be assessed by a nurse, a trained counsellor, and a doctor. These assessments are to gauge your physical and mental health after detox. At this point, our health care providers will construct a tailored treatment plan to best facilitate your rehab:
Medications needed to ease your withdrawal or to prevent cravings will be prescribed
Therapy schedule – including one-on-one therapy sessions and group therapy sessions to address a potential mental health condition.
Additional therapies such as creative therapy (music and art) and exercise therapies (Yoga)
In cases of a dual diagnosis (mix of mental health issues and alcohol misuse) supportive medications and additional therapy may be provided
A private residential rehab enables you to focus and reflect on your recovery, allowing you a structured and supportive environment away from triggers and stress.
Pros
24/7 medical supervision, assistance, and support provided
New environment
Better focus on your recovery
Removal of environmental triggers
Experienced medical care for extreme physical dependency
Cons
Cost, as your health insurance may not cover drug abuse treatment
Being away from home, work, or school
Can be restrictive with what you can or can’t do – TV times, smoke breaks
Shared accommodation
Another added benefit of residential rehab in a private facility is that you will be able to continue with talk therapy as an outpatient after your 28-day treatment for alcohol. And since your family is also involved in your recovery, they are often offered emotional support for up to a year after you leave.
Support Groups
After seeking alcohol dependence treatment, we recommend that you seek support services to help with maintaining abstinence. Support groups are highly beneficial for the treatment of alcoholism UK and include examples like:
Alcoholics Anonymous(AA)
This is undoubtedly the most well-known and very respected recovery programme and support group worldwide. Their 12 step programme is mostly spiritual in nature, the belief in a Higher Power providing hope of recovery. https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/About-AA/The-12-Steps-of-AA
SMART Recovery Programme
The SMART Recovery (https://smartrecovery.org.uk/) helps you to decide whether you have an alcohol use problem. Then, it builds up your motivation to change and offers a set of proven tools and techniques to support recovery and keep up healthy habits.
Alcohol Change
It offers UK Information and support options for people worried about how much alcohol they are drinking, in both English and Welsh. (https://alcoholchange.org.uk/)
Support for Families Affected by Alcoholism
Adfam
It is a national charity working to improve life for families affected by drugs and alcohol. It aims to empower family members and carers, support frontline workers, and influence decision-makers to prevent alcohol and drugs from destroying families. The charity informs, supports, and empowers both people affected by a loved one’s substance use and the workers who support them using compassion and evidence. (https://adfam.org.uk/help-for-families)
Al-Anon Family Groups
They provide support to anyone whose life is or has been, affected by someone else’s drinking, regardless of whether that person is still drinking or not. The organisation is a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experiences to solve their common problems. It has over 800 support groups in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. (www.al-anonuk.org.uk)
Families Anonymous
Families Anonymous (http://famanon.org.uk/) is a self-help service based on the 12-steps plan and is aimed at helping families affected by drug use and behavioral problems.
Bottled Up
They offer information and advice for family members living with someone who is alcohol-dependent. The two founders of the organisation are a therapist and a psychologist who have direct experience with alcoholism. (www.bottled-up.com)
The Children Society’s Stars
This initiative provides information, guidance, and resources on parental alcohol use, and the impact it has on children and families. (www.childrenssociety.org.uk)
Grandparents Plus
This is the national charity for grandparents and the wider family in children’s lives offering them professional advice, information, and support. (www.grandparentsplus.org.uk)
Support for families and loved ones of alcohol abusers is very important in the sufferer’s ongoing recovery and continued sobriety. One of the victims of alcoholism is the breakdown of trust within families as well as the added risk of alcohol use disorder continuing through the family line from parent to child.
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Author / Jason Shiers / Dip.Psych
Jason Shiers is a Certified Transformative Coach & Certified Psychotherapist who is a specialist in addiction, trauma and eating disorders. He has been working in the field of addiction for 25 years now.
