Page 21 - Oct - Dec 2023 Edition

WHAT ARE THE STAGES OF ALCOHOL USE
DISORDER?
Alcohol use that turns into a use disorder
develops in stages. It is progressive and unless
treated will get worse over any given time.
• AT-RISK STAGE:
This is when you drink socially or drink to
relieve stress or to feel better. You may start to
develop a tolerance for alcohol.
• EARLY ALCOHOL USE DISORDER:
In this stage, you have progressed to
blackouts, drinking alone or in secret, and
thinking about alcohol a lot. Counsellors, Physicians, Psychiatric Nurses,
• MID-STAGE ALCOHOL USE DISORDER: Physicians, Social Workers, Recovery
Your alcohol use is now out of control and Coaches, Speech Therapists, Occupational
causes problems with daily life (work, family, Therapists, Fitness Trainers, Laboratory Services
financial, physical and mental health). Organ and other professionals and specialists.
damage can be seen on lab tests and
scans. Our team all work together to speed your
• END-STAGE ALCOHOL USE DISORDER: recovery and provide the support you need
Drinking is now the main focus of your life, to to thrive once you’re back home. Many of
the exclusion of food, intimacy, health and our current and former patients continue to
happiness. Despair, complications of organ enjoy productive and functional lives and
damage and death are now close. maintain healthy recovery.
HOW IS ALCOHOL USE DISORDER TREATED? Our services include Inpatient and Outpatient
Alcohol Use Disorder is treatable. You can Treatment and Care for Persons with Mental
have a life free of alcohol and its effects. It is Illness, Addiction Care and Treatment,
possible to live a happy, health, productive Individual Psychotherapy, Group Therapy
and sober life. Remember that having this (including facilitating mental health and
illness does not mean you are immoral, weak, well-being trainings), Family Therapy, Critical
ignorant or lacking in willpower or resolve. It is Incident Stress Briefing/Psychological First Aid,
an illness like any other and with commitment, Trauma Counselling and Therapy, Grief and
you can overcome it. Millions of people Loss Therapy, Family Therapy, Speech Therapy
worldwide have been able to do so. and Employee Assistance Programs among
others.
Your treatment options and setting will
depend on your stage of recovery and the With more than 6 years’ experience in
severity of your illness. You may need inpatient providing treatment, care and support to
medical (hospital), residential rehabilitation individuals and organisations some of our
(rehab), outpatient intensive therapy or current and corporate clients include United
outpatient maintenance. Treatment may Nations (MONUSCO, UNMISS, UNHCR, UNDP),
include a combination of Medications, Bank of Uganda, Centenary Bank, Coca
Psychotherapy and Support groups such as Cola, VVOB, Evidence Action, Clarkson
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Insurance Brokers, Jubilee Insurance among
others. We are also empanelled providers for
ABOUT AFRICA RETREAT CENTRE Medical Insurance Providers including Cigna,
Africa Retreat Centre (ARC) is a Specialised Henner, ICEA, GA Insurance, AAR, APA, Minet,
Treatment Hospital for Addiction and Mental Prudential, among others.
Health with facilities in Kampala (Naguru) and
Mbarara. The facilities are fully-staffed and Our objective is to assist the recovery process
equipped within a safe and conducive by professional guidance to ensure our
environment. clients are prepared to cope with the day to
Our specialty interdisciplinary treatment team day challenges of living in their communities,
comprises Consultant Psychiatrists, Clinical rejuvenated with a solid understanding of
Psychologists, Counselling Psychologists, mental illness and addiction and what is
Adolescent and Child Psychologists, Addiction required to prevent relapse.

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