Evidence-Based Addiction Therapies
Losing a loved one or experiencing profound loss can cast a long shadow, often making life’s challenges feel overwhelming. For many, working through the intense emotions of grief can inadvertently lead to substance use as a coping mechanism. Understanding this deep connection is the first step toward finding compassionate and effective support.
At Castle Craig, we recognise that grief and addiction are frequently intertwined, requiring a sensitive and integrated approach to healing. We offer a safe space to process complex emotions associated with loss while simultaneously addressing substance dependence. Our dedicated team provides expert guidance, helping individuals build healthier coping strategies and move towards a brighter, more hopeful future. Find out more by calling us on 01721 546 263.
What is Grief?
Grief is a powerful human emotion which usually follows a loss. This loss may be due to the death of someone close to us, or some other type of personal loss, such as redundancy, the end of a relationship or a deterioration in our health.
People respond to loss in different ways, and while some may be visibly upset, others experience shock, denial or disbelief. Longer-term responses to loss can include ongoing sadness and other mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression, and this can lead some people to turn to substances or other forms of addictive behaviour as a way to numb their intense emotional pain. We know from experience that loss is a common theme among people in treatment for addiction.
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Symptoms of Grief
Emotions connected to grief are likely to come and go, and may not be present all the time. However, common feelings include:
- Extreme sadness
- Shock
- Anger
- Guilt
- Exhaustion
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Signs of Complicated Grief
Most people will find that the intensity of their grief reduces over time, but this is not the case for everyone. When grief continues for months or years, it is referred to as complicated or prolonged grief. Signs of complicated grief can include:
- Sadness or guilt which continues for more than 6 months
- Difficulty accepting that a death has occurred
- Spending a lot of time thinking about the person who has died
- Being unable to do everyday activities
- Suicidal thoughts
What is Grief and Addiction Counselling?
Grief and addiction counselling specifically addresses the complex interplay between experiencing loss and developing or maintaining substance dependence. This therapeutic approach helps individuals navigate the intense emotions of bereavement, such as sadness, anger or guilt, while simultaneously exploring how these feelings may have contributed to their reliance on substances.
Talk Therapy for Substance Misuse and Dealing With Loss
Grief counselling is a type of talk therapy that can help you process and accept your loss. Your therapist will provide a safe, non-judgmental space where you can talk freely and openly about your thoughts and feelings. It can often be beneficial to speak to someone who is separate from the situation, and who isn’t a family member or friend.
Your therapist can help you to focus on what is within your control and to find strategies to help you cope in the here and now. These might include writing things down in a journal, doing more physical exercise or meditation practices. Maintaining a routine and focusing on smaller goals can help to provide a sense of purpose.5 It is important to note that grief is a highly individualised process and that practices which help one person may not be so beneficial for someone else.
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What is a Grief and Substance Addiction Rehab Centre?
A grief and substance addiction rehab centre provides a specialised, integrated environment for individuals struggling with both profound loss and substance dependence. Dedicated rehab centres offer comprehensive care, acknowledging that grief can be a significant trigger of addiction. Residential settings allow for focused healing, addressing both the emotional pain of loss and the physical aspects of drug or alcohol addiction.
Grief and addiction rehab clinics in the UK can offer tailored treatment plans that combine addiction therapy with specific grief counselling techniques. Their approaches may integrate individual and group sessions designed to process bereavement, alongside evidence-based therapies for substance use. This comprehensive rehabilitation provides the tools and support necessary to process loss constructively, promoting sustainable recovery without reliance on drugs or alcohol.
The Relationship Between Prolonged Grief and Addiction
Prolonged grief disorder or persistent complex bereavement disorder differs from what would typically be usual, in terms of length and emotional intensity, for a person’s background and culture.1
What’s more, there is a link between complicated grief and addiction. Research has found that complicated grief is one of the risk factors for substance misuse and that those who use substances have a higher chance of developing complicated grief.2
Similarly, it has been found that people with substance use disorders are more than six times more likely to be affected by complicated grief than the general population.3
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Can You Be Addicted to Grief?
For some people, letting go of grief can be extremely difficult, and long after a bereavement, a picture or memory can bring a fresh wave of upset and yearning. Scientists have found that for these people, complicated grief activates neurons in the brain’s reward centre, in a process that is similar to addiction.
Usually, when our loved ones are alive, we get a neural reward from seeing them or being reminded of them. When a loved one dies, those who adapt to the loss stop getting this neural reward. However, some people continue to crave it and so repeatedly seek out reminders of their loved ones, albeit subconsciously, because each time they achieve the feelings they desire.
This can make it much harder to move on from the loss and suggests that to an extent, some people may become addicted to their grief.6
How Can Grief or Loss Lead to Drug or Alcohol Addiction?
