New Year – New You! A time for new beginnings

New Year is often when we take stock of our lives, contemplate the year just gone and make plans for the months ahead. It is a time for new beginnings and fresh starts. As we move into 2022, we can reflect on the last year. How was it? Is there anything we would change? 

Maybe we would have worked less or spent more time with the family? Healthwise most of us acknowledge we could have done a few things differently and taking greater care of our bodies has got to be near the top of the list. This is never truer than with the glut of Christmas food and drink still rolling in our bellies – December is the time of huge over-indulgence and extraordinarily little restraint.

January is traditionally the time for acting on those New Year’s resolutions, a great opportunity to start achieving our goals or making those long-promised changes. And for many of us they will revolve around getting healthier; improving one’s sleep, exercise regime, and diet – less sugar, caffeine, and alcohol; more vegetables, salads, and water.

Over the last few years, the concept of Dry January has gained massively in popularity – a period to put down the booze, look at drinking habits, the relationship held with alcohol, and a chance to give the body a rest following the extended period of excessiveness that the previous month habitually brings. 

The festivities have come following more than a year of what has been an extremely challenging period for people all over the globe, with the effects of the pandemic still being felt by many and the threat of restrictions constantly on the horizon. Drinking has presented a way to relax and have some fun. 

A lot of individuals have found their habits and routines around alcohol have changed, and the surge in stress and anxiety has led to large numbers of people increasing their use of alcohol and other psychoactive substances – including illegal drugs and prescription medication.

This has had a significant impact on many lives. Alcohol misuse is linked to several serious illnesses – problems with mental health, liver disease and various types of cancer. It causes rifts in families and major financial troubles. It is estimated that around 600,000 people in the UK are dependent on alcohol; 200,000 children are living with an alcohol dependent parent, and every day 20 people will die because of their drinking.

Cutting back on the booze will be a goal or resolution for many people in 2022. But what if you can’t put down the drink. If a Dry January seems a bleak and miserable prospect, or just completely unachievable. How do you determine whether you have a problem with alcohol? And what can you do if it looks like you have?

Some signs include:

• Drinking larger amounts or more frequently. 
• Finding yourself unable to deal with stressful situations without a drink.
• Using alcohol as a coping mechanism or to numb/deal with feelings.
• Increased irritability, feeling restless, angry, or aggressive outbursts.
• Failing to keep up with responsibilities at home, or with work.
• People are noticing, or commenting – loved ones, friends, and colleagues. 
• Drinking alone or being secretive around alcohol intake.
• An increase in other mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. 
• Harsh, damaging, or dangerous consequences (accidents, arguments, violence).

Do any of the above feels like they could apply to you? Why not try our self-test here? 

Where to get treatment for alcohol misuse?

If you have reviewed your drinking habits, or assessed your relationship with the booze, and found that you could have a problem with alcohol, then it is the perfect time of year to investigate getting some help.

It can be extremely difficult to acknowledge that you have a problem, some see alcohol misuse as a sign of weakness and assume that those who cannot manage their drinking simply have no self-control or willpower.

This is not the case, no amount of willpower is going to help a problem drinker; alcoholism is an illness and requires treatment. There are various options available to those who feel they need or want help, therapy, peer group meetings and rehab clinics being some of the most well-known and favoured. 

Whichever method you choose, having someone to talk to about the emotions and feelings that go with the misuse of alcohol is a key step in managing the problem and finding a resolution for the future. 

Residential rehab may be the best option for someone who is abusing alcohol. It is an opportunity to focus on recovery. To give the body time to recuperate, and the mind a chance to have a break from the everyday stresses and strains of life. Plus, the individual will get to learn some healthy coping mechanisms to replace the alcohol they previously used as a crutch. 

In addition to the treatment for alcoholism, a well-established private rehab or specialised addiction centre will use a combination of therapy models to treat any underlying and co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, depression, or trauma.

Rehab in Spain 

Are you concerned about your drinking?  Are you looking for a solution to your problems with alcohol?

Here at our luxury residential rehab centre in Ibiza, we can help. We offer bespoke inpatient treatments for a variety of psychological conditions including alcoholism, drug addiction, and process addictions such as food disorders, gambling, and codependency, as well as other mental health conditions such as trauma, anxiety, and depression.

For information on admissions contact [email protected]