Alcohol Addiction Signs and Symptoms | Abuse, Dependency and Alcoholism Clinic

What Is Alcohol Addiction?

There is a cultural rejection of the term alcohol addiction and alcoholism, in favour of the more modern and less offensive alcohol use disorder (AUD), which is a wide-ranging term for any level of drinking alcohol that results in persistent, long-term problems.

Formally, alcohol addiction is divided into two core types: alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence. The approved medical context is that alcohol addiction exists when two or more of the following symptoms are present:

• Consumes large amounts of alcohol
• Has difficulty cutting down
• Acquiring and drinking alcohol takes up a great deal of time
• Alcohol is strongly desired
• Usage results in not fulfilling responsibilities
• Alcohol consumption results in social problems and health problems,
• Usage results in risky situations including drink driving, unprotected sex etc…
• Withdrawal symptoms occur when stopping drinking

If you or a loved are showing one or more of the above symptoms give us a call so we can discuss your situation and options further!

Difference Between Abuse, Dependence and Alcoholism?

The terminology alcohol abuse, dependence and alcohol addiction or alcoholism have become misunderstood and loosely interchangeable but all terms are housed under the bracket of alcohol use disorder. Below we explain the main differences between the core terms:

Alcohol Abuse

When someone is abusing alcohol, it means they are starting to experience negative consequences due to their alcohol intake. Binge drinking, drink driving and drinking to the point of a blackout are all signs of someone who is abusing alcohol and therefore making poor decisions. Abusing alcohol does not necessarily mean you are an alcoholic but it is often a sign of the beginning stages of the disorder.

Alcohol Dependence

Dependence refers to the physical aspect of alcohol consumption and is characterised by an increased tolerance to alcohol, meaning you consume more in order to produce the same effect and also that if you stop or significantly decrease your alcohol consumption you will experience alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

Alcohol Addiction (alcoholism)

An alcoholic does not necessarily consume vast quantities of alcohol, nor does he/she necessarily have a physical dependence (although both are common). The addiction may be purely or largely psychological meaning the body is not addicted to alcohol but the brain is truly convinced that more alcohol is the answer to living life on life’s terms and will often stop at nothing in order to consume more.

If you or a loved one are suffering from some level of alcohol use disorder then please call us today and we can discuss your options!

Do I have a drinking problem: Signs and Symptoms?

It is a generally accepted medical convention that a qualified medical practitioner will diagnose alcoholism when 2 or more of the following symptoms are presented in the previous 12 months:

• An overwhelming desire to drink
• An inability to stop or to control harmful drinking
• Withdrawal symptoms when stopping drinking
• Evidence of alcohol tolerance
• Pursuing the consumption of alcohol to the exclusion of alternative pleasures
• Continuing to drink despite evidence of harmful consequences

If you answer yes to 2 or more of the questions then call us now and speak to a trained addiction counsellor!

Effects of alcohol addiction

The below is a guideline to the negative effects alcohol consumption focussing on physical ailments and behaviours:

Alcohol intoxication: Common short-term signs and symptoms:

• Memory lapses
• Slurred speech
• Lack of coordination
• Slowed breathing
• Vision impairment
• Extreme shifts in mood
• Drink driving
• Passing out and vomiting
• Unprotected sex

The longer-term effects associated with alcohol abuse are:

• Nerve Damage
• Alcoholic liver cirrhosis
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Heart, pancreas, brain disease
• Respiratory infections
• Ulcers and stomach breakdown

Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline and Symptoms

Going Cold Turkey is not advisable under any circumstance but if you do, you are likely to experience the following:

• Stage 1

6-12 hours after last drink: the patient will experience severe anxiety, headaches, nausea and stomach pains

• Stage 2:

12-48 hours after last drink the client will experience an escalation of withdrawal such as increased heart rate, blood pressure and confusion

