In the UK, dangerous levels of alcohol consumption have become commonplace. Many adults, and a significant proportion of teenagers, drink too much either on a regular basis or on occasion. In 2010/11, there were 198,900 admissions to hospital as a direct consequence of alcohol consumption. These figures have been gradually increasing as years of abuse have caught up with people and caused health problems.
However, a recent study by the NHS shows that fewer people are drinking on a regular basis. Attitudes towards alcohol are changing for the better, especially amongst the young. Increasing numbers of people in the UK are also recognising that they have a problem, seeking help and taking advantage of alcohol detox programmes.
Types of programmes
There are several different kinds of programmes available. The majority of them treat people on an outpatient basis. However, residential programmes are also available.
Not everyone can give up alcohol without going through a residential course. Some people find that their day-to-day life puts them in the way of temptation too much for them to succeed with giving up alcohol. Residential programmes also provide a more tailored and responsive approach to the physical problems that alcohol-dependant people suffer from when they stop drinking.
Both types of alcohol treatment use counselling to help people who are abusing alcohol to understand the underlying reasons for their dependency. This is important because it helps people to deal with those issues. This lessens their chances of lapsing and returning to their old, harmful drinking habits once treatment is finished.
