We cannot stop drinking or using on our own using our willpower
There comes a time when we finally realise that, whatever we try to do to either stop or control our addictive thinking and behaviour, we are totally unable to do so. Despite trying very hard to control or stop our drinking and using, we enter a cycle of repeated relapse, sometimes after just a few days. This is due to the extreme withdrawal symptoms that we start to experience and the mental triggers that we have around us we within the home environment, as well as a mental obsession with alcohol or drugs – thinking about them all the time.
Addiction help on the NHS is rarely available
It is usually at this point of desperation and depression that we will try to get help. We then discover that those avenues of help are restricted or at the very least that there is a long period when we are going to have to wait to even get a first appointment. In the meantime our addiction and mental state worsens. Going to a hospital A and E department and being given any significant help is now extremely rare. They may hydrate you for 24 hours and if you are extremely fortunate, you may get some form of medicated detox but then you will be discharged.
A home medicated detox off alcohol or drugs from your own GP is now not medically possible as the GP is unable to prescribe sufficient medication to be taken safely in the home environment. It is common, for example, for people to drink alcohol alongside their detox medication to help with withdrawal symptoms. Each county in the UK has its own Drug and Alcohol team but they are all sadly underfunded with extremely low budgets. A heroin user may be put on a holding dose of Methadone but it will take a considerable amount of time for them to be offered a heroin detox and the same applies for an alcohol detox.
Help in private addiction rehab is available
Therefore, the only option for anyone wanting immediate help for an alcohol addiction, drug addiction, gambling addiction, prescription drug addiction or an eating disorder would be to access that help by being admitted to a residential addictions clinic or an addictions rehab. Anyone with an alcohol, drug or prescription drug dependency will need to have the doctor attached to the unit prescribe a medicated detox. This will be then overseen by that doctor and the inhouse care team. The medication will help to avoid any physical withdrawal symptoms or the possibility of a seizure in the case of detoxing off alcohol.
What is the process for being admitted to residential addiction rehab?
Before being admitted, the residential rehab unit will have to complete a face to face or telephone assessment which is the first step towards understanding the individual’s personal needs and circumstances. This assessment will include gathering relevant information about personal and medical history including any prescribed medication, the substance/drug/addictive behaviour that needs addressing, mental health status and social and relationship circumstances. Not only is this information important for the clinic to process but in certain circumstances it would also ascertain if someone was not suitable to be admitted. For example, if someone has mobility issues or is unable to shower or dress themselves, the rehab may not be able to provide that additional personal care for them.
Many addiction rehabs do not employ nurses or staff with suitable training to aid an individual getting dressed or showered. If someone needs this level of support or has other specialist care needs, they would have to be referred to another more suitable unit with the appropriate levels and provision of staff. A date and time for the admission can then be arranged – it is not uncommon for someone to be admitted that same day if there is bed availability. At The Haynes Clinic, we get people coming to us from around the country and we frequently collect people from their home address, wherever they live in the UK. We usually send a member of staff to collect the person being admitted although there will be a charge for this.
The 12 Step Programme
The majority of all residential addictions rehab units in the UK are based upon the modality of the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. The 12 Step Programme has been successful in helping many thousands of people get well. It is nearly 90 years since it was put together and the programme has been adopted by many other support groups for addiction, for example Gamblers Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous.
At The Haynes Clinic – as in most addiction treatment centres – we have people being admitted for a variety of addictions. Sometimes the individuals themselves have more than one addiction: for example, someone with an alcohol dependency will very often regularly use cocaine or gamble. It is very easy to cross addict with other behaviours or drugs thinking that they are not our main problem without realising that they could be.
Getting well is not just about a medicated detox
Whilst a prescribed medicated detox in a safe and supportive environment is important, the criteria for getting well go much deeper than this. Addiction is not just a physical issue, it is also mental. What is it we are running away from when we blur our reality with alcohol and drugs? We need to deal with this and to change our thinking and behaviour. We learn how to do this through a daily structured therapy programme – and this can begin straight away. Therefore, if someone is admitted to The Haynes Clinic in the morning then they will commence their detox but should still be able to start to attend group therapy possibly even that afternoon. Some people have the impression that they will be bed bound and ‘chilling out’ during a detox which is simply not the case.
Types of therapy in addiction treatment
The therapy is broadly based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. If you are suffering from psychological problems you can learn better ways of coping with them, relieving their symptoms and leading a more effective life. There will also be work on and around understanding the 12 Steps and the attendance at 12 Step support groups. This is also important as so many people will say “AA / the 12 Steps, I have tried and they are not for me”. This is usually said by people who have attended a support group whilst they are still drinking or drugging. They expected it to help them stop using and when it did not, due to their not understanding what is going on, it has led them to completely reject the programme.
At The Haynes Clinic, as in many rehabs, there will be some 1/1 therapy though the focus is on groups as this is the most effective way of getting well. At The Haynes Clinic we also offer a holistic approach through mindfulness and Yoga. Twice a week there is an option to attend a local private health club.
For how long do I need to be in addiction treatment?
The recognised and recommended time in treatment is 28 days as this allows sufficient time to break the physical habit and also allows time for most people to complete the programme. If there are financial constraints or if someone needs to attend during annual leave from work then the other option is to be admitted for 14 days. However after 14 days there is more chance of a relapse.
For those that complete 28 days of treatment at The Haynes Clinic, we offer 12 months of free ongoing Aftercare. This is one full day a week of support at the Clinic. If the person lives further away then there is also the option to attend a support meeting via Zoom. This support is critical for getting ongoing help and direction from the therapists that we came to know and trust whilst we were in treatment. It will help with our long term Recovery. Before leaving 28 day treatment, everyone will have a daily plan tailored to their needs and circumstances.
The help is there, we just need to make a telephone call to start the process to get it.