The following alcohol retreat information has been 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 retreat 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 Retreat?

An alcohol retreat is somewhere an alcohol dependent individual can go to get professional help in overcoming their dependence. It differs from other forms of community or out-patient treatment as an alcohol retreat involves going away to somewhere new and unfamiliar. This makes such treatment an effective way to address an alcohol dependence because you will not be in an environment where drinking is a familiar pattern. Moreover, it may differ from other in-patient treatments because it can focus predominantly on the therapeutic and spiritual aspects of treatment for an addiction which can be an important tool in lasting recovery.

When should someone be admitted to an Alcohol Retreat?

Alcohol retreats should be given serious consideration when alcohol dependence is present for you or your loved one. Alcohol retreats are particularly beneficial for those who have not progressed to a physical dependency, or for those who have already had a medicated detox. This is because alcohol retreats focus predominantly on the spiritual and emotional aspects of the dependence.

A private alcohol retreat will usually follow a spiritual, 12 step philosophy, and engage individuals in holistic and therapeutic activities throughout their stay. Individuals may engage in prayer and other activities to aid self-reflection and the discovery of meaning to their life. Often this will take place in a therapeutic and naturalistic environment.

A private alcohol retreat may begin with a medicated detox if this is necessary. This is to make alcohol withdrawal as safe and comfortable as possible. If you are physically dependent to alcohol, an alcoholic retreat that provides a medicated detox will be necessary. Trathen et al. (2008) highlight that alcohol withdrawal symptoms include shaking, sweating and nausea. However, these can progress into seizures, hallucinations and other signs of delirium tremens. These have the potential to be fatal or cause brain damage. Thus, you or your loved one may need to seek out an alcoholic retreat that offers a medicated detox.

What alternatives are there to an alcohol retreat?

There are many alternatives to an alcoholic retreat. Community based and out-patient treatments allow individuals to access support from home. For instance, some people may consider accessing a home detox. Psychological support may also be accessed at local alcohol groups and one-to-one meetings. However, these will lack the intensiveness and effectiveness of residential alcohol retreats.

Residential treatment is the most effective form of treatment for alcohol dependence. You or your loved one may access this through a residential alcohol retreat or a residential treatment centre. Both offer an intensive means of addressing the psychological dependence to alcohol and in helping individuals grow spiritually. However, not all residential alcohol retreats will offer a medicated detox. Triage Healthcare work only with residential treatment centres that provide an initial medicated detox if required. 

Where to find Alcohol Retreats in the UK

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. We have an in-depth knowledge of the full range of treatment services and programme options throughout the UK and abroad, and will advise you independently of any particular centre.

There are a number of different treatments available. It is important that the treatment is tailored to the individual - addiction is different for each person; there is no “one-size-fits-all solution”. In order to find out the treatment that represents the best chance of success for all concerned, call one of our experienced advisors. Our advice is all completely free and confidential.

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 treatment given your particular circumstances and wishes.

Triage Healthcare also 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.

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.

Call Triage Healthcare to discuss the option most likely to result in success for you or your loved one. All of our advisors are bound by strict rules of confidentiality and medical ethics. Your call is guaranteed to be treated in the strictest confidence.

References

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

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