Coming to terms with your drug or alcohol addiction and reaching out for professional help can be scary, but it is the crucial first step in the long journey to recovery.
With the help of us here at OK Rehab, you could soon be taking the next steps towards a substance-free life in a drug and alcohol rehab in South Ribble, guided and supported along the way by the amazing recovery advocate team.
We strive to ensure that OK Rehab is a safe space for all our clients and that you always feel comfortable and able to openly discuss sensitive topics such as your past with substances and your addiction in general.
The majority of our team have experienced some form of addiction themselves in the past, so we know better than anyone what it is like facing a substance dependence, but this means we also know what it takes to recover from one, and what you need to get there.
To find out more about what we can do for you, please do not hesitate to contact us on 0800 326 5559, email us, or submit your details into our online form to receive a call back.
How do I know if I am experiencing an addiction?
There are many tell-tale signs and symptoms of an addiction that are often overlooked and ignored, or attributed to something other than a drug or alcohol dependence. This is dangerous, as an untreated addiction can soon spiral out of control, leaving the individual in a tougher cycle that only becomes more challenging to break out of day by day.
This lack of knowledge of the other symptoms of addiction – besides the most commonly known signs such as cravings for the substance and the presence of withdrawal symptoms – can be detrimental to the recovery of many individuals battling an addiction, and is what can leave many in denial for months, or even years.
Some of the commonly ignored symptoms of substance dependence are listed below. If you or someone you know resonates with one or more of these signs, it may be time to reach out for help with us here at OK Rehab. We can begin by discussing which symptoms you have noticed within your life and can talk about what your next steps should be regarding treatment.
Physical symptoms
- Your physical appearance has changed drastically since the beginning of your substance use
- You are struggling to keep a regular sleeping pattern, or are struggling to sleep at all
- You experience withdrawal symptoms when you have not used your substance of choice for a short period of time – these symptoms of withdrawal can include feeling sick, dizziness, headaches, fatigue, mood swings and muscle pain.
Mental symptoms
- You are more irritable, and easily agitated than usual
- You are experiencing heightened symptoms of an existing mental health disorder such as depression, anxiety, OCD, BPD, ADHD, schizophrenia, or an eating disorder
- All you can think about is whichever substance you use
- You struggle to think of much else besides this
- You turn to the substance for comfort, or as a way to cope with, avoid, or forget about challenging emotions, events, or people
Social symptoms
- Your loved ones have expressed concern over your substance use
- You have lashed out at loved ones who have done so
- You hide stashes of the substance in secret places
- You are avoiding or struggling to deal with social or work events that you used to be able to attend with no problem
- Your performance at work or at school has taken a toll due to your substance use
Substitutes for rehabilitation
There are many different paths that can lead to a recovery from a drug or alcohol addiction, and though residential rehab programmes are the most effective option, if you feel like a drug and alcohol rehab in South Ribble is not for you, there are plenty of other routes you can explore.
Fellowship and mutual support groups
Over the years, groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) have helped countless people reach a successful recovery and maintain their substance-free lives.
Since its initial creation in the 1930s, AA and other newer yet similar mutual support groups have gained popularity along with the famous 12-step programme they often use with their members. These 12 steps act as a set of instructions which guide members towards their recovery goals one step at a time.
The steps are as follows: Honesty, faith, surrender, soul-searching, integrity, acceptance, humility, willingness, forgiveness, maintenance, making contact, and service. Some members of AA and NA have referred to the 12-step programme as not just a list of rules, but a way of life that they still live by today.
Mutual support groups are a great way to make connections with people who are understanding of your situation, mostly because they likely have experienced similar feelings or events themselves. This support network and group effort can be hugely beneficial to your recovery, as can the sponsorship programme commonly seen within these groups and the rewards for members when certain milestones have been reached.
Outpatient treatment
For clients who have proven to be capable and independent enough to not require a residential rehab programme, outpatient treatment can provide all the necessary treatment and therapy whilst still offering a sense of freedom.
This method of treatment would involve you residing at home for the majority of your recovery journey as well as undergoing a home detox, but frequently visiting an outpatient clinic in your area to receive treatment or to check in.
This treatment is only ever viable for those suffering less extreme addictions – if you have been using for many years, have tried to withdraw before and failed, or are simply experiencing a more severe addiction due to the particular substances you have used, outpatient treatment will not be recommended to you.
This is to ensure that you are receiving the best possible care and treatment for your condition, and are not putting yourself in any more harm by attempting to recover at home.
Each option for addiction treatment inevitably comes with its own drawbacks and benefits, and some will be more suited to you than others. Rest assured that the most appropriate treatment route for you will be found during the admissions process, with help from some simple assessments you will undergo as you enquire.
These assessments will allow us to see your needs for treatment clearly so that we can work towards them and cater any treatment you receive to you and only you.
Though there are other options out there for treatment, a residential rehab programme in a drug and alcohol rehab in South Ribble will always be our most suggested route to recovery. Rehab simply offers the most advantages with the least downfalls and has proven to be the most effective and safest option for clients aiming for a substance-free life time and time again.
To find out more about what options you have for addiction treatment, call us today on 0800 326 5559.
