Drug & Alcohol Rehab in Rickmansworth
Living with an addiction is an incredibly challenging thing to do, and those who develop problems with substance abuse are encouraged to seek medical help as soon as they possibly can.
The reason for this advice is because substance abuse can quickly worsen to a point where, without getting appropriate help, an individual’s physical and mental health can come under serious damage.
Additionally, friends and family members can begin feeling the effects, having to cope with the emotional and financial implications.
What makes addiction such a problematic condition is that it can prompt a lot of doubt in those that it affects. Both addicted individuals and the people around them can wonder in what circumstances treatment is needed and what the process involves, and friends and family can be curious as to how they can help those that they care about.
Get in touch with us today by calling 0800 326 5559.
How Do You Know When You’re Suffering From an Addiction?
Research tells us a lot about addiction, and part of what studies have uncovered is that denial is a very common part of developing substance abuse. [1] A lot of those who struggle unconsciously ignore or downplay their substance use, and this can prevent them from recognising and acting upon a serious problem.
When an addicted individual refuses to acknowledge their damaging behaviour, it can be difficult for them to see when they are at serious risk of harming their physical or psychological wellbeing. It can also make it hard for their friends or family to identify that something is wrong as the individual’s confidence can cause them to have doubts.
As a result, we want to clarify some of the key signs that might indicate that you have a problem with substance abuse, or those which might be able to help you recognise the presence of an addiction problem in another.
The common signs of addiction are:
- Consuming drugs or drinking alcohol frequently
- Consuming drugs or drinking alcohol in excessive quantities
- Taking a substance in inappropriate situations, such as at school or work
- Being secretive about substance use
- Taking risks or spending an excessive amount of money to obtain a substance
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms – which can include nausea, insomnia, and shaking – when a substance is not available
- Behavioural changes, such as lacking concentration, avoiding friends and family, or avoiding responsibilities
What Can You Do if Someone You Know Has an Addiction?
If you notice some of these behaviours in yourself, it is important that you seek out medical help. If you are a close friend or family member of someone who exhibits some of these traits, however, you might be wondering what you can do to help the situation.
While it can feel like a helpless position to be in, there is a lot you can do to support your loved-one and help them get the kind of treatment required to help them overcome their substance abuse problems.
Holding an intervention
When a friend or family member seems to be struggling with their excessive substance use and hasn’t acknowledged it themselves, an important way in which you can help the situation is by staging an intervention.
An intervention involves a coming together of an individual’s closest friends and family in order to inform them that their addiction is in serious need of medical attention. Each attendee is asked to offer their thoughts and emotions about the situation, and gently encourage the individual to take action about their addiction.
This is an intimate event that must be organised with careful planning. Only those who the individual considers very close should be invited, and those who do attend need to be prepared to be supportive regarding the process of entering, enduring with, and completing the rehab process.
Get in touch with us today by calling 0800 326 5559.
Getting in touch on their behalf
In most cases, the process of entering treatment and tackling an addiction begins with an individual getting in touch with their GP or an addiction specialist organisation.
This contact is usually made to discuss the details of the addiction and get advice as to what treatment options would be most suitable for the situation. At OK Rehab, we are very practiced in holding such assessments.
If your close friend is unable or uncertain when it comes to reaching out and having this assessment, you can do it on their behalf. You can share their experiences, symptoms, and living arrangements (with their permission), and work with one of our experts to determine the most appropriate way forward.
Being a friend
When it comes to going through the methods of achieving sobriety, an individual will go through what can be an incredibly challenging process. Their physical body can be tested, as can their psychological and emotional wellbeing.
While your loved-one is undergoing this, the most important role you can play to support them is to be there for them. Listening to their worries, offering them help with their emotional troubles, and ultimately being a shoulder to cry on can sometimes make all the difference.
How is addiction treated?
Whether you are going through rehab yourself or you know someone who is, it can be helpful to learn more about what addiction treatment involves and what it demands.
Relieving the body
Addiction has such a strong grip on those that it affects because their bodies begin to heavily rely on drugs or alcohol in order to function. They experience withdrawal symptoms when their chosen substance is not available, and these tend to push them into behaving irrationally in order to fuel their addiction.
As a result, rehab’s highest priority when an individual enters treatment is to help relieve this dependency. This is usually done through a slow and monitored detoxification process, involving a tapering off of substance use and a careful monitoring of how the body’s chemistry reacts.
Withdrawal is reduced greatly by this slow and steady approach, and even when symptoms are triggered, medicines can be provided to reduce them. These two components together greatly improve the chances of an individual being able to overcome their cravings and withdrawal.
Working with the mind
In addition to a physical need to use a substance, individuals who struggle with addiction also develop a psychological element of dependency.
Similarly to their physical need to appease the body, many feel like they need to take drugs or drink alcohol in order to settle their mind. In many cases, they use these materials to calm their poor mental health or to overcome their emotional barriers.
Therapy activities are the most effective method of addressing this form of reliance, and rehab programmes can offer a range of them – including counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – to help individuals recognise why they feel the need to use a substance and assist their development of healthier coping mechanisms.
Maintaining progress
Once an individual has overcome their addiction in the sense that they no longer feel an overwhelming physical and psychological need to drink or take drugs, plans will be put in place for them to return home.
This can be a very challenging part of the recovery process, and many who leave rehab can soon find that the pressures of everyday life push them towards relapse. This is normal and common but rehab programmes try to limit it as much as they can via aftercare services. [2]
These can take the form of counselling sessions or skill workshops, but regardless of what kind of care is offered, the intention is to help individuals maintain the progress they have and navigate the day-to-day obstacles that they need to adjust to.
Getting Support from OK Rehab
If you are considering drug and alcohol rehab and need support, get in touch with us at OK Rehab. We can help!
It can be frightening to think about addiction treatment, and trying to find rehab in the Rickmansworth area can feel overwhelming. But when you contact us, we can help find the right programme for your situation and make sure that you feel confident about taking the next steps towards a healthier lifestyle.
Get in touch with us today by calling 0800 326 5559.
[1] https://research.birmingham.ac.uk/portal/files/25519189/DENIAL_PICKARD_M_L_FINAL_PRE_PROOF.pdf