Grief can be overwhelming and difficult to manage. The death of a loved one, for example, can affect a person’s sense of identity, purpose and connection to others, resulting in feelings of loneliness and despair.
To escape the painful emotions, some people may turn to drugs and alcohol as a way to numb their feelings. Using substances might provide some temporary relief, perhaps by helping people to relax or sleep during the initial grieving process. However, the regular use of drugs or alcohol to self-medicate the symptoms of grief can interfere with the natural grieving process and prevent individuals from healthily processing their emotions.
Over time, if the grieving person continues to use substances as a coping mechanism, this can lead to addiction, with the person becoming psychologically and physically dependent on the substance to function.
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The Five Stages of Grief
The concept of grief as a five-stage process was first developed by the psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in her 1969 book ‘On Death and Dying’.4
These five stages are described as denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, and can all be emotionally challenging. However, the stages are not linear and can occur in any order, with some potentially never happening at all. Also, every time a person experiences grief, the experience is likely to differ from the time before.
1. Denial
Finding out someone has died can be overwhelming, and it is common to feel numb in the early days following a bereavement. We may intellectually understand that someone has died, but are unable to accept that we will never see the person again. So we may carry on with daily life as usual as if nothing has changed. Such denial is usually only temporary.
2. Anger
It is common and natural to feel angry when someone dies. It may seem unfair, particularly if the person has died younger than expected, or if we had plans for the future. We may feel angry with the person for dying and leaving us, or angry towards ourselves for the things we did or didn’t do while the person was alive.
3. Bargaining
This stage can involve trying to bargain and negotiate as if we could change what has happened. People may go over and over past events, spending time thinking about all the potential “what ifs” and “if onlys” which could have potentially influenced the outcome and prevented the loss.
4. Depression
When we lose someone or something important, we can feel intense sadness for a long time, and even start to question the meaning of life itself. This sadness often comes in waves, and we may find ourselves withdrawing from people and social situations.
5. Acceptance
Over time, the pain of grief gradually eases for most people, and we can accept the loss. While we may never get over the death of someone close to us, we learn to live with it, start to accept our new reality, and move forward.
Free Grief and Addiction Assessment
Taking the first step and asking for help can feel daunting, but our team is here to assist you.
Types of Addiction Rehab Therapy Commonly Used for Patients With Grief
Addressing both grief and addiction requires a comprehensive and compassionate therapeutic approach. The goal is to help individuals process their loss and develop healthy coping strategies, reducing the reliance on substances. Integrating specialised grief counselling with established addiction therapies is key to fostering lasting recovery and emotional well-being.
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Integrated Grief, Trauma and Addiction Rehab Therapy
Specialised rehab therapy helps with grief, trauma and addiction all at once. It understands that sad feelings from loss or past bad experiences can lead to drug or alcohol use. By working on these linked problems together, people can begin to recover while feeling safe and supported.
This combined way of working does more than just stop drug or alcohol use; it goes into the deep feelings from loss and trauma. Therapists help people deal with tough memories and emotions in a safe place. This complete treatment helps the whole person heal, so they can move on from their pain without needing harmful substances.
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Loss and Dependency
Cognitive behavioural therapy, or CBT, is a proven method used to help individuals struggling with both grief and addiction. It focuses on identifying unhelpful thought patterns and beliefs that contribute to substance use or make coping with loss harder. This therapy teaches practical skills to change negative reactions to difficult emotions.
At Castle Craig, our CBT sessions for grief and addiction in the UK specifically address how thoughts about loss influence dependent behaviours. We guide patients to recognise and challenge distorted thinking that might fuel cravings or intensify emotional pain. This therapy empowers participants with new ways of thinking and responding, equipping them with healthier coping tools as they move through their recovery journey with us.
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Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) for Grief and Addiction
Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is highly effective within a residential rehab setting for people dealing with intense emotions linked to grief and addiction. This therapy helps individuals manage overwhelming feelings, reduce self-harming behaviours or suicidal thoughts, and improve their relationships. It provides a structured approach to emotional stability.
DBT offers consistent skill-building modules focused on mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. Patients learn to accept difficult feelings while also working to change unhealthy patterns. The constant support and structured routine of a rehab centre allow for deep immersion in these skills, crucial for lasting recovery from both substance dependence and the pain of grief.
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Group Rehab Therapy and Peer Support for Bereavement
Group therapy for grief and drug or alcohol addiction provides a powerful platform for people experiencing grief and substance misuse. Sharing experiences with peers who understand similar struggles can reduce feelings of isolation and shame. This collective environment offers mutual support, building a sense of community crucial for healing from both loss and substance use.
Within these group sessions, guided by experienced therapists, individuals can process their bereavement in a safe, judgment-free space. Peer feedback and shared coping strategies become invaluable resources. Witnessing others’ progress while contributing to their recovery journey can deeply reinforce personal commitment to sobriety.
