Drug and alcohol addiction can be very difficult to overcome without expert help and tried and tested evidence-based treatments. Rehabilitation, commonly known as rehab, refers to a treatment program that may be based in a residential setting or provided on an outpatient basis.
All rehab programs aim to treat every aspect of addiction, helping you break free from physical and psychological dependency and make a full long-term recovery.
The stigma surrounding addiction is slowly breaking down, but many people are still unsure of what rehab entails. If you or someone close to you is struggling with addiction, a private drug and alcohol rehab could provide the best chance of recovery. It is natural to have worried though and to want to know more about the process. Here are answers to the top 6 rehab questions…
What happens during Addiction Rehab?
Addiction rehab consists of a range of addiction treatment options. The exact make-up of this treatment programme can vary quite widely depending on a number of factors including whether it is inpatient or outpatient rehab, the facilities available and the type of addiction being treated.
A high-quality addiction centre will also tailor its treatment program to suit the requirements of each individual, but there are still some common elements you are likely to experience.
This generally includes a drug or alcohol detox accompanied by a range of therapies aimed at exploring the root causes of your addiction and providing you with the tools and knowledge you need to stay clean and sober after you leave. These therapies could include group therapy, counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and other treatment options.
What can be treated in Rehab?
Any addictions can be treated within a rehab programme, but some rehab facilities may specialise in certain areas. Alcohol is a common addiction that is often treated in a rehab centre. While alcohol is a legal drug, it can be very addictive and damaging.
Precisely because it is so widely available and socially accepted, alcohol addiction is very common in the UK. According to the leading charity Alcohol Change UK, there are an estimated 600,000-plus dependent drinkers in England alone, with less than a fifth of these receiving any treatment.1
Addictions to illegal drugs such as cocaine and heroin can also be treated at rehab. Many people still see cannabis as a ‘soft drug’ but cannabis addiction is a growing problem and can lead to serious physical and psychological issues.
Prescription drug addictions can be successfully treated at drug rehab and many rehab facilities will treat behavioural addictions such as sex, shopping and gambling addiction. Finally, some places will offer specialist mental health treatment. This could include anxiety treatment, depression treatment, treatment for conditions such as eating disorders and dual diagnosis treatment – where a mental health condition and co-existing addiction are treated at the same time.
What’s the difference between Inpatient and Outpatient Rehab?
With inpatient rehab you ‘live in’ for the duration of your program at a residential addiction treatment facility. With outpatient rehab or community-based programs, you attend treatment sessions from home. There are pros and cons to both approaches.
With inpatient or residential rehab you will be away from your usual stresses and triggers associated with your addiction. This means you will be able to really focus on your recovery, with round the clock support from teams of qualified and experienced experts. Treatments and therapies can be delivered efficiently in a structured programme and you can undergo detox in a safe and controlled environment.
With outpatient rehab, you will be responsible for attending treatment sessions, which will generally be delivered from various clinics. This can be difficult to manage when in the grip of a drug addiction and you will also be surrounded by the usual triggers and temptations. The primary benefits of this kind of programme are the lower costs and – for some people – the fact that you don’t have to take time out of your regular life.
What is Detoxification?
Detoxification, or detox, refers to the process of metabolising the chemicals from drug and alcohol use that are already in your system. Because your brain and body come to rely on these chemicals, you can suffer withdrawal symptoms when they are removed and not replaced.
The symptoms can vary widely depending on the type of drug detox involved and other factors such as length and heaviness of usage. Severe withdrawal symptoms can be very unpleasant and sometimes dangerous.
You will also experience intense cravings and a compulsion to drink or use the drugs, which can be very difficult to resist if you are trying to detox at home rather than the medically supervised environment of a detox clinic or rehab centre.
How long are Drug Rehab programs?
The length of a rehab programme can vary considerably. The shortest tend to be detox-only and could last a matter of days. A duration of 28 days is not uncommon, but some can stretch to 90 days or even longer. Different programmes will suit different people and situations better but in general times a longer programme is more likely to be effective than a shorter one.
Most full rehab treatment plans will also come with an aftercare package that can provide the support you need when you leave rehab. These tend to run for a further 12 months. All your options will be openly and clearly set out both before and during the admissions process, including costs and duration.
How do I know if I should go to Rehab?
If you are considering rehab at all then you know you have a problem, and the short answer is that you should seek treatment – whether it is rehab or some other drug addiction treatment – as soon as possible. Addictions can cause a great deal of damage and it is never too early to seek help.
On the other hand, it is never too late for rehab to help, even if you have tried and failed to quit before or been stuck in a vicious cycle of substance abuse for years.
If you or someone you are close to needs help with an addiction, find out more about us and contact us to find out how we can help.
