Essential Steps for Recovering From Alcohol Addiction

Two people talking to a therapist during addiction therapy.

Concerned About Alcohol Addiction?

Contact our team confidentially to find out how CATCH Recovery’s alcohol rehab programme can help provide treatment for alcohol addiction.
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Page Clinically Reviewed on by Kerry Canning, MBChB | Medical Editor

On this page, learn how recovering from alcohol addiction can help you regain control and rebuild your life. CATCH Recovery is an addiction rehab service which helps patients recover from alcohol addiction, as well as substance abuse and behavioural addictions such as gambling. We offer in-person and online services to help patients manage the physical and mental challenges of alcohol addiction and quit drinking. Whether you are making the first steps to overcome addition or need ongoing support, CATCH Recovery is here to help you.

The Importance of Alcohol Recovery

Alcohol recovery involves supporting patients to help them stop drinking. This can involve both medical treatment and therapy. Once an initial assessment has been completed by a member of our team, they will work with you to form a treatment plan. This can involve medical treatments to help manage withdrawal symptoms, as well as psychological therapy and support groups to enhance long-term recovery and provide social support.

Alcohol addiction treatment typically starts with a period of detoxification, or detox. This process helps manage uncomfortable withdrawal effects and promotes your safety and comfort as you withdraw from alcohol. Our team can arrange for you to go through a medically-supervised, inpatient detox at one of our residential locations.

Our therapists can then work with you to develop coping strategies which will help you to manage stress, alcohol cravings and relapse triggers. As alcohol addiction is a chronic health condition, having ongoing support is important for maintaining long-term recovery.

How Recovering From Alcohol Addiction Restores Health and Well-Being

There are many benefits of alcohol recovery. While the initial withdrawal symptoms can be challenging, the long-term benefits to your physical and mental health can be life-changing.

If you drink heavily on a regular basis, you are at higher risk of developing serious health conditions, like heart and liver disease, pancreatitis, cancer and mental health problems. According to NHS guidance, these risks can be mitigated by having several alcohol-free days and consuming no more than 14 units per week.1

Patients suffering from alcohol addiction typically experience withdrawal symptoms, such as sweating, shaking and anxiety, when they reduce their alcohol intake. These physical and mental health symptoms can be severe and in some cases, life-threatening, but with the right support, they can be managed effectively.2

The improvements in mental health after recovering from alcohol addiction can be transformative. Alcohol addiction can significantly impact your relationships with family and friends, your work and your financial situation. This can significantly impact your mental health. Recovering from alcohol addiction can therefore enhance your social and mental well-being.

Alcohol misuse can also play a role in mental disorders, like depression. Alcohol and depression are closely linked. If you are suffering from depression, alcohol can make your symptoms worse. If you drink heavily over sustained periods, you can start to experience symptoms of depression. Overcoming alcohol addiction can therefore lower your risk of developing depression and can alleviate symptoms of a co-occurring disorder.3

The Key Stages of Alcohol Recovery: A Step-By-Step Guide

  1. The first stage of your journey towards recovery is asking for help. Our friendly and professional team at CATCH Recovery are here to provide guidance and support to help you take this first step with confidence. By booking a free assessment, we can help to determine the most appropriate treatment options for you.
  2. Following your free screening assessment, we can set up an addiction consultation to help us further understand your situation. One of our dedicated specialists will then advise you on recommended treatment plans and locations for treatment
  3. If your assessment reveals that outpatient treatment would be most appropriate for you, we offer in person and online treatments that can be scheduled according to your other commitments
  4. If you require inpatient treatment, we can organise this for you. Inpatient rehab programmes, like those at our sister locations, Castle Craig and Smarmore Castle, provide 24/7 medical support and evidence-based therapies to promote lasting recovery from alcohol addiction with more intensive treatment options to support recovery
  5. Inpatient treatment for alcohol addiction typically starts with detoxification, or detox, and is followed up by a range of psychological and complementary therapies, based on your unique treatment plan
  6. Outpatient treatment also follows a dedicated treatment plan to help you recover from alcohol addiction

If you commence treatment at CATCH Recovery, you will be assigned a dedicated therapist to help you achieve your treatment goals. Our online treatment for alcohol addiction typically provides programmes delivered in blocks of 5 or 10 sessions. For many patients, our outpatient services provide a convenient way to get the help they need.

