Alcohol Addiction in Ireland: Signs, Withdrawal, Health Effects and Evidence-Based Treatment

Reviewed June 2026

Are you worried that your drinking has become difficult to control, or are you concerned about a partner, parent, adult child or someone else you care about?

Alcohol addiction can develop gradually. You may still be working, caring for your family, socialising and meeting many responsibilities while privately questioning how much you drink, why alcohol occupies so much mental space, or why attempts to cut down never seem to last.

Claire Russell provides confidential alcohol addiction Counselling, Psychotherapy, Clinical Hypnotherapy, Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy, RTT  Rapid Transformational Therapy, Couples and Marriage Counselling, and Registered Nutritionist Services.

Appointments are available ONLINE across Ireland and internationally, and in person in Adare, Newcastle West, Limerick, Abbeyfeale, Charleville, Kanturk, Midleton, Youghal, East Cork, Cork, Lismore, Dungarvan and Dublin.

“The most important question is not simply how much you drink. It is what alcohol is doing to your health, choices, relationships and quality of life.”

 

Summary

Alcohol addiction, clinically called alcohol use disorder, is a treatable condition involving difficulty controlling alcohol despite negative consequences.

You do not need to drink every day, experience withdrawal or lose everything before alcohol has become a serious problem.

Alcohol may affect sleep, anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, ADHD, hormonal health, digestion, blood sugar, liver health, fertility, chronic pain, weight, relationships and work performance.

Treatment depends on your drinking pattern, physical dependence, withdrawal risk, health, mental health, other substance use and personal circumstances.

It may involve:

• medical assessment
• medically assisted withdrawal
• prescribed medication
• Counselling and Psychotherapy
• behavioural change strategies
• Couples or Marriage Counselling
• Registered Nutritionist assessment
• Clinical Hypnotherapy or RTT as carefully selected adjunctive interventions
• structured relapse prevention

Do not suddenly stop drinking without medical advice if you drink heavily or daily, experience morning shaking, sweating or nausea, or have previously experienced alcohol withdrawal.

 

Urgent Alcohol Withdrawal Safety Information

Alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous and, in severe cases, life-threatening.

Speak with your GP or an alcohol treatment service before reducing or stopping alcohol if you:

• drink heavily most days
• regularly drink in the morning
• need alcohol to stop shaking or feeling unwell
• become sweaty, nauseous, anxious or agitated when alcohol wears off
• have previously experienced alcohol withdrawal
• have had an alcohol-related seizure
• have experienced hallucinations or severe confusion
• use benzodiazepines, opioids, cocaine or other substances
• have epilepsy, diabetes, heart disease, liver disease or another significant medical condition
• are pregnant or may be pregnant
• live alone or do not have a safe environment for withdrawal

NICE advises hospital admission for people in acute withdrawal who have, or are at high risk of developing, withdrawal seizures or delirium tremens. It also warns alcohol-dependent people against abruptly reducing their intake without appropriate assessment. [1]

Call 112 or 999 immediately if someone develops:

• seizures
• severe confusion
• hallucinations
• collapse or loss of consciousness
• extreme agitation
• difficulty breathing
• blue or grey lips
• persistent vomiting with reduced awareness
• severe chest pain
• suspected alcohol poisoning
• thoughts of suicide with immediate intent or danger

The HSE Drugs and Alcohol Helpline offers confidential information, guidance and referral.

Freephone: 1800 459 459

Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 5.30 pm

https://www2.hse.ie/services/habit-addiction/drugs-and-alcohol-helpline/

 

Contents

  1. Alcohol problems in Ireland
  2. What is alcohol addiction?
  3. Alcohol use, harmful drinking and dependence
  4. How much alcohol is in your drink?
  5. Signs that alcohol may be becoming a problem
  6. Why alcohol addiction develops
  7. The alcohol relief, rebound and craving cycle
  8. How alcohol affects the brain and body
  9. Alcohol, anxiety, trauma, ADHD and other overlapping issues
  10. Alcohol withdrawal and medical detoxification
  11. Evidence-based alcohol addiction treatment
  12. How Claire Russell Therapy approaches alcohol addiction
  13. What happens during your first consultation?
  14. What you can try during the next fortnight
  15. Helping a partner or relative who is drinking
  16. Understanding lapses and relapse
  17. Frequently asked questions
  18. Book an alcohol addiction consultation

 

1. Alcohol Problems in Ireland

Alcohol is woven into many areas of Irish life. It may be present at celebrations, sporting events, weddings, work functions, funerals, holidays and ordinary evenings at home.

This social acceptance can make a developing problem more difficult to recognise. A person may compare themselves with heavier drinkers, believe they cannot have an addiction because they still work, or assume that drinking at home is safer than drinking in a pub.

The 2025 Healthy Ireland Survey found that:

Alcohol finding Irish population result
Consumed alcohol during the previous 12 months 71%
Drank at least once a week 35%
Drank several times each week 20%
Binge drank on a typical drinking occasion 26%
Screened at risk of hazardous or harmful drinking 20%
Harmful drinking among people who drink 51%

Men were more likely than women to screen at hazardous risk, at 29% compared with 11%. Among people aged 15 to 24, the corresponding figures were 39% for men and 25% for women. [2]

Ireland’s Health Research Board recorded 8,798 treatment cases where alcohol was the main problem during 2025, the highest number in the nine-year reporting period from 2017 to 2025.

Almost one in three alcohol treatment cases also involved another drug. Cocaine was recorded in 72% of these polydrug cases, followed by cannabis, benzodiazepines and opioids. A treatment case represents a treatment episode and not necessarily one individual. [3]

These figures matter because alcohol difficulties are not confined to one age, income, profession or background.

Alcohol addiction can affect:

• professionals and business owners
• farmers and tradespeople
• healthcare and education workers
• parents and carers
• students
• people approaching retirement
• people coping with grief, trauma or relationship breakdown
• women experiencing perimenopause or menopause
• people with anxiety, ADHD, chronic pain or sleep problems
• people who have never previously experienced addiction

Read the main Addiction Therapy Ireland pillar resource

 

2. What Is Alcohol Addiction?

Alcohol addiction is commonly described clinically as alcohol use disorder.

Alcohol use disorder is a pattern of alcohol use involving impaired control, distress or significant problems in physical health, mental health, relationships, work, finances, safety or everyday functioning.

