If you are looking for a drug and alcohol therapist in Birmingham, then you might already feel that your drinking has moved beyond a social habit and into something more worrying such as an addiction.
There are a number of telltale signs that you might have become dependent on alcohol, such as your relationships having become affected, your work being impacted and negative consequences on your physical and mental health.
It is important to understand that reaching out for professional help is the first positive step towards your recovery.
That is why our team at Rehab 4 Addiction are here to help.
Our team of professionals are able to recommend the best course of treatment for you, which may include different therapy techniques, outpatient therapy, one-to-one counselling, group therapy, or even a medically supervised detox if you suffer from a mild or moderate addiction.
If you suffer from a moderate or mild addiction issue, then you may require inpatient drug and alcohol treatment which could last several weeks, where therapy is delivered inhouse, in a structured and supportive environment.
Whatever stage you are at in your recovery journey, it is important to understand that support is available for you and for your loved ones who are supporting you.
If you do speak to a member of the team at Rehab 4 Addiction, then our team will call you to ask you several questions about your addiction.
It is important to remember that recovery always starts with an open and honest conversation.
Unfortunately, there is a common misconception that you must get worse before you can get the help that you need for an addiction issue.
However, in reality, many people suffering from a drug and alcohol addiction in Birmingham reach out long before their drinking becomes life-threatening as part of early intervention.
In fact, you may benefit from speaking to an alcohol therapist if you regularly drink more than you intend to, you feel anxious, guilty or defensive about how much you drink, you have already tried to cut down your drinking and if drinking is starting to affect your sleep, your mood or even your relationships.
There are some other signs of alcohol addiction, including changes to your mental health, neglecting your personal hygiene, hiding how much you are drinking, or withdrawing from spending time with family and friends.
Living in a large and vibrant city such as Birmingham can also influence drinking habits. The city has a strong social scene, busy workplaces and a culture where alcohol is often central to socialising and networking with friends or colleagues.
In cities such as Birmingham, you will also likely experience long working hours, difficult shift patterns, long commutes and serious financial pressures, which can all contribute to stress.
It is then that alcohol dependence can come into it. Addiction therapy provides a safe space for you to examine your relationship with alcohol and decide what you want your future to look like in terms of recovery.
For those who are experiencing a mild to moderate alcohol addiction, outpatient rehab treatment is often the best option.
Outpatient drug and alcohol rehab means that you attend regular therapy sessions, usually once a week at your local rehab facility in Birmingham.
During this time, you can continue living at home and will be able to maintain your usual day-to-day life, such as going to work or caring for family members who are dependent on you.
Therapy sessions usually last between 50 and 60 minutes and take place in a private setting with your rehab therapist.
This type of treatment often suits those who require structured support, but do not need around-the-clock 24-hour medical supervision.
If you are considering drug and alcohol therapy for your addiction, it is important and natural to wonder what therapy sessions will involve, especially if you have never undergone therapy before and this is your first time [1].
Drug and alcohol addiction therapy does not simply focus on stopping drinking or abusing drugs. Instead, drug and alcohol rehab therapy explores the underlying reasons why you have become addicted to alcohol in the first place.
During therapy sessions, your therapist may help you to examine and question some of the below aspects of your addiction and of your life:
Therapists in Birmingham may use a number of different therapy techniques, including some listed below for you [1]:
According to numerous studies, structured talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy are the most effective therapy techniques when it comes to alcohol abuse.
This type of therapy technique helps individuals to better understand how their thoughts, emotions and behaviours interact with one another and how to change any harmful patterns that you might have developed.
It is important to understand that not everyone feels comfortable when it comes to attending in-person therapy sessions, whether they are at rock bottom or not.
If you suffer from a mild alcohol addiction, you may still have a demanding work schedule, childcare commitments, or even some anxiety about the idea of attending a face-to-face appointment about your addiction or about your mental health.
This is where online and telephone therapy is great. This type of therapy is widely available across Birmingham and the rest of the UK and has become increasingly popular over recent years.
Online and telephone therapy offers greater flexibility around appointments, less commuting time to your appointment, increased privacy and better continuity for you and for your family.
If video calls feel uncomfortable, then there are also telephone sessions as an option.
In fact, numerous research studies now suggest that online and remote therapy, including remote cognitive behavioural therapy, can be just as effective as in-person sessions for many people suffering from a drug or alcohol addiction.
