Alcohol Rehab

Anyone can be affected by alcoholism or alcohol abuse, regardless of age, sex, race or social standing. Many who suffer from alcohol addiction will ask themselves when and why they became alcoholic. In many instances it is a gradual progression of drinking more and more; in others there was a defining point, trauma or tragedy in their lives. Some individuals will even tell you that they drank alcoholically from the first time they picked up a drink. There is no one set of circumstances, or exclusive defining point that makes an individual an alcoholic.

Why Do I Drink?

Alcoholics drink essentially because they crave the effect produced by alcohol. For someone with alcoholic tendencies, the brain and body react very differently to alcohol from others. The effect of alcohol on the brains’ receptors produces an intense euphoria and a craving for more. The craving is overwhelming and will override all common sense; driving the individual to put their life and the lives of others at risk. When it comes to alcohol, an alcoholic is powerless to make sane decisions with regards to their drinking. No one knows exactly why this is, but there is a distinct difference between an alcoholic and a non-alcoholic when it comes to their physical and psychological reaction to alcohol.

How Primrose Lodge Can Help

Primrose Lodge offer specialist treatment of the highest calibre to those with an addiction to alcohol. We treat both the physical dependence and the psychological state that drives the need and desire for alcohol in those with an addiction. We are experts in successfully treating alcoholism and alcohol abuse; helping those who suffer to find permanent recovery and achieve peace of mind. We offer various treatment programmes to suit different needs. We understand that one size does not fit all when it comes to treating alcoholism. For alcohol addiction, we recommend a minimum of 4 weeks inpatient treatment for best results. We offer primary care treatment for up to 12 weeks and then the option of secondary care for those that need to stay longer.

Our rehab is a purpose-built facility that provides a high standard of accommodation and security within its walls. No expense has been spared, yet the treatment we provide offers amazing value for your money. We are dedicated to our patient’s wellbeing and recovery and this is evidenced through our tireless work.

What Is Alcoholism?

Alcoholism, also commonly known as alcohol addiction and alcohol abuse is a mental health disorder. The common perception of an alcoholic is an individual who drinks first thing in the morning, is constantly intoxicated and has lost everything except their will to drink. For some this is true, but alcoholism presents in varying forms. For example, there doesn’t have to be a physical dependency to alcohol for someone to be an alcoholic; they may binge on alcohol periodically but then have periods of sobriety in between. Some will have a physical dependency, but don’t have to drink first thing in the morning or throughout the day. They will however need to drink a certain amount over a 24-hour period, as their body has become accustomed to having it. They may rationalise their drinking in that it enables them to relax and sleep after a hard day at work. For others, they may only drink at weekends, but when they do drink they find themselves drinking to oblivion and committing acts that they would never consider whilst sober.

Most alcoholics can function to a point, but as the illness progresses, they begin to lose everything they hold dear; their physical health suffers and they start to lose a grip on reality. The one thing they all have in common is the repetitive behaviour that is harmful to themselves or to others and their complete lack of control around alcohol. No matter how great the necessity or desire, they are unable to leave alcohol alone for good.

It is important to understand that alcoholism is an illness. Medically recognised as a chronic relapsing brain disease, it is very unlikely to get better on its own or without the correct treatment. Like any other disease, alcoholism requires specific treatment. It is never “cured” as such, but it can be successfully arrested. Permanent sobriety can be maintained from there. Primrose Lodge have worked with many alcoholics who have been classed as hopeless cases and beyond help. We have found that no alcoholic has sunken too low in their addiction or is too far-progressed to make a full recovery. We witness many miracles of healing, and as a result, firmly believe in the therapeutic programme that we use as a foundation for recovery.

Suffering Alone

Those who have experienced the dark depths of alcoholism will know true loneliness. Self-destruction, harm to those that they love, their finances, career and health; eventually place the alcoholic all alone with only the bottle for comfort. For their own sanity, family and loved ones pull away in order to avoid being pulled into the downward spiral of misery and depression. Much like a carousel that doesn’t stop, the alcoholic will feel powerless to stop drinking. The same mistakes, behaviours, thoughts and feelings are repeated over and over again, with the same results.

To family members, loved ones and friends, alcoholism is baffling; it makes little sense why someone would carry on drinking despite mounting consequences. The reality is, that the alcoholic is driven by a compulsion to drink that is beyond their mental control. They are very ill and require professional help to intervene and to arrest the destructive cycle.

Denial of the Truth

Another trait of alcoholism is denial; this is what sadly causes the most deaths. Many do not see the truth of their drinking; they THINK they have it under control – that everyone else is overreacting; that they can stop whenever they choose to; that they have control of their actions and behaviours. Denial is deadly; it can be very difficult to get someone who is delusional to see the truth and accept help. Other times, the sufferer will know in their heart that they have a real problem, but a sense of false pride will keep them from asking for help and therefore admitting they are not in control.

Remembering that the alcoholic is very sick, and therefore may not be of sound mind to make the correct decisions around their own well being, it may be time for the family to intervene and discuss the options with regards to treatment. This can sometimes prove to be very challenging and a professional intervention might be considered the best way forward.

Our Alcohol Rehab Programme

At Primrose Lodge, we offer an inpatient programme for those that suffer with alcohol addiction. We believe that our intensive alcohol treatment provides the individual with the foundations that they need in order to maintain permanent recovery from alcoholism. Highly structured and comprehensive, we tailor each treatment plan to heal patients individually and as a whole.

We only use the most effective and powerful proven addiction treatment methodologies. Our nurturing and supportive environment provides the individual with a sense of safety, thus enabling them to explore issues with our Counsellors and therapists that they have never previously received treatment for. This kind of intensive treatment is impossible to achieve in the community. Even if it were possible, it would not be safe, as the correct levels of support would not be viable outside of a hospital or rehab environment. Temptation would be all around, whilst they are in the very vulnerable stages of detoxification and early sobriety.