The older word “alcoholism” is still widely used, but alcohol use disorder is generally more accurate because it recognises a spectrum of severity rather than dividing people into alcoholics and non-alcoholics.

A person may experience:

• a persistent desire to drink
• strong cravings
• drinking more than intended
• difficulty stopping once drinking begins
• unsuccessful attempts to reduce alcohol
• increasing tolerance
• withdrawal symptoms
• considerable time spent drinking or recovering
• reduced interest in other activities
• continued drinking despite health consequences
• alcohol-related relationship problems
• reduced performance at work or college
• drinking in physically dangerous situations

Alcohol use disorder is not a moral failure or evidence that someone is weak.

It develops through interactions between:

• reward learning
• habit formation
• stress responses
• emotional regulation
• genetics and biology
• trauma and adversity
• mental health
• physical dependence
• environment
• relationships
• alcohol availability
• learned beliefs about drinking

 

3. Alcohol Use, Harmful Drinking and Dependence

Alcohol difficulties exist on a continuum.

You do not need to meet criteria for severe dependence before seeking professional help.

Pattern What it can look like Appropriate next step
Increased-risk drinking Regular hangovers, poor sleep, drinking more than planned or frequently regretting what happened Record intake and discuss your pattern with a qualified professional
Hazardous drinking A pattern that increases the likelihood of future physical, psychological or social harm Complete a structured assessment and review risk factors
Harmful drinking Alcohol is already affecting mood, health, relationships, safety or work Arrange a GP review and alcohol-focused therapeutic intervention
Mild dependence Cravings, increasing priority given to alcohol and some difficulty controlling intake Seek medical and psychological assessment
Moderate dependence Stronger cravings, tolerance, repeated inability to reduce alcohol and emerging withdrawal Obtain medical advice before reducing or stopping
Severe dependence Morning drinking, significant withdrawal, seizures, hallucinations or drinking to function Urgent medical and specialist addiction assessment

The AUDIT alcohol screening questionnaire

AUDIT means Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. It is a ten-question screening tool developed by the World Health Organization.

It examines:

• how often you drink
• how much you drink
• loss of control
• alcohol-related guilt
• memory loss
• injuries
• concerns raised by other people

A screening score is not a diagnosis. It can help identify whether a more detailed assessment is needed.

The HSE provides an online alcohol self-assessment tool:

https://www2.hse.ie/living-well/alcohol/self-assessment-tool/

 

4. How Much Alcohol Is in Your Drink?

In Ireland, one standard drink contains 10 g of pure alcohol.

Drink Approximate number of Irish standard drinks
Half pint of beer, stout or cider at 4.5% ABV 1
Pint of beer, stout or cider at 4.5% ABV 2
Large 500 ml can of beer at 4.3% ABV 2
Single 35.5 ml measure of spirits at 40% ABV 1
Double measure of spirits 2
Small 100 ml glass of wine at 12.5% ABV 1
Bottle of wine at 12.5% ABV Just over 7
275 ml alcopop at 4% ABV 1

ABV means alcohol by volume. It shows what percentage of a drink is pure alcohol.

Why counting glasses can be misleading

A glass is not a standard measurement.

Home pours may contain:

• 150 ml, 200 ml or more wine
• double or triple spirit measures
• stronger craft beers
• larger cans
• wine above 13% ABV

A large home glass containing 200 ml of 14% wine is approximately 2.2 Irish standard drinks.

Current Irish lower-risk guidance

The HSE currently advises adults not to exceed:

• 11 standard drinks per week for women
• 17 standard drinks per week for men
• six standard drinks on any one occasion
• at least two to three alcohol-free days each week

The HSE also states that no level of alcohol use is entirely safe for health and that drinking less reduces risk. Its evidence review of the current weekly figures was still under way during 2026. [4]

These limits are not targets.

They also do not determine whether someone has an alcohol addiction. A person may drink less than these amounts but still experience powerful cravings, psychological dependence or repeated loss of control.

Alcohol should be avoided:

• during pregnancy
• while trying to conceive
• before or while driving
• before operating machinery
• when supervising children
• when taking medicines that interact with alcohol
• where a medical condition is worsened by alcohol

 

5. Signs That Alcohol May Be Becoming a Problem

Alcohol addiction is not always obvious.

Some people drink daily. Others remain alcohol-free for days or weeks but repeatedly lose control when they start.

Behavioural signs

• regularly drinking more than intended
• telling yourself you will stop after one or two drinks but continuing
• planning evenings, weekends or journeys around alcohol
• buying alcohol from several shops to disguise the amount
• hiding bottles or cans
• drinking before an event
• drinking alone or secretly
• pouring stronger drinks at home
• making repeated promises to stop
• avoiding activities where alcohol is unavailable
• missing appointments or responsibilities
• driving after drinking
• mixing alcohol with medication or other drugs

Physical signs

• needing more alcohol to feel the same effect
• shaking hands
• sweating
• nausea when alcohol wears off
• disturbed or fragmented sleep
• headaches and dehydration
• reflux or gastritis
• diarrhoea or bloating
• changes in appetite
• unexplained weight change
• fatigue and poor concentration
• raised blood pressure
• injuries or falls
• abnormal liver blood tests
• reduced sexual function

Emotional signs

• morning anxiety
• irritability when alcohol is unavailable
• shame or secrecy
• low mood
• emotional numbness
• panic symptoms
• feeling unable to relax or socialise without alcohol
• drinking to silence memories or thoughts
• drinking after conflict
• feeling hopeless after a drinking episode

Relationship signs

• recurring arguments about alcohol
• minimising the amount consumed
• broken promises
• secrecy about money
• emotional distance
• reduced trust
• unpredictable behaviour
• reduced intimacy
• children monitoring the adult’s mood
• a partner changing plans to avoid conflict
• family members covering up alcohol-related consequences

Work and financial signs

• reduced concentration
• frequent Monday absences
• missed deadlines
• working while hungover
• unexplained spending
• buying alcohol before paying essential bills
• professional complaints or disciplinary issues
• avoiding colleagues who may notice a change

Ten-question alcohol impact check

Consider arranging an assessment if you answer yes to several of these questions:

  1. Do you regularly drink more than you planned?
  2. Have you repeatedly tried to reduce alcohol without maintaining the change?
  3. Do you think about drinking during the day?
  4. Has your tolerance increased?
  5. Do you feel anxious, shaky or unwell when alcohol wears off?
  6. Has drinking affected your mood, sleep or energy?
  7. Has alcohol affected your digestion, weight or appetite?
  8. Have people close to you expressed concern?
  9. Have you hidden, minimised or lied about your drinking?
  10. Do you continue drinking despite consequences you genuinely regret?

