Is Residential Rehab Right for Your Treatment?

From hardcore heroin users to everyday alcoholics, a stay in a residential rehab can offer hope to help even the most critical cases of substance abuse and addiction. When a person becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol, the consequences can be devastating. Addiction is a complex condition that will eventually destroy a person’s life if left untreated. Although extremely unfortunate, there has been a vast rise in the number of addicts across the UK in recent years, a problem that affects people from all walks of life.

It can be all but impossible to quit an addiction alone. For those who have tried and been successful, this is excellent. Bur for the countless people who have tried to quit using drugs or alcohol by themselves and found it to be entirely too difficult, getting help can be one of the best decisions they can ever make. The majority of people who have fallen victim to addiction will need to receive some kind of treatment to overcome it, be it as part of alcohol rehab or another programme.

What are the Signs of Addiction?

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance abuse and believe you might be dealing with a serious problem, it’s important to know what the signs and symptoms of addiction are. Knowing what to look for will make all the difference in making a decision to get help. While the symptoms will be different depending on what drug a person is using, there are some general signs of addiction you can look out for.

There are several physical, emotional, and mental signs that will indicate a problem with drug or alcohol use. These include:

• Loss of interest in activities a person once enjoyed
• Changes in eating habits
• Disregard for personal hygiene
• Problems in relationships
• Missing work or school/Losing a job or dropping out of school
• Increased isolation
• Intense cravings when the drug wears off
• Problems with money/Can’t pay bills
• Increased/Decreased energy depending on the substance
• Changes in appearance
• Legal problems
• Dangerous or risky behaviour
• Missing important appointments

Addiction will completely change a person if it is left untreated. Although it can be difficult to tell if someone is an addict, there will most often be noticeable changes in their appearance and behaviour. If you suspect your substance abuse has reached the point of addiction or if you believe someone you care about might be dealing with dependency issues, it’s important to get help right away.

How to Know When It’s Time for Rehab

Realising things have gotten bad with substance abuse and knowing when it’s time to get help can be difficult to distinguish between. The thing is, a person doesn’t need to hit “rock bottom” before they go to outpatient or residential rehab. In fact, they don’t even need to be physically addicted to a substance in order to receive help. Any substance abuse issues that are negatively impacting your life can warrant a trip to rehab.

Substance abuse can quickly slip into full-blown addiction if it isn’t taken care of. If your drug or alcohol use has gotten to the point where friends and family members are beginning to take notice (and have asked you to stop using), it’s very likely you need help. It’s not always easy to tell just how bad a problem with substance abuse is until a loved one brings it to our attention. If your friends and family are worried about your drug or alcohol use, you should be concerned as well.
Anyone experiencing withdrawal symptoms when they try to quit or stop using drugs or alcohol should look into getting help right away. Irritability, anxiety, depression, nausea, cramps, headaches, and insomnia are all signs of withdrawal that should be taken seriously. The more a person continues to use, the stronger these symptoms will become. Getting help before an addiction completely takes control over a person’s life is highly recommended. Detox at a residential rehab can help a person tremendously when they are trying to overcome the physical and psychological withdrawal from drugs or alcohol.

Addiction doesn’t just affect the person using drugs or alcohol. If you or a person you love has hurt themselves or someone else while under the influence, going to either outpatient or residential rehab can help. Excessive drug abuse can exasperate symptoms of depression and other mental illnesses, causing a person to question the nature of their own existence. Suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming others can become common with those addicted to drugs or alcohol.

If you’ve tried to quit before and been unsuccessful, you know just how difficult it can be to stop using drugs or alcohol once they’ve taken control of your life. Becoming physically addicted to a substance will make it virtually impossible to quit alone. Addiction is simply too complex to try to handle by one’s self. If you’ve tried to quit in the past and found it too hard, getting help will significantly increase your chances of sustained sobriety once treatment is over.

What Is Residential Rehab?

When choosing treatment for addiction, you will find there are generally two distinct options. Residential and outpatient rehab. Residential rehab is when a person stays at the treatment facility for the duration of the recovery process. Also known as inpatient rehab, a residential programme offers people a chance to get away from their everyday reality and overcome their addiction for good.

In a residential setting, a person getting treatment will stay at the treatment facility the entire time they are in rehab. A typical stay at an inpatient rehab is between 28-90 days, however there are options for extended treatment if a person feels it is necessary. Patients will eat, sleep, and receive all therapy and treatments at the rehab centre. Detox will take place immediately after a person is admitted.

Residential rehab is beneficial because it removes a person from their immediate environment and gives them the space where all they need to worry about is getting well. When a person tries to quit drugs or alcohol on their own and is subjected to their everyday reality, it can be impossible to stop their habit. Temptation can be hard to overcome when a person is subjected to their regular routine, and triggers can easily get the best of them. Going away for rehab to a residential treatment centre can give an addict the break they need and allow them to more easily overcome their problems with drugs or alcohol.

What to Expect When Going Away for Treatment

While each treatment centre is different, residential rehab centres most often follow a similar protocol. A typical experience of going away for treatment will include the following aspects.

Intake

Intake is simply the process of checking into the residential rehab and answering the questions that will help staff members put together an individual’s treatment plan. Necessary information will include what kind of substance is abused, how often a person uses, how long they have been using, any mental or emotional issues, and any physical problems.

Detox

The detox process allows any remaining drugs or alcohol that is in a person’s system to fully run its course. The physical addiction to a substance is what most often keeps people trapped in their addictive state. Depending on the severity of a person’s addiction, a medically assisted detox may be recommended. Detox must take place before any other therapies can happen. A typical detox will last from 24 hours up to ten days or more depending on the nature of a person’s addiction.

Therapy

One of the most important aspects of going to rehab is the therapy a person receives while they are there. Having the ability to talk to a professional therapist or counsellor is vital when a person is overcoming addiction. Not only does it give them the opportunity to talk about their problems, but it can help them understand the reasons behind their addiction in the first place. This understanding is vital if a person is to heal at the fundamental levels necessary to overcome addiction for good. Both private and group counselling are an integral aspect of an inpatient rehab programme.

Treatments

Rehab also consists of various treatments designed to help a person through the addiction recovery process. These will vary from centre to centre, but often consist of modules that have proven beneficial to those going through treatment. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and 12-step programmes are common in a residential setting. A person should also expect some kind of physical activity to be integrated into therapy on a daily basis. Other treatments may include art therapy, equine therapy, meditation, and various tools to help integrate back into the world as a sober member of society.

Aftercare

A comprehensive rehab programme will include a detailed aftercare programme. Treatment for addiction doesn’t stop when a person is done at rehab. To successfully sustain from drug or alcohol use for good, it is vital that a person remains active about their recovery. Aftercare will include continued meetings, therapy, and tools to help a person stay sober after they leave a residential setting.

We Can Help You Find the Best Residential Treatment in the UK

If you think that your substance abuse has become out of control, or are worried about a loved one, we can help you navigate through all your different treatment options. It’s likely you have many questions regarding treatment for drug or alcohol abuse, and our staff is fully trained to answer each one. You deserve to take your life back, and we can help you find a residential rehab that will allow you to do just that. Getting help for addiction is truly the best thing you can do when faced with this unfortunate reality. We’re here to show you just how easy it can be. Please call us now for all the information you need. Freedom is truly just a phone call away.