Alcohol Rehab | Alcohol Addiction Treatment at Recovery Lighthouse

Alcohol rehab is a structured process designed to help you step away from a life shaped by drinking and start rebuilding in a safe, supportive environment. It works on two levels at once: addressing both the physical effects of alcohol on your body and the emotional hold it has on your life.

Alcohol rehab - group therapy

What is the alcohol rehab treatment process?

The alcohol rehab treatment process begins with alcohol detox, allowing your body to clear alcohol and adjust to functioning without it. Once the physical stage is underway, attention turns to the reasons drinking became such a central part of life. This might involve looking at stress or emotions that kept the cycle going and learning healthier ways to manage them.

Alongside this, relapse prevention becomes a major focus. You’ll learn how to recognise risks, spot early warning signs and build strategies that help recovery stay steady long after treatment ends. When all these elements come together, rehab becomes a foundation for lasting stability and a healthier future.

In what setting can alcohol rehab be taken?

Alcohol rehab can take place in different settings depending on your level of dependence and what kind of support you need. The two main options are outpatient rehab and inpatient rehab, and understanding the difference between them can help you find what feels right for you.

Outpatient alcohol rehab

Outpatient rehab allows you to live at home while attending scheduled therapy sessions at a clinic or treatment centre. These sessions might include one-to-one counselling or group work designed to keep your recovery on track.

The main appeal here is flexibility, as it allows you to continue working or caring for family while still receiving professional help. However, that same flexibility can also make things more difficult because being surrounded by familiar routines and triggers can make it harder to break old patterns.

Outpatient rehab tends to suit people who are at an earlier stage of alcohol misuse and have strong support at home.

Inpatient alcohol rehab

Inpatient rehab takes a more immersive approach by removing you from the environments where alcohol is close at hand. Living at a dedicated centre provides structure and care that can make all the difference when recovery feels uncertain.

Inside inpatient rehab, staff who understand alcohol addiction are there to support you through each stage of the process. Therapy sessions create time and space to explore what led to your drinking and how to move forward from it. Living alongside others who share similar struggles also brings a sense of belonging that many people haven’t felt in years.

Inpatient rehab is usually best suited to those who have moderate or severe dependence, have relapsed after trying to quit alcohol alone or live in environments filled with triggers.

While outpatient treatment can work for some, inpatient rehab remains the most reliable setting for lasting recovery because it combines safety and consistent support in one place.

Alcohol rehab - group therapy

Want to know the cost of alcohol rehab?

Visit the cost of rehab page using the button below to get an understanding of the cost of rehab, and what you get for your money.

I still don’t know which setting is best for me

Even after reading the differences, it’s normal to feel unsure which option fits your situation. You might see yourself in parts of both, and that uncertainty can make the decision feel even harder.

No two journeys look the same, and that’s exactly why speaking with Recovery Lighthouse can be so valuable. Our team can guide you through a full assessment that looks at your drinking history and the level of support you’ll need. From there, we can create a clearer plan built entirely around you and your recovery goals.

What to expect from your stay in inpatient alcohol rehab

If inpatient rehab feels right for you, you might be wondering what actually happens in rehab, once you arrive. Some people come after years of drinking that have taken a toll on their health, while others arrive after one moment of clarity that changed everything. Whatever brings you here, the first stage is always understanding.

Initial assessment
It all begins with an assessment, which is more of a conversation than a checklist, where you’ll have the space to talk about what led you to seek help. These discussions are private and supportive, helping us design a plan that feels personal rather than prescribed.
Alcohol detox support
The alcohol detox stage allows alcohol to leave your body while your system begins to adjust. Many people fear this step, especially if they’ve tried to quit on their own and found the symptoms too difficult. At Recovery Lighthouse, you’re never facing it alone. Support is always nearby to ease both physical and emotional strain, helping you through one of the hardest stages safely.
Therapy and healing
Once your body starts to stabilise, attention turns to healing the mind. Detox clears the body, but therapy helps uncover why alcohol was there in the first place. For some, this means revisiting uncomfortable memories or trauma; for others, it’s about learning new ways to cope with stress or uncertainty. Whatever surfaces, therapy offers a safe place to face it and begin moving forward.
Planning for the future and aftercare
As your stay comes to an end, focus shifts again, this time toward life beyond rehab. Together, we’ll create a plan for managing cravings and maintaining support. Through both our secondary treatment programme and aftercare programme, you’ll have the chance to continue therapy and check in with your progress, making sure recovery remains strong once you return home.

The role of therapy in alcohol rehab

Therapy forms the foundation of alcohol rehab because it goes far deeper than drinking alone. It helps you understand what fuelled the behaviour, how to manage triggers and how to rebuild a sense of peace and control.

Some of the core therapies used in our alcohol rehab programme include:

  • Cognitive behavioural therapy to challenge negative thought patterns
  • Dialectical behaviour therapy to manage difficult emotions
  • One-to-one counselling for private reflection
  • Group therapy to connect with others who truly understand. 

Together, these therapies form a complete picture of care that supports recovery from every angle.

Alcohol rehab group of people supporting each other

Reach out to Recovery Lighthouse alcohol rehab

Reaching the point of considering rehab treatment already shows courage, and reading this means you’ve started to imagine change. That first step, however small, matters more than you might realise.

At Recovery Lighthouse, we look beyond alcohol and see the person underneath. Drinking may have shaped part of your story, but it doesn’t define who you are. What defines you is the decision to seek help and start rebuilding.

Our alcohol rehab programme is rooted in compassion and belief in your ability to recover. No matter how long alcohol has been part of your life, a new path is waiting. If you or someone close to you needs support, reach out to us today. You don’t have to face it alone.

Seek treatment for Alcohol addiction today.

Alcohol addiction does not need to control your life. Reach out for us today to find out how you can take your life back from Alcohol.

Frequently asked questions

What therapies are used in alcohol rehab?
Therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, one-to-one counselling and group sessions uncover triggers and reshape thoughts while guiding you toward healthier ways of coping each day.
What’s the difference between inpatient and outpatient alcohol rehab?
Inpatient rehab offers continuous care within a safe environment, while outpatient treatment provides structured sessions during the week, allowing recovery to continue alongside existing responsibilities and commitments.
How can alcohol relapse be prevented after rehab?
Relapse prevention focuses on recognising early warning signs, applying coping techniques learned in therapy and maintaining supportive connections through aftercare to keep your recovery strong over time.
What should I do if a friend or family member is struggling with alcohol dependence?
It can be painful to watch someone you care about battle alcohol dependence. Whether it is a friend struggling with alcohol, a parent who is abusing alcohol or even a son or daughter who is stuck in alcohol addiction,  the most important first step is to approach them with empathy rather than judgment. Let them know you’re concerned because you care about their wellbeing, not because you want to control their choices.
What happens after the rehab programme?
After completing a rehab programme, individuals are provided with ongoing support to help them maintain their recovery. This may include attending support group meetings, continuing therapy or counselling sessions and making lifestyle changes to avoid triggers that could lead to relapse.
Can I visit someone in alcohol rehab?
Yes, you can visit loved ones in alcohol rehab at Recovery Lighthouse on Sundays. However, visits are currently not available due to Covid regulations.
What should I do if I suffer an alcohol relapse?
Seek support immediately through therapy, support groups, or medical help. A relapse doesn’t mean failure; it’s an opportunity to recommit to recovery.

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