Drug and Alcohol Addiction - Why You Can not Force Recovery

All across Britain there are families living with a loved one addicted to either alcohol or drugs. Many of those families feel powerless inasmuch as they want to help, but do not know how. Other families think they are helping their loved one by trying to protect him or her and keep them out of trouble. However, this does not work either. In their frustration and despair, family members may attempt to force their loved ones into recovery against their will.

The reality is that forced recovery is seldom successful. Addicts forced to attend alcohol or drug rehab may complete their programmes as expected, only to relapse within the first year or so after release. A good portion of those addicts never even complete their rehab programmes.

Individual Decision

There are some alcohol and drug recovery experts willing to classify addiction as a disease. Others believe addiction is a behavioural problem only. Yet despite their differences, the two camps agree on one thing: recovery is an individual decision that can only be made by the addict him or herself.

It has been said that the only true cure for addiction is abstinence. Assuming that is true, no family member or friend can force a drug or alcohol abuser to abstain from his or her habit. The best one can do is not allow the addict to continue interfering with his or her life. Nevertheless, that does not stop the addict from separating him or herself in order to continue doing what he or she does. In fact, such is the case most of the time.

An addicted person must decide for him or herself that he or she is going to remain abstinent if they are to succeed. Otherwise, their motivation to abstain last only as long as external pressures are strong enough. As soon as those external pressures relax, he or she goes right back to what they were doing before.

Attitude of Recovery

Another thing to consider is the fact that a successful recovery requires a certain attitude. It requires a willingness to own up to one's addiction at the start, followed by a gradual attitude change that causes a person to view drugs and alcohol negatively. Finally, the attitude must evolve into one in which the individual is completely committed to avoiding relapse.

The attitude of recovery is something that cannot be forced any more than the decision to remain abstinent. It is an attitude that must come from within the individual if it is to be genuine and life changing. Despite the best intentions of family members and friends, no one can change the attitude of the addict; he or she must do it themselves.

What Families Can Do

There is some good news for family members despite the fact that they cannot force recovery. What they can do is conduct an intervention that challenges their loved one to enter drug or alcohol rehab. Interventions are recommended by recovery experts because they are very good motivational tools in most cases.

Families can conduct interventions on their own, with the help of a private counsellor, or through programmes set up by private rehab clinics. The intervention challenges the individual to consider the damage his or her behaviour is causing to him or herself and their family, in the hopes that something said will trigger a willingness to get help.

At the end of the day, successful rehab comes down to a willingness of the individual to get the help he or she needs to change their ways. Families can only do so much, and that can certainly be distressing at times. But that is the nature of the beast.

What Are Private Rehab Centres?

A person suffering from drug or alcohol dependence has a number of different options for seeking help. One of those options, the private rehab centre, is known to achieve very good results among recovering addicts committed to complete recovery. There are now about five dozen private rehab centres in the UK.

To be clear, a private rehab centre is distinctly different from an NHS clinic or support group organisation. All three have their place in the big picture of drug and alcohol recovery, but only private rehab centers are capable of providing the level of care and treatment they offer.

What They Offer

The private rehab centre offers a comprehensive rehabilitation programme that deals with the individual client as a whole person. In other words, we have discovered over the years that drug addiction is more than just a physical issue. It also involves the heart and mind. Complete recovery that minimises the risk of relapse requires addressing all three parts of the person: body, mind, and spirit.

A typical rehab programme begins with a 7 to 10 day detox, followed by 4 to 12 weeks of psychotherapeutic treatments. Today's clinic understands that there is no 'one-size-fits-all' approach that works for every addict. Therefore, psychotherapeutic treatments are customised for each individual client. The treatments are designed to help the recovering addict understand what addiction is, how his or her own personality plays into addictive behaviour, and how he or she can avoid relapse in the future.

A 12-week rehab programme is usually followed up with 3 to 12 months of aftercare services. These services pick up where rehab leaves off, offering support and therapy that recovering addicts need to prevent relapse.

Residential Rehab Model

It is standard operating procedure for private rehab centres to offer their services based on the residential rehab model. Residential rehab takes its name from the fact that clients reside at the clinic for the duration of their treatments. Some clinics offer private rooms, others offer semi private rooms, and some offer dormitory accommodations.

The point of the residential model is to separate the recovering addict from his or her daily life in order to minimise distractions. For the entire time of his or her residency, the individual is free to focus solely on recovery. Residential rehab is also a great way to break the co-dependency cycle that is prevalent in so many families suffering with addiction.

