What Is a Rehab Clinic?

Going to a rehab clinic can help people with even the most serious cases of addiction regain the freedom they deserve. Battling a drug or alcohol addiction is one of the most difficult things a person can face. Whether you’re struggling with addiction or you’re witnessing the addiction of a friend or family member, it’s never easy on anyone. The effects of drugs and alcohol can be devastating, which is why recognising addiction is so important. Understanding the mechanisms behind addiction can make it easier to understand why getting help is often the best thing a person can do.

The Difference Between Abuse, Dependence, and Addiction

Addiction isn’t something that happens overnight. There are various stages of addiction a person will go through before reaching rock bottom, but abuse can slip into a full-blown addiction without a person realising what happened. Drug and alcohol abuse is serious and should be treated as such. If you or someone you love is battling an issue with drugs or alcohol, it’s important to face this reality no matter how difficult it might seem.  Remember, no one uses drugs or alcohol with the intention of becoming an addict. No one wants their life to revolve around getting high, but unfortunately this is something countless people across the UK face on a regular basis.

Abuse and dependence are often used to describe a problem with drugs or alcohol, but there are distinct differences between the two. Abusing a substance doesn’t necessarily make a person dependent on it. Abuse doesn’t always lead to dependence, but has a high potential to do so if a person doesn’t stop their risky behaviour. Signs of drug or alcohol abuse include using a substance on a regular basis, driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, neglecting responsibilities, missing work, getting in trouble at school, and putting you or your loved one’s in danger.

When a person continually abuses drugs or alcohol, it can turn into dependence. Dependence on a drug is when a person experiences symptoms of withdrawal when they try to stop using. At this point, the body and mind are so accustomed to having this substance that it’s necessary to use it in order to feel “normal”. Some signs of dependence include denying that there’s a problem, lying about or hiding drug or alcohol use, experiencing physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms when trying to abstain from substance use, and a developed tolerance that requires a higher dose to achieve the desired effect.

Signs of Addiction – Reasons to Check into a Rehab Clinic

Addiction is one of the most complex conditions known that affects millions of people all over the world. No one is immune to drug or alcohol addiction. With addiction rates continually rising each year, it’s not uncommon for addiction to strike close to home. If you or someone you love is facing a problem with drugs or alcohol, it’s vital to know what to look for. And while the signs of drug or alcohol addiction will vary with each individual and the nature of their addiction, some of the more common signs of addiction are as follows:

• The person taking drugs or alcohol tries to stop but cannot quit
• Using drugs or alcohol in secret or lying about their use
• Failing to meet commitments at work or school
• Neglecting family responsibilities
• Obsessing with using
• Using in the morning to feel normal
• Engaging in dangerous behaviour while under the influence
• Doing whatever it takes to make sure the preferred substance is always available
• Going through physical withdrawal when substance wears off
• Experiencing financial difficulties
• Having problems in personal, professional, and casual relationships

If you notice any of these signs in yourself or a loved one, it’s extremely important to take a serious look at the reality of your situation. Addiction isn’t something to ignore in hopes that it will just “go away.” Ending an addiction to drugs or alcohol is complex and requires much more than simply deciding not to use a substance again. For many people, quitting an addiction on their own can be next to impossible. Getting treatment however, has shown to be beneficial to countless people worldwide who have successfully overcome their addiction by going to rehab.

How Going to Rehab Can Help with Addiction

Getting help for addiction is the best thing a person can do. Addiction can completely destroy a person’s life and if left untreated can have devastating effects. Because quitting an addiction alone can truly be unmanageable to even the most determined of individuals, it’s important to seek professional help.

When a person goes to a rehab clinic to get help to overcome their addiction, they’re ensuring that they are putting themselves in an environment conducive to their wellbeing. Drug and alcohol rehab is designed to help a person abstain from their substance use and offer them the tools they need to successfully maintain their sobriety. Rehab is designed with the best practices proven to help people get over their addiction.

