Alcohol is a normal part of our society, but it is also an addictive substance that can give rise to dependency and strong addiction. It is sometimes very difficult to distinguish between “moderate” and “harmful” drinking. Moreover, alcohol addiction, also known as “alcohol use disorder,” can develop over quite a long time and in a subtle way. We do not consider it a personal failure when one recognizes that one’s alcohol intake is not under control. On the contrary, asking for help for yourself or your loved ones shows great courage and determination.
Excessive drinking eventually comes to negatively impact all aspects of a person’s life. The sufferer may begin to suffer symptoms such as the following: neglecting duties due to drinking; increasing total alcohol intake; lying to others about the amount that one has drunk; becoming aggressive when under the influence; suffering from withdrawal symptoms in the absence of alcohol. That said, it can be quite difficult for others to notice the extent and problem of one’s drinking at the beginning—as, typically, one is making best efforts to hide it.
Alcohol dependence also manifests in other ways, such as having more and more frequent thoughts about alcohol; losing control over the amount one drinks; losing other interests that don’t involve alcohol; wanting or needing to drink first thing in the morning (or earlier in the day than was planned); and even having memory lapses, which are commonly referred to as blackouts.
In addition to the resulting impacts on one’s social life and psychological state, alcohol also ends up taking a toll on one’s physical health. Long-term, excessive alcohol use can result in problems with the liver, sometimes the stomach or gallbladder and has also been linked to a higher risk of many cancers, including mouth, throat, liver, esophagus, colon and breast cancers. In sum, people can die not just from alcohol poisoning but also from excessive alcohol use over a period of time.
If you are worried about yourself or someone around you, do not hesitate to seek professional help.
At NEO Centrum, your inquiries are treated with utmost confidentiality. We treat each of our clients completely individually and take measures to protect our clients’ privacy throughout any treatment process. Starting with our first one-on-one consultation, we carefully evaluate a client’s condition and offer a treatment plan tailored to their specific needs and condition. In the fight against an addiction to alcohol, we offer both outpatient and resident treatment. However, before agreeing on a form of cooperation, we discuss in depth with the prospective client the nature of their problem and what best course treatment can NEO Centrum offer to the client.
The NEO Centrum program includes group and individual therapy and also relapse prevention. Group therapy provides an environment for sharing problems, emotions and thoughts with others who are also in treatment, giving the client insight as well as feedback on their own behavior. As part of the treatment, clients with different addictions may be encouraged to interact. All addictions have common elements and in our experience it is beneficial for clients to work with them together.
The treatment of alcohol addiction is primarily focused on identifying the causes that caused the addiction. Next, we turn to the matter of making internal and external changes. It is a challenging and completely individual process. The ability to face different situations, even when sober, is crucial for the client’s recovery. The treatment includes the realization that alcohol is ubiquitous in the world. So, part of working with problems with the use of legal addictive substances is not to ignore them, on the contrary. We work intensively with clients on how to manage social situations related to alcohol as well as the potential pressure of the environment.
Does the above apply to you or a loved one? Please do not hesitate to contact us by phone or e-mail with any questions about treatment possibilities or with any concerns about whether you or a loved one needs help. That’s what we’re here for! Our specialists will be happy to answer any of your questions about your particular needs and the treatment options at NEO Centrum.
PhDr. Kateřina Marklová
Professional Director / Head of Therapy, Clinic 1 Director, Clinical Psychologist, Psychotherapist
NEO Centrum offers its clients two avenues for obtaining help: through our Outpatient Clinic (including in-person or online sessions) and through our comprehensive, in-residence treatment programs offered at our resident treatment facilities. The choice depends on the specific needs of the clients, the type of difficulties they face and the intensity of the approach they are able to devote themselves to. We offer services at our residence clinics for Czech-speaking and English-speaking clients.
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