Alcohol Addiction, Treatment and Recovery

Castle Craig is a leading alcoholism rehab hospital in the UK, specialising in the treatment of alcohol problems leading to dependence. Situated in 50 acres of beautifully landscaped private land near Edinburgh, it offers privacy and a peaceful retreat from pressures and stress. Our qualified and experienced team of doctors, nurses and therapists have helped over 7,000 patients on the road to recovery from their addictions. Medical care is available 24/7 and therapeutic consultation is personalised and always discreet.

The structured alcohol treatment programme at Castle Craig offers:

• Assessment
• Detoxification
• Specialised Therapies
• Educational Therapy
• Psychiatric Care
• Optional Extended Care Programme

For information 24 hours a day on admissions and alcohol addiction treatment available at Castle Craig contact us on +44 1721 722763, or email enquiries@castlecraig.co.uk

Alcohol Use

For many adults, drinking a moderate amount of alcohol (up to two units per day for men, and one unit per day for women and older people) is not harmful. But many people get into serious trouble because of their drinking. Click here to answer our brief questionnaire, if you think you may have a drinking problem.

Alcohol – The Facts
Alcohol acts as a depressant on the nervous system, creating a ‘high’ or relaxed state in the drinker and a release from inhibitions. The alcohol content of a drink is measured in ‘units’ and the liver breaks down alcohol at the rate of about one unit (8g of alcohol) an hour. The Royal Colleges of Physicians, Psychiatrists and General Practitioners recommend that men should not drink more than 21 units of alcohol a week, and women 14 units a week. The Department of Health’s sensible drinking guidelines say that daily alcohol intake should not exceed 3-4 units (men) or 2-3 units (women). Continued drinking at the upper limit is not advised, and at least two alcohol-free days a week should be observed, particularly after an episode of heavy drinking.

An alcohol unit roughly equates to half a pint of standard strength (3.5%) beer, lager or cider, one standard measure of spirit/liqueur or half a 175ml glass of wine. The alcohol content will depend on the size of your drink and glass and the alcohol concentration of the particular wine and beer.

Many people are able to drink occasionally without problems and a small amount of certain types of alcohol (e.g. red wine) have been shown to provide some health benefits. However, prolonged and heavy drinking is a serious matter, with harmful effects on the individual’s health, personal relationships and career. Alcoholism is a serious illness with devastating effects and it is often very difficult for sufferers to realise and admit that they have a problem.

You may also find of interest information on Alcohol in the Workplace, please click on this link to find out more - Alcohol In The Workplace

Signs of Alcohol Dependency
People with alcohol addiction (also known as ‘alcohol dependency’ or ‘alcoholism’) will have a strong urge to drink and will find that they are consistently unable to stop once they have started. As well as this they will experience some or all of the following symptoms:

• Drinking to cope with stress, problems or to suppress emotions.
• Drinking more in order to experience the effects of alcohol.
• Frequent memory lapses from a night of drinking.
• Family and friends criticise and comment on their drinking.
• Reaching for a drink in the morning or early in the day to steady their nerves or to cure a hangover.
• Running into problems at home, at work or with the law which are directly or indirectly related to their drinking.
• Frequent excuses to justify their drinking or related behaviour.

Health Risks of Heavy Drinking
Prolonged heavy drinking and binge drinking have a variety of adverse effects on the body as alcohol is in fact toxic to the body’s cells when consumed in amounts other than those recommended:

• Alcohol is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the U.K. Alcohol-related liver disease includes fatty liver, hepatitis and cirrhosis. Cirrhosis which is an irreversible form of liver disease occurs in 15 to 30% of heavy drinkers. Women in particular are more at risk of liver disease and are likely to develop complications at an earlier stage than men. Liver disease and cirrhosis of the liver are also increasingly prevalent in younger age groups.
• Men and women may experience fertility problems.
• Many cancers are directly related to chronic heavy alcohol use.
• Prolonged alcohol consumption commonly leads to mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.
• Heavy drinkers will also experience the withdrawal symptoms of nausea and vomiting, heart palpitations, sweating, ‘the shakes’, and difficulty sleeping.
• Alcohol causes memory blackouts. A blackout results in an inability to recall details of events which have occurred during a drinking bout. Blackouts occur even after a few drinks and the degree of memory lapse increases with the amount consumed. One particular form of alcohol-related acquired brain injury is the condition Korsakoff’s syndrome which is characterised by persistent memory and learning problems and caused by a deficiency of vitamin B1.
• Chronic heavy drinkers are at risk of more insidious progressive and persistent brain damage leading to generalised cognitive impairment which may present as loss of memory and difficulty with problem solving.
• Alcohol use during pregnancy is potentially damaging to the developing fetus and even frequent consumption of moderate amounts may cause a condition known as Fetal Alcohol Effects or with heavy consumption the full-blown Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. These children suffer from a variety of cognitive disabilities. Currently the incidence of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome is up to 3 infants per 1000 live births.

Alcohol Misuse in the UK
The NHS estimates that one in 13 people in the UK are alcoholic / dependent on alcohol, with detrimental effects to their health. The Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England estimates that up to 22,000 premature deaths per year are associated in some way with alcohol misuse.

How Can I Stop Drinking?
If you have decided to get help then you are already on your way to recovery. Many who are dependent will require treatment in a residential setting where there is access to 24-hour medical care, supervised detox and a daily routine of individual counselling and group therapy sessions. You may wish to consult with your G.P or visit Alcoholics Anonymous online http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk for more information.

For information 24 hours a day on admissions and alcohol treatment available at Castle Craig contact us on +44 1721 722763, or email enquiries@castlecraig.co.uk