 

6. Why Alcohol Addiction Develops

There is rarely one single cause.

Alcohol may initially appear to solve a problem. It can temporarily reduce tension, quieten racing thoughts, increase confidence or create emotional distance from painful experiences.

The brain then learns that alcohol offers a rapid change in state.

Biological vulnerability

Genetic differences can influence:

• reward sensitivity
• alcohol metabolism
• impulsivity
• stress response
• vulnerability to dependence

Genes influence risk, but they do not determine destiny. Environment, learning, trauma, access to alcohol and treatment all matter.

Stress and burnout

Alcohol may become a transition between work and home, particularly where someone feels unable to switch off.

The pattern often looks like:

Work pressure
to
mental exhaustion
to
evening alcohol
to
poorer sleep
to
greater fatigue and stress the next day
to
stronger desire for alcohol

Trauma-related difficulties

Alcohol may be used to suppress:

• intrusive memories
• hypervigilance
• grief
• shame
• anger
• betrayal
• nightmares
• emotional numbness

Alcohol may reduce distress briefly, but intoxication and withdrawal can increase emotional instability and interfere with the processing of difficult experiences.

Read Trauma Therapy and Trauma Hypnotherapy in Ireland

Anxiety and social anxiety

Alcohol can reduce inhibition and create temporary relief from worry.

The problem is that nervous-system activity can rebound as alcohol leaves the body. Morning anxiety, palpitations, sweating, irritability and catastrophic thinking may then intensify.

ADHD and neurodivergence

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, known as ADHD, may involve:

• impulsivity
• rapid boredom
• reward-seeking
• emotional intensity
• sleep disruption
• difficulty stopping once a rewarding behaviour begins
• using alcohol to slow racing thoughts

Research consistently finds a clinically important overlap between ADHD and substance-use disorders. ADHD should be assessed separately by an appropriately qualified professional rather than assumed from drinking behaviour alone. [5]

Grief, loneliness and life transitions

Alcohol intake may increase after:

• bereavement
• separation
• retirement
• redundancy
• children leaving home
• relocation
• illness
• caregiving stress
• relationship betrayal

Chronic pain and fatigue

Someone may drink to reduce physical discomfort, frustration or sleeplessness.

Alcohol may appear to help initially, but can disrupt sleep architecture, worsen fatigue and interact dangerously with pain medication or sedatives.

Relationship patterns

Conflict may trigger drinking, while drinking creates further conflict.

This can become a closed loop:

Conflict
to
drinking
to
secrecy or disinhibition
to
loss of trust
to
further conflict

 

7. The Alcohol Relief, Rebound and Craving Cycle

Understanding this cycle can reduce shame and identify where treatment should intervene.

Stage 1: Trigger

The trigger may be:

• stress
• loneliness
• anger
• anxiety
• boredom
• pain
• social pressure
• a particular time of day
• a place or person associated with drinking

Stage 2: Anticipation

The brain predicts relief or reward.

Thoughts may include:

“I deserve a drink.”

“It is the only way I can switch off.”

“I will only have one.”

“I cannot face tonight without it.”

Stage 3: Alcohol use

Alcohol temporarily changes brain signalling, emotion, inhibition and perception.

Stage 4: Short-term relief

Tension may reduce and confidence may rise.

This reinforces the behaviour.

Stage 5: Rebound

As alcohol wears off, a person may experience:

• anxiety
• low mood
• poor sleep
• guilt
• dehydration
• irritability
• reduced concentration
• physical withdrawal

Stage 6: Greater vulnerability

Fatigue, shame, disrupted meals and relationship problems increase stress.

Stage 7: Renewed craving

The brain remembers alcohol as the fastest way to change the uncomfortable state.

Effective treatment works at several points in this cycle rather than relying on willpower at Stage 7.

 

8. How Alcohol Affects the Brain and Body

Alcohol contains ethanol, a psychoactive, toxic and dependence-producing substance.

The World Health Organization attributes approximately 2.6 million deaths worldwide in 2019 to alcohol and estimates that 400 million people aged 15 and older were living with alcohol use disorders. [6]

Alcohol is causally associated with more than 200 diseases, injuries and health conditions.

Area Possible alcohol-related effects
Brain Reduced judgement, impaired memory, slower reactions, altered reward learning and reduced impulse control
Mental health Anxiety, depression, panic, emotional instability, shame and increased impulsivity
Sleep Faster sleep onset but poorer sleep quality, reduced restorative sleep and early waking
Liver Fat accumulation, inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer
Digestive system Reflux, gastritis, nausea, diarrhoea, altered gut bacteria and impaired intestinal barrier function
Pancreas Acute or chronic pancreatitis
Heart and circulation Raised blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythm, cardiomyopathy and stroke
Cancer Increased risk of breast, bowel, liver, mouth, throat, laryngeal and oesophageal cancers
Immune function Altered inflammatory and immune responses
Hormones Disrupted reproductive and metabolic hormone signalling
Fertility Reduced sexual function and potential effects on sperm, ovulation and fertility
Nutrition Reduced food intake, impaired nutrient absorption and vitamin deficiencies
Metabolism Changes in blood sugar, triglycerides, appetite, weight and fatty-liver risk
Nervous system Peripheral neuropathy, cognitive impairment and vitamin B1 deficiency complications
Safety Falls, burns, road collisions, drowning, assault and accidental injury

Alcohol and cancer

Alcohol is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, the highest evidence category used by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Alcohol causes at least seven types of cancer:

• mouth
• throat
• larynx
• oesophagus
• liver
• bowel
• female breast

Cancer risk generally increases as consumption rises. The fact that a drink is wine, beer, stout, cider or spirits does not remove the carcinogenic effect of ethanol and its metabolite acetaldehyde. [7]

Alcohol and liver health

The liver breaks down most alcohol.

Repeated exposure may lead to:

  1. fatty liver
  2. alcohol-related hepatitis
  3. fibrosis
  4. cirrhosis
  5. liver failure or liver cancer

Early-stage fatty liver may produce few obvious symptoms. Normal-looking skin and an absence of pain do not confirm that the liver is unaffected.

