Alastair Mordey - Addiction & Recovery

Alastair Mordey - Addiction & Recovery 25 years in addiction treatment. Thai rehab operator since 2010. Addiction, recovery & mental health.

Inpatient alcohol rehab provides a structured environment where physical safety, psychological support, and skill-based ...
18/03/2026

Inpatient alcohol rehab provides a structured environment where physical safety, psychological support, and skill-based therapy come together.
Knowing what to expect can help someone approaching treatment with clarity rather than uncertainty.

In this article, we outline the core components of inpatient alcohol rehab — from medical stabilisation and therapeutic routines to group work, individual therapy, and reintegration planning.

Read here:
https://onesteprehab.com/blog/what-to-expect-from-inpatient-alcohol-rehab-guide-to-alcohol-rehab-inpatient-alcohol-treatment/

If this resonates, share it with someone who may benefit.



Taking the step to enter inpatient alcohol rehab can feel daunting, especially if you are unsure what the process involves. While some clients have been to a rehab before, many have not, and this will be their first time. At One Step Rehab in Chiang Mai, Thailand, we know how anxiety-provoking going...

Is addiction best understood as a dopamine deficiency disorder?In this discussion, I examine the dopamine model of addic...
14/03/2026

Is addiction best understood as a dopamine deficiency disorder?

In this discussion, I examine the dopamine model of addiction, its relationship to the ASAM “brain disease” framework, and what neuroscience does — and does not — clearly support.

Does the model illuminate lived experience in recovery, or does it oversimplify a more complex psychological reality?

Full discussion here:

This video examines the dopamine deficiency model of addiction and its relationship to the ASAM definition of addiction as a primary, chronic, progressive br...

Alcohol withdrawal can be a physically and psychologically destabilising experience — and the intensity of symptoms ofte...
11/03/2026

Alcohol withdrawal can be a physically and psychologically destabilising experience — and the intensity of symptoms often depends on the level and duration of use.
Understanding what withdrawal can look like, and the risks that accompany it, is essential for safety and planning.

In this article, we break down the common side effects of alcohol detoxification and explain why medically supported care can be critical for those at higher risk.

Read here:
https://onesteprehab.com/blog/alcohol-withdrawal-understanding-withdrawal-alcohol-and-the-side-effects-of-alcohol-detoxification/

If this resonates, share it with someone who may benefit.



Alcohol withdrawal is a complex and challenging process that can affect both the body and mind. Understanding what withdrawal is, why it occurs after stopping alcohol use, and the potential side effects of detoxification is essential for anyone beginning the journey to recovery. At One Step Rehab in...

Trauma theory did not emerge in a vacuum.In this discussion, I examine the intellectual and historical roots of contempo...
07/03/2026

Trauma theory did not emerge in a vacuum.

In this discussion, I examine the intellectual and historical roots of contemporary trauma models — from their development within psychoanalysis to their later convergence with critical-theory frameworks.

How did trauma move from a clinical concept to a broader moral and explanatory framework within modern mental health culture?

Full discussion here:

This video discusses trauma, childhood adversity, and abuse in a historical, theoretical, and analytical context. References are non-graphic and are made for...

Alcohol use disorder exists on a spectrum, and not everyone with drinking problems will require the same level of care.D...
04/03/2026

Alcohol use disorder exists on a spectrum, and not everyone with drinking problems will require the same level of care.
Deciding when to move into an inpatient programme should be grounded in clinical indicators, safety needs, and the presence of structured support.

In this article, we outline who typically qualifies for inpatient alcohol rehab — from severity of symptoms and withdrawal risk to psychological complexity and previous treatment history.

Read here:
https://onesteprehab.com/blog/who-qualifies-for-inpatient-alcohol-rehab-inpatient-rehab-treatment-guide/

If this resonates, share it with someone who may benefit.



