Addictions


An estimated 2 million people in the UK have an addiction and making the decision to seek treatment can be one of the hardest decisions a person has to make.

Cardinal Clinic offers a wide range of support and treatments, for both substance and behavioural addictions, which are tailored to individual needs.

Treatment for most addictions is normally provided on an in-patient basis. However, some patients can benefit from day treatments instead of being an in-patient. This can be for a number of reasons, including personal commitments and lifestyles.

Many addiction programmes start with a detox period, which usually lasts 7 to 10 days. This is carried out under the medical supervision of a Consultant Psychiatrist and fully trained nursing staff. Medication is often prescribed to ease the symptoms of withdrawal. After the detox period the patient will then be assessed again to look at the underlying reasons for the addiction and to consider how these can be addressed.

The programme deals with all kinds of addiction, including:

  • Alcohol
  • Problem Drinking
  • Binge Drinking
  • Drugs
  • Gambling
  • Sex
  • Food
  • Exercise
  • Internet addictions
  • Behavioural addictions such as OCD

Treatment Structures:

  • Consultant and Medical assessment
  • Detoxification programme carried out under medical supervision to ease the symptoms of withdrawal
  • Individual counselling to help the patient to understand the level of their addiction and to address any issues that are causing the addiction
  • Group therapy to help the patient to realise they are not alone and to learn from other people’s experiences
  • Holistic therapies, such as medication and aromatherapy, to help the patient stay focused on letting go of the addiction
  • Family support meetings, since the family play a vital role in helping to recognise the patient’s addictions. There is also support for the family, as helping someone with an addiction can often be tiring and we have relatives support to help.
  • Links to local support groups. For example, we strongly encourage all patients who come in for an alcohol addiction to attend regular AA meetings after leaving Cardinal Clinic. We will help to set up contact with such groups to ensure that, once leaving the Clinic, the patient can attend the support groups straightaway.

For alcohol addictions we also have a 10-day, fixed price detox programme that is designed to help stop drinking safely.

If you would like more information, please call us and ask to speak to Sally Pincott or Emily Stevens.