Alcohol and the gut-brain axis

The gut-brain axis is the two-way communication network connecting the digestive system, nervous system, immune system and brain.

Heavy or prolonged alcohol intake may:

• alter the gut microbiome
• increase intestinal permeability
• aggravate reflux and gastritis
• contribute to diarrhoea
• affect immune signalling
• increase liver exposure to bacterial products
• influence inflammation and mood

Research into the gut-liver-brain axis suggests that these interactions may be relevant to alcohol-related liver disease, cognition, emotional regulation and cravings. [8]

Read about IBS, reflux, bloating and gut health

 

9. Alcohol, Anxiety, Trauma, ADHD and Other Overlapping Issues

Treating the drinking behaviour without understanding what the drinking is doing for the person may leave important drivers untouched.

Alcohol and anxiety

Alcohol can feel calming because it initially suppresses parts of the central nervous system.

As the effect wears off, the body may move into a more activated state. This may produce:

• racing thoughts
• a pounding heart
• sweating
• shaking
• irritability
• panic
• dread
• inability to sleep

This is sometimes described informally as “hangxiety”.

Drinking again may reduce these symptoms temporarily, reinforcing the cycle.

Read more about anxiety treatment

Alcohol and depression

Alcohol may worsen:

• low mood
• hopelessness
• motivation
• sleep
• concentration
• emotional control
• impulsive decision-making

Alcohol may also interact with antidepressants and other medication.

Urgent medical attention is required where alcohol is combined with suicidal thoughts, self-harm, dangerous impulsivity or severe hopelessness.

Alcohol and trauma-related symptoms

Trauma and alcohol problems often occur together.

An integrated treatment plan may need to address both, but timing and clinical stability matter. Severe withdrawal, intoxication, current danger, psychosis or acute suicidality require medical or specialist intervention before deeper trauma work.

Research indicates that appropriately structured treatment can address co-occurring post-traumatic stress symptoms and substance use, although treatment should be carefully paced and individually assessed. [9]

Alcohol and ADHD

An adult with unidentified ADHD may describe alcohol as the only way they can:

• slow their thoughts
• reduce internal restlessness
• tolerate social situations
• cope with boredom
• fall asleep
• quieten emotional intensity

Alcohol can then worsen attention, impulsivity, sleep and emotional regulation.

Alcohol, perimenopause and menopause

Perimenopause is the stage leading up to menopause during which hormone levels fluctuate.

The 2025 Healthy Ireland Survey found high rates of sleep disturbance, fatigue, low mood, rapid mood change and concentration difficulties among women experiencing menopause-related symptoms. [2]

These symptoms can overlap with reasons some women increase alcohol intake.

Alcohol may also aggravate:

• hot flushes
• night waking
• anxiety
• low mood
• weight changes
• blood pressure
• migraine
• breast-cancer risk

A joined-up plan may involve GP assessment, hormonal health review, Counselling or Psychotherapy, sleep work and Registered Nutritionist input.

Alcohol and fertility

Alcohol can affect fertility through several possible pathways, including:

• altered reproductive hormone signalling
• reduced sperm quality
• sexual dysfunction
• disrupted sleep
• impaired nutrition
• relationship strain

The HSE advises avoiding alcohol when trying to conceive and during pregnancy.

Alcohol, blood sugar and cravings

Alcohol may destabilise eating patterns.

A person may:

• skip meals before drinking
• consume little protein or fibre
• experience low energy the next day
• crave sugar after reducing alcohol
• eat impulsively while intoxicated
• gain or lose weight unexpectedly

The body may also begin substituting sweet foods for the rapid reward previously provided by alcohol.

This does not mean sugar causes alcohol addiction. It means meal timing, hunger, energy and reward pathways may influence how manageable cravings feel.

Alcohol, autoimmune symptoms and inflammation

Alcohol is not the cause of every autoimmune or inflammatory condition.

However, alcohol can interact with:

• sleep loss
• digestive symptoms
• medication
• liver function
• nutrient status
• immune signalling
• chronic inflammation

People with coeliac disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease or another diagnosed condition may require individual advice from their GP, consultant, pharmacist and Registered Nutritionist.

Alcohol and relationships

Alcohol difficulties may create:

• secrecy
• broken trust
• financial strain
• emotional withdrawal
• sexual and intimacy difficulties
• conflict about parenting
• fear or unpredictability
• resentment
• repeated promises followed by disappointment

Couples or Marriage Counselling may be appropriate when both people are safe and willing to participate.

It is not appropriate as the main intervention where there is violence, coercive control, intimidation or fear. Safety and specialist domestic-abuse services take priority.

 

10. Alcohol Withdrawal and Medical Detoxification

Detoxification means managing the period during which alcohol leaves the body.

It is a medical process, not a complete psychological treatment for addiction.

Possible withdrawal symptoms

• shaking
• sweating
• anxiety
• nausea
• vomiting
• headache
• insomnia
• agitation
• rapid heart rate
• raised blood pressure
• sensitivity to light or sound
• hallucinations
• seizures
• delirium tremens

Delirium tremens is a severe medical emergency involving symptoms such as confusion, agitation, fever, hallucinations and autonomic instability.

Who may require hospital or specialist withdrawal care?

A lower threshold for supervised or inpatient care may be needed where there is:

• a history of withdrawal seizures
• previous delirium tremens
• severe dependence
• significant liver disease
• epilepsy
• pregnancy
• multiple medical conditions
• cognitive impairment
• serious mental illness
• concurrent benzodiazepine or other drug dependence
• limited social safety
• homelessness
• repeated unsuccessful community withdrawals

Thiamine and Wernicke’s encephalopathy

Thiamine is vitamin B1.

Alcohol dependence, poor food intake and impaired absorption can increase the risk of thiamine deficiency.

Severe deficiency may cause Wernicke’s encephalopathy, a medical emergency that can involve:

• confusion
• difficulty coordinating movement
• abnormal eye movements
• memory disturbance

Thiamine treatment must be medically assessed. Food or over-the-counter supplements should not be assumed to provide adequate emergency treatment.

Detoxification is only the beginning

Detoxification does not automatically change:

• conditioned cravings
• emotional triggers
• habits
• beliefs
• trauma-related symptoms
• relationship dynamics
• social environment
• relapse risk

A longer-term treatment plan should follow.