In order to take full advantage of the principle of separation, private clinics tend to be located in rural or suburban areas away from the busyness of the cities. Having said that, even the centres located in major metropolitan areas are located in neighbourhoods that tend to be quieter. The fewer distractions present, the more successful most programmes are.

Charity Rehab Clinic

Although most of the comprehensive rehab programmes in the UK are offered by private clinics, there are some charities offering them as well. Some of the charities are religious in nature; others are completely secular. The biggest advantage of a rehab charity is that it offers the same quality care provided by a private clinic, at no cost to the recovering addict. The downside is that charities can be limited in terms of bed space and programme availability.

As drug and alcohol related problems continue to plague the UK, the need for private rehab centres is obvious. They are our best hope for helping chronic addicts fully recover so they can live lives free of drugs and alcohol.

Treatment Options for Drug and Alcohol Rehab

The evolution of drug and alcohol rehab has come a long way over the last several decades. Gone are the days when the experienced therapist will assume the same approach to recovery will work for every client. Today's therapists and clinics are more likely to use bespoke treatments customised for each individual client.

This new approach gives clinicians a lot of options for individual treatment. What works for one person may not necessarily work so well for another. In every case, therapists can choose from among the many treatment options their clinic offers. This new, customised approach is shown to achieve far better results than the old way of doing things. Having said that, let us talk about some of the different treatment options available.

Detox Options : The detox process is intended to facilitate recovery by interrupting the addiction routine. By separating the individual from his or her substances of choice, detox allows the body to naturally cleanse itself on its way to restoring the natural balance of chemicals in the brain. Here are some of the options:

Medicated - Medicated detox involves using various prescription drugs to help reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms and prevent possible complications. Almost all detox programmes these days involve prescription medication.

Non-Medicated - This type of detox is also known as 'cold turkey'. It is available when the recovering addict requests it or when dealing with a specific kind of addiction for which there are no prescription medications available.

Outpatient - Outpatient detox involves the recovering addict visiting a clinic or hospital on a daily basis to receive a medical evaluation and prescription medication.

Inpatient - Inpatient detox takes place at a hospital or private clinic. During the process, the recovering addict stays at the facility where he or she can be constantly monitored and evaluated.

Home - When an individual could benefit from outpatient detox but has no means to get to a clinic, home detox is an option. Under this option, a registered nurse visits the home rather than the patient going to the clinic.

Rehab Options : The part of drug and alcohol recovery dealing with the mind and emotions is what we know as psychotherapeutic rehab. Unfortunately, there are far too many treatment options for us to list them all here. Here are just a few of the more commonly use treatments among private alcohol and drug rehab clinics:

CBT - Cognitive behavioural therapy is a counselling therapy designed to help the recovering addict identify what it is that encourages him or her to use addictive substances. It also teaches them coping strategies and retrains their brain to look at addictive substances appropriately.

Group Therapy - Group therapy was developed decades ago under the assumption that individuals would do better in a counselling environment if they could share common experiences. Group therapy has shown to be very successful for many addicts.

12-Step Work - The 12-step programme developed in the 1930s by Alcoholics Anonymous has been highly successful over more than 80 years of use. It combines group therapy and individual responsibility along with the accountability a support group affords.

We could go on listing countless other treatment options like art therapy, music therapy, and so on. The point is that private clinics have many options to choose from. The wide range of treatments available in the modern era makes it possible for rehab clinics to help just about anyone that comes through their doors.

Identifying the Signs and Symptoms of Addiction

Addiction is something we know destroys individuals and tears families apart. Moreover, like so many other conditions, early identification is the key to successful treatment. The earlier the addict can be treated, the greater the chances of achieving total recovery. The opposite is also true. Waiting too long to begin treatment only makes a full recovery that much more difficult.

The purpose of this post is to help you identify a potential addiction problem, whether you are the person suffering or a family member concerned about a loved one. To that end, we will approach the addiction question from both angles. We hope that by offering you the signs and symptoms of addiction we will be able to help you start down the road to recovery.

For Addicts: Symptoms of Addiction

Perhaps you suspect you might have a real problem with drugs or alcohol. Perhaps you are ready to consider looking into rehab centers if it can be proved to you that you have a problem. If that is the case, consider the following symptoms of addiction:

• you drink or take drugs first thing in the morning
• you plan your entire day around drugs or alcohol
• you find yourself worrying about having enough of your chosen substance
• you're willing to go to great lengths to obtain your substances
• you find drugs and alcohol interfering with routine tasksv
• you are defensive when others talk about your drug or alcohol use
• drug or alcohol use is causing you to push family members away
• you find that you need to increase the amount you use in order to feel the same amount of pleasure.

