The following points of information on alcohol programs are prepared under the supervision of Consultant Addiction Psychiatrist Dr Bruce Trathen MBBS MRCPsych, and Senior Addictions Therapist David Goodlad FRSPH MA Dip. MBACP (Snr. Accred) UKRC NCAC CADC.

Accessing reliable and accurate alcohol program information can be confusing and time consuming. Triage Advisors are here to help you make fully informed and accurate decisions. Call 0845 370 0203.

What is an alcohol program?

An alcohol program provides treatment aimed specifically towards helping people overcome alcohol dependence. This can either be on an in-patient, out-patient or community basis. It differs from other treatment programs because an alcohol program may not incorporate treatment for drug or behavioural addictions. Rather, the staff and program will specialise in the treatment of alcoholism. However, this does not mean that all aspects of the addiction will not be considered. It is well known that alcoholism can include many other factors that need to be dealt with, such as depression or anxiety.

A community based alcohol program may involve the attendance of local group meetings at an alcohol service or Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. A one-to-one counselling program can also be arranged to help people overcome the psychological dependence on alcohol. For those who are also physically dependent, there is the potential for a home detox to be arranged.

Accessing an alcohol program on an out-patient basis will typically involve the attendance of a treatment centre on a daily basis. Individuals will have access to the psychological and therapeutic program, but will return home each evening. Therefore, this is a less intensive option than in-patient treatment.

Research conducted in the field of residential rehabilitation typically demonstrates that an in-patient alcohol program is the most effective and intensive form of treatment. For instance, the National Treatment Outcome Research Study (NTORS) conveyed that whilst in-patient and community based program results were comparable, in-patient programs treated those with more severe and long-standing addictions (Gossop et al., 1996). Research conducted by the National Treatment Agency and Commission for Social Care Inspection (2008) further demonstrated that residential rehabilitation had better treatment outcomes than any other form of treatment.  

Call Triage Healthcare now if you wish to find out how you or your loved one can access alcohol programs immediately. We have an in-depth knowledge of the full range of treatment services and program options throughout the UK and abroad, and will advise you independently of any particular centre.

When should someone be admitted to an alcohol program?

If you suspect that you or your loved one is dependent on alcohol, then an alcohol program may be necessary. In some cases, a medicated detox may be essential if a physical dependence is present. Most residential alcohol programs – and all the centres Triage Healthcare work alongside - offer a medicated detox to those that need it. Longer programs will also allow individuals to address the psychological dependence to alcohol. This will take the form of structured daily programs, including one-to-one and group therapy, relapse prevention, and more holistic therapies such as reflexology.

In some cases, a medicated detox program can be offered at home. However, this is a much less intensive option than a residential detox. At home, you are unlikely to have access to the level of medical, psychological or therapeutic support that residential alcohol programs offer.

There are a number of ways that you or your loved one can ascertain whether physical dependence is present. Women who are classed as physically dependent on alcohol usually drink 70 or more units per week. For men, this is around 100 or more units. On average, a bottle of wine consists of 10 units. A 70cl bottle of spirits will contain around 30 units. A can of beer can contain anything from 2-4 units.

Furthermore, Trathen et al. (2008) highlight the symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal that point towards physical dependence. People who are physically dependent on alcohol may experience shaking, sweating, nausea and vomiting when they stop drinking without any medicated support. This can progress into seizures and hallucinations and other symptoms of delirium tremens. These symptoms have the potential to be fatal, which is why a medicated detox is necessary when a physical addiction to alcohol is present.

If you think that you or a loved one’s alcohol consumption suggests a physical dependence, call Triage Healthcare now. We are staffed by highly experienced and expert professionals in addiction medicine and counselling, who are ethically bound to give you advice according to the latest evidence of what works, and who are not allowed to advise you according to a profit motive. Rather we will find you the best value alcohol programs given your particular circumstances and wishes.

How long is an alcohol program

In-patient alcohol programs should last a minimum of four weeks. This means that both the physical and psychological dependence to alcohol can be addressed. However, the longer programs last, the better.

Where to find Alcohol Program help in the UK

Triage Healthcare work with treatment centres that offer alcohol treatment all over the UK and overseas. We understand that there may be concerns regarding treatment, particularly in terms of cost, location and success. That is why we are here. We can advise you on centres running individually tailored programs. We can help all concerned decide on a comprehensive treatment plan that is affordable to your budget. You can telephone to speak with us straight away in confidence or email us with the guarantee of a timely response.

Triage Healthcare offers an immediate response service. Our helpline is open 7 days a week, and has a 24 hour messaging service which will be responded to by one of our trained advisors as soon as possible should you call out of hours. When considering private treatment it is important to know exactly what you are getting for your money.

We are staffed by highly experienced and expert professionals in addiction medicine and counselling, who are ethically bound to give you advice according to the latest evidence of what works, and who are not allowed to advise you according to a profit motive. Rather we will find you the best value alcohol treatment given your particular circumstances and wishes.

Triage Healthcare recognises that there is a deficit in the provision of affordable private treatment for addictions in the UK. High quality free advice and information is provided to all, as well as best-value private treatment to individuals with a limited budget. If you arrange treatment through triage Healthcare you will never pay more and in some cases you will pay less for residential treatment than by booking direct with a treatment centre.

Triage Healthcare Ltd is a specialist healthcare company dedicated to the treatment of addictive illness. We were formed in 2005 by Consultant Addiction Psychiatrist Dr Bruce Trathen MBBS MRCPsych, and Addictions Therapist David Goodlad FRSH MA Dip. MBACP (Snr. Accred) UKRC NCAC CADC.

References

Gossop, Marsden and Stewart, D. (1996). NTORS after five years (National Treatment Outcome Research Study):Changes in substance use, health and criminal behaviour in the five years after intake. National Addiction Centre. Sourced at http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4084908

Trathen et al (2008). Guidelines for the best practice treatment of Substance Misuse. Triage Healthcare: Canterbury, UK.

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