Understanding who qualifies for inpatient alcohol rehab is the crucial first step for individuals and families seeking effective and lasting recovery from alcohol addiction. This comprehensive guide provides psychological insight into the criteria for inpatient treatment, helping you determine if a....

Has “complex trauma” become a catch-all diagnosis in addiction treatment?In this discussion, I examine why trauma is so ...
28/02/2026

Has “complex trauma” become a catch-all diagnosis in addiction treatment?

In this discussion, I examine why trauma is so often positioned as the primary explanatory framework — and whether this has led us to overextend the model beyond its clinical precision.

Is trauma-informed care always helpful, or has it become an orthodoxy that deserves closer scrutiny?

Full discussion here:

In recent years, “complex trauma” and trauma-informed care have become dominant frameworks within mental health and addiction treatment. In this talk I exami...

Over the past decade, “trauma-informed care” has become the dominant language of addiction treatment.Questioning it is o...
25/02/2026

Over the past decade, “trauma-informed care” has become the dominant language of addiction treatment.

Questioning it is often treated as heresy.

In this discussion, I examine whether the rise of trauma culture has weakened addiction treatment outcomes — by over-pathologising normal distress, reinforcing identity around damage, and diluting personal responsibility.

Addiction treatment is measured by outcomes — not ideology.

If certain narratives reduce resilience, increase fragility, or lower expectations, they should be examined — not protected.



Full discussions and lectures on addiction, trauma, and recovery philosophy:

https://www.youtube.com/

Over the last decade, “trauma-informed care” has become the dominant language of addiction treatment.Questioning it is almost taboo.In this dialogue with Dav...

Finding the right setting for addiction recovery can make a significant difference in outcomes.Thailand offers a unique ...
25/02/2026

Finding the right setting for addiction recovery can make a significant difference in outcomes.
Thailand offers a unique combination of clinical care, structured routine, and cultural calm that supports sustained neurological and psychological recovery.

In this article, we explore why rehab in Thailand can be an effective choice — from therapeutic environments and evidence-informed protocols to personalised care that prioritises long-term wellbeing.

Read here:
https://onesteprehab.com/blog/why-choose-rehab-thailand/

If this resonates, share it with someone who may benefit.



Drug and Alcohol Treatment in Thailand Choosing Thailand for addiction treatment offers a unique blend of world-class care, compassionate support, and natural serenity. Renowned for its highly effective drug and alcohol rehab programmes, Thailand provides a peaceful escape from routine triggers and....

Addiction is often framed purely as pathology.But what if recovery also reveals something valuable about human behaviour...
21/02/2026

Addiction is often framed purely as pathology.

But what if recovery also reveals something valuable about human behaviour, discipline, and self-awareness?

In this discussion, I explore the idea that people who have struggled with addiction — and worked through recovery — often develop insights that are relevant far beyond treatment settings.

What can the wider culture learn from recovery communities?

Full discussion here:

Much of modern therapy — especially trauma-informed and victim-centred models — encourages people to understand addiction primarily through what happened to ...

Dopamine dysregulation sits at the centre of many addictions.When the brain becomes overstimulated, everyday life can st...
18/02/2026

Dopamine dysregulation sits at the centre of many addictions.
When the brain becomes overstimulated, everyday life can start to feel flat and unrewarding.

In this article, we explain what a dopamine diet is, how it supports neurological reset, and why structured behavioural change is essential during early recovery.

Read here:
https://onesteprehab.com/blog/dopamine-diet/

If this resonates, share it with someone who may benefit.



Understanding the crucial link between food, diet, and brain chemistry can be a powerful tool in addiction recovery. At One Step Rehab, we recognise how dietary choices directly influence dopamine levels, the brain’s “feel good” neurotransmitter, impacting both cravings and mood. This page exp...

How the Psychology Industry is creating a generation of victims. My latest for Quilette magazine.
12/07/2023

How the Psychology Industry is creating a generation of victims. My latest for Quilette magazine.

In diluting the word's meaning mental health professionals are creating a generation of victims.

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