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Family Therapy for Grief and Drug or Alcohol Misuse
Family therapy plays a vital role when grief and drug or alcohol misuse impact a household. Addiction often creates a cycle of pain for all family members, especially when compounded by loss. Family therapy helps open lines of communication, addressing unspoken resentments or hurts to begin a collective healing process.
At Castle Craig, our family therapy sessions provide a safe and structured environment for difficult conversations about addiction and shared grief. We help family members understand the disease of addiction and learn healthier ways to support their loved one’s recovery while processing their own bereavement. This approach aims to repair relationships, building a stronger, more supportive foundation for life after rehabilitation.
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Holistic and Experiential Therapies for Grief-Related Addiction
Holistic rehab therapies for grief and addiction offer unique pathways for processing loss, particularly when words alone feel insufficient. Experiential approaches move beyond traditional talk therapy, engaging the mind, body and spirit. They provide creative outlets for emotional expression, helping individuals release pent-up feelings and find new ways to cope with loss.
At Castle Craig, our private, residential holistic therapies for grief include practices like art therapy, drumming therapy, animal-assisted interactions or mindfulness sessions. Our activities allow patients to explore their emotions non-verbally, often unlocking deeper insights into their grief and its connection to addiction. We believe these therapies promote a profound level of self-discovery and inner peace, complementing more traditional treatment plans.
Does Grief Therapy Work in Drug and Alcohol Addiction Recovery?
Yes, grief therapy can play a crucial and often essential role in drug and alcohol addiction recovery. Unresolved grief, whether from the loss of a loved one or other significant life changes, can be a major trigger for substance use or relapse. Addressing these underlying emotional wounds through specialised therapy helps individuals process their pain constructively, reducing the need to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol.
Research supports the effectiveness of integrating grief counselling into addiction treatment plans. Studies indicate that individuals who receive grief-specific therapeutic work alongside addiction rehabilitation show reduced depression, decreased cravings and improved overall optimism. By providing tools to cope with loss and its associated emotions, grief therapy helps build a stronger foundation for long-term sobriety and mental well-being.
Grief-Focused Drug and Alcohol Addiction Therapy Treatment Near Me
Finding specialised grief-focused drug and alcohol addiction rehabilitation that truly meets your needs often means looking beyond immediate local options. Residential centres near you may be able to provide a focused environment where you can deeply engage with therapy for both substance use and the profound impact of loss.
Castle Craig Residential Rehab Centre
Situated in the quiet countryside of West Linton, near Edinburgh, Castle Craig provides a private and serene setting for people recovering from grief and addiction. Our tranquil environment strongly supports emotional healing, deep reflection and lasting stability.
Find Us
01721 546 263
info@castlecraig.co.uk
Castle Craig,
West Linton, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, EH46 7DH
If you feel ready to explore residential rehabilitation for grief and addiction, our dedicated team is here to provide support and guide your next steps. Call us on 01721 546 263 for more information and an understanding, considerate conversation about your needs.
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How to Find Grief and Addiction Rehab Therapies Near You
When seeking a residential rehabilitation centre that offers therapy for grief and addiction, the initial search can feel complicated. However, approaching this task with a clear strategy can simplify the process significantly. Understanding your priorities helps to refine choices and reduce stress.
Identifying key factors and asking the right questions are vital steps in selecting a treatment plan that truly supports emotional healing, long-term recovery and overall well-being. A focused search for the right environment and integrated grief and addiction therapies can make all the difference in achieving successful outcomes.
- Start Your Search Online for Integrated Grief and Addiction Care: Begin your search by looking for grief and addiction rehab centres near you that specifically highlight integrated therapy for both challenges. Seek facilities that mention combined care, dual diagnosis support or specialised bereavement services. Reading reviews and patient stories can offer valuable insights into the care experience at different places.Explore the Range of Available Therapies: Choose a nearby rehab centre that addresses grief and addiction from multiple angles. Look for rehabilitation that includes various therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), trauma-informed care, group therapy or even holistic methods like art or mindfulness. A wide range of options suggests a commitment to treating the whole person, not just the substance use.Verify Accreditation and Treatment Outcomes: Confirming that the rehabilitation centre is licensed and accredited by relevant bodies is important. This shows they maintain professional standards and accountability. Additionally, check if they share information on their treatment outcomes or success rates; this can help you assess the reliability and effectiveness of their grief-related addiction care.Consider the Therapeutic Environment: The location and setting of a rehabilitation centre play an important role in recovery from grief and addiction. Many people benefit greatly from a quiet, natural environment that provides distance from daily triggers and distractions. A peaceful, secluded setting can strongly support deep reflection and emotional safety during the healing process.Connect Directly with the Admissions Team: Once you have a few options in mind, contact the rehabilitation centre to discuss your specific situation. Ask how grief counselling is integrated into the overall treatment plan, what kind of professional support is available and whether care is genuinely tailored to your personal history and experiences of loss.Confirm Evidence-Based Practices: While complementary and holistic methods can be valuable tools for recovery, they should complement proven clinical therapies. Ensure the rehabilitation centre combines evidence-based approaches, like CBT or addiction counselling. with any other therapies offered. A drug or alcohol rehab centre that blends these methods is more likely to provide lasting results for both grief and addiction.
