How to Choose an Addiction Treatment Centre?


When alcohol abuse slips into full-blown addiction, getting help can be the best thing a person can do. Because addiction is a multi-faceted condition that most often requires professional help to successfully overcome, considering going to an addiction treatment centre is often the best decision a person can make. If you or someone you love is facing addiction, there’s no better time than now to get the help you deserve.

Addiction can quickly destroy a person’s life if not taken care of. It’s important to realise that getting professional help is often the only way to defeat an addiction that’s taken control of you or someone you love. And although admitting to a problem with addiction can be difficult, it’s nothing compared to the pain of losing someone because of it.

What Are the Symptoms of Addiction?

Acknowledging your own addiction or the addiction of a loved one is never easy. And while it can be one of the most difficult circumstances you will ever face, understanding the signs of addiction can help tremendously to better understand the necessary steps to take in overcoming it. If you or someone you love is struggling with substance abuse issues, knowing the symptoms of addiction is imperative. Some of the warning signs include:

  • Changes in appearance (one of the first warning signs of addiction including changes in personal hygiene and the way a person dresses)
  • Loss of interest in other activities (less time spent on activities such as sports and hobbies that once brought great joy)
  • Relationship problems (acting out against close friends, family members, co-workers, and classmates)
  • Risk taking (engaging in risky behaviour when on drugs or when drinking alcohol)
  • Increased tolerance (needing more of a substance to get the desired affect)
  • Withdrawal when drugs or alcohol wear off (anxiety, nervousness, sweating, nausea, vomiting, shakiness, depression, fatigue, headache, loss of appetite)
  • Secrecy of substance abuse (lying about or going out of one’s way to cover up drinking or drug use)
  • Continued use of drugs or alcohol even after negative consequences (job loss, dropping out of school, failed relationships, etc.)

Recognising there might be a problem is the first step towards positive change. Admitting you or someone you love is struggling with addiction is never easy and is something that takes great strength and courage. No one deserves to suffer at the hand of addiction, but for the many people struggling with dependency issues overcoming them can feel impossible. Recovery however, is well within reach. Getting help with your addiction can dramatically improve your life and give you the freedom you deserve.

How Can I Get Help for Drug or Alcohol Addiction?

When facing a drug or alcohol addiction, support is something that is necessary. Going about addiction alone isn’t just difficult, but can prove to be impossible when it isn’t properly addressed. Choosing to get help for an addiction is one of the best decisions you can make when you or someone you love has fallen victim to it. Admitting there is a problem is the first step…the next is making the decision to do something about it.

It’s essential to realise that getting help for drug or alcohol addiction is quite often the only way to successfully overcome it. Going to rehab or getting help at an addiction treatment centre offer the tools an individual needs to beneficially make it through the recovery process. Professional addiction treatment programmes are based upon modules that have worked effectively for countless individuals to overcome their addicted state.

Getting treatment for addiction ensures that everything a person needs to successfully recover is adhered to. This will include detox, therapy, and all necessary treatments to make sure a person is not only successful in overcoming their addiction, but in maintaining lasting sobriety. While some people have found success in quitting on their own, the reality is that most that try to go this route will end up relapsing. This is because addiction is so complicated that overcoming it involves much more than simply stopping the use of drugs or alcohol. If prevailing over addiction were easy, there wouldn’t be the alarming number of addicts there is, nor would there be a need for the countless number of addiction treatment centres that can be found throughout the UK.

What Are the Types of Addiction Treatment Centres?

Choosing the right treatment programme is obviously one of the most important decisions someone facing addiction can make. It’s often a very personalised choice and is something that should be done with careful consideration. When looking for treatment for yourself or a loved one, knowing the differences between the various addiction treatment centre options is vital.

image showing a man relaxing after being treated at an addiction treatment centre
Why choose eata.org.uk?

If someone you care about is exhibiting signs of addiction – whether it’s excessive marijuana use, long-term dependency on pharmaceuticals, binge drinking of alcohol or even financially damaging levels of gambling – contact us for immediate rehabilitation help.