• Stage 3

48-72 hours after last drink the addict will experience severe symptoms such as shakes and seizures, delirium tremens, hallucinations and possibly death

It is advisable to undergo a CQC approved medical detox for alcohol. Call us to discuss pricing, location and your overall treatment needs

Care Quality Commission Alcoholism Rehab Clinic

Our specialist residential alcohol intoxication unit, Recovery Lighthouse, treats alcohol addiction through an intensive course of medically managed detoxification with alcohol-replacement medications, therapeutic counselling and holistic rehab inc. cross addiction and relapse prevention workshops. Post-rehab lifetime aftercare is delivered through our industry-leading sober support programme called UKAT connections.

Alcohol Addiction Hospital

Our CQC alcohol hospital is patient-focused from the outset, every aspect of treatment is designed for comfort and long-term healing. Our en-suite bedrooms are warmly decorated, our private chef prepares 3 meals a day on-site and our recreational grounds are perfect for alone time, to relax and live in the moment of healing.

Through a doctor-led medically managed detox programme the client becomes alcohol free, then an intensive course of one-to-one and group therapy uncovers root causes of destructive patterns. Holistic workshops deal with cross-addiction and relapse prevention which is usually high on patients’ agenda.

Finally, our alcohol hospital offers an award-winning free lifetime aftercare support network called UKAT connections that deliver sober companionship and socialising.

Medical Alcohol Detoxification

Our residential medical alcohol detox is the safest and most comfortable way to remove alcohol toxins from your body. Our clinical medical detox team consists of doctors, nurses, therapists and support workers meaning that every aspect of your physical, emotional and spiritual detox and recovery is monitored and treatment tailored accordingly.

You will receive a prescribed, CQC approved substitutes such as Baclofen, Clonidine and/or Antabuse which will taper you off alcohol while we also can prescribe medication to help with anxiety, stress and sleeping difficulties.

At Recovery Lighthouse, withdrawal symptoms are virtually nil in comparison to going “cold turkey”. Going cold turkey endangers your life whereas a detox for alcohol in our CQC regulated alcohol detox clinic ensures safety and comfort at all times

Long-term Alcoholism Rehabilitation

In order to acquire the life skills that are required to function in society without the need for alcohol we strongly recommend 28 days of residential alcohol rehabilitation. Our specialist programmes include:

• One-to-one Counselling
• Relapse Prevention Workshops
• Yoga & Meditation
• Music & Art therapy
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Holistic Programme
• Mindfulness and Acupuncture
• Fitness and Massage
• Cross Addiction Workshops
• Group Therapy

If you have any questions regarding our alcohol use disorder treatment, locations and cost – we can answer them!

Lifelong Alcohol Relapse Prevention

Lifelong Alcoholism Support, Aftercare, Family & Social Connection Programme

Post-rehab challenges are inevitable and having to face the reality of day-to-day life can be an extremely daunting thought. While you may be determined to continue living a sober life, external triggers and temptations exist and dealing with these alone can leave you feeling isolated. To support you during this vital time, we have created a two-tier approach to long-term sobriety.

Short-term aftercare:

We provide one year’s free aftercare support sessions every week in the rehab you attended (or nearest clinic). Here you will engage with a group based therapeutic approach, with family/loved ones in attendance (if you so wish) and you will also have the opportunity to speak with your therapist one-to-one.

Long-term sober network:

We have built the UK’s first sober recovery network for all those who have attended a UKAT treatment facility. This lifelong recovery network is called UKAT Connections – a gateway to lifelong sober companionship. Events include Christmas parties, dinners, adventure days out and, of course, summer BBQs.

This is the future of permanent recovery, and we are proud to be the first rehab family in the UK to offer it. Many people fear that putting down alcohol means losing their social life. At UKAT we say it’s only just begun! Please call to hear more about rehab, recovery and lifelong happiness.

If you have any questions regarding our private detox clinic, treatment needs, locations and/or cost – call us today!