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Addiction sufferers and their families face new challenges. Coronavirus increases the dangers faced in recovery and has also adversely affected some well-tried responses which, until now, have proved reliable. The sudden arrival of coronavirus has brought everyone out of their comfort zones. Stress levels are high, mainly due to fear of the disease itself. There is also fear of consequences such as financial meltdown. Throughout the UK and around the world people are anxious, afraid and wondering what to do about it all. We are being told to self-isolate and distance ourselves socially and none of this is good news…
Tag: alcoholism
Half a lifetime helping addiction recovery – Peter McCann celebrates 80th birthday
Almost 40 years ago, Peter McCann and his wife, Dr Margaret Ann McCann, began helping people with drug and alcohol addiction into a life of recovery. This eventually led to the founding of Castle Craig Hospital in 1988. As he celebrates his 80th birthday having spent half of his lifetime helping people overcome addiction, we asked Peter to look back on his own life, and the changing face of addiction treatment. A genuine understanding of addiction Peter’s passion for helping people overcome addiction came from his own experience, along with coming from a family with a medical background. “It was…
Alcohol and Viral Immunity – Heavy Drinking Increases the Risk of Virus Infection
Excessive alcohol consumption is known to cause damage to both the physical and mental well-being, especially if consumed regularly or in large amounts. More so, it can lead to a lowered immune response, particularly when combined with stress. Castle Craig’s Medical Director, Professor Jonathan Chick, advises that during the COVID-19 pandemic it is important to avoid regular heavy drinking and heavy drinking sessions. Reducing or ceasing heavy drinking should improve immunity within days, (except in the case of liver damage). It is advisable to take extra precautions to keep ourselves and each other safe. As there is no known cure…
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…
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?…
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….
Alcohol Trends: Consumption Worldwide vs the UK
Find out about alcohol trends across the world, how they compare to alcohol consumption in the UK, and why they are rising. Castle Craig alcohol rehab, UK…
Drinking at Work: Alcoholism in the Workplace
Read on for more information about alcoholism in the workplace, how common it is, how to spot it, and what you should do. Castle Craig rehab, UK…
What is Blackout Drinking?
Read on to discover what blackout drinking is, who it affects, why it’s so dangerous, and how it is connected to addiction. Castle Craig alcohol rehab, UK…
The Reality of Being an Alcoholic Woman
Learn more about the difficulties alcoholic women face – physical, emotional, during treatment and risk of relapse. Castle Craig, drug and alcohol rehab, UK…
How Can Alcoholic Parents Affect a Child?
Learn more about the negative effect that having an alcoholic parent can have on children-psychological, emotional, future addiction. Castle Craig rehab, UK…
How Do I Help an Alcoholic Friend?
Learn more about how to help an alcoholic friend – signs, reactions, things that you can do and say to help. Castle Craig drug and alcohol rehab, UK…
How Do I Prevent My Child Becoming an Alcoholic?
Read on to find out if you can prevent a child from becoming an alcoholic, and tips for parenting. Castle Craig drug and alcohol rehab, UK…
Can Alcoholics Ever Go Back to Casual Drinking?
Can an alcoholic ever go back to casually drinking? Read on to find out what the pitfalls are, and why you should quit completely. Castle Craig rehab, UK…
Is Alcoholism Hereditary?
Read on for insights on whether alcoholism is hereditary, what this means for you, and how it could help in treatment. Castle Craig alcohol rehab, UK…
What is is Like Being a Functional Alcoholic?
Read on to find out what it’s like being a functional alcoholic, including signs, risks and how to get help. Castle Craig alcohol and drug rehab, UK…
Do I Have to Quit Drinking if my Partner is an Alcoholic?
Discover whether you should quit drinking to help a partner who is an alcoholic, and tips on how to help them. Castle Craig rehab, Scotland, UK…
Planning a Sober Holiday
While negative stress gets all the attention for causing cravings, happy events can cause cravings too and they’re dangerous because you don’t expect them. Despite the challenges, you can make it through a holiday abroad and have a great time if you do a little planning….
4 Unexpected Benefits of Sobriety
People usually get sober for big reasons. They may realise they’re hurting their family, their career has stalled because of addiction, they get into legal trouble, or they’re just completely miserable and they know addiction has a lot to do with it. As they say in AA, when you’re in a hole, stop digging….
How a Schedule Can Help You Stay Sober
In recovery, one thing you definitely want to avoid is having nothing to do. You start to get restless, you have nothing better to do, so you start to think, ‘What do I normally do when I’m bored?’ Boredom gives you too much time to think. It may have something to do with why you became addicted in the first place….
When I Get Sober Will I Need a New Job?
Sobriety requires you to change something about the way you live. It could be that you need new friends or that you need a healthier lifestyle, or perhaps medication and therapy. People find their jobs are not conducive to recovery. For a variety of reasons, some jobs tend to go with higher rates of addiction….
Why Sobriety Won’t Solve All Your Problems
There is a common narrative that goes something like this: ‘My life was terrible because of addiction. Quitting was hard at first, but now my life is amazing’. It’s a nice idea, but most people find the road a bit bumpier. Expecting life in recovery to be perfect is nearly as bad as expecting it to be worse….
How Substituting Habits Can Help You Stay Sober
One reason people find sobriety challenging is that their habits are built around drinking. Maybe you are in the habit of stopping at the pub on the way home, or maybe you open a beer when you watch television. Drinking is associated with other drugs, and people who try to quit the drugs without quitting drinking find themselves using again….
What Causes Hangovers?
When you’re hungover, you might go through your day feeling tired and sluggish or you may be so miserable you can’t get out of bed except to run to the toilet. Most people have experienced a hangover and many people have their own pet theories about what causes them….
How Soon Will My Health Improve After I Quit Drinking?
Alcohol is bad for your health, especially for your liver, your heart, your digestive tract, and your brain. Your reasons for quitting may have nothing to do with health…