 

11. Evidence-Based Alcohol Addiction Treatment

No single intervention suits everyone.

Treatment should be matched to severity, withdrawal risk, physical health, mental health, personal goals and circumstances.

Treatment element Main purpose
GP or medical assessment Assess withdrawal risk, physical health, medication, mental health and referral needs
Medically assisted withdrawal Reduce the risk of severe withdrawal, seizures and delirium tremens
Anti-craving medication Reduce cravings or heavy-drinking risk where medically suitable
Alcohol-focused Counselling Identify triggers, motivation, consequences and practical behavioural changes
Psychotherapy Address deeper emotional patterns, trauma, shame, grief, beliefs and relationship experiences
Motivational work Strengthen personally meaningful reasons for change
Cognitive and behavioural strategies Change cue responses, routines, thoughts and high-risk behaviours
Couples or Marriage Counselling Address trust, boundaries, communication and alcohol-related relationship patterns
Registered Nutritionist Services Assess meal structure, digestive symptoms, energy, nutrient risk, metabolic health and alcohol-related eating patterns
Clinical Hypnotherapy Work adjunctively with conditioned cues, imagery, mental rehearsal and selected automatic routines
RTT Explore specific beliefs and emotional associations where clinically suitable
Relapse prevention Plan for cravings, pressure, stress, social events and early warning signs
Specialist psychiatric treatment Address severe depression, suicidality, psychosis, bipolar disorder or complex mental-health needs

Medication for alcohol use disorder

A doctor may consider medicines such as:

• acamprosate
• naltrexone
• nalmefene
• disulfiram

Choice depends on:

• liver function
• kidney function
• opioid use
• treatment goal
• other medication
• pregnancy
• medical history
• likely adherence
• potential side effects

Large systematic reviews support acamprosate and oral naltrexone as established medication options for many adults with alcohol use disorder. Medication is generally combined with medical follow-up and psychological intervention. [10]

Counselling and Psychotherapy

Alcohol-focused therapy may help you:

• understand your drinking pattern
• identify triggers
• strengthen motivation
• respond differently to urges
• challenge all-or-nothing thinking
• work through shame without excusing harmful behaviour
• address anxiety, depression or trauma-related difficulties
• repair self-trust
• develop a relapse plan
• create a life that does not revolve around alcohol

Psychological interventions have demonstrated benefit for alcohol outcomes. Motivational approaches and couple-based treatment show particular promise for some people, although no therapy is universally effective. [11]

Abstinence or reduction

Some people aim to stop alcohol completely. Others initially aim to reduce their intake.

Abstinence is generally the safest goal where there is:

• severe dependence
• serious liver disease
• previous withdrawal seizures
• pregnancy
• inability to control drinking once started
• significant alcohol-related medical or psychiatric illness
• repeated failure of moderation
• dangerous behaviour when drinking

Controlled drinking may be considered in selected lower-risk or milder presentations with appropriate assessment and structured treatment.

Research does not support treating abstinence as the only possible outcome for every person with alcohol use disorder. However, reduction is not medically appropriate for everyone, and severe dependence requires professional guidance. [12]

 

12. How Claire Russell Therapy Approaches Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction rarely exists in isolation.

A detailed assessment considers:

• drinking frequency and amount
• withdrawal risk
• cravings
• anxiety and depression
• trauma-related difficulties
• ADHD and neurodivergence
• sleep
• gut and digestive symptoms
• liver and metabolic health
• hormonal changes
• fertility concerns
• chronic pain or fatigue
• other addictions
• medication
• relationships
• work stress
• grief and loss

Counselling and Psychotherapy

Counselling and Psychotherapy provide a confidential space to understand the pattern and develop practical change.

The work may include:

• trigger mapping
• motivational enhancement
• emotional regulation
• cognitive and behavioural strategies
• relapse prevention
• trauma-related work where appropriate
• grief and loss
• shame reduction
• boundary development
• rebuilding confidence
• relationship communication

Explore Counselling and Psychotherapy

Clinical Hypnotherapy and Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy

Clinical Hypnotherapy may be incorporated as an adjunct to medical and psychological alcohol treatment.

It may focus on:

• conditioned drinking cues
• the automatic evening-drinking routine
• mental rehearsal for social situations
• alternative responses to stress
• urge management
• confidence in alcohol-free settings
• selected sleep or anxiety patterns

Evidence for hypnotherapy as a stand-alone treatment for alcohol use disorder remains limited. It must not replace medical withdrawal care, GP assessment, prescribed medication or established psychological treatment.

Read the detailed Clinical Hypnotherapy evidence resource

Rapid Transformational Therapy

Rapid Transformational Therapy, known as RTT, may be considered when alcohol use is linked with particular beliefs, learned associations or repeated emotional patterns.

Suitability is assessed carefully.

RTT is not a medical withdrawal intervention and is not appropriate as a replacement for addiction medicine, emergency treatment or psychiatric care.

Registered Nutritionist Services

Alcohol can interfere with:

• appetite
• meal timing
• digestion
• nutrient intake
• sleep
• blood sugar
• triglycerides
• liver health
• weight
• energy
• concentration

Registered Nutritionist Services may assess:

• irregular meals
• low protein or fibre intake
• loss of appetite
• reflux, nausea, bloating or diarrhoea
• food and sugar cravings
• weight or metabolic changes
• nutrient-deficiency risk
• liver-friendly meal structure alongside medical care
• hormone and fertility-related nutritional needs
• gut-brain and gut-liver interactions

Where appropriate, an evidence-informed functional medicine perspective can help map interactions between digestion, liver health, glucose regulation, hormones, sleep and stress physiology.

Nutrition does not remove alcohol from the bloodstream more quickly. It cannot make unsupported withdrawal safe and does not replace medical treatment.

Explore Registered Nutritionist Services

Couples and Marriage Counselling

Where safe and appropriate, relationship sessions may address:

• trust
• communication
• boundaries
• financial transparency
• alcohol in the home
• parenting
• intimacy
• resentment
• expectations during recovery
• rebuilding shared routines

Research indicates that behavioural couple-based treatment can improve alcohol and relationship outcomes for some couples. [13]

 

13. What Happens During Your First Consultation?

You do not need to arrive with a perfect explanation or a firm commitment to lifelong abstinence.

