When Should You Go To Rehab for Alcohol Addiction?

Published by John Gillen | Last updated: 16th January 2023

When Should You Go To Rehab for Alcohol Addiction?

A first step before seeking rehab treatment is to analyse your relationship with alcohol.

Are you constantly drinking heavy amounts or binge drinking? Are you covering up or lying about how much you drink to friends and family? Have you ever turned up to work badly hungover or repeatedly drunk? Do you rely on alcohol to get you through the day?

 

Do I Need To Go To Rehab for Alcohol Abuse?

It can be tricky to determine whether or not you have an alcohol addiction, as drinking is such a social activity, so don’t be afraid to ask family and friends whether they feel you may have a drinking problem. If they say that you don’t, keep an open mind and also ask yourself whether these are reliable opinions. For example, don’t ask someone who may have a drinking or drug issue of their own.

If you have been hiding your alcohol addiction from loved ones, this could also mean that they are not aware of your problem and may give you an opinion that indicates as such. Be open and honest about your addiction. Tell your friends or family how you are feeling. If they cannot give you a reliable answer, it may be worth speaking to your local GP or a psychologist to determine whether your behaviour and cravings satisfy the criteria for addiction.

 

Carry Out A Self-Assessment

If you are still unclear on your relationship with alcohol, complete the below assessment to get some more transparent answers. If you like, you can take this assessment with you to your doctor or a future rehab clinic when you are making enquiries. If your answers to the below contain three or more ‘yes’ responses, you should go to alcohol or drug rehab.

  • Have you considered rehab for alcohol?
  • Are you now unemployed or facing financial hardship because of your alcohol abuse?
  • Do you think your drinking behaviours are spiralling out of control?
  • Have you ever concealed alcohol from your loved ones because of secret drinking patterns?
  • Do these symptoms disappear when you consume alcohol?
  • Have you ever suffered from withdrawal symptoms related to alcohol abuse such as anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, headaches and nausea?
  • Would you say that you can drink alcohol at any time of day, regardless of where you are?
  • Have your friends or family ever told you directly that you drink too much?

 

What To Expect from Rehab

If you have decided that you need to go private rehab for alcohol, it is important that you seek treatment via appropriate routes. Do not try to attempt a ‘cold turkey’ approach and suddenly stop drinking, as you may become ill from the side effects of withdrawal. In order to successfully stop alcohol abuse, you need residential rehab in a controlled and supportive environment. This will enable you to discuss with rehab staff the reasons why you drink so heavily and the background/causes behind your alcohol addiction.

Feeling scared, nervous or like you are overwhelmed is very common if you are admitting yourself into rehab. This is especially if your family has suggested rehab through an interventionist. After agreeing to go to rehab, it is likely that you will enter rehab straight away, as many people who set up interventions typically arrange for a rehab programme to begin shortly after.

When you first attend, you will be given a thorough assessment of your needs and backgrounds. Be open and honest about your struggles with alcohol and share any details of underlying health or mental health issues. Rehab centres have staff who are trained to help others with a range of associated conditions linked to their alcohol abuse, so rest assured that you are in the right hands. A bespoke plan of treatment that suits your needs will be created at this stage. Ask as many questions as you need to, and listen to the advice given to you by staff.

During your rehab programme, it is likely that you will experience withdrawal symptoms. Rehab staff including doctors, counsellors, psychologists and therapists will help you cope with these symptoms in the best way possible, using methods like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), hypnosis, meditation, counselling and medications given to you in a controlled and safe location. For rehab to be successful, you should be determined to succeed in your treatment so that you can live your life free from alcohol. Speak to your friends and family before entering rehab to make sure that it is the right decision for you.

Rehab can be an expensive process – with the majority of rehab centres costing an average of £600 per week. Should you choose a more luxurious and high-end facility, costs can go right up to £1,000 per day. If you are spending this much on getting better and improving your health, it has to be for the right reasons and you must have the motivation to quit your drinking for good. Also worth noting is the time you be away in rehab. Some people can spend weeks, even months at a time in rehab centres, so be sure to check with your employer and arrange for cover for any other duties/responsibilities you have while you are away.

 

About Cassiobury Court

If you’re admitting yourself or a family member for rehab treatment, their time in therapy should be as tranquil and calming as possible, so they can focus on recovery. Cassiobury Park in Watford is a world-class rehab treatment centre for both drug and alcohol addictions.

We have successfully helped over 3,000 people overcome their alcohol and drug abuse, and offer residence in a beautiful retreat in leafy Watford. We treat patients from all over the UK, with a tailored recovery action plan, a family telephone helpline and a range of treatment solutions to suit various budgets. Get in touch with us today.

toggle
John Gillen

John Gillen - Author Last updated: 16th January 2023

John Gillen is a leading addiction treatment expert with over 15 years of experience providing evidence-based treatment methods for individuals throughout the UK. John also co-authors the book, The Secret Disease of Addiction, which delves into how the addictive mind works and what treatment techniques work best.