Any one of these symptoms could indicate you are on the road to addiction. If you notice more than one, you might already be addicted. The fact that you are willing to consider the symptoms of addiction means you have taken the first step toward recovery. Why not take the next step by contacting one of the many drug and alcohol rehab clinics in the UK?

For Families: Signs of Addiction

Families may have a more difficult time recognising addiction due to the fact that addicts become so adept at hiding their problems. However, families do not have to remain clueless. There are certain signs they can look for if they suspect a problem exists. A person addicted to drugs or alcohol will often:

• exhibit unexplained mood swings
• suddenly lose or gain weight inexplicably
• withdraw from family members and friends
• exhibit moderate to severe financial problems
• begin to form new circles of 'undesirable' friends
• disappear from normal life for several days at a time
• be very combative when confronted about drugs or alcohol
• be willing to steal from family members in order to support their habit.

While you may not be able to unequivocally prove a loved one is dealing with an addiction problem, a combination of a few of the signs is a good indication trouble exists. In such a case, the best thing family members can do is contact an addiction recovery referral service, a private clinic, or a doctor.

Alcohol and drug rehab clinics are available to provide treatment to those suffering with addiction issues. Whether you are the person suffering or a family member or friend, please take heed to the symptoms and signs we have listed here. If there is any indication of a problem, get help before it's too late.

What Are the Strengths of Residential Rehab?

Recovering addicts can choose from a number of treatment options, including professional counselling, group support, NHS programmes, and residential rehab. Each option has its own place in the arena of rehab care, but residential rehab tends to be the most successful option in most cases. That is why drug and alcohol recovery services tend to focus on residential treatment.

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, we want you to understand what the strengths of residential rehab are so that you can make a wise decision. Ultimately, you have to do what is best for you and your family. If that means drug rehab at a private clinic, you need to know what you are getting into.

Here are the top five strengths of residential rehab:

1. Concentrated Care

The main reason residential rehab centers tend to do better than NHS services is rooted in the concentrated care these provide. In other words, the private clinic is not burdened by having to treat every single illness or injury that comes through the door. Unlike the NHS, they can concentrate all of their time, energy, and resources on addiction recovery. This also enables them to give every client the attention he or she deserves.

2. Bespoke Treatments

Where the NHS and some support groups offer a single approach to addiction recovery, private clinics are not burdened by those limits. They are free to devise bespoke treatment plans for every single client based on individual circumstances, needs, and history. Private clinics are limited only by the number of different treatment options they have available at any given time.

3. Distraction Free Environment

The whole purpose behind residential rehab is to separate the recovering addict from his or her daily routine and circumstances. This allows him or her to focus solely on recovery without the distractions they are used to. This is one of the main reasons private residential clinics are typically located in suburban or rural settings surrounded by plenty of open space. Clinic operators are trying to remove as many distractions as possible.

4. Benefits of Separation

In addition to the distractions of daily life, recovering addicts can be hindered by family members and friends prone to enabling addictive behaviour. Separating recovering addicts from their enablers quickly puts an end to this problem. As recovery progresses, family members and friends can be reintroduced into a counselling environment that helps the whole group heal together.

5. Group Support

Lastly, residential rehab takes advantage of group dynamics to provide mutual support and accountability. It is a principle that has already proved successful by the popular 12-step programme first created by Alcoholics Anonymous. What AA does through weekly meetings, residential rehab accomplishes on a daily basis.

Residential drug and alcohol rehab clinics provide a valuable service that cannot be matched by the NHS, support groups, or charities. Private treatment at a residential clinic is worth every penny when recovering addicts come out the other end completely free of addictive behaviour.

Drug addicts and their families in need of help can look into residential treatment by contacting a counselling and referral service. These services specialise in helping individuals find a private clinic most suited to their budget and circumstances. With just one phone call, the road to recovery can begin.

Paying for Private Rehab

Private rehab centers all over the UK are working hard every day to assist addicts and their families in getting their lives back on track. Unfortunately, the treatment these offer cannot be provided free without compromising the quality of care. Thus, the cost of private care leaves many individuals without the treatment they need.

On a more positive note, there are rehab centres that are affordable to average, middle-class families throughout Britain. There are also luxury clinics as well, but one does not need to be a millionaire in order to get good, quality treatment at a private clinic. One only needs to be willing to get help and to search out every possible method of payment.

