Alcohol Rehab

What is Alcoholism?

Alcoholism, also known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), can be defined as a chronic disease, which is typically characterised by not being able to stop or control alcohol use despite it causing problems at work, with friends and family, or even when health consequences are present.

Alcoholic addiction can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, socioeconomic status, or cultural background. However, recent data suggests that men are more likely to abuse alcohol more frequently, which can result in an addiction developing.

Alcoholism is generally divided into two types, which are dependence and abuse. Dependence involves a physical need for alcohol to avoid withdrawal symptoms, while abuse involves the consistent consumption of alcohol to the extent that it interferes with health and everyday life.

It’s important to remember that alcoholism isn’t a choice, nor is it a weakness. It’s a medical condition. 

People with AUD don’t consume alcohol because they want to harm themselves or others, but rather because they’re caught in what feels like a relentless cycle, and it can be incredibly difficult to break free from. Alcohol changes how our brain functions, leading to changes in behaviour, thinking, and mood that may appear “out of character”.

What Causes An Alcohol Addiction?

Excessive alcohol consumption can be a result of various social factors. However, some of the most prominent things that lead people to drink alcohol for more than a social purpose include:

• Poor mental health
• Stress
• Environmental pressures
• Genetics
• Peer pressure
• Family issues

Although the root cause of alcohol addiction greatly varies, approximately 50% of individuals who require alcohol addiction treatment have an underlying mental health disorder, such as depression or anxiety.

As well as this, research has found that an increasing number of people believe that drinking alcohol relieves stress, when in fact, it does quite the opposite.

The normalisation of drinking to relieve even small stresses could perpetuate alcohol use disorders and makes it much more difficult for people to stop drinking.

What is Alcohol Rehab?

Alcohol rehab, or alcohol rehabilitation, is a supportive and caring process that helps individuals in overcoming alcohol addiction.

Alcohol rehab includes various methods to help people with their addiction, taking into account their specific needs. The goal is to help patients stop using alcohol and continue to maintain their sobriety in the long term.

An alcohol rehabilitation treatment programme typically lasts anywhere from 7 to 28 days and involves a combination of medical, psychological, and holistic therapies aimed at addressing not just the physical aspects of the addiction, but the emotional and psychological triggers as well.

The process typically begins with an intake evaluation carried out by addiction specialists, where they will assess the extent of the individual’s alcohol use, their physical and mental health before entering a clinic, and other factors to develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Treatment for alcoholism may involve either inpatient or outpatient care, depending on the severity of the condition. However, it is generally recommended that individuals who can fully dedicate themselves to the recovery process opt for inpatient programs, which involve staying at a rehab facility.

What Happens at Alcohol Rehab?

If you, or somebody you know, is suffering from alcohol addiction, you may want to know, in detail, what happens within an alcohol rehab clinic. Here, we will explain the ins and outs of alcohol addiction treatment and what to expect whether you take the in-patient or out-patient route.

Private drug and alcohol rehab, also known as residential alcohol rehab, is among the best forms of treatment to overcome alcohol abuse. The first step is typically a detox, which allows the body to withdraw from its dependence on alcohol.

This can be a difficult process due to the psychological and physical dependence which will have developed over time, but private rehab treatment is there to make the process more manageable.

The addiction treatment and therapies involved are tailor-made to every individual who enrols on an alcohol rehab programme, meaning that you won’t suffer from a one size fits all scenario.

Without this tailored programming, alcohol rehab centres are unlikely to find the success rate that they do in relation to relapse prevention.

The residential treatment programmes at the rehab clinics we work with help those battling addiction, treating them only with the utmost care and understanding.

You shouldn’t worry about alcohol rehab, whether it be for you or a loved one. Instead, you should look forward to beginning a journey to sobriety.

Alcohol Detox Phase: What to Expect

Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to reliance, and once you have become reliant, you will need to detox the body leading to some unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

Nonetheless, the alcohol detox process is an important step in a residential treatment centre as it helps the body rid itself of the harmful toxins and dependence on alcohol that has been built over a long period of time.

Throughout the entire process, if you seek alcohol addiction help, you will not be alone during this time.

You will receive medical supervision from addiction recovery experts and nurses to ensure that the withdrawal process is as smooth and manageable as possible.