Common treatments range from intensive inpatient programmes to outpatient addiction treatment centres and day treatment options. Addiction affects different people in different ways and it is important to know the options in front of you in order to choose the treatment that best fits your individual needs.

Inpatient Addiction Treatment

Many people that get treatment for addiction do so at an inpatient addiction treatment centre. The significance of an inpatient programme is that a person stays at the rehab centre for the duration of their treatment. Most inpatient programmes last between 28-90 days, but there are options for extended stays if necessary. Detox most often takes place at the treatment centre, but in some instances, it will be performed at a separate facility.

Inpatient rehab is beneficial because it offers an individual the opportunity to focus all their attention on getting well. Because it removes a person from their immediate environment, an inpatient programme can help tremendously when a person is hit with the overwhelming desire to use during the rehab process. Triggers are inevitable, but can be more easily avoided when attending an inpatient programme.

Quite often, there are determining factors that delegate what type of treatment a person will receive. For instance, a person with a heavy heroin habit will do best where they can be monitored 24 hours a day. Those that are facing severe addictions such as these tend to do best at an inpatient programme. Teens with addictions also tend to do better in an inpatient setting.

Outpatient Addiction Treatment

Outpatient treatment is another common option when it comes to addiction therapy. In an outpatient setting, an individual will receive treatment for their addiction in a centre located close to home. This way they can receive treatment while attending to whatever other personal responsibilities they may have. Outpatient rehab is best for those who have a family to take care of or who cannot afford to take time off from work. Those who aren’t able to take time away from school can also benefit from an outpatient setting.

Outpatient rehab is best suited for those with addictions that are less severe, as well as those who are open to receiving treatment. It’s also a great option for people who have completed an inpatient programme and want to ensure they don’t relapse. Outpatient rehab programmes can be of tremendous benefit to anyone looking to overcome addiction, but because there is lack of 24-hour care, it is up to the individual receiving treatment to take the necessary precautions to avoid the triggers that can lead to relapse.

Despite the type of rehab programme you choose, the most important thing is being fully engaged in whatever programme you’re in. The willingness of an individual to get help and participate in various treatment modalities is something that shouldn’t be underestimated. Attitude has a lot to do with the success a person will see. Trying to maintain an openness to treatment throughout the process is a very important aspect that everyone receiving treatment should keep in mind.

What to Expect When Getting Treatment for Addiction?

Although there are a variety of different treatment centres that cater to addiction, the basic premise when attending is basically universal. Addiction treatment is designed around the need for patients to alleviate their dependency on drugs or alcohol. And while what an individual experiences at one treatment centre will most likely be different than what they would encounter at another, the basics of rehab are often quite similar.

image showing a couple of young people discussing their detox experience

intake

While the specifics of the intake process will vary with each individual, generally patients will meet with a professional where the specifics of their addiction are discussed. This is the very first step a person will undergo when getting treatment, and serves as the basis upon which their treatment plan will be designed.

Questions about the nature of an individual’s addiction will be presented, with those conducting the interview interested in the severity of a person’s addiction, the history of their substance abuse, their medical history, their family history in regards to addiction, and more. Payment arrangements may be discussed during the intake process as well.

Detox

Before a person can get the help they need for their addiction, they need to go through the detox process. Physical withdrawal from drugs and alcohol can be extremely difficult and is often the reason many people stay in addictive cycles for years. Doing a detox will take place before any other treatment begins. The length of time detox takes is dependent on the severity of the person’s addiction. More extreme cases of addiction often warrant a medically supervised detox. The detox process will last anywhere from 24 hours up to a week or longer depending on the level and type of drugs in a person’s system.