Grief and Addiction Therapy at Castle Craig
We see many people arrive at Castle Craig with unresolved grief issues. This often includes the death of a person, but can also be other losses, such as the end of a relationship, the death of a pet or a miscarriage, for example.
Unprocessed grief can be a trigger for relapse, and so these issues need to be addressed if addiction recovery is to be long-lasting. So, after a free initial assessment, we make sure that grief is considered as a part of the treatment plan for every patient who needs it. This is likely to involve individual and group therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, and mindfulness-based interventions.
We also run dedicated grief therapy groups so that people can talk about their losses in a supportive environment. Group members are invited to carry out assignments between sessions, which they can then bring back and share with the rest of the group.
The therapeutic community we provide is designed to help each person feel safe and supported while they work through any grief issues. As we recognise that grief can be a long-term issue for many of our patients, we also make sure that it is factored into our continuing care provisions.
Coping With Grief During Drug or Alcohol Addiction Recovery
Grief can be a powerful trigger for people impacted by addiction, often increasing the risk of relapse during recovery. Managing grief effectively is a crucial aspect of sustained sobriety in grief and addiction recovery. Here are some helpful tips for those seeking to cope with loss while maintaining their rehabilitation.
Here are some tips to help with managing grief when in recovery:
- Share Your Feelings: Discuss your emotions openly with trusted individuals or consider joining a support group.
- Prioritise Self-Care: Maintain well-being through balanced nutrition, sufficient sleep and regular physical activity.
- Stay Engaged: Keep active and involved in meaningful pursuits to help manage difficult emotions.
- Embrace New Experiences: Explore new hobbies or activities to broaden your perspective and create positive distractions.
- Practice Gratitude: Regularly reflect on the positive aspects and blessings still present in your life.
Questions About Grief Therapy in Rehab?
Contact us to discuss your treatment needs with a licensed clinician.
Does Health Insurance Cover Grief and Addiction Treatment?
Yes, many private health insurance providers in the UK now offer coverage for mental health conditions, which can include addiction rehabilitation. When grief therapy is an integrated component of an overall addiction treatment plan, it often falls under the umbrella of mental health or substance use disorder coverage. However, the extent of coverage can vary significantly between policies and providers.
It is always advisable to check your specific policy details or speak directly with your insurer to understand what is covered. We accept health insurance from many major providers, provided the insurer authorises treatment at our facility. We believe you deserve the best help, and the inclusion of grief counselling as part of a comprehensive addiction treatment package is increasingly recognised and supported by many leading insurers.
How Much Does Inpatient Grief and Drug or Alcohol Addiction Rehab Therapy Cost?
The cost of private inpatient rehabilitation with grief and addiction therapy in the UK typically aligns with general private rehab pricing. This usually ranges from £650 to £1,500 per day, translating to approximately £18,000 to £40,000+ for a standard 28-day treatment plan.
At Castle Craig, we aim for transparency in our all-inclusive costs, allowing people to focus fully on their recovery without unexpected financial concerns during their rehabilitation journey. Get in touch with our admissions team using this online form, and we will get back to you to outline our fees.
Contact Castle Craig Today
If you have experienced a loss, and think that unresolved grief issues might be contributing to your addiction, then contact us for support today. Whatever stage of grief you’re currently at, we can help you to process and accept your loss as part of your overall recovery. If you need help, call our compassionate team now.
Free Grief & Addiction Assessment
Compassion, expertly delivered evidence-based practices and a patient-centred approach are at the heart of our treatment model. Request a call-back from one of our professionals on any day of the week.
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References
- NHS. Grief after bereavement or loss.
- Parisi A, Sharma A, Howard MO, and Blank Wilson A. The relationship between substance misuse and the treatment for complicated grief itself: A systematic review. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. 2019; 103, 43–57.
- Masferrer L, Garre-Olmo J, and Caparrós B. Is complicated grief a risk factor for substance use? A comparison of substance-users and normative grievers. Addiction Research & Theory. 2017; 25(5), 361–367.
- Cruse. Understanding the five stages of grief.
- BACP. Loss. What therapy can help with.
- University of California – Los Angeles. Addicted To Grief? Chronic Grief Activates Pleasure Areas Of The Brain. ScienceDaily. 2008.