Completing an alcohol detox in a residential rehabilitation centre is the safest environment to be in, especially when battling alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Residents on alcohol rehab programmes are surrounded by understanding and supportive medical professionals, as well as others on the same journey.

This allows for the detox to be not only supervised but being around others who are also stopping drinking alcohol can be incredibly beneficial in terms of motivation.

The alcohol detox process typically takes up to 7 days, and although it can be a hard period, it is the most important step to achieving sobriety and getting over the first hurdle of rehabilitation.

Residential Alcohol Rehab: Treatments and Therapies

A staple part of alcohol rehab treatment is therapy.

As one of the most important stages of recovery, relapse prevention techniques like therapy help residents to stay sober once they have left the centre and provide them with the tools needed to cope with recovery going forward.

Having access to an addiction therapist is a vital part of undergoing a holistic approach to alcohol rehab treatment. It provides alcohol rehab residents with an understanding of their addiction.

Thus, learning about the root cause of addiction and triggers of relapse by looking inwards during therapy makes a successful long-term recovery much more probable.

Many people with addictions have experienced traumatic events or struggle with mental health problems, which is another major benefit of therapy at rehab.

It is important to treat alcohol addiction from every angle, and this includes the psychological symptoms of addiction.

How Much Does Alcohol Rehab Cost in the UK?

On average, the cost of alcohol rehab in the UK with approval from the CQC ranges from £4,000 to £11,000, based on a 7 to 28 day stay at a clinic.

However, it’s important to note that the cost of alcohol rehab in the UK can vary depending on several factors, such as the type of treatment, duration of the programme, location, and the amenities and facilities provided.

Inpatient rehab programmes are generally more expensive due to the patient having access to 24/7 care, accommodation, and support from addiction specialists, as well as the intensive therapy that is provided.

Although it’s seen as a more costly route, inpatient programmes have higher success rates, due to a higher level of care being provided, with many alcohol rehab clinics also providing aftercare programmes, which are free of charge. These programmes are also known as secondary treatment, which typically provide patients with access to ongoing support for a year.

How to Know When You Need to Visit an Alcohol Rehab Centre

For many people, alcohol consumption and side effects may be bearable, so if you drink alcohol regularly, it might be a little easier to ‘shrug off’.

So while some individuals can cope with the initial stages of alcohol addiction (alcoholism) as a dependence on alcohol develops, those commonly experienced side effects will likely become more intense and harder to manage.

Soon after, when an alcohol addiction takes a firm grip, your mindset and personality change. Unfortunately, your decisions and behaviours will become clouded and controlled by cravings, psychological fixations, and unhealthy drinking habits.

This is when going to an alcohol rehab centre is a good idea.

Many people will believe they do not need alcohol rehab treatment. They may even be in denial of their drinking problem.

However, admitting to alcohol dependence and seeking addiction treatment at alcohol rehab centres is a huge first step in the right direction.

During this realisation, mental health can deteriorate, which is why an alcohol rehab clinic can be hugely beneficial in guiding you through the diagnosis of an alcohol use disorder and coming to terms with this.

Understanding the severity of your alcohol dependence and starting addiction recovery can be very difficult.

In most cases, individuals will attempt to quit drinking or detox from home at some point after a breakthrough has occurred. However, it isn’t unusual for these recovery attempts to fail and for those with alcohol addiction to find themselves back to square one.

This is why approaching addiction recovery alone can be intimidating and, unfortunately, often ineffective.

However, if you receive addiction treatment at an alcohol rehab centre, you will be medically assisted by recovery specialists during the detoxification and withdrawal period and be better placed to face future challenges.

Although visiting an alcohol rehab and undergoing alcohol rehab programmes may feel like an unnecessary or daunting step, it is the best form of treatment and achieves the highest recovery rates for a reason.

Working through both your physical and psychological connections to alcohol at rehab, you’ll have the best chance to reach addiction recovery for good, not just temporarily.

Any degree of an alcohol disorder can be treated with a personalised alcohol detox treatment programme.

The sooner an individual finds the power to acknowledge their alcohol addiction and reach out for medical support, the better.

Start today by understanding the ins and outs of alcohol use disorder, along with the value behind investing yourself in a comprehensive treatment plan.

How is Alcohol Use Disorder Diagnosed?