The first consultation helps clarify what is happening and what should happen next.

You may be asked about:

• what and how much you drink
• when you drink
• previous attempts to reduce or stop
• withdrawal symptoms
• medical conditions
• prescribed medication
• other drug use
• mental health
• sleep
• eating patterns
• relationships
• work and family pressures
• what you would like to change

You will not be judged or labelled

The purpose is to understand:

  1. whether urgent medical assessment is required
  2. the severity of the alcohol pattern
  3. what alcohol currently does for you
  4. what consequences are developing
  5. which services are appropriate
  6. what should be referred elsewhere
  7. what a realistic first stage of change could look like

You may be referred to your GP or specialist service

Private therapy does not replace medical care.

A GP or specialist referral may be recommended where there is:

• physical dependence
• significant withdrawal risk
• possible liver or pancreatic disease
• seizures
• serious depression
• suicidality
• psychosis
• pregnancy
• complex medication use
• severe polydrug use

Learn more about Claire Russell’s qualifications and clinical approach

 

14. What You Can Try During the Next Fortnight

Do not abruptly stop drinking as part of this exercise if physical dependence may be present.

1. Record your actual intake

Write down:

• the drink
• container size
• alcohol strength
• approximate standard drinks
• time drinking began
• time drinking ended

Record it as you drink rather than relying on memory the next day.

2. Record the trigger

Note what happened in the preceding hour.

Possible triggers include:

• finishing work
• conflict
• loneliness
• tiredness
• hunger
• pain
• social anxiety
• boredom
• receiving difficult news

3. Track the full consequence

Record:

• sleep quality
• waking time
• morning anxiety
• digestion
• mood
• energy
• concentration
• spending
• arguments
• missed commitments

This provides a more accurate picture than counting drinks alone.

4. Arrange a GP appointment

This is particularly important if you:

• drink every day
• experience withdrawal symptoms
• take regular medication
• have liver, digestive or heart symptoms
• have depression or suicidal thoughts
• are pregnant or trying to conceive

5. Eat regularly

Consider regular meals containing:

• a protein source
• fibre-rich carbohydrates
• vegetables or fruit
• adequate fluids

Avoid treating food as a substitute for medical withdrawal treatment.

6. Identify one high-risk routine

Choose one repeated sequence, such as:

• buying wine on the journey home
• opening a drink while cooking
• drinking after children are in bed
• drinking during work emails
• drinking alone after an argument

Map where that routine could be interrupted.

7. Tell one safe person

Secrecy strengthens many addiction patterns.

Choose someone capable of responding calmly and respecting confidentiality.

8. Book an assessment

A structured consultation can determine whether your next step should involve:

• a GP
• specialist alcohol services
• Counselling
• Psychotherapy
• Clinical Hypnotherapy
• Couples or Marriage Counselling
• Registered Nutritionist Services
• a combined approach

 

15. Helping a Partner or Relative Who Is Drinking

You cannot force another adult to change, but you can stop participating in patterns that conceal or enable dangerous drinking.

Speak when the person is sober

Avoid confronting someone while they are intoxicated.

Describe facts rather than labels

Try:

“I have noticed you are drinking most evenings, you have missed work twice, and the children are worried about your mood.”

Avoid:

“You are hopeless.”

“You are just an alcoholic.”

“You care more about drink than anyone.”

Set boundaries you can maintain

Boundaries may relate to:

• drink driving
• aggression
• money
• alcohol in the home
• childcare
• attending work intoxicated
• contact during intoxication

A boundary is not a threat. It explains what you will do to protect safety and stability.

Do not conceal dangerous consequences

Avoid:

• lying to an employer
• repeatedly paying alcohol-related debts
• allowing intoxicated driving
• asking children to manage the adult
• pretending that violence or intimidation did not occur

Protect children and teenagers

Children may become vigilant, anxious or unusually responsible when an adult’s drinking is unpredictable.

They should not be expected to:

• monitor alcohol intake
• remove bottles
• keep secrets
• calm an intoxicated adult
• protect younger siblings alone
• prevent arguments

Where a child or teenager is at risk, safeguarding and specialist services may be required.

Suggested opening conversation

“I am not trying to shame you. I am worried because your drinking has increased and it is affecting your sleep, mood and our relationship. I would like you to speak with your GP or a qualified alcohol professional.”

 

16. Understanding Lapses and Relapse

A lapse is a single or brief return to alcohol after a period of change.

A relapse usually describes a more sustained return to the previous pattern.

A lapse does not erase progress, but it should not be minimised.

Review:

• what happened beforehand
• what thoughts appeared
• whether meals or sleep had changed
• whether medication was taken
• whether another substance was involved
• who was present
• what safety risk developed
• which part of the plan was missing

The shame trap

A common sequence is:

One drink
to
“I have ruined everything”
to
shame
to
continued drinking

A more useful response is:

Stop
Assess safety
Contact the appropriate professional
Review the trigger
Return to the plan

Where physical dependence has returned, medical advice may again be required before stopping.

 

Anonymised Ireland-Based Clinical Example

A woman in her forties sought help after her evening wine intake gradually increased during a prolonged period of work stress, disrupted sleep and perimenopausal symptoms.

She did not drink in the morning and had never missed work. She therefore struggled to accept that alcohol had become a significant problem.

However, she was:

• drinking more than intended
• experiencing severe morning anxiety
• hiding empty bottles
• skipping evening meals
• waking repeatedly during the night
• arguing with her partner
• using wine as her main method of switching off

Her initial pathway included a GP review, Counselling to address stress and emotional triggers, Registered Nutritionist work for irregular meals and digestive symptoms, and selected joint sessions to improve communication and boundaries at home.

The alcohol pattern became easier to understand when the connections between stress, hormones, sleep, nutrition, anxiety and relationship tension were mapped together.

This is a composite example. Details have been changed to protect confidentiality.

 

17. Frequently Asked Questions About Alcohol Addiction

1. How do I know whether I am addicted to alcohol?

Important signs include cravings, loss of control, increasing tolerance, withdrawal, secrecy and continuing to drink despite harm.

You may still have a serious alcohol problem even if you work, care for your family and do not drink every day.

2. Can I have alcohol addiction if I only drink at weekends?

Yes.

