Alcohol

Are You an Addict? Recognising the Signs of Alcohol Addiction

For your loved ones, these long-term effects can be heartbreaking to witness. Families may feel powerless as they watch the person they care about deteriorate physically and mentally. Relationships often suffer, and the strain on family members can lead to emotional exhaustion and financial difficulties.

At Abbington House, our goal is to help both you and your loved ones navigate these challenges. We provide expert care and a holistic approach to treatment that addresses the root causes of alcohol addiction, from medical detox to comprehensive therapeutic support.

Admitting that you have a problem with alcohol is never easy, especially in a society where drinking is so normalised. However, there are clear signs that indicate when alcohol use has crossed the line into addiction.

Consider these questions:

• Do you find it hard to stop drinking once you’ve started?
• Do you often drink more than you intended, or feel guilty about how much you drink?
• Do you need alcohol to cope with stress or social situations?
• Have your loved ones expressed concern about your drinking habits?
• Do you experience withdrawal symptoms like shaking, sweating, or anxiety when you’re not drinking?

If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, it may be time to take a serious look at your relationship with alcohol. Denial is a common part of addiction, but acknowledging the problem is the first step toward recovery.

At Abbington House, we offer a safe and confidential space to explore these questions with the support of experienced therapists. Our individual and group therapies help you uncover the underlying causes of your addiction and provide you with the tools to regain control of your life.

Abbington House: Experts in Alcohol Detox and Recovery

Abbington House is a leading facility in the treatment of alcohol addiction, offering expert care and a compassionate approach to recovery. Our experienced team of clinicians, therapists, and support staff work together to provide a personalised treatment plan for every client, ensuring that your unique needs are met.

• Medically supervised detox plans: Tailored to each client, our detox plans ensure your safety and comfort during the withdrawal process.
• Comprehensive mental health support: We offer dual-diagnosis treatment to address both addiction and any underlying mental health conditions. We have professions who are able to assess mental health issues that arise. And if further investigation or diagnosis is needed with work with a consultant psychiatrist.
• Holistic recovery approach: From therapy to aftercare, we focus on healing the whole person—mind, body, and spirit.

If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, the medically supervised detox programme at Abbington House is the first step towards recovery. With our expertise and compassionate care, you can begin your journey to sobriety in a safe and supportive environment.

Abbington House is ready to help you reclaim your life from alcohol addiction. Reach out to us today to learn more about our medically supervised detox and comprehensive treatment programmes. You don’t have to face this alone—help is just a step away.

Mental Health Triggers for Alcohol Addiction: Identifying the Causes

Alcohol addiction is often linked to underlying mental health issues. Many people turn to alcohol as a way to cope with emotional pain, anxiety, or past trauma.

Common mental health triggers for alcohol addiction include:

• Depression and anxiety: Some individuals use alcohol to self-medicate or to escape feelings of sadness or nervousness. Unfortunately, alcohol exacerbates these conditions over time.
• Social anxiety: Alcohol is frequently used as a crutch in social settings, helping people feel more confident. Over time, this can lead to dependence in social situations.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Trauma survivors may use alcohol to numb the emotional pain associated with their past experiences, but this can spiral into addiction.
• Bipolar disorder: Those with bipolar disorder may turn to alcohol during depressive episodes or manic phases to regulate their mood, which can quickly lead to abuse.

At Abbington House, we recognise the importance of treating both addiction and mental health issues simultaneously. Our dual-diagnosis approach ensures that clients receive comprehensive care for both the physical aspects of addiction and the psychological issues that may be contributing to it. With therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), we help clients manage their mental health while addressing their addiction.

Traumas That May Need Addressing: The Emotional Root of Addiction

Many individuals who struggle with alcohol addiction are also battling unresolved trauma. Whether it’s childhood abuse, grief, or other deeply painful experiences, alcohol can become a way to escape emotional suffering. However, this only leads to a cycle of dependency and greater emotional turmoil.

Common traumas that may contribute to alcohol addiction include:

• Childhood abuse or neglect: Early experiences of neglect or abuse can have a lasting impact, leading individuals to use alcohol to cope with unresolved emotions.
• Loss and bereavement: Grief can be overwhelming, and some individuals turn to alcohol to numb the pain of losing a loved one.
• Domestic violence: Survivors of domestic abuse may use alcohol as a way to manage the emotional scars left by the trauma.

At Abbington House, we offer trauma-informed care to help individuals confront and heal from these painful experiences. Therapies such as Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Inner Child Therapy are available to help you process and release the emotional pain that may be driving your addiction.

Medically Supervised Detox: Abbington House’s Expertise in Alcohol Withdrawal

Detoxing from alcohol is a critical first step in recovery, but it must be done under medical supervision due to the potential dangers of withdrawal. Alcohol withdrawal can be physically and psychologically severe, and without the right care, it can even be life-threatening.

Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can include:

• Tremors and shaking
• Severe anxiety and agitation
• Nausea and vomiting
• Hallucinations
• Seizures and delirium tremens (DTs): A dangerous condition that can result in confusion, rapid heart rate, and even death if untreated.

At Abbington House, we offer a medically supervised detox programme that ensures your safety throughout this difficult process. Every client begins with a comprehensive assessment by our psychiatrist, who gathers information about your medical, psychiatric, and addiction history. Based on this assessment, we create a personalised, medically assisted detox plan that is tailored to your specific needs.

Throughout detox, our clinical team will monitor you 24/7, managing any withdrawal symptoms and providing medications when necessary to keep you comfortable and safe. If after detox, it is determined that a more comprehensive mental health assessment is needed, our clinical professionals will discuss this with you and your loved ones. We make sure that any underlying mental health issues are properly addressed to set the stage for long-term recovery.

A Holistic Approach: Detox, Therapy, and Aftercare

At Abbington House, detox is just the first step in a broader, comprehensive treatment programme. Our holistic approach to recovery ensures that you receive the physical, mental, and emotional support needed to overcome addiction and build a healthier life.

Our three-stage programme includes:

1. Important: if you or your loved one is alcohol dependant, then there is a serious risk to life and a medically supervised detox as it is advised by all to not stop drinking in case of an alcohol withdrawal seizure.
2. Medically Supervised Detox: Safe removal of alcohol from the body, with 24/7 medical care to manage withdrawal symptoms.
3. Addiction Therapy: A personalised therapy plan designed to address the root causes of addiction, with a range of therapeutic modalities such as CBT, DBT, and trauma-informed care.
4. Aftercare: Ongoing support to help you maintain your sobriety after treatment, including relapse prevention strategies and recovery coaching.

Abbington House provides a safe, nurturing space where you can begin your recovery journey with the full support of our expert team. From detox to therapy and aftercare, we are here to guide you every step of the way.