One of the most important things rehab offers is the professional support an individual needs. Therapy is a large part of going to rehab. Private and group therapy are offered in most rehab settings, both of which play an integral role in helping a person better understand their addiction. Therapy helps a person work through the reasons for their addiction and offers the support they need to move on.

Rehab also consists of various treatment modalities that are designed to help a person through the recovery process. These treatments are evidence-based and have shown time and time again to provide what a person needs in order to overcome addiction. Various behavioural therapies, fitness programmes, relaxation techniques, holistic applications, and techniques designed to help a person avoid relapse are often integrated into a person’s treatment programme.

Going to rehab also prepares a person for what life will be like after treatment is over. A person will need to be equipped with various coping skills in order to successfully manage life from a sober vantage point. Aftercare strategies will be implemented before a person leaves rehab, with a quality rehab offering a personalised aftercare plan. Continued treatment such as group meetings and various therapies are often part of a successful aftercare programme.

Different Options for Drug or Alcohol Rehab

When looking to get treatment for addiction, you will find a vast array of different options for rehab. Knowing what components rehab consists of will help you make an informed decisions when the time comes to choose the most ideal rehab clinic.

What Makes a Quality Rehab Clinic?

A quality rehab will have a professionally trained medical staff, therapists with degrees specialising in addiction, an array of different treatment modalities, and a comprehensive aftercare strategy.

How Long Does Treatment Last?

The average length of rehab is from 28-90 days. For those with more critical cases of addiction, treatment can last anywhere from 3 to 24 months. The length a person stays in rehab is dependent upon a number of different factors, including how well they adapt to their treatment programme and their willingness to receive help.

What Is the Detox Process?

Before a person can receive treatment for their addiction, they must go through the detox process. This is when a person goes through physical withdrawal as the remains of any substance use leaves their system. Detox can be very difficult and will require medical assistance if withdrawals symptoms present danger to the patient. Detox can last from 24 hours up to ten days depending on the nature of a person’s addiction.

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Rehab

There are generally two types of rehab options a person will choose from. These are inpatient and outpatient rehab. Knowing which best fits your needs is a must when making the choice on which type of rehab you will attend.

Inpatient Rehab Clinics

Inpatient rehab involves staying at the rehab clinic for the duration of the patient’s treatment. This could be near a person’s home or somewhere afar. All therapy and treatments will take place at a clinic where the individual stays 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Inpatient treatment offers round the clock care and can be very beneficial to people with more serious cases of addiction. Because going to an inpatient rehab clinic involves a person being removed from their immediate environment, there is less chance they will succumb to relapse during the recovery process. Inpatient rehab is the perfect option for those who can take the time out of their life to focus only on getting over their addiction.

Outpatient Rehab Centres

For people who cannot take the time to go away for rehab, going to an outpatient clinic is an excellent alternative. People who have family responsibilities or cannot take the time off work or school to go to a rehab clinic will benefit from an outpatient experience. Outpatient rehab usually takes place near a person’s home where they can easily make it to their scheduled therapy and treatment appointments. Outpatient rehab is best for people with more mild cases of addiction simply because the temptation to use can be overwhelming when not removed from a familiar environment.

The Importance of Aftercare

After successfully completing rehab it can be easy to remember just how important completing an aftercare programme is. Making it through rehab can feel exhilarating and it can feel like your work is done. Recovery doesn’t end when rehab is over however. To maintain sobriety successfully an aftercare programme consisting of continued therapy and various strategies to avoid relapse is crucial.

Finding the Best Drug or Alcohol Rehab Clinic in the UK

Getting help for drug or alcohol addiction is one of the most important decisions a person facing addiction can make. We’re here to make the process as smooth as possible by helping in any way we can. Our fully-trained staff is available 24 hours a day to answer any questions you have about choosing the best rehab clinic to fit your needs. We are here to offer completely confidential advice and give you all the information necessary to make the best decision possible in choosing a quality rehab to fit your needs. Regaining your freedom is only a phone call away.