Are you considering drug or alcohol detox?
Are you suffering from problem substance or alcohol use? For many people, the progression from sustainable drug or alcohol use to an addictive state can be a long and gradual one.
In these circumstances, it can be difficult to realise that some form of drug rehab or alcohol rehab is necessary. If you’re displaying any of the following behaviours, it could be the case that you would benefit from drug or alcohol detox:
- Hiding the extent of your drinking or drug taking from others
- Planning your life around your drinking or drug taking
- You find that you need an increasing amount of drink or drugs to achieve the effect you want
- When the drink or drugs wears off, you feel ill, suffer from mood swings or have other unpleasant side effects
- Your drink and drug taking is affecting your relationships, employment, interests or other important aspects of your life.
- You find it difficult to cut down or cease your use of drugs or alcohol
If you recognise any of these behaviours in yourself or someone you care about, it could be the case that drug detox or alcohol rehab could be the solution.
Why not talk to one of our experienced team for some free advice on your issues and what options could be available for help with what may be an addictive disorder.
Long-term drug or alcohol misuse can cause significant issues
Most people find that once an addictive disorder has developed, they need professional assistance to overcome the problems it causes. Left untreated, an addiction to drugs or alcohol tends to grow steadily worse over time:
- Sufferers become increasingly dependent on their drug of choice
- Many face financial problems as their ability to hold down employment diminishes and the cost of their addiction rises
- Addicts may resort to dishonesty and even criminal behaviour in order to obtain supplies of drugs or alcohol
- Relationships with partners, friends and family can become increasingly strained
- An addict’s world can narrow, with feeding their addiction becoming a priority.
The longer an addiction continues, the more entrenched addictive behaviour can become. Treatment is available! Talk to one of our drug and alcohol counsellors now about your options for alcohol rehab in London.
Prescription drug detox is also available
The popular image of a drug addict as someone who uses illegal substances in a problematic way isn’t necessarily an accurate one. Although there are people who require drug detox because of addiction to heroin, cocaine or other illegally obtained substances, there are also a growing number of individuals who are finding that they are using prescription medication in an addictive manner.
Prescribed by a GP or other appropriate individual, perhaps to treat chronic pain or a mental health problem, individuals find that, over time, their use of the drugs ceases to be therapeutic and becomes increasingly problematic. Signs that you or someone you care about may require prescription drug detox include:
- Needing to take medication long after the complaint for which it was prescribed has been resolved
- Needing increasing amounts of medication to feel “normal”
- Encountering significant side effects when attempting to discontinue or reduce dosage
- Resorting to faking symptoms or exaggerating them in order to obtain repeat prescriptions
- Taking more than the recommended dosage
- Becoming increasingly mentally agitated at the thought of being without the medication
- Finding that the amount of medication you are taking is affecting your mental or physical health adversely.
Just because a drug has been prescribed by a doctor, it isn’t necessarily safe to take long-term or in large amounts. Our trained counsellors can talk you through your options when it comes to prescription drug detox.
For many people “just quitting” isn’t the right option; in some circumstances, “going cold turkey” can actually cause significant physical problems which may require emergency attention.
If you’re concerned about your prescription drug use or feel that some free drug detox advice in London could be of value, our team are here to help. Just give us a call to find out more about your options for skilled, professional and compassionate prescription drug detox and alcohol detox in London.
What types of treatment are available for drug and alcohol detox?
Recognising that you need help is one of the most important steps on the road towards recovery and a drug-free life. It’s important to realise that there are lots of different forms of alcohol and drug rehab; no two people are exactly the same, so it makes sense that a range of treatments should be available to suit everyone.
When you turn to us for assistance with drug detox, our team will be able to advise on the type of options which are available, giving you the information you need to make decisions which are right for you and your family.
We understand how difficult it can be to face up to an addiction; we are not here to judge; rather, we offer the compassionate, supportive care you or someone you care about needs in order to stand the best chance of successfully beating their addiction.
There are a number of different types of drug and alcohol rehab available; these include:
- Inpatient alcohol or drug rehab
- Outpatient drug or alcohol rehab in London
- Home drug rehab
Inpatient alcohol detox
Addiction is not simply a mental health problem, it is also a physical problem. Over time, an addict’s body undergoes a series of physiological changes in order to accommodate increasing amounts of drugs or alcohol. Suddenly depriving an individual of the addictive substance can cause severe physical issues; addicts can and do die from inappropriate withdrawal.
Particularly if you have a significant addiction, or have other physical or mental health issues which would make reducing the amount of drugs or alcohol you use extremely difficult, an inpatient facility could be right for you.
At an inpatient treatment centre, patients do not go home at all for the first few weeks of their treatment. Withdrawal is undertaken with close medical supervision. Individuals will be prescribed medication to reduce the unpleasant effects which withdrawal can have, as well as having fully trained and qualified medical staff on hand should emergency treatment be required.