If you feel ready to discuss potential treatment options for alcohol addiction, contact us today to find out how we can help.

Building a Strong Support System for Recovery

Having positive social support in place when recovering from alcohol addiction can enhance your recovery journey. CATCH Recovery is therefore dedicated to working with patients and their families to provide support during our alcohol rehabilitation programmes.

Our therapists offer therapy sessions involving family members to ensure they are included in your recovery plan. We also offer group sessions with other patients to help establish support groups, so that you can learn from people going through similar experiences.

What Life Looks Like in Recovery

Following completion of our alcohol treatment and recovery programme, our therapists will help you apply what you have learnt to your day-to-day life. You will use the new skills that you’ve developed to maintain sobriety and manage relapse triggers effectively. By enrolling with CATCH Recovery, you will have access to our aftercare services, which can help you in rebuilding relationships, improving self-compassion and developing self-help support networks. This provides ongoing support and encouragement, which are important in sustaining recovery.

Ready to Take the First Step Towards Recovery?

If you drink alcohol and are ready to take the first step in overcoming your addiction, reach out to our team today for a screening assessment.

With the right support in place, recovery is possible. Our specialist team is dedicated to providing tailored treatments can help you work towards a healthier and happier life.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q: What Are the Signs That I May Need Professional Help When Recovering From Alcohol Addiction?

    A: Signs that you could be addicted to alcohol include increased quantity of drinking, drinking more to get the same effect and prioritising drinking over other things. To assess your need for alcohol treatment, clinicians often use the CAGE questionnaire:

      • Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?

      • Have people annoyed you by criticising your drinking?

      • Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?

      • Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover (an ‘eye opener’)?

    If you answered ‘yes’ to two or more of these questions, this could be a sign that you are addicted to alcohol and you may benefit from our help.4

  • Q: How Long Does Recovery From Alcohol Addiction Typically Take?

    Recovery from alcohol addiction is an individual journey and the time needed to recover will vary from person to person. The duration of treatment can depend on various factors, like your general health and the severity of your alcohol dependence. As addiction is a chronic disease, support should continue beyond initial treatment, so recovery can be a life-long journey.4

  • Q: How Can Family Members Support Someone in Recovery?

    A: Family members play an incredibly important role in helping patients recover. At CATCH Recovery, we are committed to supporting and educating family members during their loved one’s treatment. We offer family therapy sessions for individual family members, as well as group therapy sessions for 3-5 family members. These sessions are designed to create a supportive environment, develop communication skills and encourage healthy boundary setting.

  • Q: What if I Experience Relapse? Can I Still Achieve Recovery?

    A: There is a risk of relapse for every patient, however there is always help at hand. Relapses can be upsetting and disheartening, but we are here to provide support. Our experienced therapists can help you to develop skills to avoid relapses and cope with relapses if they occur.

    Relapses are a common part of the recovery process and should not be seen as a permanent failure. Recovery is still possible, especially if you choose to learn from the experience and move forward with positive changes in place.

What’s Next?

Find more information on alcohol addiction, our treatment programmes, including online therapy options, or view your nearest CATCH Recovery location below.

Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction is a mental illness characterised by the compulsive need to drink despite the consequences. Read more about alcohol addiction and the signs and symptoms.

Alcohol Addiction
a woman researching a reset programme for her addiction

Online Treatment for Alcohol Addiction

Explore treatment options, such as online therapy for alcoholism.

Online Treatment

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