The Benefits of Addiction Rehab

What Are the Signs of Addiction?

As an addiction develops, the signs and symptoms of this unfortunate circumstance will begin to become more apparent. If you or someone you love is struggling with an addiction, it’s important to recognise what could be a serious problem. The following are all common signs of addiction.

Physical

• Dilated or pinpoint pupils
• Changes in appetite
• Weight loss
• Pale or ashen complexion
• Neglect for personal appearance
• Cold-like symptoms when a person isn’t sick
• Excess or little energy (depending on the substance)
• Slurred or repetitive speech

Behavioural

• Problems in relationships with friends, families, and others
• Missing work or losing one’s job
• Missing or dropping out of school/Bad grades
• Problems with money
• Hanging out with the “wrong” crowd
• Being secretive or lying about their substance use
• Becoming more isolated/Spending more time alone
• Legal problems due to substance use
• Driving while under the influence
• Stealing from others

Emotional

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Paranoia
• Denial
• Confusion
• Belligerence
• Loss of interest in activities a person once enjoyed
• Blaming others for their problems
• Extreme irritation with themselves, others, and everyday situations

Why Is Addiction Difficult to Overcome?

Anyone who has tried to overcome addiction knows just how hard it can be. Overcoming addiction is much more involved than just deciding never to drink or do drugs again. Addiction changes both brain structure and brain function. When a person continually abuses drugs or alcohol, the brain goes through a sequence of alterations. This begins with recognising pleasure from taking the substance and ends with the compulsion to use again and again to receive this pleasure. Both alcohol and drugs increase the amount of dopamine (a “feel good” chemical responsible for pleasure) in a person’s brain. When the drugs or alcohol begin to wear off however, dopamine levels fall back to below normal levels. The only way to feel good involves using a substance again. When a person reaches this point, their desire to use a substance becomes compulsive.

Does Rehab Make Overcoming Addiction Easier?

Addiction rehab is designed to help addicts through the often-difficult experience of overcoming addiction. From assisted detox and help through the withdrawal process, to daily therapy and treatments designed to help a person better understand and overcome the reasons behind their addiction, rehab can make overcoming addiction easier than doing it alone.

With that being said, addiction is easier for some to beat than others. The longer a person has been using, the type of substance they use, and how much they’re accustomed to regularly using will all determine how easy (or difficult) their personal experience is when trying to overcome their addiction. Some people find rehab to make the process much easier, while others will have a more difficult time adjusting to the changes.

Treatment for Substance Abuse and Addiction

There are various treatments when it comes to help a person through their addiction to drugs or alcohol. Each person responds to treatment in their own unique way. If you or a loved one are suffering from addiction, it’s important to know the different options you have for rehab. You will find there are countless rehab centres to choose from. There are however, two basic types of treatment options amongst the various centres that treat drug and alcohol addiction.

Inpatient Rehab

Inpatient rehab is a setting where patients stay at the rehab centre the entire length of their treatment. Inpatient rehab is also referred to as residential rehab. All therapies and treatments will take place at the rehab centre, and visits from family are most often discouraged unless it would help an individual’s recovery. Detox is most often taken care of at the rehab centre as well, as it provides a seamless transition from withdrawal to treatment. Inpatient rehab is often preferred as it removes a person from the environment they are accustomed to using drugs or alcohol in. This can be of benefit when the temptation to use becomes overwhelming. Without the means to use or the access to drugs or alcohol, it is easier to avoid relapse.

Outpatient Rehab

In an outpatient rehab setting, the person receiving treatment will stay at home while they get the help they need. Outpatient rehab can be extremely beneficial to people who need treatment, but have other responsibilities to attend to. People with family obligations or those who cannot take time off work or school will find outpatient rehab to be an excellent option.

Is There a Rehab Process I Need to Go Through?

Intake

Intake is the first thing a person will experience before any other treatment starts. The intake process is basically an interview with the addict (and family if they are underage) regarding the nature of their addiction. During intake, an individual’s medical history will be reviewed, including any mental health issues they are presently experiencing or have experienced in the past.

Intake is a very important part of addiction rehab, as it is what a person’s entire treatment programme will be based upon. There’s often shame surrounding being an addict, and some people will feel compelled to lie about the nature of their drug or alcohol use during the intake process. Making false statements about your addiction however, can impede the success of your treatment. It’s important to be completely honest during intake to ensure you get the treatment you need to successfully overcome your addiction.

Detox

Once a person has completed intake, the first thing to occur is a detox from drugs or alcohol. Most cases of drug or alcohol addiction will require detox, which is the process of removing all remaining drugs or alcohol that are still present in a person’s system. The severity of the withdrawals a person will experience during the detox process are contingent on the type of drug a person used, how much they used, how long they have been using, their body type and metabolism, and if they have been taking any other substances.

The length a person will need to detox is also dependent on the nature of a person’s addiction. Certain drugs require longer to leave a person’s system. Some cases of detox will require medical assistance as detox, as some types of drugs can be especially severe to withdrawal from. In very serious cases of extreme addiction, detox can be deadly. It is important when facing addiction not to try to detox on your own. The detox process will last anywhere from 24 hours up to a couple weeks or more depending on the nature of the patient’s addiction.

Therapy

After detox, a person will most often immediately begin rehab. For people attending an inpatient addiction rehab, there is a smooth transition from detox to the rest of their treatment plan. Those who attend outpatient treatment may have to wait to begin their treatment plan at a separate treatment centre. Regardless of what type of rehab a person goes to, part of their treatment plan includes regular therapy. Talking to a therapist can help a person better understand the reasons for their addiction. Without looking at the reasons behind an addiction, it can be impossible to successfully overcome it.

