Case study: addressing the challenges of alcohol addiction and rebuilding family bonds

A dual-nationality British-Pakistani woman in her 60s is a high-profile Hedge Fund Manager. She is renowned for her leadership in the field, and juggles significant responsibilities while maintaining a polished public image. However, she struggled with alcoholism for years; an issue she had hidden from her professional circle.

The client’s upbringing instilled a deep value for hard work, but it was this relentless focus that strained her relationships with her family; she no longer speaks to her three siblings or two adult sons. Her third marriage was also under immense pressure. Concerned for the wellbeing of their 15-year-old daughter, her husband delivered an ultimatum: seek help or face divorce. After extensive research into private mental health services, her husband chose Harbor for its reputation for discretion and utterly curated care.

Presenting Challenges

The client presented with complex challenges, including a moderate-to-severe alcohol dependency – despite her ability to mask it professionally.

She also experienced moderate anxiety in combination to severe stress, driven by the demands of her professional role and personal turmoil. Physically, she was overweight and suffered from high blood pressure.

The impact of these issues was evident in her marriage, family estrangement, and the threat to her professional reputation. Discretion was paramount, as exposure could have jeopardised both her career and financial standing.

Tailored Treatment Plan

To address the complexity of the client’s alcohol addiction, anxiety, and physical health challenges, Harbor crafted a detailed, phased treatment programme that evolved over six weeks:

Weeks 1-2: Medically Assisted Detox

• Initial Medical Assessment: prior to commencing alcohol detoxification, the client underwent comprehensive blood tests and a liver MRI to determine baseline health level.
• Consultant Psychiatrist: daily 1-hour reviews, 7 days per week, to monitor progress and oversee detox safely. The client also underwent psychoeducation around alcohol misuse.
• 24/7 Live-in Nurse: continuous medical supervision, including regular monitoring of vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, saturation levels, and respiratory rate). The client had also decided to undergo ongoing electronic monitoring from her first day – using WHOOP – to support assessments of sleep, recovery and stress.
• 24/7 Live-in Recovery Manager: On-site support and coaching to safeguard the client’s emotional wellbeing during the detox process.
• Nutritional Assessment: On day 5, a nutritionist conducted a comprehensive assessment to determine the client’s nutritional status. A collaborative discussion between the nutritionist, the client, and her private chef followed, creating a bespoke meal plan to support detoxification and physical recovery.
• Therapeutic and Wellness Sessions:
  • Psychotherapy: 3 sessions per week, beginning after the first two days. Intensive psychotherapy explored the root causes of her addiction, including family dynamics and personal trauma.
  • Mindfulness Practices: 2 sessions per week to foster emotional clarity and relaxation.
  • Massage Therapy: daily sessions to reduce stress, promote relaxation, and alleviate physical tension.

Weeks 3-4: Ongoing Treatment

• Consultant Psychiatrist: Frequency reduced to 3 sessions per week as the client stabilised, post-detox.
• Psychotherapy: Maintained at 3 sessions per week to continue addressing emotional triggers, self-worth, and the pressures of her professional and personal life.
• Couples Therapy: Following the successful completion of the detox phase, weekly 1.5-hour sessions were introduced with a therapist specialising in family and relationships. Conducted in the residence, these sessions helped the client and her husband rebuild trust, improve communication, and lay the foundations for a healthier marriage.
• Personal Training: 3 sessions per week to begin improving physical health and cardiovascular fitness.
• Mindfulness and Massage Therapy: Continued at the same frequency to enhance physical health, emotional stability, and relaxation. The tailored fitness plan, developed in collaboration with her personal trainer and nutritionist, focused on cardiovascular improvement and weight management.

Weeks 5-6: Continued Progress

• Psychotherapy, mindfulness, personal training, and massage therapy remained core components of her care, with consistent adjustments to meet her evolving needs.
• Couples therapy continued, further reinforcing trust and open communication with her husband.
• The structured nutritional plan and regular physical training helped her achieve tangible improvements in her overall health.

The client resided in a luxury penthouse near her family home, maintaining accessibility for couples therapy sessions and proximity to her office. Flexibility was built into her treatment plan, allowing her to remotely attend essential work meetings twice a week, as well as visit the office when necessary.

Addressing Underlying Factors

The plan addressed not only the addiction but also its underlying causes. Through therapeutic work, the client explored past trauma, family dynamics, and the pressures of her professional life. Mindfulness practices and massage therapy were incorporated to foster emotional clarity and relaxation. The programme also focused on helping the client rebuild her identity, balance her professional obligations with personal wellness, and prepare for the possibility of retirement as per her husband’s wishes.

Confidentiality and Discretion

Harbor ensured absolute privacy throughout the treatment. Private luxury car transfers were arranged for discreet visits to her office, and the residence provided an unassuming and secure environment that did not resemble a treatment centre. The one-patient-at-a-time approach eliminated any risk of exposure, allowing the client to focus solely on her recovery without any additional stress.

Resolution and Recovery

Over the six-week residential programme, the client made remarkable progress. She successfully detoxed from alcohol within the first two weeks and significantly improved her cardiovascular health and weight.

Her anxiety levels decreased, as evidenced by improvements in her GAD-7 score, and she developed greater emotional resilience. Couples therapy helped rebuild communication and trust with her husband, laying the groundwork for a stronger relationship.

Aftercare and Long-Term Support

A robust aftercare plan was implemented to ensure continued progress. The recovery manager provided support three times a week during the first month after discharge, while weekly couples therapy sessions, and biweekly psychiatric reviews, offered ongoing guidance. Various strategies were developed to help her manage different triggers, and close collaboration with her own private GP ensured seamless continuity of care. Family therapy continued, providing tools to strengthen relationships and support her recovery journey.

By addressing the root causes of her addiction and providing discreet, personalised care, the client not only rebuilt her marriage but also laid the foundation for a more balanced and fulfilling life. With ongoing support, she continues to manage her recovery and foster healthier work-life boundaries.