Some people remain alcohol-free during the week but repeatedly lose control at weekends, experience blackouts, take risks or suffer significant consequences.

3. Can someone be alcohol dependent without appearing drunk?

Yes.

Tolerance can mean a person appears less visibly intoxicated despite consuming a large amount. This does not protect the brain, liver, heart or other organs.

4. Is it safe to stop drinking suddenly?

Not always.

Sudden withdrawal can cause seizures, hallucinations or delirium tremens in physically dependent drinkers. Speak with a GP or specialist alcohol service before stopping if you drink heavily or experience withdrawal symptoms.

5. What are early alcohol withdrawal symptoms?

Early symptoms may include:

• anxiety
• sweating
• shaking
• nausea
• headache
• irritability
• insomnia
• rapid heartbeat

Symptoms should be medically assessed because severity can increase.

6. Why do I feel anxious the morning after drinking?

Alcohol initially suppresses nervous-system activity. As it wears off, nervous-system activation can rebound.

Poor sleep, dehydration, withdrawal, guilt and unstable blood sugar may add to the anxiety.

7. Can alcohol make depression worse?

Yes.

Alcohol may worsen sleep, motivation, emotional regulation, impulsivity and hopelessness. Seek urgent medical help if drinking is accompanied by suicidal thoughts or immediate danger.

8. Can trauma contribute to alcohol addiction?

Trauma does not inevitably lead to addiction.

However, some people use alcohol to suppress memories, fear, grief, shame, anger or hypervigilance. Treatment may need to address both the alcohol pattern and trauma-related symptoms.

9. Is alcohol addiction linked with ADHD?

There is a recognised association between ADHD and substance-use difficulties.

Impulsivity, reward-seeking, emotional intensity, boredom and sleep problems may contribute. A separate professional assessment is needed to determine whether ADHD is present.

10. Can medication reduce alcohol cravings?

Yes, for some people.

A doctor may consider medicines such as acamprosate, naltrexone, nalmefene or disulfiram. Medical suitability varies.

11. Does Counselling help alcohol addiction?

Counselling can help you understand triggers, strengthen motivation, change drinking routines and develop relapse-prevention skills.

Psychotherapy may also address trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, shame and relationship experiences connected with drinking.

12. Can hypnotherapy stop alcohol addiction?

Clinical Hypnotherapy may be used as an additional intervention for selected triggers, routines and behavioural goals.

It does not replace medical withdrawal treatment, prescribed medication or established alcohol-focused psychological care.

13. Can nutrition help during alcohol recovery?

Registered Nutritionist input may help with regular eating, energy, digestion, blood sugar, nutrient risk and alcohol-related food or sugar cravings.

Nutrition cannot prevent dangerous withdrawal or replace medical care.

14. Is online alcohol addiction therapy available in Ireland?

Yes.

Claire Russell Therapy offers confidential ONLINE alcohol addiction Counselling, Psychotherapy, Clinical Hypnotherapy and Registered Nutritionist consultations across Ireland and internationally.

15. Can my partner attend treatment with me?

Couples or Marriage Counselling may be helpful where both partners feel safe and want to address communication, trust and boundaries.

Individual assessment may be more appropriate initially.

16. Do I have to stop drinking completely before contacting you?

No.

You can arrange a consultation while you are still uncertain about your goal. However, appointments should not be attended while intoxicated, and medical assessment may be required before reducing alcohol.

 

Related Resources and Internal Links

Addiction resources

Addiction Therapy Ireland: Resource

Drug Addiction in Ireland

Food and Sugar Addiction Recovery

Mental health and trauma resources

Trauma Therapy and Trauma Hypnotherapy Ireland

Anxiety Therapy Ireland

Counselling and Psychotherapy

Physical health resources

Registered Nutritionist Services

IBS, Bloating, Reflux and Gut Health

Chronic Stress, Inflammation and Hormonal Health

Treatment information

Clinical Hypnotherapy: History, Science and Evidence

About Claire Russell Therapy

 

Book an Alcohol Addiction Consultation Now

You do not need to wait until alcohol has damaged every area of your life.

A confidential consultation can help you:

• understand the severity of your drinking pattern
• identify withdrawal risk
• clarify whether medical assessment is needed
• understand the emotional and physical drivers
• choose appropriate services
• create a realistic first-stage plan

Available services

Alcohol Addiction Counselling
Psychotherapy
Couples Counselling
Marriage Counselling
Clinical Hypnotherapy
Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy
Hypnosis for Addictions
Rapid Transformational Therapy
Registered Nutritionist Services

Appointment locations

ONLINE across Ireland and internationally

In-person appointments in:

Adare
Newcastle West
Limerick
Abbeyfeale
Charleville
Kanturk
Midleton
Youghal
East Cork
Cork
Lismore
Dungarvan
Dublin

Book a Consultation Now

Phone or text: 087 616 6638

Email: clairerusselltherapy@gmail.com

Book a confidential consultation

Contact Claire Russell Therapy

If you may be physically dependent, contact your GP or the HSE Drugs and Alcohol Helpline before suddenly reducing or stopping alcohol.

About the Author

Claire Russell MSc, BSc, DipNT, Cl.Med.Hyp is a Registered Nutritionist, Counsellor and Psychotherapist, Clinical Medical Hypnotherapist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, RTT practitioner and qualified Advanced Rapid Transformational Therapist.

Claire has more than 20 years of clinical experience across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Her integrative clinical approach combines Registered Nutritionist Services with Counselling, Psychotherapy, Couples and Marriage Counselling, Clinical Hypnotherapy, Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy and RTT where clinically appropriate.

She works with adults, teenagers and children ONLINE across Ireland and internationally and in person in Adare, Newcastle West, Limerick, Abbeyfeale, Charleville, Kanturk, Midleton, Youghal, East Cork, Cork, Lismore, Dungarvan and Dublin.

Alcohol-related work with children and teenagers requires age-appropriate assessment and may involve parents, guardians, a GP, safeguarding procedures or specialist youth addiction services.

Last clinically reviewed: 18 July 2026

Recommended next review: July 2027, or sooner if Irish alcohol guidelines change.

Educational and Medical Disclaimer

This resource provides general educational information. It does not diagnose alcohol use disorder and does not replace medical advice, emergency care, medical detoxification, prescribed medication or treatment from a GP, addiction specialist, psychiatrist, consultant or hospital service.

