The recommended treatment for alcohol addiction is a residential treatment program that treats the mind, body and spirit, comprising the five areas of physical, emotional, social, psychological, and spiritual treatment.
Our alcohol addiction treatment program includes:
Detox
The very first phase of treatment is detox, the process of clearing alcohol or drugs from your body.
Prior to admission clients will have seen their own GP to provide us with any relevant background information and prescribe any medications that may assist in the detox process.
On admission clients will see members of our clinical team for assessment and to address any immediate needs. Within the first few days of admission clients will see one of our GPs to look after their medical needs while in program.
Depending on your situation (including your personal history and drug use) the detox process usually takes between one to two weeks. During this time, our professional counsellors and therapists will be supporting you. It is common during detox that you will experience various side effects. This is your body adjusting to the lack of drugs or alcohol in your system and is perfectly normal.
Find out more about detox.
Psychological treatment
Through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), a counsellor will work to identify the thoughts and feelings that link to your addiction behaviour.
CBT is a popular and effective form of therapy that helps you change your behaviour for good. During CBT sessions, you learn how to properly examine your thoughts and recognise the types of negative and damaging thoughts that cause you psychological and physical harm through your drug use.
The value in CBT is not only in the immediate benefits you’ll experience during your treatment but in the skills and techniques you will develop to look after yourself mentally for the rest of your life.
Find out more about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
1 in 4 adults suffering from a mental health disorder also battle addiction issues. As mentioned above, people suffering from alcohol addiction commonly also suffer from a variety of mental health issues including depression, anxiety and psychotic disorders.
Dual diagnosis is the treatment of both the addiction and mental health illness.
It is imperative that in such situations that both the mental health illness and addiction are treated at the same time as neither issue can be treated effectively without treating the other.
Find out more about dual diagnosis treatment.
Physical Therapy
The value of exercise as part of your life in recovery and staying drug and alcohol free cannot be underestimated. Physical exercise helps you stay sober by helping you feel great, building a sense of achievement and self-respect, and providing a new way to interact with your community.
We provide regular exercise programmes which include walks, yoga and boot camps. A personal trainer visits the retreat during the week. A structured exercise program promotes regular sleep patterns. Healthy meals are freshly made three times a day. Healthy sleeping and eating are an essential part of physical recovery.
Find out more about Physical Therapy.
Counselling
It is usual to express heavy feelings of guilt, shame, trauma and remorse while undergoing recovery. We provide intensive counselling sessions to help them come to peace with these feelings.
Individual counselling allows you to talk about your life and your addiction in a safe and supportive environment. All our therapists are specially trained and can help you understand the way alcohol and drugs affect you and the people around you.
By talking with your personal counsellor, you can challenge negative and unhelpful thinking. Your counsellor will help you identify ways to break down overwhelming and damaging thoughts into smaller more manageable pieces.
Individual counselling can be extremely effective for people with addiction, anxiety, depression, eating disorders and mental health problems.
Find out more about counselling.
Group Therapy
Group therapy helps you understand your drug or alcohol addiction and your path to recovery by hearing other people’s stories. Group therapy recognises that while everyone’s life and experience are different, there are common feelings and thoughts that come with the disease of addiction.
In group therapy you are free to share in a safe and supportive environment. By teaching recovering addicts to be able to communicate their feelings they are less likely to suppress the feelings that ultimately lead to them re-using.
Find out more about group therapy.
Family Therapy
As part of the treatment program, a family therapist may work with your family to identify and address underlying issues that may be caused by or contributing to your alcohol or drug dependence. Counselling sessions can help the family overcome these problems and support the whole family through your recovery process.
Find out more about family therapy.
Social Therapy
Once rehab is finished returning to a “normal” life can be challenging so we ensure that while in treatment you are in a community that is safe and therapeutic and encourages people to be social.
The therapeutic community approach is a major component of our residential treatment program. It is designed to expand our clients’ support network and give them a sense of belonging in a secure, non-judgemental peer group.
The basic philosophy is simple: Aiding long-term recovery through peer support, social learning and mutual self-help.
Find out more about a therapeutic community.
12 Step
One of the best ways to stay sober during and after your treatment is participating in a 12 Step program. Depending on individual circumstances, a therapist will recommend the best program to attend and you will undertake daily meetings while undergoing the treatment program.
12 Step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous provide a supportive and understanding group of people who are also committed to living a drug and alcohol free life. They offer a similar environment to group therapy and recognise that recovery is an ongoing process.
Find out more about 12 Step.
Meditation
Meditation is a valuable and effective way of reflecting on your thoughts and controlling anxiety and cravings. Many people think of meditation as a religious or spiritual habit, but it can also be simply about creating a safe and calm mental environment that allows you to channel your thoughts in a positive way.
Meditation sessions will teach you how to train your mind to become peaceful and calm when you need it, whether you’re at home or out in public.
Find out more about meditation.
Education
Our addiction education program is designed to provide you the knowledge to support your ongoing recovery. If you don’t understand how addiction works or know the signs of possible relapse, how can you expect to continue your recovery outside of the treatment program?
Find out more about addiction education.
Art Therapy
Art therapy can be effective in reducing stress and anxiety, and building confidence and a sense of achievement. It also relaxes you and allows your mind to focus on positive thoughts.
Whether you are a gifted artist or a willing amateur, art can help you deal with your emotions in a safe and non-threatening environment.
Find out more about art therapy.
