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Alcohol addiction, or alcohol use disorder as it is also known, is a disease that affects over 14 million adults in the UK. A reason why alcohol addiction is so common is that it is easily accessible to the general population. Alcohol is widely accepted in society, and many people choose to drink alcohol as a means to relax and socialise.
In the short term, consuming alcohol enables people to socialise easily. However, should someone become dependent on alcohol, they often find themselves prioritising drinking over normal activities affecting both themselves and their families.
Although there is help for people who suffer from an alcohol use disorder, 82% of people who suffer from alcohol addiction in the UK aren’t accessing treatment. This can lead to both physical and mental health problems. At Rehab Centres UK, we think this figure should be higher – more people with alcohol use disorder should have access to the treatment they deserve.
If you, a family member or a friend is alcohol dependent, you are not alone. At Rehab Centres UK, we aim to help people who are suffering from alcohol addiction by enabling individuals to access a specialist alcohol rehab clinic to deal with their addiction. This allows you or your loved one(s) to pave a positive future without being dependent on alcohol.
Signs Of Alcohol Addiction
- Unable to control the amount of alcohol being consumed
- Binge drinking
- Pushing loved ones away
- Losing interest in any activities that don't involve drinking
- Irritability
- Extreme mood swings
- Experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms when not consuming alcohol (nausea, sweating, shaking)
- Failure to fulfil responsibilities in order to drink ( eg - not going to work)
Need Help With Your Addiction?
Withdrawal From Alcohol
When someone has suffered from long-term alcohol addiction, it often means that their body has become accustomed to alcohol. Once removed, it can cause a signal in the body that something isn’t right – as the body isn’t receiving the substance it has built a tolerance to and ultimately become dependent on.
The reason for this is that alcohol increases neurotransmitters that help to make you feel calmer, which is the feeling that you get once intoxicated. However, once someone who has AUD suddenly stops drinking alcohol, the body craves the neurotransmitter that it has been receiving which is what begins the alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
- Shaking
- Headaches
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Anxiety
- Loss of appetite
- Depression
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Restlessness
These symptoms are often why a person with relapses – so they can relieve the overbearing symptoms. That is why it is best to detox from alcohol at an alcohol treatment facility – so that you can detox whilst under the careful eye of medical experts who can assist you with difficult withdrawal symptoms.
If an individual is detoxing from alcohol at home, it is vital that they get medical advice in order to make sure that everything is completed safely and without the risk of complications.
Treatment For Alcohol Addiction
We offer various treatment options to help you or a loved one deal with your addiction. In rehab, there are three things you will have the option to complete: detoxification, therapy and aftercare.
During detoxification, your body will be rid of the substance that it craves. This will lead to withdrawal symptoms as previously mentioned, so carrying out an alcohol detox under the careful eye of medical professionals is vital in your long-term recovery.
The next step in the recovery process is therapy. Therapy in rehab generally involves partaking in counselling sessions and group therapy sessions. The aim of therapy is to deal with the underlying issues that cause an individual to drink so that they can create coping strategies for future difficult situations that may be faced.
The final part of recovery from alcohol abuse and addiction is aftercare, also known as secondary treatment. This is where you attend support centres on an outpatient basis, and you can also visit support groups with people who are also in recovery for addiction.
Support groups are vital in long-term recovery as they allow you to have a safe space where you can open up about your addiction to others who are going through a similar experience of living in recovery.
Speak To An Expert Today
At Rehab Centres UK, we understand why people drink and understand the difficulty of admitting that you need help.
We work with alcohol and drug rehab facilities across the UK with the goal of helping people lead a better and substance-free life so contact us today to learn what treatment options are available for you.