Treatment of Alcoholism
Alcoholism cannot be cured but it can be treated. With the right treatment of alcoholism, those with drinking problems can live a happy, healthy life free of the substance that once controlled them.
There are many forms of alcohol treatment. Which one is best for you depends on the severity of your drink problem and your personal circumstances. But before you start thinking about treatment you need to ask yourself one important question:
Are you really ready to quit drinking?
Overcoming alcoholism is a struggle. It’s a long, hard process that takes a great deal of commitment. If you’re not completely ready to stop drinking, there’s a chance you’ll fail. But with the right determination, the right support and the right treatment for alcoholism, you can recover from alcohol dependence. It’s extremely difficult for someone who is truly addicted to alcohol to stop drinking on their own. Temptation is all around and cravings can be uncontrollable. Furthermore, withdrawal symptoms from alcohol are intense, uncomfortable and can even be life-threatening. If you’re addicted to alcohol, you need professional alcohol treatment.
Residential alcohol treatment
The most effective treatment of alcoholism in a residential rehab clinic where clients stay as an in-patient. Most clinics offer an alcohol detoxification at the start of the programme. Detox safely removes the alcohol from the body so that the individual can begin the process of recovery. Following alcohol detox, the client undergoes a period of rehabilitation, or rehab. This is a structured, intensive programme of therapies which address the nature of the alcohol addiction and helps the individual to develop a healthier way of living. Most treatment programmes for alcoholism are based on the 12 step model of abstinence but combine other philosophies such as cognitive behavioural therapy. Residential alcohol treatment is often more successful than outpatient treatment because alcoholics have support from medical staff and others in the same situation around the clock.
Outpatient treatment of alcoholism
For some people residential treatment for alcohol dependence is not an option. We have therefore developed a unique alcohol therapy programme. It provides an intensive programme of therapy in the individual’s local area, together with the support of a highly qualified alcohol addiction specialist.
Community-based alcohol treatment
There are many local addiction services which treat alcoholism. These include individual counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy, relapse prevention counselling and Alcoholics Anonymous.
Alcohol treatment for non-alcoholics.
If don’t have an alcohol dependence but are drinking too much or too frequently, there are several things you can do to help yourself – whether you want to stop drinking altogether or simply cut down.
- Keep a drinks diary – it’s easy to lose track of how much alcohol you’re drinking. A drinks diary will show you just how much you’re consuming and may shock you into taking action.
- Remove temptation – get rid of all alcohol from your home.
- Set yourself goals – you may have a particular day on which you want to stop drinking. Or you may want to keep your drinking to one day a week or on weekends.
- Tell friends and family your goals – let those close to you know that you’re quitting drinking or cutting down. Ask them not to drink in front of you if you’re giving up alcohol completely.
- Avoid other drinkers – this may mean having to change your circle of friends or avoid certain events and occasions where alcohol will be readily available.
Contact us free and confidentially on 0800 44 88 688. We’ll assess the extent of your drinking problem and will help you get the right treatment.