Medical professionals such as GPs diagnose alcohol addictions by reviewing an individual’s physical health, psychological health, and behaviour.

Usually, diagnoses are made through a clinical assessment with a primary healthcare provider. There are various questions posed during this assessment, some of them including but not limited to:

• Is alcohol taken in larger amounts?
• There are unsuccessful efforts to control alcohol intake.
• A large proportion of time spent is on alcohol-related activities.
• Cravings for alcohol.
• Alcohol is affecting major obligations such as work, school or family life.
• Alcohol use even in scenarios where it could be dangerous (e.g. driving).
• Continuation of alcohol use regardless of its negative effect on health
• A higher tolerance to alcohol means you need to drink more to feel the effect.
• A feeling of withdrawal if no alcohol is taken.

These are all areas that can help determine whether you need addiction treatment from a rehab clinic

If an alcohol addiction is diagnosed, treatment at a rehab facility is typically the next recommended step.

By asking various questions and assessing how an individual behaves and acts, medical professionals can establish whether addiction is impairing an individual’s life, the severity of the addiction, the root cause of the alcohol addiction and the treatment required.

What Are The Effects Of Alcohol Addiction?

Alcohol is classified as a depressant substance. It slows brain activity and provides individuals with a calm and relaxed sensation.

It is for this reason, among others, that alcohol is used by those who struggle with mental health disorders. It can act as a mechanism for those previously affected by trauma to escape from negative thoughts and feelings.

This is why it can be so difficult to stop drinking, as there is a relief aspect to drinking, making it a contributing factor as to why those with alcoholism find themselves in a treatment facility when things spiral out of control.

Another effect of alcohol addiction making the prospect of alcohol rehabilitation much more likely is the fact that substance abuse can affect mood, and memory capacity, and influence personality changes and decision-making.

Not only that, but it can also cause long-lasting brain impairment in the long run.

When you have an alcohol addiction, the symptoms of alcoholism can be different since they adhere to varying degrees. Some common symptoms include:

• Depression
• Nausea
• Increased heart rate
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Paranoia
• Headaches
• Weight Gain/Loss
• Delirium tremens

Even though the number of symptoms experienced with alcohol addiction can be alleviated within a matter of hours, alcohol-specific hospital admissions continue to soar. In fact, between 2021 and 2022, there were 342,795 hospital admissions directly related to alcohol in England alone. Sadly, this translates to a rate of 626 admissions per 100,000 individuals.

Plus, while treatment programmes in rehab clinics can reduce the likelihood of health problems developing, a rehab centre is unable to undo the damage that is irreversible, which is why it is important to seek an alcohol-free life within a rehab centre sooner rather than later.

Rehab clinics can help you going forward, through group therapy sessions, medicated detox and everything in between to get you on the right path.

However, one of the biggest risks is getting this help too far down the line.

Whatever you do first, any form of alcohol rehabilitation is a step in the right direction.

Psychological and Physiological Withdrawal Symptoms

A sign that alcohol treatment is required at rehab is if withdrawal symptoms are experienced when you try to quit drinking at home.

Withdrawal symptoms indicate that the body has built a tolerance to alcohol and requires significant amounts to be able to function, which is a problem that requires intensive support and treatment to recover from.

If you experience withdrawal symptoms, it is important to seek treatment for your alcohol use disorder. It is also extremely important to be able to recognise signs of addiction in yourself. Typically speaking, physical signs of alcohol abuse include:

• Sweating.
• Nausea.
• Tremors.
• Sudden and unpredictable mood changes.
• Vomiting and diarrhoea.
• Mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and paranoia.
• An increased heart rate.
• Lack of appetite.
• Disrupted sleep patterns.
• Developing a higher tolerance for alcohol.
• Increase in blood pressure.
• Headaches.

Although withdrawal symptoms will still be experienced in rehab during alcohol detox, it is much safer to do it in an alcohol rehabilitation centre where your symptoms are managed and monitored.

Prescription drugs may be provided to help with any severe symptoms, and you can be assured that you are in a safe space.

When Is The Best Time To Consider Alcohol Rehab?

Many individuals considering addiction recovery either believe that their addiction is too mild for treatment or feel that their side effects are too extreme to control. Both of these ideas are incorrect.

