AHANA HOSPITALS
De-addiction & Addiction Treatment
Confidential, nonjudgmental assessment and recovery-focused care for alcohol, drug and other addictive behaviours.
Withdrawal and overdose can be medical emergencies
Severe alcohol or sedative withdrawal, seizures, hallucinations, extreme confusion, collapse, slow or irregular breathing, suspected overdose or inability to wake requires emergency medical help. Do not attempt unsupported detoxification when severe withdrawal is possible.
View urgent helpAddiction is a health condition not a moral failure
Addiction can affect judgement, health, relationships, work and safety. Effective care begins with a respectful assessment of the substance or behaviour, pattern of use, withdrawal risk, physical and mental health, previous attempts to change, motivation and available support. Recovery goals may include abstinence, harm reduction or staged change depending on clinical need.
When might specialist help be useful?
Support is appropriate at any stage. A person does not have to reach a crisis before asking for help.
Loss of control
Using more than intended, repeated unsuccessful attempts to cut down, strong cravings or spending substantial time obtaining or recovering.
Health or safety consequences
Withdrawal, overdose, injuries, medical problems, risky behaviour or worsening mood, anxiety, sleep or psychosis.
Impact on daily life
Problems with relationships, parenting, study, work, finances or legal responsibilities.
Concern from family
Secrecy, marked behaviour change, repeated crises or a family pattern of coping around the person’s use.
What to expect
The first assessment should be confidential, nonjudgmental and medically informed. Honest information helps the team plan safer care.
01
Assess use and withdrawal risk
The clinician reviews substances or behaviours, quantity, frequency, last use, previous withdrawal, overdose and current symptoms.
02
Review mental and physical health
Mood, anxiety, psychosis, trauma, sleep, medicines, liver or other health concerns and suicide risk are considered.
03
Choose the treatment setting
Care may be outpatient, inpatient or medically supervised depending on withdrawal risk, safety, support and previous treatment.
04
Build a continuing recovery plan
Treatment addresses cravings, triggers, relapse risk, relationships, routines, health and follow-up not detoxification alone.
Elements of addiction treatment
The most effective plan is individual and may combine medical, psychological, family and rehabilitation support.
Medically supervised withdrawal
Monitoring and medication may be required for safer withdrawal from alcohol, sedatives or other substances.
Medication treatment
Evidence-based medicines may reduce withdrawal, craving or relapse risk for some substance-use disorders.
Psychological interventions
Motivational approaches, relapse-prevention work, coping skills and treatment of associated mental-health difficulties may help.
Family support
Families can learn safer boundaries, communication strategies, overdose or withdrawal warning signs and ways to support recovery.
Rehabilitation and routine
Sleep, nutrition, activity, work, relationships and meaningful roles are rebuilt gradually as recovery stabilises.
Relapse planning
A lapse is a signal to review triggers and treatment, not a reason for shame. Rapid return to care can reduce harm.
If someone you care about is not ready for treatment
Choose a calm time, describe specific changes without insults, express concern and offer help arranging an assessment. Avoid arguing when the person is intoxicated. Do not cover up dangerous behaviour or provide money that may increase harm. Families can seek professional guidance even when the individual is not yet ready to attend.
Frequently asked questions
1. Is detoxification the same as treatment?
No. Withdrawal management is only one stage. Continuing treatment addresses craving, triggers, health, relationships and relapse prevention.
2. Can withdrawal be managed at home?
Sometimes, but only after clinical assessment. Severe alcohol or sedative withdrawal can be life-threatening and may require supervised care.
3. Is treatment confidential?
Mental-health and addiction care should respect privacy. The team can explain confidentiality, documentation and the limited situations where safety or law requires disclosure.
4. What if there is a relapse?
Return to care quickly. The plan may need changes in medication, support intensity, triggers, environment or follow-up frequency.
5. Can addiction and depression or anxiety be treated together?
Yes. Co-occurring mental-health and substance-use problems should be assessed together because each can affect the other.
6. How can family members help?
Support treatment, maintain safe boundaries, avoid enabling harmful use and seek urgent help for overdose, severe withdrawal or immediate risk.
Clinical review
Dr. Vikhram RamasubramanianMD (General Medicine), MD (Psychiatry)
Consultant Psychiatrist, Ahana Hospitals
Clinical review: 07 September 2026
Next review: September 2027
Clinical sources and references
World Health Organization: person-centred mental-health services. NICE: service-user experience and condition-specific guidance. National Institute of Mental Health: mental-health treatments. Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 (India).
Take the next step towards recovery
Contact Ahana Hospitals for a confidential assessment and guidance on the safest, most appropriate treatment setting.