TMS treatment for alcohol addiction

It's easy to cross the line from enjoying a drink to relying on alcohol daily. By the time you notice a problem, the addiction may already be making it hard to cut back.

Identifying the cause of alcohol addiction can be challenging. It might develop slowly over time or happen quickly with a sudden change in behavior. Essentially, the brain starts depending on alcohol to produce certain chemicals, leading to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms when alcohol is absent.

Each person's reason for starting to drink is unique. It could be due to challenging life events, like a divorce or loss, or growing up with a parent who had unhealthy drinking habits. Some scientists even suggest that certain genes may increase the likelihood of developing an addiction.

Indicators of alcohol dependence (or alcoholism) may include:

• Spending time worrying about when you will next have a drink or where you will get it from
• Finding it hard to stop drinking once you’ve started
• Starting drinking before lunch regularly
• Feeling anxious or depressed
• Suffering from physical withdrawal symptoms like shaking and sweating when you haven’t had a drink.

Addressing alcohol misuse can involve counselling to uncover the underlying issues. This may include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), self-help groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), 12-step facilitation therapy, and family therapy.

Detoxing can be done at home with medical support, but if it's severe, it should be done in a hospital. Withdrawal symptoms usually stop about 7 days after your last drink. Medications like Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) can help reduce or eliminate these symptoms. In some cases, vitamin supplements may also be needed.

After detox, up to 80% of patients recovering from alcoholism may relapse within the first year. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) can help reduce alcohol cravings, and medications like Acamprosate, Naltrexone, and Disulfiram can prevent relapse. The longer a patient stays sober, the less likely they are to relapse. Research shows that those who remain sober for five years are likely to continue their sobriety. Therefore, it's crucial for patients to have access to scientifically proven methods to support their recovery journey.

Withdrawal symptoms during alcohol detox can be severe, and traditional treatments like CBT or self-help groups might not prevent relapse due to strong cravings. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) offers a safe and effective solution for addressing alcohol addiction.

TMS helps reduce alcohol cravings by calming the brain area responsible for them. For patients who have completed a 10-day detox, TMS can extend their success by lessening these cravings. To treat alcohol dependence, 15 TMS sessions are recommended, scheduled daily over three weeks (Monday to Friday).

Cocaine, alcohol, and smoking

TMS treatment for addiction is delivered in a course of 15 sessions.

Additional treatment can be booked as per the advice of your clinician.

Dr. Neal and his team are committed to ensuring patients remain healthy after their TMS treatment. We've developed aftercare packages, based on research and experience, to offer ongoing support with regular top-up treatments.

Have you had TMS treatment for depression at another clinic? Smart TMS can offer you maintenance therapy, too.

Conquering addiction is challenging, especially with temptations all around. Whether it's passing by a pub or having a drink after work, our aftercare packages are here to support you in staying on track. We also suggest counselling or joining a rehabilitation program like Alcoholics Anonymous.

Alcohol addiction is treatable, and Smart TMS is here to assist you. Most individuals qualify for TMS treatment. To help you decide, our practitioners offer scheduled clinic visits to answer your questions and demonstrate the TMS machine. To arrange a visit, please call our team or complete the form below.