Visiting an alcohol rehab will be beneficial for all individuals abusing alcohol. Like other illnesses or disorders, there are different levels of treatments available which are suited to the affected individual. Visiting an alcohol rehab can progress recovery for all individuals, from those abusing alcohol to those living with the chronic side effects of alcoholism.

Although treatment is accessible at any given time through rehab, you must be mentally prepared to complete alcohol rehab.

Rehab is only worthwhile for those who invest themselves in a comprehensive treatment plan. If you are not in the right mindset to want recovery, you will fail to experience the true benefits of alcohol rehab and will be less likely to remain sober.

To understand whether you’re ready to combat your underlying influences and alcoholism, contact our team here at Addiction Advocates. We can also recommend the most appropriate alcohol rehab options for you, whether that is outpatient or residential rehab.

Finding The Right Addiction Treatment And Alcohol Rehab Programme For You

Searching for the most suitable alcohol rehab programme and substance addiction treatment can be overwhelming. There are now a large number of recovery methods available, and it can be hard to know what to choose.

However, it’s important to note that every person responds differently to treatment for alcohol addiction, so multiple individual physical and mental factors need to be taken into consideration when considering rehab clinics.

To ensure that you have a valuable rehab experience, we can help you find the ideal rehab programme through our referral services.

By gaining a better understanding of your dependence on alcohol greater during an initial assessment, we can pinpoint the most cost-effective and results-driven treatment programme for you which meets your recovery goals.

This approach to finding the right alcohol rehab programme will ensure that you receive the right type and level of care and treatment. Alcohol rehab clinics can vary depending on whether you want an outpatient treatment programme or an inpatient approach.

Often, inpatient residential rehab clinics are among the most successful ways of relapse prevention. By changing the environment in which alcohol addiction thrives in, the chances of avoiding temptation are much higher.

It is always important to remember, though, that addiction and mental health conditions will impact all individuals differently.

As a result of this, tailoring therapy based on the individual is key – as not every journey to addiction is the same, and neither is the recovery challenges.

Through our referral service, we can identify the most suitable alcohol rehabilitation programme for you to help you overcome your addiction.

The initial assessment will assess your situation and offer realistic recommendations to guide you onto the right path to stop drinking, whether through outpatient treatment or inpatient treatment.

Common Treatment in an Alcohol Rehab Programme

Although recommendations are based on personal requirements, there are a range of common treatments you may experience in alcohol rehab.

These treatment options act as the foundation of recovery, helping you to heal both the body and mind in pursuit to reach alcohol addiction recovery.

Treatments can include:

• Medically Assisted Detox
• Individual Rehabilitative Therapy
• Talking Therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Group Therapy Counselling
• Wellbeing Courses
• Residential rehab

Whether outpatient or residential treatment is selected, the key aim of rehab is to assist your withdrawal from alcohol safely, providing the opportunity for long-term sobriety.

Yet, alongside the physical detox process, it is vital that psychological treatment is also completed to help maintain cognitive stability.

Both physical and mental withdrawal symptoms will likely appear during an alcohol detox programme, so cognitive behavioural therapy, group therapy sessions and additional well-being services will be used to help alleviate the mental impact of recovery.

The foundation of alcohol rehab treatment is to help change the outlook and association you have with alcohol as you prepare for life post-rehab.

These treatment options will be catered to you personally, helping to improve your recovery rates and relapse prevention through evidence-based treatment.

What Happens After Alcohol Rehab?

The first few months after you have left a residential alcohol rehab clinic can be a very daunting and difficult period for anybody trying to remain sober.

This is why our referral rehab centres offer a one year of FREE aftercare to ensure that you are supported and encouraged throughout your recovery journey.

Please call your chosen alcohol service rehab to find out more about how they approach this.

Taking place weekly, support sessions are held to provide all previous residents with a support system which is often needed during the initial stages of the recovery process.

The rehab clinics we work with make sure to keep up to date with residents who have successfully completed inpatient rehab, providing a continuing addiction to alcohol service to ensure you stay on track.

Aside from this, there are numerous local support groups available to anybody who is looking for extra support after rehab.

This is often either at a lower alcohol rehab cost, or free.

For instance, free organisations such as Alcoholics Anonymous are available to anybody who has experienced addiction throughout the UK. They are a great support system to have and provide encouragement and an extra incentive to stay sober.

