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High-risk drinking has nearly doubled since lockdown, reports the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and addiction services are in desperate need of funding. Castle Craig’s data supports this, with website visitors more than doubling, a record number of daily enquiries to our Help Desk, and a rising number of enquiries about the Castle Telehealth online addiction therapy programme. The Royal College of Psychiatrists today issued a statement after analysing data from Public Health England which shows that the rate of people in England drinking “high risk” amounts of alcohol has almost doubled at 19% in June, up from 10.8% in February…
Category: Treatment
How Has 12 Step Recovery Helped You Prepare for the Coronavirus Pandemic?
In recovery we remember the isolation our addiction brought us to, so we knew what isolation meant and how it felt. In 2020, that’s something which has been new for a lot of people – especially family members of those with addiction – they didn’t understand what it meant when we talked about those feelings of isolation. Now they’re really realising what that is and what that does to you. Most important of these is Step 1. Step 1 – Admitted we were powerless and our lives were unmanageable In terms of global issues that are facing us, Step 1…
Bitcoin Addiction Treatment in the News
Global media coverage following Castle Craig’s press release about cryptocurrency/bitcoin addiction On May the 28th 2018 Castle Craig Hospital issued a press release: Cryptocurrency Addiction Now Treated at Top UK Rehab Clinic. Castle Craig appears to have been the first rehab clinic in the world to call attention to bitcoin addiction treatment. The UK’s Press Association picked up the story and then Agence France Presse delivered it to virtually every news desk in the world. It was a genuinely new story because the mainstream media hadn’t made the connection between cryptocurrency trading and addiction. Summary of the Global News Coverage on…
Residential Treatment
At Castle Craig rehab clinic, we ensure the care, respect and dignity of people who come to us for help Our inpatient detox and therapy programme treats addiction to alcohol, drugs, gambling and prescription drugs as well as dual diagnosis disorders. We believe each patient is unique and our staff work hard to meet the specific needs of each individual person. The following elements form the bedrock of our residential treatment programme: Residential treatment at Castle Craig is the beginning of a life-long journey from admission and detox, to relapse prevention and discharge. Our patients leave us in excellent health…
A Drug Summit Drums Up Support for Scotland
Drug summits are being held today and tomorrow to address the drug death epidemic in the UK Ironically, this is happening in Glasgow, which is at the heart of the problem. For Scotland, this is literally a life-or-death turning point as the country has seen some of the highest numbers of drug and alcohol-related mortalities in the world while having a drastic decline in addiction treatment funding. Since last year, Scotland has seen a 27% rise in drug-related deaths, with the majority of it being from opioid overdoses. Meanwhile, admissions to treatment centres, especially residential rehabs, have dropped. Today, it…
Fentanyl: UK’s Next Drug Epidemic?
When it comes to illicit drug use, heroin and crack cocaine are often considered the worst drugs someone can take. They are responsible for the majority of drug-related deaths and are the leading cause of concern in most countries. Now with synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl, becoming more widespread, it seems that there’s a new epidemic coming. And soon, it is expected to hit the UK as well. Fentanyl has been around since 1959, but it first made headlines in 2016, when it killed Prince, an iconic American musician. He died from an accidental overdose on the drug. Prince was prescribed…
Managed Alcohol Programmes: A New Strategy for Harm Reduction
Is one solution to alcohol abuse… more alcohol? Some in Canada think so. A few years ago, several cities have implemented managed alcohol programmes (MAP) to tackle severe alcoholism, particularly among those with an unstable housing situation and who drink non-beverage alcohol. After several years of seemingly successful results, other countries including Australia and Scotland are interested in replicating the concept. Already, a homeless shelter in Glasgow wishes to pilot the idea. While it’s true that such a programme appears to be beneficial in some way for some people, there is a lack of good evidence that these programmes are…
Hidden Alcoholism and Secret Drinking
Are you concerned about your own drinking habits and that you’ve lied about how much you drink? Do you keep alcohol hidden from friends and family? Or are you worried that someone else’s secret drinking is a sign that he or she is an alcoholic? …
What is an Alcoholic? Characteristics & Levels of Alcoholism
An alcoholic is someone who has a physical and mental dependence on alcohol. We here at Castle Craig view alcoholism as a brain disease. Alcoholism is a serious psychological illness defined as the inability to stop drinking despite potential or actual, negative consequences. An alcoholic is someone who suffers from alcoholism. 4 common characteristics of alcoholics You’ll find many definitions of “alcoholism” and “alcoholic,” most of which have these four characteristics in common: Physical compulsion or need: Without a drink, withdrawal symptoms appear; you have an inability to stop or cut down on drinking. Mental obsession: You lack control and have abnormal cravings…
Fear and Loathing After Drinking – Can Alcohol Cause Depression?
