Drug and Alcohol Rehab Greater London

An addiction to drugs or alcohol is not an easy thing to deal with. It can wreak havoc on your physical and mental health, leaving you with debilitating problems for the rest of your life.

Consistent and heavy abuse of harmful substances like drugs and alcohol significantly increases your risk of suffering from long-term illnesses and problems such as heart disease, liver disease and various forms of cancer.

It is more likely that you will suffer an acute medical emergency, such as a stroke or heart attack, in potentially deadly situations. Addiction is a serious problem, one that should not be ignored.

There is, unfortunately, a social stigma surrounding the issue of addiction. Addiction can often be a very isolating experience, with sufferers feeling like they’re alone against the world. It can even create rifts between partners, friends and family members. But it is important to recognise that substance dependency is not a moral failing on the part of the addict.

Reputable medical and scientific bodies such as the National Institute on Drug Abuse define addiction as a disease, a chronic, relapsing disorder caused by functional changes to the brain.¹ It is an illness that many people suffer from.

It is estimated by the Department of Health that there are over 2.4 million Londoners who consume alcohol to harmful or dangerous levels, with around 280,000 Londoners who are dependent upon alcohol.²

Substance abuse, and subsequent substance dependency, is a prevalent problem. But help is available.

Signs You Need Rehab Treatment

The first and most important step in recovering from an addiction to drugs or alcohol is often the most difficult – admitting that you have a problem. Sometimes it can be hard to realise that casual or recreational use has slipped into full-blown dependency. If you are worried that you have developed an addiction problem, here are some of the signs and symptoms to watch out for:

• Do you feel unwell if you haven’t had a drink or taken drugs?
• Do you find yourself craving alcohol or drugs, constantly looking forward to your next drink or hit?
• Do you feel embarrassed or ashamed about your drinking/drug use? Do you drink or use drugs in secret?
• Are you having financial problems because of how much you spend on drugs or alcohol?
• Do you need significantly more than you used to to get drunk or take significantly more drugs to reach the same high?
• Have you noticed significant changes to your behaviour or emotional state? Are you more erratic, moody or aggressive than you usually are?

This list is not exhaustive, and just because you answered yes to one of these questions doesn’t necessarily mean that you have an alcohol and drug addiction. But these are the biggest warning signs, and if you did answer yes to any of them, you might want to consider reaching out for help.

The most effective way to overcome a drug or alcohol addiction is to receive professional support through private drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

What to Expect at Rehab

The courses of treatment offered by drug and alcohol rehab centres can vary significantly depending on the patient’s individual needs. Helping an opiate addict requires a different approach than helping someone addicted to cocaine, so your experience will depend upon the nature of your addiction and your own personal circumstance.

With that being said, there are a few common things that you can expect. Treatment generally begins with an alcohol and drug detoxification, better known as detox. This is the period when your body metabolises and removes harmful toxins from your body.

During this process, you will experience withdrawal, which is uncomfortable at best or painful and dangerous at worst. The biggest benefit of rehab is that it offers a safe environment to go through the drug and alcohol detox process, with dedicated medical and psychiatric professionals to help see you through the worst of withdrawal.

Addiction is just as much a psychological problem as a physical one, so alcohol and drug rehab treatment includes a therapy programme. The most common treatment is cognitive behavioural therapy, a tried and tested treatment that helps patients to break negative patterns of thought and self-destructive habits.

Other potential treatments include art therapy and counselling in groups and one-to-one settings.

How Much Does Private Rehab Cost?

The cost of residential rehabilitation treatment will depend on several factors. The nature of your addiction, the length of your stay and the clinic you choose to attend can all affect the price of your treatment. On average, the cost will fall between £3000 and £12,000.

Addiction Treatment Options in London

When you are in the throes of addiction, it can be difficult to figure out which clinic is best for you. At Addiction Advocates, we work with a wide network of fantastic rehab centres across the country. We operate a referral service; it’s our job to ensure that you are admitted to the right clinic.

Getting in touch is easy. If you feel you are struggling with addiction and are ready to reach out for professional help, simply call our helpline at 0800 012 6088, text HELP to 83222, or send an inquiry via our online form.

Our referral team are friendly, understanding and knowledgeable. They can answer any questions you might have about addiction treatment.

Admission Process to Rehab

Once you get in touch, our referral team will ask you questions about your substance use and your personal circumstances to build a profile of you and your needs.

Once your case has been assessed, we will refer you to the rehab clinic that offers the best course of treatment for your individual needs.

We recognise that this can be an extremely painful, frightening time. Contacting us ensures that your road to recovery is as quick, painless and effective as possible. Do not hesitate to call.

Sources

1 https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drug-misuse-addiction

2 https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/cmhealth/132/132vw59.htm