For those who live in Birmingham who suffer from a drug or alcohol addiction, remote therapy might be the answer for those juggling a busy city life, family responsibilities and work pressures.
If you live in and around Birmingham, then you will know that Birmingham is home to thriving industries including finance, education, healthcare, manufacturing and the creative sector.
This, therefore, means that many people living and working in the city are ambitious and driven, which can sometimes mask an alcohol or drug addiction.
In fact, high-functioning alcohol abuse is more common than many people realise.
If you are a high-functioning alcohol abuser, then you may appear outwardly successful by maintaining employment, social relationships and financial stability, while privately struggling and relying on alcohol to cope with your day-to-day life.
Signs of high-functioning alcohol dependence can include a number of different signs and symptoms.
This includes things such as drinking daily, using alcohol to unwind after a stressful day at work, experiencing anxiety or other mental health issues, or even planning social events around drinking.
When someone is still able to function whilst suffering from an addiction, their substance abuse often becomes a coping strategy for stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, loneliness or pressure to cope and to succeed in the life they have created for themselves.
Alcohol addiction rarely exists alone or in isolation. In fact, many individuals in Birmingham experiencing an addiction alongside mental health difficulties are diagnosed as having what is known clinically as dual diagnosis [2].
If you live with anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD or other mental health conditions, then you may be more vulnerable to an alcohol addiction.
In addition to this, long-term alcohol abuse can worsen or even trigger mental health problems.
While alcohol or other addictive substances may temporarily numb distressing emotions, it often intensifies them over time.
This shows in things such as sleep issues, low mood and depression as well as anxiety.
Therapists trained in dual diagnosis understand the complex relationship between mental health and addiction.
Treatment for a dual diagnosis address both issues at the same time, helping you build healthier coping strategies that support your long-term recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.
If you are physically dependent on drugs or alcohol, then stopping suddenly can be dangerous. This is because when you stop abusing an addictive substance, you will experience withdrawal symptoms.
These can range from mild discomfort to severe medical issues. Some symptoms of an alcohol withdrawal may include some of the below:
This is why it is incredibly important that you attend inpatient detox if your addiction is severe, as 24/7 medical supervision is recommended.
For individuals with a mild to moderate alcohol dependence, a home detox may be appropriate.
This involves withdrawing from alcohol at home, under medical supervision via phone calls.
You will typically undergo an assessment by a qualified medical professional before being prescribed medication to manage your withdrawal symptoms.
On a daily basis, you will receive daily check-ins from doctors and have access to professional guidance throughout the process.
A home detox allows you to withdraw safely whilst remaining at home. However, it is important to understand that a home detox is not suitable for everyone.
Those with a severe addiction, unstable mental health issues or limited support at home may require inpatient rehab treatment instead.
While many people seeking help in Birmingham for an addiction issue choose outpatient treatment and therapy, inpatient drug and alcohol rehab may be recommended in certain situations.
Inpatient drug and alcohol treatment may be appropriate if you have previously relapsed after an attempted detox, or if your home environment is unstable or unsupportive.
Likewise, you might require inpatient rehab if you require 24/7 medical supervision, your mental health symptoms are severe or if you need intensive therapy support for a significant mental health issue or trauma.
It is important to note that Inpatient rehab typically lasts approximately 28 days, although programmes can be shorter or longer depending on individual needs and the severity of your addiction.
It is important to note that there is no fixed timeline for addiction recovery. Some individuals benefit from 6–12 sessions as early intervention for mild addiction.
However, others with more severe addiction issues may attend therapy for several months or longer.
Confidentiality is a major concern for many people seeking therapy in Birmingham.
Qualified therapists and rehab providers operate under strict ethical guidelines. It is important to note that your information remains confidential and will not be shared without your consent, unless there is a serious risk to your safety or someone else’s life.
If you are looking for an alcohol therapist in Birmingham, it is important to have the right support for you.
Some people might require weekly outpatient therapy, flexible online therapy, a medically supervised home detox, or residential rehab. Recovery is not straightforward, and it might take a bit of time to find the right treatment plan for you.
It is also important to understand that you do not need to wait until things become worse before seeking support.
Early intervention can prevent long-term physical and psychological harm and stop your addiction from getting worse.
If you are ready to explore your treatment options in Birmingham and the surrounding areas, then speak to the team at Rehab 4 Addiction.
