Rehab for alcoholics in Melbourne

Understanding comorbid substance abuse and mental health issues

Alcohol addiction can cause serious damage to not just the body of the addict, but the entire family unit. At our alcohol rehab centre in Melbourne, The Hader Clinic supports patients through every stage of alcohol addiction treatment.

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For immediate entry into our alcohol recovery programs, contact the Hader Clinic. Patients in critical need can be offered priority admission.

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How The Hader Clinic treats alcohol addiction

Alcohol addiction is a common and pervasive illness. As a substance, alcohol is so intertwined within modern society that addiction can often go unnoticed and untreated. In truth, alcohol can be highly addictive, and extremely destructive to addicts and their families.

To offer our patients effective alcohol addiction help and support requires a holistic approach to care. At our alcohol rehab clinic in Melbourne, we help patients manage alcohol detox and withdrawal. We then create a personalised alcohol recovery program, featuring a variety of therapies at a range of costs. This model of care gives patients the best possible chance at long term recovery.

The Hader Clinic explains how addicts are not able to predict how much they are going to use once they start using or control their use.

The effects of alcohol addiction

Alcohol addiction significantly impacts every facet of a drinker’s life. It’s possible to identify a growing problem in yourself or a loved one by watching out for common symptoms. The soon the problem is caught, the sooner professional help for alcohol addiction can be sought.

Physical

  • Damage to liver, kidneys, and heart
  • Permanent brain damage
  • Ataxia and loss of coordination
  • Having intense cravings to drink
  • Developing tolerance and having to drink more
  • Physical withdrawal symptom
  • Higher risk for alcohol poisoning, coma, and death

Psychological

  • Trying unsuccessfully to cut back on drinking only to find you cannot
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Decreased cognitive function

Emotional

  • Being preoccupied with the next drink
  • Problems controlling the use of alcohol
  • Anger and abrasiveness when sobering up
  • Drinking to release stress
  • Rapid, noticeable changes in personality and mood when drinking

Social

  • Loss of inhibition in social settings
  • Complete withdrawal from society
  • Loss of interest in pastimes
  • Problems at work, home, and study

Spiritual

  • Damaged relationship with self
  • Damaged to self esteem and self worth
  • Inability to function without alcohol
  • Continuing to drink despite consequences
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We work with private health funds to support our patients.
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Understanding alcohol withdrawal

Withdrawing from ongoing alcohol abuse can be extremely dangerous to patients. Alcohol withdrawal varies from patient to patient, but is never as straightforward as simply 'drying out'.

After just one day without alcohol, patients can experience serious side effects like:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Shaking and tremors
  • Disturbed sleep
  • Excessive sweating

In severe cases, patients are at risk of seizures and hallucinations in the first few days after treatment. Some patients may even experience delirium tremens, a rapid onset of confusion and sympathetic overdrive that can lead to cardiac arrest.

At our Melbourne alcohol addiction treatment facility, patients are cared for by experienced doctors and nurses. We begin by treating the physical symptoms of withdrawal, setting the stage for us to tackle the psychological causes of addiction. This multi-faceted approach allows patients to move on to the next stage of recovery.

Frequently asked questions about alcohol addiction treatment

How do you determine what a "problem drinking" is?

There are many different statistics and parameters used to determine whether someone requires alcohol addiction treatment. At The Hader Clinic, we know that every patient is different. Instead of compartmentalising people by how much they drink, we look at their drinking behaviour.

Drinking becomes a problem when its effects overwhelm your life. A person should consider seeking help for alcohol addiction when they:

  • Try to hide their drinking habits from others
  • Drink early in the day, or before stressful situations
  • Black out from drinking, having not remembered what they said or did
  • Drink heavily while they are alone
  • Seemingly struggle with work, study, or family life without any apparent reason

There are many other signs associated with problem drinking. Alcohol treatment will largely depend on the addict and the scope of their addiction.

During our alcohol recovery programs, we identify alcoholics as those who have:

  • A dangerous preoccupation with the substance
  • Tried several times to quit and have been unsuccessful
  • Continued to use, despite the negative consequences

Can I be a functioning alcoholic?

Some people may not display all the traditional hallmarks of an alcoholic. However, when it comes to alcoholism, The Hader Clinic identifies that there is usually some facet of life that is affected.

  • Addicts can spend too much money on alcohol, affecting their finances.
  • Addicts can value alcohol over their personal relationships, leading to strain.
  • Addicts can struggle to handle drinking at events, leading to social problems.

In reality, the 'functioning alcohol' myth is a dangerous misconception. Referring to someone, even in jest, as a functioning alcoholic, means that they may perceive their problem as being less serious. This attitude makes addicts less likely to seek help for alcohol addiction, even if they’ve begun to spiral.

Do alcoholics always relapse?

Alcoholics indeed have higher chance of relapsing compared to other addicts. The conventional role of alcohol in society makes the temptation readily accessible.

However, that does mean that relapse is a certainty. Addiction is a lifelong struggle, and treatment must be continually revisited to ensure that it is being maintained and upheld.

At The Hader Clinic, we prepare addicts for life in the outside world with ongoing alcohol treatment. We do this by offering them access to our Outpatient Relapse Prevention program, allowing them to revisit therapies and programs at our Melbourne alcohol rehab clinic. With ongoing clinical support, recovering addicts have the best possible chance at long-term sobriety.

I always thought my loved one was too smart to become an alcoholic. What happened?

Alcohol addiction is a disease that affects all kinds of people. It does not discriminate against age, sex, income level, cultural background, or intelligence. Addiction is not a choice, either. It is a severe and debilitating affliction.

At The Hader Clinic, we use evidence-based models to treat this disease effectively and efficiently. We do this by formulating a bespoke alcohol addiction treatment program that holistically addresses addiction. We uncover the root cause of the abuse, and help patients through the withdrawal stage, through inpatient recovery, and then continually as an outpatient.

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Education about alcohol addiction

Essendon

Inpatient Rehabilitation Program and Transitional Housing program.

150-152 Cooper St, Essendon VIC 3040
Essendon location
Geelong

Hospital rehabilitation centre for 28-Day Withdrawal & Detox Program.

6-8 Townsend Road,
St Albans Park VIC 3219
GEELONG LOCATION

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We work with private health funds to support our patients.