Because talking to a therapist or counsellor trained in addiction can help you understand what’s caused your addiction, they can help you better understand what’s keeping you in your current addicted state. Once this is understood it can be easier to take the steps to change the issues keeping you tied to addiction. Another benefit of therapy is the ability of a therapist to help you solve any unresolved emotional issues that could be contributing to your problems with substance abuse.

Aside from individual therapy, group therapy is also sometimes a part of rehab. The ability to connect with others that share a similar experience is unsurpassed when it comes to healing from addiction. Because addiction often alienates the addict from those closest to them, group therapy can offer a person in recovery the connection they need in a time the likely feel the most alone.

Treatments

Aside from the therapy a person receives while going to rehab, they will engage in other treatments designed to help with addiction recovery. Because addiction is such a multi-faceted condition, there needs to be various modalities that help treat it. Going to rehab offers an extensive array of treatment options. One of the most common treatments for a person suffering from addiction to drugs or alcohol is known as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). This modality of treatment teaches an individual to recognise the triggers behind their addiction, as well as the negative patterns of thinking and behaviour that are causing these triggers.

Patients attending an addiction rehab can expect to be involved in various treatments for the duration of their healing. Physical activity often plays a role in the recovery process. Exercise not only helps restore the physical damage that’s been done due to addiction, but is also excellent for helping a person reach a more positive mental state. Music and art therapy are sometimes used in addiction treatment, and holistic treatments such as massage, acupuncture, and yoga are becoming increasing popular in rehab centres worldwide. The treatment a person receives is ultimately contingent upon their addiction, as well as the rehab centre they attend.

Aftercare

A vital part of rehab that is often overlooked is a quality aftercare programme. Treatment doesn’t end when a person is finished at rehab. For some, it may take months or even years to recover from an addiction to drugs or alcohol. Aftercare is something that can help ensure a person stays sober during this very delicate time. Aftercare most often consists of continued therapy as well as tools to help a person maintain their sobriety. 12-step programmes such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are an extremely popular component in detailed aftercare strategies.

People who have attended an inpatient rehab might go to an outpatient centre as part of their aftercare strategy. Sober living houses can also be a beneficial aspect of aftercare as a person transitions back to the real world after treatment. Aftercare is designed to help a person avoid relapse and smoothly integrate back into life without the need for drugs or alcohol.

Aftercare is an integral aspect of any addiction rehab programme. Relapse is an unfortunate reality that many people who have successfully completed rehab will experience. Aftercare offers what a person needs to avoid relapse and stay steadfast in their journey towards lasting recovery.

How Long Does Addiction Rehab Take?

The length a person goes to rehab is completely dependent on their own unique situation. Addiction rehab can last anywhere from one week to several months. Some people will need to stay in rehab for up to a year or longer, depending on their needs. Everyone reacts to rehab differently, and the length of time a person stays will be determined on how receptive they are to the process.

A typical residential addiction rehab programme will last approximately 4 weeks. This can be sufficient time for a person to address their addiction and learn various ways to overcome it for good. For those that need more time to recover from their addiction, there are programmes that run up to 12 weeks. People with extreme cases of addiction can go to rehab for 52 weeks or longer.

The length of time a person goes to addiction rehab is contingent upon the severity of their addiction, the type of substance they are addicted to, any other mental or emotional problems, and the willingness they offer towards getting well.

How Much Does Addiction Rehab Cost?

The amount a person will pay to attend addiction rehab is contingent upon a variety of factors. While many people assume that an inpatient rehab is expensive, there are affordable options available. It’s true that some rehab centres are very costly, but there are options to fit everyone’s budget.

The cost of addiction rehab will depend on the services offered at the rehab, as well as the centre itself. There are basic residential rehab centres that cost as little as 500 pounds per week and luxury rehabs that can cost thousands of pounds a week. Our addiction specialists are here to talk to you not only about what is included in the cost of rehab, but different options you have for payment and how to begin the process.

What Is Included in the Cost of Residential Rehab?

When thinking about addiction rehab, it’s important to know just what you’re paying for when attending a residential rehab. There are a variety of different factors that establish the price you will pay for an inpatient rehab programme. These include: room and board, meals, rehab staff, professional staff, and treatment and various therapy needs.

Typically, the more amenities that are offered, the more expensive a residential addiction rehab centre will be. We are connected with several different residential rehabs throughout Essex and London and can help you find something that fits your personal financial needs.

Are There Free Addiction Rehab Services Available?

For people who cannot afford to pay for rehab but still want to get help, there are some free services available through NHS. There are also some insurance providers that might pay for residential rehab. Going to an outpatient rehab at a private clinic is also an affordable option many individuals looking for treatment tend to choose. This can offer more personalised care but cost much less than an inpatient programme.

Choosing an Addiction Rehab in the UK

We understand that choosing an addiction rehab is one of the biggest decisions you will make for you or a loved one. There are countless options for rehab across the UK that we work with. We are connected with both inpatient and outpatient centres and can provide all the information you need to make the best decision for your individual needs. We are also here to help you find a rehab that fits your budget and answer all financial questions you might have.

There is truly something for everyone when it comes to getting addiction treatment, and we can help you with all your different options. We are here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for those looking for the best addiction rehab options to overcome their substance abuse issues for good. We can help you decide on the type of treatment best suited for you, talk about any concerns or special needs you might have, and get you or a loved one situated in the perfect programme that will help you overcome addiction for good.