Once withdrawal has been achieved, patients at a residential, or inpatient, facility will be given assistance from trained therapists to recognise and challenge their addictive behaviour, as well as be equipped with a toolkit of strategies and options to minimise the risk of using again. Although not the right option for everyone, residential London alcohol detox can be a good option if:
- Your addiction is at a level where medical supervision is required for a safe detox
- You are concerned that the ready availability of the addictive substance in your usual environment will make quitting impossible
- You do not have reasons why an outpatient detox would be preferable (addicts who are eager to keep their employment, or who feel that having their family around them during their detox would maximise their chances of success may feel that an outpatient detox may be a more suitable choice).
- You have additional mental or physical difficulties which mean that a heavily supervised detox is most appropriate.
For anyone who’s not sure about the benefits of an inpatient drug or alcohol detox in London, our friendly team are on hand to offer confidential, free advice on your options.
Outpatient drug rehab
A popular choice with many clients, an outpatient drug detox programme usually consists of a number of daytime or evening treatment sessions, coupled with on-going support as and when required for some time after the actual detox has taken place. Clients who opt for an outpatient programme will return to their home or alternative accommodation each evening. Therapy may take the form of all-day work or may be on a piecemeal basis as and when required. Outpatient treatment has the following advantages:
- Clients can retain their employment, undertake essential childcare duties and spend time with their loved ones at the same time as undergoing the detox process. For many people, this enables them to retain a semblance of normality and can assist in successfully managing their addiction.
- There is an enormous variety available in the type of treatments being offered. Because each client benefits from a customised solution, it’s possible to shape a programme of intervention which is designed to meet individual need. This not only results in a more targeted treatment regime, it also increases the chances of compliance. Individuals can access therapy at times to suit their lifestyle, optimising attendance.
- Outpatient care is usually much cheaper than residential care. People with an addiction are able to get the support they need for far less.
- Success rates for outpatient intervention are good in comparison with other methods.
Outpatient care is usually more suitable for people who are not at an advanced stage of addiction, or who have responsibilities which mean that inpatient care is just not going to be a viable option for them. Fortunately, with the right type of outpatient support, it’s possible to manage many different addiction problems successfully.
Why not get in touch with our patient care team to find out more about your choices when it comes to outpatient drug and alcohol rehab?
Home drug or alcohol detox
In some cases, addicts are unable to attend regularly for outpatient treatment and are unable to access inpatient care due to childcare or other commitments.
In these circumstances, a home drug detox could work really well. A home detox, as the name suggests, is where an addict receives help from a trained worker in their own home.
If necessary, medication may be prescribed to manage any physical difficulties encountered during the detox process. Staff provide the support needed for withdrawal, at the same time as beginning to put the right building blocks in place to participate in the on-going support necessary for sustained abstinence.
Following a home detox, the aim would usually be for patients to attend a selection of therapy sessions, groups and other therapeutic activities, in order to give them the help they need to remain in remission.
A home detox may be suitable for:
- People who have mental health problems which limit their ability to interact with others or attend appointments on a regular basis
- Those with mobility issues who find attending regular appointments outside the home a challenge
- People whose circumstances preclude them from taking part in an inpatient or outpatient treatment plan
- Individuals who would prefer the flexibility and customised nature of a one-to-one support programme
If you feel that a home detox may be right for you or someone you care about, call us now for free addiction support advice and information. We can tell you more about the options which are available, as well as discuss with you the pros and cons of each.
As an established provider of a wide range of drug and alcohol rehab, we are ideally placed to advise on what might be right for your particular situation.
Types of care available for drug and alcohol detox
Through our years of working with addicts, we understand that no two people are exactly alike when it comes to the type of treatment they need in order to manage their addiction.
We work with each patient individually, designing a tailored schedule of intervention that addresses not just their addiction, but also their mental, physical and spiritual well-being.
We often find that addiction is only “the tip of the iceberg” when it comes to the issues our clients are struggling with. For this reason, we have access to a wide range of interventions which can be drawn on as our clients need them. Although some types of intervention tend to focus on physical or mental healing, the end aim is always to provide a package of care which helps to heal the entire individual, as well as give them the skills and insight they need to cope with their addiction.
Broadly speaking, the types of interventions available for drug and alcohol detox are as follows:
Medication
Particularly if someone has a significant addiction, medication may be needed to help with withdrawal symptoms. This medication may be needed in the acute stages of withdrawal or may form part of a package of longer-term support and management – call us for free advice on addictive disorders and the type of treatment that may be on offer. In some cases, additional medication may be needed to cope with problems which the addiction has been masking.
Many people with a drug or alcohol problem also have mental health issues such as anxiety or depression, as well as potential physical problems. Appropriate medication to help treat these difficulties can increase the chances of managing an addiction successfully. In some cases, patients may need to stay on medication for some time in order to keep addiction cravings at bay.
