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Between April 2018 and March 2019, there were 268, 251 adults in contact with drug and alcohol services in the UK.1
There are a number of different treatment options available to aid you in beginning and maintaining the road to recovery. Most types of addiction treatment begin with detoxification and medically assisted withdrawal from the substance and then go through to a full program of drug rehabilitation. In order to safely begin the recovery process, the body needs to be cleared of the substance, so the first step is detoxification.
Detoxification and Withdrawal
Detox is the first step as it deals with the dangerous physiological effects of stopping use. However, “detox alone does not fix the issue”, says Jason Shiers, UK based psychotherapist at UKAT, “as there are psychological, social, environmental and behavioural issues that need to be addressed afterwards if recovery is going to be a success.’
The detoxification process should be carefully managed by a professional as stopping drug use is often accompanied by difficult and potentially fatal side effects. Detox medication is available to assist in the withdrawal from drugs such as opioids, alcohol, benzodiazepines, and other sedatives. For this reason, make sure to go to a reputable rehab facility such as Iboga Protocol (which has ibogaine centers in Mexico) to achieve the detoxification process healthily and safely.
Residential Treatment – Short/Long Term
Residential treatment offers 24-hour care to patients and can be short-term or long-term, depending on the needs of the individual as assessed by a professional.
Short-term residential treatment is intensive but brief and often centred around a 12-step or holistic approach to recovery, sometimes both. Typical stays are 4 to 6 weeks, during which patients can engage in individual and group therapy sessions, and be educated on addiction, in an environment that is supportive and safe, away from the social and environmental triggers that are involved in one’s addiction.
Long-term residential treatment, like short-term, offers 24-hour care and assistance. A popular model for treatment is the therapeutic community, or TC, in which you would stay for a period of 6 to 12 months. Treatment components in long-term TC residence include utilising other residents, staff, and the social setting as part of treatment. In this setting, addiction is addressed within the context of ‘an individual’s social and psychological deficits, and treatment focuses on developing personal accountability and responsibility as well as socially productive lives.’2
Outpatient Treatment
The type and intensity of outpatient services available varies greatly. Outpatient treatment generally costs less than residential treatment and is often the option taken by those with responsibilities outside of personal recovery or with a lot of social support. The effectiveness of outpatient programmes is, in general, less than that of residential treatment, but they are useful in providing drug education and raising one’s awareness about the dangers associated with drug use.
Individual Counselling in a Rehab Setting
Individual counselling, while focusing on stopping use, also addresses other areas of a client’s life in which functioning is impaired, such as employment or social relations. This type of counselling whilst in treatment emphasises short-term behavioural goals and assists in the development of coping strategies in the face of cravings.
Group Counselling
Group therapy is often an integral part of treatment in rehab. It allows the patient to reap the benefits of social support and peer discussion. It can reduce the feeling of isolation and loneliness in a patient.
1GOV.UK. (2019). Adult substance misuse treatment statistics 2018 to 2019: report. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/substance-misuse-treatment-for-adults-statistics-2018-to-2019/adult-substance-misuse-treatment-statistics-2018-to-2019-report [Accessed 10 Feb. 2020].
2Drugabuse.gov. (2018). Types of Treatment Programs. [online] Available at: https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/drug-addiction-treatment-in-united-states/types-treatment-programs [Accessed 10 Feb. 2020].
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Welcome to Birds and Lilies! I'm Lou: mother, blogger and freelance writer. This is my lifestyle blog, where I talk about motherhood, infertility and IVF, beauty, my love for food and wine, as well as my thoughts about stuff, and our real-life and travel adventures.
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