When a person develops a drug or alcohol dependency their entire life can change.
It isn’t hard to spiral further and further down as they chase the next rush substance abuse gives them.
A drug or alcohol dependency is isolating. It disconnects people from friends and family often leaving them only with the company of others suffering from the same dependency.
It can be a very scary and isolating time that is only made worse when people wrongly view it as a choice and a criminal act.
Unfortunately, the answer isn’t as simple as a definite yes or no.
The short answer is yes.
Unless a person is being forced to partake in substance abuse every time drugs or alcohol are used a decision is made.
However, substance abuse to the point of a dependency being developed is very rarely done because a person just wants to keep abusing drugs and alcohol.
Substance abuse acts as a symptom. It shows that a person is clearly suffering from some kind of mental health issue that needs treatment.
Many people suffering from mental illness such as anxiety, depression or even psychosis attempt to self medicate to numb the pain.
It is also not uncommon for those who have experienced some kind of trauma in their past to use substance abuse as a way to forget or even to manage symptoms of PTSD.
This trauma can stem from domestic abuse, military service, loss of a loved one, exposer to substance abuse at a young age and being involved in a traumatic accident or incident.
People turn to substance abuse as a way to ignore their problems and for a time may find they can numb the pain and cope a little better for a while.
The danger lies when substance abuse becomes a drug or alcohol dependency.
When a person first abuses substances they create a rush of Dopamine, and since Dopamine is the feel-good chemical your brain begins to crave the drugs and alcohol that created it.
Unfortunately, over time to achieve the same kind of rush a person needs to take more and more drugs or alcohol.
Their brain has become used to the extra Dopamine and will react violently when it is left without what provides it.
This reaction from their brain and the following symptoms their body will experience is the very reason why rehab is needed to help those suffering from dependency.
If you have made it this far into the article then maybe you should also be considering finding a rehab centre.
We offer top quality services that are dedicated to finding you a rehab centre with the best possible facilities to handle your recovery.
At Rehab 4 Addiction we understand the journey towards long term recovery is long and hard. That at the beginning you need all the help you can get just to get started.
That is why we try to streamline the process as much as possible.
After you call us at 0800 140 4690 you will begin your free initial assessment. This is when we will learn about you and what exactly you need from both us and your rehab.
We also want to be a calming presence that can answer your questions and hopefully put your mind at ease.
We understand this is a very vulnerable time in your life and we just want to make sure you can get the help you need from the best possible people.
First of all, the most important thing that will need to be addressed upon your arrival at the rehab centre is the withdrawal symptoms.
These are the symptoms your body experiences when your brain is deprived of what is providing it with its dopamine rush.
The symptoms can actually be very dangerous if experienced outside of a medical facility as they can easily prove too much for your body to handle.
The detox is essentially the process of letting you work through the withdrawal symptoms in a safe manner. During the process, you will be monitored 24 hours a day by the rehabs medical staff.
They will keep you as safe and comfortable as possible. They are able to look out for if the symptoms are getting too much and provide special medication to relieve them when this happens.
The detox acts as your starting off point. It allows you to focus on the other treatments you will receive without the distraction of your cravings.
The most important of your treatments being therapy.
As substance abuse is a symptom of a mental health crisis it is necessary to address your mental as well as your physical health.
This will usually be done through group therapy where others at the centre will also be able to work through their issues with you and a therapist.
In some cases, you may be referred to private therapy sessions. This is normal and simply just done as your trauma or mental health problems require a more one to one approach to work through.
When you leave the rehab centre is doesn’t mean you no longer have a drug or alcohol dependency.
The journey towards long term recovery is just that, a journey.
It is long and hard but it is something to keep working towards. Unfortunately, you won’t reach the end of the journey after a couple of weeks in rehab.
You need support even after you have completed your treatments.
Your rehab centre will offer you aftercare services that can help you on your journey.
They will often include follow up therapy sessions and a referral to a support group within the Brightlingsea area.
This will allow you to have support and accountability while retaining the freedom that comes with being outside the rehab centre.
You will also be given something called a relapse prevention plan. This will contain all the tools you learnt while staying at the rehab centre.
It can include things such as a nutrition plan to help your body begin to recover from prolonged substance abuse.
Most importantly it will help you avoid triggers for your cravings and to use healthier coping mechanisms in times of stress.
The best time to seek treatment is today. Just give us a call and let us help you begin your journey to a better, sober, life.