Get Free Advice
Blog - Research & Education

Research & Education

Good decisions about treatment start with reliable information. These articles review the evidence on what works - and what the research actually says.

Inpatient Rehab - What the Research Actually Says About Success Rates

Rehab success rates are widely misunderstood. This article reviews the clinical literature and explains what "success" actually means in addiction treatment.

Read article

The 12 Step Programme - Does It Still Work in 2025

The 12-step model has been the dominant framework in addiction recovery for decades. We look at the evidence for its effectiveness and where alternatives have emerged.

Read article

CBT vs DBT in Addiction Treatment - What's the Difference

Both CBT and DBT are used in residential programmes. This article explains what each approach involves and when each is most appropriate.

Read article

What is a Medical Detox and Do You Need One

Medical detox is not always necessary - but for alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opioids, it can be life-saving. We explain what it involves and how to assess the need.

Read article

How Long Does It Take to Break an Addiction

There is no universal answer, but the research offers useful frameworks. We look at what the evidence says about timelines, neuroplasticity, and long-term recovery.

Read article

Relapse is Not Failure - Understanding the Recovery Cycle

Relapse is a common part of the recovery process. Understanding it as a clinical phenomenon rather than a moral failure changes how it is managed.

Read article

What is Motivational Interviewing and Why Do Rehabs Use It

Motivational interviewing is one of the most evidence-supported approaches in addiction treatment. This article explains the method and what it looks like in practice.

Read article

Mindfulness in Addiction Recovery - Evidence or Trend

Mindfulness has become standard in residential programmes. We review the clinical evidence and explain when it helps and when it is oversold.

Read article

How to Choose a Rehab Programme - What to Look For

Programme quality varies enormously. This guide covers accreditation, clinical team credentials, individual therapy hours, aftercare, and the questions to ask before you commit.

Read article

Addiction and the Workplace - What Employees and Employers Need to Know

Addiction enters the workplace as underperformance and absenteeism. Here is what employees need to know about their rights - and what employers need to understand.

Read article

The Role of Nutrition in Addiction Recovery

Addiction depletes the body of essential nutrients and disrupts the gut-brain axis. Nutrition is not an optional add-on in recovery - it is part of the repair.

Read article

Sleep and Addiction Recovery - Why It Matters More Than You Think

Sleep disruption is one of the most persistent symptoms of early recovery and one of the strongest predictors of relapse. Here is what the research shows - and what helps.

Read article

Exercise and Addiction Recovery - What the Evidence Actually Shows

Exercise is one of the most evidence-supported adjuncts to addiction treatment. Here is what the research shows about physical activity, craving, mood, and long-term sobriety.

Read article

The Neuroscience of Addiction Explained Simply

Addiction is a brain disease - not because this excuses behaviour, but because understanding the neuroscience helps explain why stopping is so hard and why treatment works. This article explains the key mechanisms clearly.

Read article

SMART Recovery vs 12-Step: Which Approach Is Right for You?

SMART Recovery and 12-step programmes represent two distinct approaches to addiction recovery, with different philosophical foundations and different tools. This article compares them honestly so you can make an informed choice.

Read article

EMDR in Addiction Treatment: What the Evidence Says

EMDR was developed as a trauma therapy but is increasingly used in addiction treatment given the strong overlap between trauma and substance use disorder. This article explains the evidence and what to expect.

Read article

Art Therapy in Addiction Recovery: More Than Creative Expression

Art therapy is frequently dismissed as peripheral to serious addiction treatment. This article explains what it actually does clinically - and why it is particularly valuable for people with trauma histories.

Read article

Spirituality in Recovery: Does It Matter If You Are Not Religious?

Spirituality appears consistently in the research on recovery, but it does not require religious belief. This article examines what it means in the addiction context and how secular people can engage with it meaningfully.

Read article

Breathwork in Recovery: What It Is and Why It Works

Breathwork is increasingly incorporated into residential addiction treatment - and there are good clinical reasons for this. This article explains the physiology, effects on stress response and emotional regulation, and what different approaches involve.

Read article