So how do you pay for private rehab? Here are the top five ways it is done:

1. Private Health Insurance

Our typical perception of a drug addict or alcoholic is someone with very little income, perhaps no home, and certainly no way to adequately support him or herself. And while that picture is accurate for some addicts, it is not accurate for all of them. There is no shortage of individuals who would be classified as middle class workers holding down regular jobs while still struggling with drug and alcohol problems. For them, the first place to turn is private health insurance.

Most private health insurance plans in the UK cover rehab, either in part or in full. Individuals need to check their own policies for details. As for the rehab centres, these accept most forms of private health insurance without question.

2. Savings Accounts

A reasonable price for a 12-week residential rehab stay at a budget-minded clinic would be several thousand pounds. Some addicts and their family members can get that amount together by withdrawing from savings accounts. Doing so may not be the best way to spend your savings, but it beats the alternative of allowing an addictive situation to continue.

3. Credit Card Accounts

An active credit card account is another option for paying for private rehab. Major cards like MasterCard and Visa are typically accepted by private clinics without a problem. The major drawback to this form of payment is the high interest consumers pay on the debt they accrue. Again, it is better than the alternative of allowing addiction to continue.

4. Family Donations

Family members of addicts are often distressed by the knowledge that there is little they can do to help, despite an overwhelming desire to do so. Although a struggling addict may have to go to great lengths to convince family members his or her desire to get well is genuine, family members can be persuaded to pool their limited resources together in order to fund rehab. The danger here is accepting donations from family members only to turn around and fail in recovery. They may never help again.

5. Charity Grants

The last method of paying for private rehab is through charitable grants. There are charities that offer rehab programmes using their own facilities and volunteer workers, but there are others that offer grants to pay for rehab at a private clinic. Some of these charities are religiously based; others are funded from a combination of corporate and government money.

There are enough ways to pay for private rehab treatment to at least investigate the possibilities. If you or someone you love is currently struggling with an alcohol or drug problem, consider getting in touch with a rehab referral service as soon as possible. They will be able to help you determine the best course of action for your circumstances.

Three Ways Drug Rehab and Detox Differ

The issues of drug abuse and addiction are something that touch more families in the UK than many of us know. Unfortunately, the UK has seen a significant rise in drug and alcohol use that has left us scrambling to provide the care people need to overcome addiction issues. Two of the options we offer are detox and rehab. Yet despite what you may think, the two options are different.

In the simplest terms, detox is a standalone treatment option designed to break the physical addiction to a specific substance. In most cases, it can be accomplished in about seven days. Rehab is different in that it deals with the body and the mind. Rehab does include detox as part of an overall programme, but the psychotherapeutic treatments involved go above and beyond physical addiction.

Here are three ways drug rehab and detox is decidedly different:

1. Short-Term Versus Long-Term

The detox process is a very short-term strategy meant to deal with physical addiction. Because it can be completed in about a week, some drug abusers and addicts prefer to go that route in order to minimise the disruption of treatment. They can schedule a week off from work, attend detox, and get back to work the following week.

Rehab is a long-term strategy that requires a greater time commitment. The average programme offered by drug rehab clinics in Europe takes between 4 and 12 weeks to complete. After that, recovering drug abusers will spend anywhere from three to 12 months receiving aftercare support services.

Despite the time commitment involved, comprehensive drug rehab usually achieves better results than detox alone. Complete rehab deals with the individual as a whole person – body, mind, and spirit – rather than just as a physical creature.

2. Long-Term Goals

The differences in long-term goals are significant between the two therapies. Where detox is concerned, no clear long-term goal exists because the point is to simply get the user to stop taking drugs. However, detox does nothing to prevent relapse in the future. That is why so many drug addicts in the UK go through detox numerous times without an actual life change.

The long-term goal of rehab is one of preventing relapse by teaching the drug user how to live life to its fullest without using drugs. A rehab clinic that is successfully doing its job does not ever want to see a client a second time – unless it is because the recovering drug addict has returned to help others.

3. Sources of Treatment

Anyone in need of drug detox in the UK can access it free of charge from the NHS. Detox can be accessed on an inpatient, outpatient, or home basis, depending on individual circumstances. However, the NHS does not offer comprehensive drug rehab programmes of its own.

Drug rehab is provided by private clinics, drug and alcohol charities, and local support group organisations. The NHS can refer individuals to these other programmes, and they often do following the completion of detox. The best source of comprehensive drug rehab is a private clinics specialising in such programmes.

It is true that some people can fully recover from drug abuse and addiction by just attending detox. Nevertheless, they are the exception, not the rule. Most chronic addicts need a comprehensive rehab programme provided by a qualified organisation. That is often the only way to fully recover.