Do not change prescribed medication or suddenly stop alcohol where dependence may be present without obtaining medical advice.

Seek urgent medical care for seizures, hallucinations, confusion, severe withdrawal, collapse, breathing difficulties, chest pain, suicidal thoughts or suspected alcohol poisoning.

Academic and Clinical References

  1. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Alcohol-Use Disorders: Diagnosis and Management of Physical Complications.

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg100

  1. Department of Health and Healthy Ireland. Healthy Ireland Survey 2025.

https://www.gov.ie/en/healthy-ireland/publications/healthy-ireland-survey-2025/

  1. Ní Luasa S, Lynch T, O’Sullivan M, Carew AM. Alcohol Treatment Demand in Ireland 2025.

https://www.hrb.ie/publication/alcohol-treatment-demand-in-ireland-2025/

  1. Health Service Executive. Weekly Low-Risk Alcohol Guidelines.

https://www2.hse.ie/living-well/alcohol/health/improve-your-health/weekly-low-risk-alcohol-guidelines/

  1. Rohner H, Gaspar N, Philipsen A, Schulze M. Prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Substance Use Disorder Populations: A Meta-Analysis.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36674031/

  1. World Health Organization. Alcohol Fact Sheet.

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/alcohol

  1. World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe. Alcohol and Cancer.

https://www.who.int/europe/news-room/fact-sheets/item/alcohol-and-cancer

  1. Wolstenholme JT, Warner JB, Capparuccini MI, et al. Gut-Liver-Brain Axis and Alcohol Use Disorder.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38322428/

  1. Hien DA, López-Castro T, Papini S, et al. Psychological Treatments for Adults with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Alcohol or Other Drug Use Disorders: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37971855/

  1. McPheeters M, O’Connor EA, Riley S, et al. Pharmacotherapy for Alcohol Use Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37934220/

  1. Zhang P, Zhan J, Wang S, et al. Psychological Interventions on Abstinence in Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36039158/

  1. Henssler J, Müller M, Carreira H, et al. Controlled Drinking, Non-Abstinent Versus Abstinent Treatment Goals in Alcohol Use Disorder: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33188563/

  1. Song Y, Tavares H, Arteaga M, et al. The Effect of Behavioral Couples Therapy on Alcohol and Drug Use Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36208184/

  1. Kranzler HR. Overview of Alcohol Use Disorder.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37525595/

  1. Bahji A, Bach P, Danilewitz M, et al. Pharmacotherapies for Adults With Alcohol Use Disorders: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35653782/

  1. Ray LA, Meredith LR, Kiluk BD, Walthers J, Carroll KM, Magill M. Combined Pharmacotherapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adults With Alcohol or Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32558914/

  1. Song Y, et al. The Effect of Behavior Couples Therapy on Alcohol and Drug Use Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36208184/

  1. McCrady BS, Flanagan JC. The Role of the Family in Alcohol Use Disorder Recovery for Adults.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33981521/

  1. Debell F, Fear NT, Head M, et al. A Systematic Review of the Comorbidity Between PTSD and Alcohol Misuse.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24643298/

  1. Hawn SE, Cusack SE, Amstadter AB. A Systematic Review of the Self-Medication Hypothesis in the Context of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32516487/

  1. Türkmen C, et al. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia Across the Spectrum of Alcohol Use Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39864131/

  1. Hertenstein E, Feige B, Gmeiner T, et al. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in Patients With Mental Disorders and Comorbid Insomnia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35240417/

  1. Bajaj JS. Alcohol, Liver Disease and the Gut Microbiota.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30643227/

  1. Khan MAS, et al. Alcohol and the Brain-Gut Axis: The Involvement of Microglia and Neuroimmune Signalling.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37887319/

  1. Kelly JF, Humphreys K, Ferri M. Alcoholics Anonymous and Other Twelve-Step Programs for Alcohol Use Disorder.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32159228/

  1. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Alcohol-Use Disorders: Diagnosis, Assessment and Management of Harmful Drinking and Alcohol Dependence.

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg115

  1. Health Service Executive. Signs and Patterns of Alcohol Dependence.

https://www2.hse.ie/living-well/alcohol/dependence/signs-patterns/

  1. Health Service Executive. Alcohol Dependence Treatment and Recovery.

https://www2.hse.ie/living-well/alcohol/dependence/treatment-and-recovery/

  1. Health Service Executive. Drugs and Alcohol Helpline.

https://www2.hse.ie/services/habit-addiction/drugs-and-alcohol-helpline/

  1. World Health Organization. Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders.

https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240096745

Business name

Claire Russell Therapy

Provider

Claire Russell MSc, BSc, DipNT, Cl.Hyp, Cl,Med.Hyp, MNTOI, MICIP

Telephone

+353 87 616 6638

Email

clairerusselltherapy@gmail.com

Website

https://www.clairerusselltherapy.com/

Service name

Alcohol Addiction Counselling and Therapy Ireland

Service description

Confidential alcohol addiction Counselling, Psychotherapy, Clinical Hypnotherapy, Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy, RTT, Couples and Marriage Counselling and Registered Nutritionist Services, available online and in person in Ireland.

Service types

Alcohol Addiction Counselling
Psychotherapy
Counselling
Clinical Hypnotherapy
Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy
Rapid Transformational Therapy
Couples Counselling
Marriage Counselling
Registered Nutritionist Services

Areas served

Ireland
Adare
Newcastle West
Limerick
Abbeyfeale
Charleville
Kanturk
Midleton
Youghal
East Cork
Cork
Lismore
Dungarvan
Dublin

Appointment format

ONLINE and in person

Author credentials

Registered Nutritionist, Counsellor, Psychotherapist, Clinical Medical Hypnotherapist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, RTT Therapist and Advanced Rapid Transformational Therapy practitioner with more than 20 years of clinical experience

 

Take the First Step Toward Recovery Today

Recognising the signs of AUD is the first step toward recovery. If you are ready to take control of your alcohol use, I can offer the expertise and support you need to succeed. Together, we can develop a plan that works for you, helping you to reduce alcohol consumption and ultimately regain your health, happiness, and quality of life.

Contact me today to begin your journey towards recovery. With personalised strategies, expert support, and a tailored approach, we can overcome alcohol use disorder together.

Alteratively ring or text  087 616 6638  or  087 716 8844 to discuss how I can help

 

Academic References: