Alcohol Help

The 19th Annual National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month in September shines a needed spotlight on the challenge of addiction as well as the treatment options that can transform lives, enhance recovery and generate hope.

One New Jersey treatment center, The Retreat at Princeton is putting people on the road to recovery with an approach far different from traditional rehab programs. It is located on the main campus of Princeton House Behavioral Health.

While traditional programs rely almost exclusively on group therapy and strict adherence to the 12-Steps program of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), The Retreat utilizes a more broadly-based or integrated treatment approach. This model makes use not only of group therapy and AA meetings, but also intensive individual psychotherapy and other techniques to get at the core psychological issues underlying the addiction and motivate patients to make lasting change.

This innovative approach is getting results. A recently conducted study of patients who completed treatment at The Retreat showed a significant drop in drug and alcohol use together with substantial reductions in anxiety and depression.

Researchers evaluated Retreat patients at key times in the recovery process: once at the start of treatment, again upon discharge, three months later, and again at six months post-discharge. Using standardized assessment tools for evaluating substance abuse treatment, the researchers gathered information about various areas of clients’ lives, including physical health, drug and alcohol use, family/social relationships, and psychiatric problems.

Notably, at the three month and six month follow-up points, the study revealed a significant decrease in alcohol and drug use, as well as in each of the life areas typically related to substance use. The study also showed a significant decrease in symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Retreat Clinical Director Dr. Arnold M. Washton, PhD, said that the traditional inpatient rehab model, with its emphasis on group rather than individual counseling, was designed to serve large numbers of patients as efficiently as possible. While people can do quite well in that type of treatment, Dr. Washton said others require treatment that focuses not only on their addiction, but also on the psychological and emotional issues intertwined with their addiction in order to avoid relapsing over the long term.

Accordingly, The Retreat is designed around the philosophy that the key to successful treatment is getting patients to address the psychological conflicts and other longstanding issues that are intertwined with their addictions in a personalized, sophisticated treatment program with a range of therapeutic options, including individual psychotherapy, group therapy, medication, professional coaching, and family counseling.

"We view substance abuse as a self-medication problem. People who develop problems with alcohol and drugs are using these substances as coping tools," said Dr. Washton. "The Retreat gives people an opportunity not only to stop their substance use, but also to see what those underlying issues are and to practice new coping skills that will make relapse less likely."

In the year since it was established in a 14-bed wing of Princeton House in Princeton Township, The Retreat has attracted patients both locally and nationally. Patients have attended the program from outside the tri-state area, including Maine, North Carolina and California. Not only geographically diverse, Retreat patients also come from many walks of life: corporate CEOs and clergy members, stay-at-home moms and carpenters, college students and healthcare professionals. These adults all share one thing in common — if it weren’t for chemical dependency, they would otherwise be functioning in their daily lives.

When in doubt about the state of their own health, most people turn to the experts for help. A person suffering from cancer, for example, knows that their best chance of beating the disease is through access to specialist doctors who can help them decide on the most effective course of treatment. People with diabetes, meanwhile, rely on the medical community to provide the drugs and dietary guidelines that can help them manage their condition and lead full and productive lives.

Sadly, the same isn’t true for those suffering from alcohol dependence, which is just as much an illness as cancer or diabetes, says Sue Allchurch, research director at Linwood Manor Group.

For a start, many will be reluctant to admit that there’s a problem at all — even to themselves. "The denial typically associated with the effects of alcohol abuse on the brain may lead them to believe that they could stop drinking if they wanted to, or that it’s a problem they can "fix" themselves," she says.

Even those who DO recognise that they need help may be deterred from seeking it by the social stigma attached to addiction. That stigma can lead them to feel that their problems with alcohol are down to personal failings: a lack of self-control or self-confidence, for example. "In order to avoid being judged, they attempt to hide the problem as much as possible," says Allchurch.

But enduring the pain of alcohol abuse alone makes no more sense than trying to beat cancer without the help of experts. As a disease, alcoholism shares many of the characteristics we associate with other illnesses: it creates noticeable biological changes in sufferers, has clearly defined symptoms, but can be tackled effectively using established methods of treatment. Like diabetes, it’s a chronic disease that can never be entirely cured, but its effects can be minimized if carefully managed.

Research shows that alcohol treatment programmes work. Experts in the field of alcohol addiction treatment spend many years training in order to provide the services and help that problem drinkers need to beat their illness, including:

* a period (typically 2 weeks) of medically supervised detoxification to clear all alcohol from the system;
* medication to alleviate the symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol and to start repairing the damage that drinking has done;
* counselling and therapy to help sufferers to confront their illness and learn to successfully cope with it in future.

Like all illnesses, alcohol dependency causes great discomfort and unhappiness in those that suffer from it as well as those close to them. But through a specialist alcohol treatment programme, further suffering can be avoidable. Don’t suffer in silence anymore – get expert help.

Linwood Manor

According to the latest alcohol statistics, 50 % of all driving fatalities in the U.S. involve alcohol, and every 30 minutes someone gets killed in an alcohol related traffic accident. These numbers are alarming, and unless action is taken, the death toll will continue to rise.

At Cliffside Malibu, a full service residential alcohol treatment center in the Los Angeles area, a team of treatment experts are not waiting for the next devastating data to come in, but are ready to take action with the newest, most proven, alcohol rehab programs ever developed. They are highly qualified professionals, trained to support each individual, with customized programs, for just about any addiction that can ravage a person’s life, including alcoholism.

Alcoholism is a deeply-rooted psychological disease, with catastrophic effects. A proper cure requires more than just therapy. A successful addiction treatment has to encompass every aspect of the healing process, and that includes a good night’s sleep in an elegantly furnished room, gourmet meals, transportation, laundry services, appointment scheduling, and internet access. Comfort is indeed paramount during recovery.

Cliffside Malibu prides itself on recognizing all the facets of alcohol addiction, and that it is both a physical and psychological disease, affecting every individual in a specific yet different way. They do Not believe that a "one size fits all" alcohol rehab approach and a quick fix are the most appropriate solution to help an alcoholic. Only meticulously planned, and individually designed therapy sessions can lead to a permanent recovery.

The road well traveled by many alcohol abusers seems long and bumpy. It is a busy path, visited by people from all walks of life, including high-ranking politicians, well known artists, movie stars and famous musicians. These are people who are not ashamed to admit that they have a drinking problem, and after assessing their situation, were not afraid to seek help. They took action and enrolled in a renowned alcohol rehab center, where they were evaluated and treated by dedicated, experienced staff, and are treated with the upmost respect. These physicians, therapists, psychiatrist, psychologists, counselors and facilitators were available whenever they were needed and, to the best of their ability, made it their duty to assist each resident, on their own unique path to sobriety.

Becoming one of the world leaders in addiction treatment, did not happen overnight. As we all know, one addiction can lead to another. Some clients are admitted with multiple problems, which, for this particular treatment center, causes no problems. They have primary treatment options and/or extended care, as well as aftercare capabilities, cutting-edge treatment plans, and fully credentialed doctors, nurses, and therapists to ensure that their clients recover successfully, from whatever condition they are suffering.

Contrary to popular belief, alcohol rehab does not have to be a painful process. With the proper care, and residing in a private and secluded setting, the recovery process can actually be quite un-traumatic. Add recreational activities such as spa treatments, facials, manicures, swimming, hiking, and beach walks, and the option of private housing, where the client can enjoy all the conveniences from home, and you can be sure that a long-life victory is assured.

Cliffside Malibu

Plans to demonize alcohol in Scotland won’t solve the nation’s alcohol problems, the UK’s leading drinks companies are warning today.

Attempting to tackle problems by raising prices or restricting availability would be untargeted, unfair and likely to be ineffective.

In its response to the Scottish Government’s alcohol consultation, the Portman Group, the social responsibility body for UK drinks producers, says that countries adopting a similar approach have failed to achieve any significant reduction in alcohol misuse.

David Poley, Chief Executive of the Portman Group, said:

“The myth is that levels of drinking and alcohol misuse are worse in Scotland than elsewhere in the UK. In reality, Scots drink less than people in the rest of Britain and are no more likely to be drinking harmfully.

“Problems of alcohol misuse in Scotland will not be solved by turning alcohol into a social taboo and demonizing drink. There is a considerable risk that this would actually increase the appeal of alcohol to young people in particular.

“Setting a minimum price for alcohol would penalise hard-working Scots. People who claim that low prices are to blame for misuse among children miss the point; it is illegal for under-18s to buy alcohol. A sustained programme of enforcement activity will tackle this problem. It makes far more sense to enforce the current law robustly than to raise the legal purchase age.

“Education has made a huge difference to drink driving in the UK, changing both attitudes and behaviour significantly over the last 30 years. Education campaigns and hard-hitting advertisements, combined with robust enforcement of the law, changed the culture. Consequently, the number of people killed in drink-drive accidents each year has fallen by two-thirds. Education can have a similar impact on our harmful drinking culture, provided that it is combined with proper enforcement of the law.”

The Portman Group

A Norfolk alcohol crime reduction initiative involving Norfolk Constabulary, the local crime and disorder reduction partnership, Drug and Alcohol Action Team, retailers and licensees to tackle alcohol related disorder has won a Home Office award for cutting reoffending and criminal damage.

The partnership has won the regional Tilley Award for Safer Communities (East). They cracked down on alcohol related disorder in Norwich in response to local concerns about a rise in alcohol related offending and violent crime. Having liaised with retailers and licensees, they found that over half of offenders were aged between 18 and 25 and that late night drinking effectively blurred the distinction between victim and offender in many cases.

Persistent offenders were directed into alcohol referral projects to make them realise the error of their behaviour. The partnership of numerous agencies believes they have saved almost £15,000 in criminal damage, with major benefits to individuals’ health and lifestyles.

The Tilley Awards were set up ten years ago to recognise innovative crime fighting projects where police and local community safety agencies are successfully working together to identify and tackle local crime problems.

Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said:

"I am very impressed by the range and quality of entries to this year’s Tilley Awards. Norfolk Constabulary have demonstrated that by working with community safety agencies, retailers and licensees they can make drastic cuts in alcohol related disorder and help make our city and town centres enjoyable for all.

"Crime has fallen by a third in the last 11 years but we can never be complacent in the fight against crime and anti-social behaviour.

"There is no one size fits all approach to cutting crime and enforcement is just one part of the solution. By working together and using innovative, sustainable ways to reduce crime and disorder in neighbourhoods we can make further strides in cutting crime. I hope other police forces and partnerships will follow Norfolk Constabulary’s fine example."

Home Office

Recovering from alcohol dependence can be a long and arduous journey. First, you must go through detox, battling the unpleasant symptoms associated with withdrawal from alcohol. Then, you must undergo a period of therapy, in which the reasons and triggers for your drinking are addressed. Finally, you need to identify new ways of taking care of yourself and establishing new patterns of behaviour with friends and family.

No wonder some people in recovery crack under pressure, give into temptation or simply lose the motivation to stay alcohol-free. In fact, one of the major challenges in recovery from any addiction, including alcohol dependence, is the reality that relapse may occur, says Sue Allchurch, director of the Linwood Group.

Relapse is not unusual and can bring with it terrible feelings of "shame, guilt and failure", she says. But it is far more constructive to see relapse as a vital lesson learned on the journey towards recovery. That means studying the factors that triggered the relapse and the warning signs that you were vulnerable at that time. "If you do relapse, learning why may help you avoid it next time and leave you better equipped to sustain long-term sobriety," she says.

Relapse triggers and warning signs

* Deciding to stop medications or treatment on one’s own or against the advice of medical professionals;
* Hanging around old drinking haunts or with former drinking companions;
* Keeping alcohol in the house for any reason;
* Isolating yourself by skipping Alcoholic Anonymous meetings, failing to call your AA mentor or not attending therapy appointments;
* Feeling over-confident (that you no longer need support) or, conversely, losing confidence in your ability to remain abstinent;
* Believing you are now ‘cured’ of alcohol dependency and could control your intake of alcohol (sometimes called the reactivation of denial)
* Setting unrealistic goals, being a perfectionist, being too hard on yourself or simply being impatient with the recovery process;
* Dwelling obsessively on past resentments, old hurts and unresolved conflicts;
* Avoidance – refusal to deal with personal issues and other problems of daily living;
* Major life changes – death, divorce, relationship difficulties, new home, and so on.

Some studies suggest that approximately two-thirds of all relapses for any addiction occur within the first 90 days of recovery. But the longer a person is abstinent following treatment for alcohol dependency, the better things will get and their confidence and ability to handle stress without alcohol will improve.

Linwood Manor

Has the following thought ever occurred to you? "I’ve had a few drinks, but I don’t feel drunk – so my drinking habits must be safe."

Nothing could be further from the truth, says Sue Allchurch, research director at Linwood Group. "Needing a lot of alcohol to get drunk suggests that you are already drinking too much, too often," she warns.

The longer a person lives with alcohol addiction, she explains, the greater the level of tolerance they develop to the substance. This means that, over time, the alcoholic will need to drink more in order to get the same effects.

As a result, alcohol tolerance can lead someone with a dangerously high consumption to be falsely reassured that as long as they don’t feel drunk, they will be fine. But eventually, they become physically dependent on alcohol and must drink a significant amount just to function and avoid withdrawal symptoms.

The physical effects of alcohol withdrawal can range from mild symptoms like sweating, anxiety, and flu-like reactions to more serious effects in some cases: hallucinations, fitting, even heart attack. This is why it’s essential that an alcohol detox regime is carried out under medical supervision, says Allchurch. Both the physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawal occur because the body is responding to losing a substance it has adapted to.

Sadly, many people with alcohol addiction problems become dependent on alcohol long before they are able to acknowledge that such a problem even exists. But drinkers need to bear in mind that, if they have developed a tolerance for alcohol, they can no longer trust their body’s signals to tell them when they’ve had enough. And if they find it impossible to cut down on their drinking, says Allchurch, it’s time to get professional help and support.

If you or someone you know needs alcohol abuse help contact Linwood Group for confidential advice and information.

Linwood Manor