The prolonged abuse of harmful substances such as drugs and alcohol can, and often does, result in debilitating, life threatening health conditions.

Middleton

It can lead to the development of chronic illnesses like liver disease and cancer, as well as acute medical emergencies such as strokes and heart failure. The damage caused by addiction is rarely limited just to the physical. The issue of addiction is intrinsically linked to poor mental health and depression, with one often leading to the other.

In many cases substance abuse can be considered as something of a symptom of poor mental health, with heavy consumption serving as an unhealthy coping mechanism in response to overwhelming stress and anxiety.

In other cases it is the addiction that brings on or exacerbates the mental health issues, as sufferers find themselves in a self-destructive, unsustainable cycle. One of the most tragic things about addiction is that, with a proper support network, it is very much possible to overcome.

However, the behavioural changes associated with drug and alcohol addiction also mean that sufferers often alienate the people close to them, becoming estranged from their partners, friends and families.

It really is impossible to overstate the damage that an alcohol or drug addiction can do to a person’s life. It is a pervasive problem that affects everything it touches. If you are suffering from an addiction to drugs or alcohol, it is important that you realise how serious and dangerous your position is.

Substance dependency does not have to be life ending, if you reach out and find proper help a return to a normal, healthy life is very much achievable. But if you ignore the problem, or try to deal with it alone, the risk only grows larger.

 

Finding help with Addiction Advocates

The most effective way to overcome a substance addiction is to receive professional drug and alcohol treatment at a residential rehab centre. There are many advantages associated with private drug and alcohol rehab.

The enclosed, regulated nature of rehabilitation facilities makes the process of recovery both safer and easier. With high quality, around the clock care the typical dangers associated with getting clean (i.e. withdrawal symptoms) become much less risky. If you suffer particularly strong cravings and suffer from severe withdrawal, help will be on hand to ensure that you get through the process safely.

The chances of immediate relapse are practically zero, as you will only have access to what is held within the clinic- and that access is controlled. The mental benefits of not having to manage repeated outpatient appointments must also not be understated.

Long waiting lists, delayed, cancelled and missed appointments- all of these can exacerbate the stress fuelling your substance abuse. At an inpatient facility you will always have access to the help you need, when you need it.

No two drug and alcohol rehab centres are exactly the same, and it can be a daunting task trying to find the right treatment programme when you are in the throes of an addiction. Addiction Advocates is here to help.

We know that addiction is a complex beast, and that every sufferer has their own unique circumstances and their own challenges. If you contact us and talk to our team of advisors, they can assess your case and find a clinic and programme best suited to help you overcome your struggle with dependency.

 

Holistic treatment and Addiction Recovery

Detoxification is generally the first part of a stay in residential rehab. Detoxification might sound scary, but all it really means is getting the toxic substances out of your system. This happens naturally over time, and teams of highly qualified doctors, nurses and psychologists will be on hand to ensure that you get through the withdrawal period without suffering any harm.

Once your body is completely free of toxins, it is possible to begin to address the psychological aspects of your dependency. In order to help patients achieve lasting, long-term recoveries, rehabilitation centres tend to take a comprehensive approach towards treatment.

To this end, you will receive a number of different therapies aimed at equipping you with the understanding and confidence necessary to prevent a future relapse.

There are many different ways to approach addiction treatment. Depending on your circumstances, it may be necessary to identify and address the root causes of your problem. Counselling can be an incredibly helpful way of achieving this aim.

Counselling could take place in a one-to-one capacity, or it could take place as part of a group. Intensive, focussed discussion can help you to properly and healthily explore your emotions and the overarching issues in your life. If it is possible to resolve the stresses that drove you to drinking or drug use in the first place, the likelihood of relapse decreases significantly. Cognitive behavioural therapy is a similarly useful tool in this regard.

CBT is a talking therapy that is most commonly used in the treatment of anxiety and depression. The purpose of CBT is to positively alter your mind-set, in particular it aims to improve the way in which you address your emotions and problems.

Put simply, CBT encourages patients to break big issues down into smaller, less overwhelming problems. Applied to addiction, this treatment can make it much easier for patients to deal with the triggers of their consumption, building reliable self-control.

Intensive talking therapies such as these can seem frightening at first, especially if you have never experienced anything similar before. For this reason you will also have the opportunity to undergo less intensive, more activity based treatments- such as art therapy for example.

Psychotherapies such as this help patients to develop their self-expression, enabling them to explore their feelings and worries. Treatments like this can help you reach a point whereby you feel more comfortable opening up and discussing your problems.

 

Reach out today

Addiction is horrible, addiction is destructive, and addiction is dangerous. But addiction is also beatable. All it requires to overcome addiction is willpower and the right support.

Reach out to Addiction Advocates ASAP, and we will find a clinic with a programme of drug and alcohol rehab treatments that suits your needs.