Strengths of Residential Addiction Rehab Centres
Putting off going to a rehab clinic
Generally, although we know we have a problem, denial of the extent of that problem or what we see as the reason for it will prolong us seeking help to the level of being admitted into a residential treatment clinic. Our family and friends will have suggested that, due to the drastic changes that they have seen in us, that we need to take steps to get help. Quite often this delay, and it can be over a long period of time, is down to us convincing others that we can sort out our addictive problems by ourselves. We might even go to our GP stating that we are depressed and get prescribed anti-depressants, without fully letting our GP know that our problems lie with a substance.
Our repetitive behaviour can also contribute to our low mood. For example, if our problem is with alcohol then anti-depressants will not work and we might as well take polo mints. However, on the downside, we expect to feel better with the medication and as it is not working, we actually do mentally become more depressed. At The Haynes Clinic – a drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinic – we see a lot of people who have been unnecessarily prescribed anti-depressants.
It is very common to describe to a GP that the reason I drink or drug is because I am depressed. Not at all, the daily addictive, repetitive behaviour which can include gambling, is the real reason that is causing the low and depressive moods. For some, our addiction has lowered our normal standard of living, we are using any money to feed our addiction and we have lost our moral compass.
Finding the right rehab clinic
Therefore, the journey to an addictions rehab centre or drug detox clinic is varied and different for everyone. However, it is generally not until we have made the decision that we need residential help and support that suddenly our intended surroundings become extremely important to us. All rehab clinics are different, and a reasonable indication of the premises should be able to be found on their website. At The Haynes Clinic, we pride ourselves on providing as much information as possible about the accommodation available at our rehab centre. We are not trying to “sell a bed”. We are trying to help and assist anyone on their first step towards Recovery. It can be like a minefield, and we feel we help family, friends and the individual to navigate it. Even if people choose to not access our services we will always try and help with any enquiry and give advice.
Getting an alcohol detox or drug detox at a rehab centre
Residential treatment in a rehab clinic is virtually the only option for an alcohol or drug detox. Due to legislation, GP’s will usually not now prescribe a home detox and hospitals will not generally keep you as an inpatient if you are dependent on any drug; they will not detox you and they will discharge you as soon as possible. Local drug and alcohol services are desperately low on funding. If you have a gambling addiction, then residential care in a rehab centre is the place of safety with a full daily programme of therapy to help and support. Also being admitted to a residential rehab clinic will give you immediate access to both a clinical or therapeutic team.
Admission to a rehab clinic when the opportunity arises
We often hear people say that their partner or friend has “reached rock bottom”. Actually, they haven’t, they have simply reached a point where they may consider help as an option, such as residential treatment in a rehab clinic. It is like unpeeling an onion, you unpeel one layer then there is another layer below it. Exactly the same as with our addictive behaviour, we think things can’t get worse and then things do, we are basically just prolonging the inevitable.
Therefore, there is a small “window of opportunity” when an individual who has asked for help will actually take the next step and accept it. This is where a residential rehab clinic, such as The Haynes Clinic comes into play, as generally we are able to offer admission to the residential programme within 24 hours. Therefore, the individual can be accessing treatment at the rehab clinic, before they change their mind, leading to even further heartache for all concerned for another addictive period.
Accommodation at a rehab centre
At The Haynes Clinic we offer everyone their own bedroom. This is so important, as it is basically a sanctuary within a sanctuary. However, everyone is monitored, and it is ensured that they don’t choose to misuse this private space to start to isolate in. This would be reverting back to old behaviour similar to before we came into treatment. An important area of our recovery and wellbeing is sleep. The time frame to return to a normal sleep pattern will also be different for everyone, but with the reintroduction of a reasonable timetable then a normalised sleep pattern will also return.
Residential rehab can be a great relief!
It is also important to remember that we are not a gloomy place full of miserable people not wanting to be there. There is a general feeling of a great weight being lifted from our shoulders, when we take that first step of walking into a rehab treatment centre. There is that belief that they [“the staff”] can help me. They say they have been where I have been and so they understand me. It makes a big difference when we start to get honest with ourselves and trusting of others when we start to share our personal story.
It is not uncommon to form bonds and friendships with others in treatment and although there will be tears with sharing our stories there will also be the return of laughter. There is a general sense of bonding established by sharing during therapy and with sharing meals as a group.
Rehab treatment in a residential centre is a way of getting back to a ‘normal life’
Part of the “bridge to normal living” is that the accommodation, at The Haynes Clinic, is separate from where we hold group and individual therapy. Two completely separate buildings. This helps with the concept that in the real world we work at one place and will have our bedroom at another. Should, though, we take feelings that have been raised during the day back with us at the end of the therapy sessions, then we have the group and staff to help and offer support.
Aftercare following a stay at a residential clinic
A normal length of time for residential rehab treatment is 28 days but in certain cases this can be extended. For those staying for 28 days, at The Haynes Clinic, then there is the bonus of weekly Aftercare each Friday. This is free for a year and for those that live further away they might choose to attend once a month. This ongoing support is key to an individual’s Recovery. The continued contact with people that you trust and the ability to be able to speak on the phone or face to face is critical.
