Drug and alcohol abuse is a growing problem throughout the UK and coastal locations often have higher levels, due to a number of different factors. In England alone there are an estimated 600,000-plus dependent drinkers, fewer than a fifth of whom are receiving any kind of treatment.1

It’s generally harder to accurately gauge levels of illegal drug use, but NHS drug and alcohol services treated more than 140,000 people for opiate issues, and more than 27,000 with cannabis and benzodiazepine problems in 2020-21.2 And that obviously doesn’t count other substances or the many more people who have a problem but are not undergoing treatment.

If you are struggling with drug or alcohol problems, you are certainly not alone. Admitting that you need help is a very positive thing to do, and attending a drug and alcohol rehab centre in Falmouth could provide your best chance of making a full and lasting recovery.

 

The Benefits of Attending Residential Drug and Alcohol Rehab

As mentioned above, many people use NHS drug and alcohol services every year. This can be very useful and is free at the point of delivery, but there are also limitations regarding the type and level of treatment available. NHS treatment is overwhelmingly delivered on an outpatient basis, meaning you need to attend regular treatment sessions at clinics and similar venues. This can be challenging if you have problems with motivation and organisation due to your drug and/or alcohol problems.

It also means it is easier to give in to temptation and go back to drinking or drugs when the recovery process is painful or difficult – as it frequently is. The treatment is likely to be far less comprehensive than at rehab, and there may also be lengthy waiting lists involved.

With residential alcohol and drug rehab in Falmouth and elsewhere, you will be in a safe, tranquil place where your recovery is the priority. You will have the best care and support from experienced teams of recovery professionals, and your fellow residents will be on their own recovery journeys. This makes it a very supportive, positive and non-judgmental environment.

Inpatient rehab also allows you to go through the crucial detox stage under supervision. When trying to tackle an addiction alone, or through a community-based programme, many people stumble at this hurdle, which can be very demoralising and counter-productive. Rehab is also the perfect setting for the extended treatment programme.

 

What Drug and Alcohol Treatments are Given in Rehab?

A stay in rehab typically starts with a drug and alcohol detoxification, more commonly known as just detox. This is when your body processes and gets rid of the drugs and alcohol already in your system. It can be accompanied by extreme cravings and a wide range of physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. These can vary depending on the substance involved and other factors such as how heavily you use it and the amount of time you have been using it.

Even then, some people experience only mild symptoms, while others in a similar situation may suffer very severe ones. Withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable, painful and sometimes dangerous. This is why it is always best to undergo detox under medical supervision.

Along with an alcohol and drug detox, you will also undergo a complete treatment programme designed to address the psychological and behavioural aspects of addiction. This is generally done through talking therapies, which could include group therapy, family therapy, counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). These and other techniques can help you to explore the root causes of your addiction, address the way you think about drugs and alcohol and develop strategies for dealing with cravings and triggers in the future.

 

What is Aftercare?

When you complete the main part of your rehab treatment programme, you will still receive support when you need it. This generally takes the form of a structured 12-month aftercare programme, giving you the support you need in the challenging weeks and months following treatment. Relapse prevention sessions will help you to keep your recovery moving forward but support is also available if you do relapse. It’s obviously better to avoid this situation, but it’s important to see it as a setback rather than the end of your recovery if it does happen.

 

Steps for Referrals and the Admission Process

Although seeking help for addiction is always a positive step forward, getting started can be daunting. Expert professionals will guide you through every step of the way, from your first enquiry to starting actual treatment.

There are several steps for referrals and admission, including:

  • Telephone assessment

This helps our team of addiction specialists to understand your substance abuse, medical history and psychological health, which is a vital part of finding the right rehab and treatment.

  • Select the right recovery centre and make reservations

While we can guide you through the pre-admission process, you will be involved in selecting the schedule – when you want to start – and putting down a deposit. In some cases you might be able to enter rehab immediately, but in others you might have to wait for a place to be available.

  • Doctor’s assessment

This will ensure you are healthy enough to begin treatment and may also play a part in tailoring a treatment programme specifically for your needs.

  • Start of treatment

You will be given a start date and all the information you need, such as transport options and what to bring with you. On the day, you will enter rehab and your treatment will start.

 

How We Can Help

There are many different rehabs to choose from. It’s important to choose the right one for your own individual situation, but this can feel difficult and overwhelming. Sometimes this might be the closest one but it is generally far more important to make sure that the facilities and treatment options available are the best ones for you. We work with a wide range of rehab clinics and residential centres to help you make sure you find the best fit, giving you the best possible chance to move towards a more positive future free from alcohol and drugs.

Contact our team via our online form, or call on 0800 012 6088.

 

Sources

  1. https://alcoholchange.org.uk/alcohol-facts/fact-sheets/alcohol-statistics
  2.  https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/substance-misuse-treatment-for-adults-statistics-2020-to-2021/adult-substance-misuse-treatment-statistics-2020-to-2021-report

Frequently Asked Questions

Can family members visit me during rehab?
A family intervention is often the first step in a person’s recovery, as the addict themselves will often be in denial about the existence or extent of their problem. Once they are in rehab though, they are already committed to their own recovery. The presence of family members can be beneficial and some sort of family therapy can be useful, but this will depend from one case to the next and visits will generally need to be approved first by therapists and other addiction recovery specialists at the rehab centre.
What side effects could I experience during detoxification?
Drug and alcohol detox typically involves various withdrawal symptoms or side effects. These can vary widely depending on the substance involved and other factors. Alcohol withdrawal, for example, can involve a range of physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms such as:    • Headache  • Nausea and vomiting  • Muscle aches and spasms  • Tremors  • Anxiety  • Insomnia  • Fever  • Hallucinations  • Seizures
How Do You Deal With Withdrawal Symptoms?
As mentioned previously, withdrawal is not something that should be attempted at home without medical support. Attending a rehabilitation centre with a detox clinic where you can have your withdrawal symptoms managed through careful medication is the safest way to experience drug and/or alcohol detox.

References

  • [1] https://alcoholchange.org.uk/alcohol-facts/fact-sheets/alcohol-statistics - https://alcoholchange.org.uk/alcohol-facts/fact-sheets/alcohol-statistics
  • [2]  https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/substance-misuse-treatment-for-adults-statistics-2020-to-2021/adult-substance-misuse-treatment-statistics-2020-to-2021-report - https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/substance-misuse-treatment-for-adults-statistics-2020-to-2021/adult-substance-misuse-treatment-statistics-2020-to-2021-report