Therapy

To overcome addiction for good, it’s vital a person can talk openly about it. The power contained in talking to a professional therapist or counsellor should not be underestimated. Being open about your addiction (and the problems that have surfaced because of it) will help immensely in the recovery process. Therapy allows not only allows a person a better understanding about themselves and their addiction, but can help uncover the reasons behind their current addicted state. This understanding is imperative when it comes to lasting change. Therapy is a HUGE aspect of going to a treatment centre and getting help with addiction. Individuals attending a treatment programme should expect to talk to a professional daily. Group therapy is another popular means of the treatment process, and allows the individual to connect with others who share a similar experience.

Treatment Opportunities

When it comes to treating addiction, you’ll find there is an array of different types of treatment opportunities. A quality treatment centre will use evidence based treatment options that have proven to help others overcome addiction. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) are both common treatments that provide a more comprehensive understanding of a person’s motives behind their substance abuse so they are well equipped to make positive changes in their life. Other common treatment opportunities will include physical fitness programmes, nutritional therapy, yoga, Tai Chi, meditation, equine therapy, art therapy, and more.

Relapse Prevention/Aftercare

Treatment doesn’t stop when a person’s stay in rehab is over. Aftercare is a vital part of the addiction treatment process that should not be overlooked. A quality treatment centre will offer aftercare strategies that address relapse prevention. In aftercare, it is common to continue with therapy, as well as different meetings. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are free and very prevalent within the recovery community. Aftercare offers what a person needs to ensure they sustain their newly sober state.

How Does Detoxification Work?

It’s essential that a person entering treatment knows how important detox truly is. The way a person experiences detox will be different depending upon each individual including their metabolism, type of drug taken, how much they are accustomed to using, the severity of their addiction, and any other drugs that might be in their system. The detox process is designed to remove all traces of drugs or alcohol from a person’s body before they get additional treatment.

What Are Options for Detox at an Addiction Treatment Centre?

When looking for different options for treatment, it is likely you’ll find several different choices regarding different types of detox programmes. These include:

  • Detox Within the Addiction Treatment Centre

Many treatment centres offer the option of detox at the facility. This is usually the first stage of treatment and will take place on premises. Doing detox within the facility allows a smooth transition to the rest of one’s treatment programme.

  • Outpatient Detox

An individual attending outpatient treatment will most often go to an outpatient detox centre. This is usually done at a separate addiction treatment centre where a person reports on their progress during the detox period. If deemed necessary, a clinic may offer medication to the patient to ease the burden of the process.

  • Detox at a Hospital

Some hospitals are equipped with a special unit that offers addiction detox services.

  • Separate Detox Facility

Detox facilities are places where detox can safely take place. While a detox facility will offer a medically based detox if necessary, there is no other addiction treatment presented.

Why choose eata.org.uk?

If someone you care about is exhibiting signs of addiction – whether it’s excessive marijuana use, long-term dependency on pharmaceuticals, binge drinking of alcohol or even financially damaging levels of gambling – contact us for immediate rehabilitation help.

Do I Still Need to Go to Treatment after a Successful Detox?

It’s common to wonder why getting treatment for addiction is necessary after successfully completing the detox process. Because addiction is such a complicated condition, it almost always requires professional help. Getting through the physical withdrawals by going through detox is only part of the entire process. Detox gets the drugs or alcohol out of a person’s system, but it doesn’t remove the reasons behind their addicted state. Successful recovery is possible only when a person has addressed the issues that have led to their addiction. Sustained sobriety is rarely achieved when going through detox alone.

Choosing the Best Addiction Treatment Centre in the UK

Navigating through the many different treatment options throughout the UK can become overwhelming to say the least. If you believe that you or someone you love does indeed have a problem with drug or alcohol addiction, the time to call our 24-helpline is now. Our fully trained staff is here to answer all questions you might have about getting help for the addiction issues you’re facing. We’ve got access to countless rehab facilities across the UK, and are here to help you find the best addiction treatment centre to fit your individual needs. Addiction does not have to continue to ruin your life. We’re here to help you find a way out. Please call us immediately for the quality help you deserve in overcoming addiction for good.

 
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