Treatment Options

Treatment for alcohol addiction can be delivered inpatient or outpatient. It is our belief that inpatient treatment is by far the better option. Away from temptation and the pressures of life, you or your loved one will feel secure and relaxed in our clinic. Primrose Lodge don’t just work with the suffering alcoholic, but also immediate family and loved ones too. The best results come from patients whose family as a whole recover from the damage caused largely by their alcoholism, and support each other in moving forward. Primrose Lodge actively encourage family to be involved; we even provide a Family Recovery Programme. Ultimately though, the responsibility of recovery lays firmly at the feet of the individual themselves. They can recover regardless of outside influences and circumstances and we will show them exactly how this can be achieved.

As well a providing a bespoke rehabilitation programme and family programme, Primrose Lodge also offer free aftercare to all those that complete their treatment with us. This means that the patient will benefit from continued counsellor and peer support for a year after they leave inpatient treatment. We feel that aftercare support is essential to on going sobriety and adapting to life back home. Early days recovery can be a very vulnerable time for anyone, but is especially testing for those that live alone or who do not have a good and healthy support network that assists their recovery. We feel that aftercare is a vital part of rehabilitation, which is why we have factored it in to our programme, at no additional cost to our patients.

All patients that come to us with an alcohol dependency will need to undergo a medical detox first before intensive rehabilitation can begin. The medical detox is usually completed within 7 to 10 days, using an approved and prescribed medication to help alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Clinically, this is proven to be the safest way to stop alcohol. As alcohol detox, if not carried out correctly, can prove fatal. Whilst undergoing a medical detox, patients will receive light therapy and continual monitoring and support from staff. Once completed, the intensive rehabilitation can then begin.

Our Therapeutic Approach

Primrose Lodge take a person centred approach to the rehabilitation of our patients. This means that we use treatment mythologies that treat and heal the individual as a whole person. Our treatments are designed to treat the mind, body and spirit and do not solely focus on the addiction. We know that the underlying cause of addiction must be identified and addressed so that the patient can enjoy a successful long-term recovery.

As well as counselling and therapy sessions, we incorporate 12-step work and elements of cognitive, dialectical and holistic therapies. We treat each patient compassionately and specifically. Addressing all aspects of their being, we encourage a healthy diet and moderate exercise; using specialist therapies such as Meditation, Yoga and Mindfulness to heal the mind and spirit.

What Is Alcohol Rehab?

Alcohol rehab is a therapeutic programme designed to help individuals learn to live without relying on alcohol. The crux of the problem within any alcoholic centres in their mind i.e. their thinking. Primrose Lodge clinic offers a specialist alcohol recovery programme to its patients, within a distraction and temptation-free environment.

We aim through our therapeutic approaches, to bring about a change in the individuals thinking and cognitive thought process, which is sufficient for them to recover from alcoholism. We equip our patients with the tools and the knowledge to rebuild themselves and to go on to lead happy and productive lives.

Fully qualified and experienced professionals, most of who have personal experience of addiction, deliver all of our treatments. Due to their own experiences of this illness, they are able to relate to our patients and win their trust and respect very quickly. This makes an ideal platform for a productive and very effective therapeutic relationship.

Alcohol treatment programmes are tailored to the requirements of the individual, as no two patients are exactly the same. We understand how difficult it can be to recover from such an addiction and we want to make sure that every patient follows a treatment plan that will work effectively for him or her.

Our rehab programmes are intensive, but patients are fully supported throughout. They will have constant access to medical and therapeutic care at all times of the day and night. We also provide 12 months of free aftercare service, so that patients will not feel alone or abandoned when they return to their normal lives.

Do You Need Rehab?

If you are concerned about your drinking, it could be the case that you have an addiction. Depending on how severe you problem is you may need the professional treatment of an alcohol rehab. Consider the following symptoms; these would indicate you need immediate help:

• You have regularly been drunk in the past month
• You often drink more than you planned to
• You often wake up after drinking and cannot remember what happened the night before
• You often do things while intoxicated that you would not normally do – you also regret the things you have done
• You regularly feel bad or guilty about the fact that you have been drinking
• You worry that you are drinking too much and feel you should cut down but worry you cant
• You have tried to reduce the amount you drink but are unable to stop once you start
• You find that you need more alcohol to experience the same effects as before
• You spend the time when you are not drinking, thinking about drinking
• You are lying to your family and friends about the amount of alcohol you are drinking
• Your drinking is causing problems in your home or work life.
• Your drinking is impacting on your health and finances
• You take risks whilst intoxicated such as drink driving

If you do have a problem with alcohol and continue to abuse it, things will only get worse. You will be putting yourself at risk of developing a number of health issues including high blood pressure, diabetes, liver disease, heart disease, and some cancers. Your chances of developing a mental health illness are also drastically increased, as is death from risk taking behaviours.

Ask for Help

Primrose Lodge understand that asking for help can be difficult for some. You may not want to admit that you have a problem, as you are fearful of how others will react. Our experience is that everyone, including the alcoholic, is very much relieved once they admit they need help. Families and loved ones usually suspect there is a problem long before it is admitted. They are at a loss as to how they can help, and so are incredibly relived when professional treatment is sought and undertaken

By calling and discussing your problem with us, you will receive completely free and confidential advice on how we can best help and support you to overcome your problem with alcohol. Alcohol addiction is an illness that will not go away by itself. We provide a compassionate and professional service that will help you to heal and recover. Alcohol addiction no longer needs to ruin your life, we can help set you free and place you firmly on the path of permanent recovery.