The connection between drinking alcohol and depression is real, although which comes first — alcohol or depression — is up for debate. Does alcohol cause or worsen depression? Or does depression lead to alcohol misuse and abuse?…
Going Cold Turkey: The Wrong Way to Quit Alcohol
If you have been using alcohol for a long time — because you have been self-medicating with alcohol or habitually drinking — and you’re ready to stop, it’s important for you to understand the dangers of suddenly stopping alcohol….
Self Medicating With Alcohol – Avoiding the Dangers
Self medication theory is the idea that people use substances or gratifying behaviours to treat underlying problems without the advice of and without following a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional….
Why People Do Coke and Why You Should Not
Curiosity, peer pressure, depression, and being under the influence of alcohol or other drugs are common reasons why people try cocaine for the first time…
Wintertime Holiday Mocktail Recipes
The winter holidays are rich in tradition, merriment, and cherishing our relationships. For those amidst their recovery it can also present new challenges to staying sober. Christmas parties, New Years, and family get-togethers can be fraught with triggers and temptations…
Sober Holidays: Tips On Your Recovery During The Winter Holidays
If you’re in recovery, the holiday season can be especially difficult and, let’s be honest, not so jolly. It doesn’t matter how far into recovery you are, whether it’s days or decades, the holidays come with their own set of challenges. …
Dry January 2020: Tips & Benefits for the Sober Curious
Not drinking in January has health benefits for the rest of the year? Yes, it’s true! Granted, for some of us, avoiding alcohol on January 1st is easy since we are recovering from the previous night’s celebratory toasts…
Cryptocurrency – what are Reddit forums saying?
When I started researching into cryptocurrency addiction I came across many discussion forums that take place on Reddit, a vast website…
Cryptocurrency FAQ’s
Yes – according to Dr Mark Griffiths, Professor of Behavioural Addiction at Nottingham Trent University and director of the International Gaming Research Unit…
Behavioural Addictions
At Castle Craig, we do not believe in a “one size fits all” approach to treatment. We treat each patient who comes here as a unique individual with specific needs…
Xanax (Alprazolam) Addiction
Alprazolam is a prescription benzodiazepine sedative. Alprazolam is the active ingredient in Xanax, the most commonly prescribed psychiatric medication in the United States…
Ritalin Addiction & Treatment
Ritalin is a central nervous system stimulant drug. Similar to other psychostimulants, methylphenidate-based medication like Ritalin results in feelings of pleasure, alertness, wakefulness, increasing body functions such as heart rate, temperature, blood pressure…
Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Programme Options
We believe that behavioural addiction treatment is most effective when it’s customized to the individual being treated. We understand that every patient at Castle Craig has a unique story and unique needs…
Addiction and Rehabilitation Treatment Model
Making the decision to undergo residential addiction treatment at Castle Craig is the beginning of a life-long journey from admission and detox, to relapse prevention and discharge…
Cannabis Addiction Treatment
Cannabis, or Marijuana, is a plant derived, psychoactive drug that is generally smoked. Its effects include changes in perception and mood, as well as feelings of euphoria, or relaxation…
Benzodiazepine Addiction
Benzodiazepines are Sedative Hypnotics which are depressants or sedatives. These prescription drugs are prescribed by doctors to alleviate feelings of anxiety, help with insomnia or other sleep disorders…