How We Help You at Addiction Advocates

The team at Addiction Advocates are experts at helping people achieve addiction recovery. We are a referral service who are experienced in helping people who are struggling with alcohol abuse problems to find the perfect alcohol treatment programme. We work with a number of drug and alcohol rehab centres across the UK and aim to help people of all ages and backgrounds to receive top-quality treatment.

The admissions process starts with you calling a member of our admissions team on 0800 012 6088.

Our expert team can guide you and answer any queries that you may have about the cost, length of treatment or the rehabilitation process at alcohol treatment centres.

You will then undergo a free confidential assessment to determine the type of support and treatment you require to achieve recovery.

This includes:

• Your basic information.
• Your location.
• Contact information.
• A discussion as to whether there are any mental health issues present.
• The severity and type of addiction you have.

All of these factors will be considered and covered to ensure that you are referred to the most suitable rehab centre available for your needs.

Once we have a good idea about what your needs are, we can find the best rehab facility for you.

To secure your place, we require that you send a deposit, and once this has been completed, we will set an admission date for you to begin treatment.

This will be the start of your new and improved life which is free from alcohol addiction.

Advice for Loved Ones

If you think someone you care about may be dealing with alcohol addiction, it’s natural to feel frightened, concerned, and uneasy about their well-being. This could be due to their dishonesty about their drinking habits, observing them consume alcohol at inappropriate times, or noticing consistent tremors or shaky hands.

If you suspect that someone you care about is struggling with alcohol addiction, it’s important to approach the situation with empathy, understanding, and support. We’ve provided some helpful pieces of advice below, which will hopefully help you to navigate this difficult situation.

• Know the signs – if you suspect an alcohol addiction but feel unsure, it’s important to educate yourself on the signs and symptoms before approaching the situation so that you can be completely sure as to whether or not it’s time to take action.
• Choose your timing wisely – an intervention can often feel like an attack to someone with addiction, even though that is far from your intention. Plan ahead, and make sure to approach your loved one in an environment that is safe, private and comfortable to have an honest conversation.
• Offer support – when talking to someone openly about their addiction, be aware that they may be feeling defensive or in complete denial about their addiction. For this reason, try to make a conscious effort to show you’re there to help, not judge. For example, offering your support with finding help for them to start their recovery journey.
• Don’t enable their addiction – while showing support; it’s essential not to enable their addictive behaviour. Avoid covering up or making excuses for their actions related to drinking, and instead, encourage them to take responsibility for their behaviour and seek help.
• Remember to look after yourself – sadly, supporting someone with an addiction can take an emotional toll on loved ones. Remember to take care of yourself by seeking support from friends, family, or support groups. It’s essential to maintain your own wellbeing while helping your loved one.

We have helped many people with helping their loved ones to find the help they need. If you are interested in learning more about how we can support you, see below to learn more about our referral services.

Types of Admission to Rehab

Although it can be frustrating, not everyone who has an addiction to alcohol realises that they have a serious addiction which requires treatment.

That is why at Addiction Advocates, we offer a referral service for family, friends and other loved ones.

Family Referral

This consists of support and advice for the family and friends of those suffering from addiction problems.

Our expert team can provide you with advice about how to address those suffering from addiction and offer guidance about how to steer them towards receiving residential rehab treatment.

It is not possible to force somebody against their will to rehab, even if alcohol abuse is causing health complications and huge impacts on their everyday life.

Treatment only works if somebody wants to choose recovery, even though this is often difficult for loved ones to accept.

We can, however, offer alcohol intervention services with our trained therapists to help you discuss the difficult topic of addiction with your loved one.

This aims to help them understand the effect that their substance abuse has on others and your worries and concerns about their health.

Intervention can help people to become more open to the idea of an alcohol rehab programme and can often be the stepping stone to recovery.

To find out more about our referral services, visit our family referral page. We also offer alternative resources for friends of someone who you believe is struggling to cope with an addiction.

Self-Referral

For those who are ready to tackle their addiction and are wondering how they can start treatment, we offer a self-referral service to help you on the road to recovery.

Our admissions team at Addiction Advocates are available 24/7 to help you at any point in the day to live an alcohol-free life.

To start the process of seeking treatment, call our team on 0800 012 6088, and we can get you started.

It is never too late to tackle an alcohol use disorder – start your inpatient treatment today at residential alcohol rehab.