Talking therapies for drug detox
There is a wide range of talking therapies on offer, which can be tailored according to what is going to be most useful for the patient. Typically, the therapies on offer include:
- Counselling
- Family therapy
- CBT
- Group therapy
Other types of therapy may be available if required.
Life skills for successful sobriety
In many cases, patients need to relearn how to live in a sober manner. We understand that, even when a patient has gone through withdrawal, it’s not always easy to stay sober.
A large part of our work is supporting individuals in learning how to make good choices, resist temptation and gain insight into the type of circumstances where temptation may be particularly difficult to deal with.
In some cases, this may require individuals changing how they socialise, attending support groups on a regular basis, learning distraction techniques or learning to recognise their triggers and working proactively to minimise the risk of engaging in destructive behaviour. This type of support may be needed for quite some time, as some people need several attempts at sobriety before they are able to enjoy longer-term abstinence.
Relaxation and holistic therapies
These are typically intended to enable individuals to feel better about themselves and their bodies. Many people find that after withdrawal they feel anxious and tense. The following therapies can help to manage these feelings in a positive manner:
- Massage
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Aromatherapy
- Reiki
- Gentle exercise
Our team can help you try a variety of different activities until you find a mix that works for you. Call us now to learn more about alternative treatments for addictive disorders.
When used alongside conventional medicine and talking therapies, alternative therapies can play a key role in sustaining sobriety, as well as promoting feelings of health and well-being. Engaging in alternative therapy also provides a positive way of passing time which might previously have been spent drinking, taking drugs or engaging in other types of destructive behaviour.
Nutritional advice to assist drug and alcohol rehab
Not only can the right nutrition improve mental health, it’s also essential to enhance physical well-being. A significant proportion of people with addictive disorders neglect their physical health, often eating unwisely or insufficiently.
We use trained nutrition experts to offer a selection of advice and guidance to our patients, helping them to make healthier choices. A common issue following withdrawal from an addictive substance can be weight gain. Our team are available to help minimise the risk of this happening, supporting you or someone you care about towards better physical and mental health through appropriate nutrition and supplementation. Ring us for FREE advice on addictive disorders and the type of treatment that we can provide.
Healthy lifestyle advice and support as part of drug rehab
It’s no use replacing one addiction with another! We work with individuals to ensure they work towards a balanced, moderate lifestyle. In addition, we do a significant amount of signposting to ensure patients are aware of support services of many different types in their local area.
For many addicts, the most difficult part of their drug detox is when their care is minimised and they are required to take greater responsibility for their sobriety. Often addicts face issues such as poverty, poor housing, on-going physical and mental health issues and a variety of other social problems.
We try and ensure that all our patients have access to agencies who can assist with these matters. Our team understand how addiction is often a way of coping with difficult life circumstances. Our aim isn’t just to enable our patients to beat their addiction, it’s also to try and make sure they have the support in place to lead sober, profitable lives.
Q&A
What should I do if I think I’ve got an addiction?
The sooner you receive appropriate help, the easier it will be to manage the problem. If you suspect that your drug or alcohol use is adversely affecting you or people that you care about, fast access to the help you need is vital. Call us now for FREE advice and counselling on addictive disorders. We can help you identify what type of assistance is going to be best for your individual requirements.
How long does the drug or alcohol detox take?
Decreasing physical and /or mental dependency on a substance may take a considerable period of time. Call our team to talk through your individual circumstances. They will be able to give you an idea of time scales, as well as work with you to agree a schedule that will work for you. The level of care usually varies through time – we are always on hand to work with you when you need it.
Will I ever be cured of my addiction?
The problem with an addiction is that, even if a person becomes sober, there is always the chance of a relapse. Unfortunately, some addicts can remain sober for years, then a chain of events will trigger a relapse. We generally say that the people we help are given the tools they need to manage their addiction successfully. What this means is that hopefully, not only will they be able to stay sober, but, in the event of a relapse, it becomes easier for them to “get back on the waggon”.
Do I have to be an inpatient for drug or alcohol detox?
No, not necessarily. In some cases it may be advisable to detox under intensive medical supervision, but not always. Particularly if a gradual tapering method is being used or a patient is starting some form of drug replacement therapy, an outpatient or in-home detox may be perfectly possible. Call our team now for further information on addictive disorders and the options for a treatment environment that works for you and your family.
How hard is it to beat an addiction?
Obviously this varies from person to person. Generally, the longer an addiction has been continuing, the harder it is to stop and stay stopped, because undesirable behaviours are entrenched. That said, change is always possible. We have managed to help desperate addicts return to sobriety, even when they believed there was little or no hope. For more help and information on addictive disorders and how we can help, call us now.
