Alcohol Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation

The effects of alcohol addiction can be devastating. Alcohol acts as a nervous system depressant and relaxant. This means that it can initially bring about feelings of euphoria, and in moderation can reduce feelings of anxiety and inhibition.

However, long term alcohol abuse can have a catastrophic effect on your mental and physical health. It can cause problems with your personal relationships, your career and social life.

Around 1 in every 13 people in the UK are dependent on alcohol. Alcohol abuse accounts for up to 30,000 deaths each year in Great Britain - and almost 70% of suicide attempts are linked to heavy drinking. Alcohol is also implicated in a large percentage of accidents and hospital admissions.

But, alcoholism is treatable and with the right help you or your loved one can start on the road to beating the addiction. At The Causeway Retreat we understand that the effects of this illness can feel overwhelming for both the client and the family - but we provide the right environment and the right alcohol rehab treatment for lasting recovery.

Features and Symptoms of Alcoholism

Symptoms of alcoholism vary from person to person, and according to how long they have been drinking to excess. However, if you have a drink problem the main symptom and effects of alcohol is that drinking becomes compulsive - often taking priority over everything else.

You may notice early alcoholic symptoms in yourself or others, including the following:

• A noticeable and strong urge to drink,
• Difficulty stopping drinking once started,
• An increased tolerance for alcohol,
• Moving on to stronger drinks such as spirits,
• The need for an alcoholic drink in the morning,

Persistent heavy drinking leads to much more serious symptoms and risks, both physical and psychological, including:

• Depression,
• Liver disease (known as cirrhosis),
• Alcoholic dementia,
• Attempted suicide,
• Nutrition problems and alcohol related anaemia,
• Chronic calcifying pancreatitis,
• Damage to the muscles in your heart,
• Increased chance of high blood pressure, heat attacks and stroke,
• Memory loss and hallucinations,
• Seizures and mental problems,

If you are chemically dependent on alcohol, then you will experience a range of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. These can include (from mildest to most severe - the severity depends on the level of alcohol dependency):

• Shakiness and feeling nervous,
• Anxiety,
• Irritability,
• Fatigue and depression,
• Difficulty sleeping,
• Sweating, vomiting and nausea,
• Heart palpitations,
• Tremors and clammy skin,
• A state of confusion and hallucinations (known as delirium tremens),
• Fever,
• Convulsions,
• Black outs.

In many cases both the sufferer of alcoholism and friends and family are unaware of a problem for many years. You may find that social drinking when younger leads to heavier drinking, without noticing your addiction until it is a serious problem.

Find out more about the risks of alcoholism, alcohol withdrawal symptoms and the problem of binge drinking.

Treating Alcoholism at The Causeway Retreat

The Causeway Retreat is a unique alcohol rehab clinic near London. We are the only treatment centre in the world on our own private island. The alcoholism treatment we provide is given by leading psychiatric and medical experts in a serene, tranquil and above all discreet environment.

Our first step for alcohol effects is detoxification. Alcohol detox is where you take a short course of medication which replaces alcohol in an attempt to prevent any withdrawal symptoms. If you're physically dependent on alcohol, then alcohol detox is essential and should only be done under medical supervision. Detoxification lasts around 7-10 days and can take place at The Causeway Retreat, or at home.

You can then start to combat your addiction to alcohol through a personalised programme of therapy and alcohol rehab treatment. We offer both group and individual therapy on the island in luxurious surroundings for those who need help in overcoming the problems of alcohol dependency.

The treatment doesn't end when you leave the island. The Causeway Retreat offers 12 months of post alcohol detox aftercare support and advice.

Contact us now in complete confidence. We can discuss your alcohol rehab programme and talk about how The Causeway Retreat can help you recover from this distressing condition.