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Mental Health Information: 

 

This page contains detailed information about: 

Alcohol Dependency
Drug Dependency

 

These can all be treated by our specialists. Please feel free to print out a copy for your personal use. 

 

Alcohol dependency (Alcoholism): 

 

 

Alcoholism, also known as "alcohol dependence," is a disease that is often progressive and in many cases fatal. Approximately 10% of the UK population has a serious problem with alcohol and this indirectly accounts for most cases of violence, a high proportion of crimes such as vandalism and a contributing factor in about 30% of road deaths. Alcoholism has four main symptoms which need to be addressed:  

 

1. Craving - A strong need, or compulsion, to drink.  

2. Impaired control - The inability to limit one's drinking on any given occasion.  

3. Physical dependence - Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking.  

4. Tolerance - The need for increasing amounts of alcohol in order to feel its effects.  

 

The person often starts drinking at a young age and initially uses alcohol to enjoy one's self and to block negative thoughts. However, as the disease develops, the user develops a compulsion to drink (an addiction). It is the need to break this alcohol dependence that is the key, and by breaking this dependence, the patient can ressolve other psychological problems that may have been hidden.    

 

Alcoholics are often very social, but usually in denial when questioned about there excessive drinking habits, it is this users denial that forms the major obstacle to recovery. However, a great deal of damage can be already caused by this binge drinking.  

Damage can be in the form of physical health (e.g., alcohol withdrawal symptoms, liver disease, gastritis, anemia, pancreatic and neuralgic disorders); interpersonal functioning (e.g., marital problems, child abuse, impaired social relationships); occupational functioning (e.g., scholastic or job problems); and legal, financial, or spiritual problems. 

 

What support is available? 

 

Alcoholism is a treatable illness. Between one-third to two-thirds of all people who seek help actually recover from alcoholism when the first step is taken to stop all alcohol consumption. Since many alcoholics lapse again into heavy drinking, patience and encouragement can help the alcoholic regain sobriety. 

 

Recovery is often heavily linked to support (largely from the family group) who must first learn about alcohol and  alcohol abuse so that you may be better able to deal with the problems of alcoholism and some of their own feelings about the problem. They must focus on the person's behaviour as a result of drinking (not the reasons for drinking-alcoholics always find a reason to drink). 

 

This is often best achieved through an carefully monitored in-patient counselling program where the patient's behaviour and possible reasons for drinking are examined, drug treatments can often help in certain circumstances. 

However, the primary objective is always to attack the alcoholic's wall of defenses, the aim being to show the alcoholic the reality of the effects of alcoholism. This process often causes discomfort and upset. The alcoholic is shaken out of denial and this may lead to agreement to seek help. A monitoring program is then embarked upon to ensure the patient remains dry. 

 

Drug dependency (drug abuse): 

 

Many people view drug abuse and addiction as strictly a social problem. Parents, teens, older adults, and other members of the community tend to characterise people who take drugs as morally weak or as having criminal tendencies. They believe that drug abusers and addicts should be able to stop taking drugs if they are willing to change their behaviour. These myths have not only stereotyped those with drug-related problems, but also their families, their communities, and the health care professionals who work with them. 

 

Drug abuse and addiction comprise a public health problem that affects many people and has wide-ranging social consequences.  

 

Recent scientific research provides overwhelming evidence that not only do drugs interfere with normal brain functioning creating powerful feelings of pleasure, but they also have long-term effects on brain metabolism and activity. At some point, changes occur in the brain that can turn drug abuse into addiction, a chronic, relapsing illness. Those addicted to drugs suffer from a compulsive drug craving and usage and cannot quit by themselves.  

 

What support is available? 

 

Treatment is necessary to end this compulsive behaviour. A variety of approaches are used in treatment programs to help patients deal with these cravings and possibly avoid drug relapse.  Through treatment that is tailored to individual needs, patients can learn to control their condition and live relatively normal lives. We currently use fast detoxification (detox) programmes ( five day opiate detox ) together with counselling which are proven successful in many cases. 

 

 

 

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