Anyone suffering from alcohol addiction knows it can be an extremely frustrating and often isolating condition. If you’ve been struggling to control your alcohol intake you may find it hard to talk about – even with those closest to you.
Thankfully with the right help, alcohol addiction can be overcome. At The London Psychiatry Centre, we work with the most highly-regarded experts in the field and employ the most up-to-date evidence-based treatments to get you back on your feet as quickly as possible.
What is alcohol dependence?
Alcohol is a psychologically and physically addictive drug and, sadly, many people from all walks of life misuse it and eventually become dependent on it. People misusing alcohol may be very confused by their inability to stop – as they are often capable and successful in other areas of life. However over time, alcohol dependence is associated with serious physical and psychological health problems and can have a devastating effect on personal relationships as well as working life. It is estimated that in Britain, around 9% of men and 4% of women are alcohol dependent.
Alcohol dependence tends to appear as an overwhelming desire to drink and an inability to temper or stop drinking once you’ve started. Many alcohol-dependent people describe a persistent preoccupation with alcohol and say that the need for a drink takes over their life. Drinking alcohol regularly can increase your body’s tolerance to it, meaning over time you need to consume more to feel its effects.
Another indicator of alcohol addiction is if you experience physical withdrawal symptoms when you’re not drinking. You might experience the need to drink to stop these symptoms, which include:
- Feeling nauseous or vomiting first thing in the morning
- Tremors or shaking
- Difficulty sleeping
- Excessive sweating
- Racing heart
- Restlessness, irritability or anxiety
What are some of the possible medical complications from alcohol dependency?
People who drink large quantities of alcohol are at greater risk of developing a host of conditions ranging from liver disease, liver cancer, alcoholic amnesia and even sexual dysfunction.
Stopping drinking suddenly can be dangerous as it could lead to epileptic seizures or even delirium tremens. This manifests in symptoms such as confusion, paranoia, hallucinations, excessive sweating, shaking, diarrhoea and high temperature. Delirium tremens can be life threatening and requires immediate medical attention. This is why at The London Psychiatry Centre we are careful to make sure that all our alcohol addiction treatment patients are subject to the most rigorous assessment processes and provided with the proper medical care to enable a safe detox.
Effective alcoholism treatment with an award-winning specialist
The first step in overcoming alcohol dependency is to recognise that something is wrong and to seek help.
At The London Psychiatry Centre, we employ a specially developed 8 week 3-stage system designed to get you back on your feet quickly – without turning your life upside down. Our programme has been developed by Dr Christos Kouimtsidis, an award-winning psychiatrist who is a leader in the field of alcohol addiction. The effectiveness of his pioneering programme has been demonstrated and the results have been published in a number of scientific journals.
Here at The London Psychiatry Centre, we know our patients are incredibly busy people who often manage very hectic work schedules. Unlike other alcohol rehabilitation programmes that often involve months at a time away from home and work, our alcohol addiction treatment requires only 2 weeks off work at home, meaning you can kick start your recovery with minimal disruption to your life. Most importantly, this approach enables you to integrate your new coping skills into your home and working environment – empowering you to move forward in change.
Our integrated approach combines a safe detoxification with Medical Care, expert Psychiatry with Dr Kouimtsidis, Addiction Counselling based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Personal Training, Nutrition, and a Home Nursing Care Service. Where appropriate, we also encourage family involvement.
At The London Psychiatry Centre we recognise that every patient is an individual. We believe that if you are truly going to put alcohol addiction behind you, a quick-fix, one-size-fits-all approach won’t cut it, so all our care is tailored to fit your specific needs.
To find out how our esteemed programme can help you, please book an initial consultation with Dr Kouimtsidis.
References
Kouimtsidis C. 2011. Community alcohol detoxification; the challenge of changing service provision. Short report. Journal of Substance Use (Posted online on 8 Feb 2012).
Kouimtsidis C. Drabble K & Ford L. 2012. Implementation and evaluation of a three stages community treatment programme for alcohol dependence. A short report. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy; Vol. 19, No. 1, Pages 81-83.
Kouimtsidis C. & Ford L. 2011. A staged programme approach for alcohol dependence: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy groups for detoxification preparation and aftercare; preliminary findings. Short report. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, 18 (3), 237-239.