Alcohol Hospital

The following alcohol hospital 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 hospital information can be confusing and time consuming. Triage Advisors are here to help you make fully informed and accurate decisions. Call 0117 339 0080.

What is an alcohol hospital?

An alcohol hospital refers to a centre that aims to help people who are dependent to alcohol.

Treatment at an alcohol hospital will typically begin with a medicated detox, which is a necessary step for those who are physically dependent to alcohol. Medication will be provided to help make the initial cessation from alcohol as comfortable and as safe as possible. Individuals will also be monitored throughout the detox to ensure any complications are swiftly dealt with should they occur.

The therapeutic support offered at an alcohol hospital will focus on the psychological side of the addiction. It will aim to help people address the underlying causes to their alcoholism, and will also help to develop effective coping and relapse prevention strategies. This typically takes the form of one to one and group therapy, education around addictions, activities focused on reflection, and more holistic therapies, such as reflexology, acupuncture and creative writing.

What are the warning signs that indicate someone needs an alcohol hospital?

It can be extremely dangerous and potentially life threatening to stop drinking alcohol without any medical advice or support. Therefore, anyone who is physically dependent to alcohol will benefit enormously from the medication and medical support offered at an alcohol hospital.

If a woman drinks over 70 units and a man more than 100 units of alcohol in a week, then they are likely to be physically dependent to alcohol. This means that cutting down on their alcohol consumption very suddenly will cause the body to react by shaking, sweating and vomiting, amongst other symptoms. This has the potential to progress into seizures, fits, hallucinations and other symptoms of delirium tremens. A medicated detox should always be sought in this case to control these withdrawal symptoms and significantly minimize the risks of sudden withdrawal.

There are a number of warning signs that indicate someone has an alcohol dependence that they need help for. They may look intoxicated and smell of alcohol frequently, whether or not a person admits to having had a drink that day. Their behaviour may change as it becomes more orientated towards the alcohol. Physically, their weight may drop significantly and their personal appearance may decline as they start to take less care of themselves. They may also experience the withdrawal symptoms mentioned above when they have not had alcohol for a period of time.

Fundamentally, people who are dependent to alcohol can sometimes still function effectively, such as holding down a job and successfully hiding their dependence from the outside world. However, this functional tolerance to alcohol does not mean they do not need help. Anyone who uses alcohol habitually or as a crutch in their life, whether a physical dependence is present or not, will benefit from attending an alcohol hospital.

Types of alcohol hospital

Triage Healthcare Ltd work with treatment centres throughout the UK and abroad. We ensure that all of the centres we work with are regulated by the appropriate governing body, and that they adhere to the standards of care expected of them. This ensures that the treatment programmes are of a very high standard.

We understand that in some cases it may not be possible for people to fund residential treatment privately. The community alcohol services offered in most areas are not as intensive as residential rehab, but they are certainly better than accessing no help at all. Call us now if you need advice about how to get free help in your local area.

How long treatment for alcoholism at a residential alcohol hospital take?

Ideally, treatment for alcohol dependence should last a minimum of 28 days. However, some centres will offer shorter programmes and most centres will offer and encourage longer programmes as well.

How much does a residential alcohol hospital cost?

The cost of treatment will depend on the location, accommodation standards and the level of nursing and psychiatric care offered at each centre.  All alcohol hospitals that Triage Healthcare work with offer excellent therapeutic programmes, so this is something that will never be compromised on at the best value centres.

Where to find residential alcohol hospitals in the UK

Triage Healthcare has 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. Call us now to find out how we can help you.