Substance addiction is a disease of chronic brain relapsing. Despite the prevailing misconception that substance addiction is due to lifestyle choices, it is officially classified as a disease.
When suffering from a substance addiction, the addicted person experiences a range of physical and psychological symptoms that can be discomforting and potentially lethal.
The reward pathways in our brain – which are responsible for releasing dopamine and other chemicals – are stimulated when we consume drugs such as alcohol, ketamine, cocaine, and so on.
When a person repeatedly stimulates these reward pathways by frequently and excessively consuming psychoactive substances, the reward pathways become dependent on them.
As a result, they can’t experience dopamine releases – that are associated with pleasure and happiness – naturally, and their mind and body experiences cravings that make it difficult to perform ordinary day-to-day tasks.
Substance addiction has been a notable problem in Glasgow and the United Kingdom for some time.
From April 2023 to March 2024, 311,000 adults [1] came in contact with a drug and alcohol rehab provider. Of this figure, only half successfully proceeded to undergo treatment.
Clearly, not only are there hundreds of thousands of individuals suffering from substance addiction in the UK, but many remain undiagnosed and untreated.
The National Record of Scotland shows a dramatic increase in the rate of drug-related deaths among the Scottish population.
Greater Glasgow saw the biggest increase in drug-related deaths from 2004 to 2023, with a rate of 8.9 per 100,000 people in 2004 to 33.8 per 100,000 people in 2023 [2].
The same study recorded 1,172 drug-related deaths registered in Scotland in 2023, which was a 12% increase from the previous year.
Ketamine, also known by other names such as Special K or just K, is a sedative that is used to treat people or animals that have suffered a great injury.
This sedative drug is effective in pain-management.
However, many people use ketamine as a recreational drug. Some of the most common symptoms of ketamine use include:
Recovering from a ketamine addiction is much like recovering from any other addiction. Firstly, you need to undergo diagnosis in order to understand the necessary form of treatment required. Patients who are diagnosed with a mild form of addiction may be advised to undergo ketamine addiction treatment as an outpatient, whereas those with a moderate to severe form of addiction will be advised to undergo inpatient treatment.
Outpatient treatment is often associated with public healthcare like that of the NHS. Often, outpatients will undergo around 6 to 15 hours of treatment per week depending on their unique case of addiction.
What draws many people towards outpatient treatment is its flexibility and affordability. Since it is public healthcare, patients don’t need to pay for treatment. Additionally, its flexibility of undergoing less intensive treatment – over a longer period of time – means that patients can maintain employment and other duties.
An inpatient ketamine addiction treatment programme will take place at a private residential rehab in Glasgow. While it is more expensive than public treatment, it grants patients much higher quality of treatment, and is particularly suitable for patients suffering from more severe cases of addiction.
Patients at a private ketamine rehab typically spend around 4 weeks undergoing intensive treatment at a medically-supported facility. Here, they will have access to high-quality facilities, comfortable onsite accommodation, and 24/7 supervision and support. Additionally, the admission process is far more swift than public healthcare, which can take up to weeks or even months.
It can be overwhelming knowing where to start. However, once you have received diagnosis and been admitted into a ketamine rehab in Glasgow, you will be guided and thoroughly supported throughout your recovery journey.
Here’s how you can expect your addiction treatment process in Glasgow to unfold:
During the health or pre-admission assessment, you’ll be asked a range of questions regarding your consumption habits, mental health condition, and more. You’ll then be diagnosed by a licensed addiction specialist who will advise you on the most effective steps to take regarding your treatment.
If your addiction severity is mild, you may be able to undergo treatment as an outpatient. However, more severe cases of addiction require inpatient treatment to optimise recovery methods.
Patients who are suffering from discomforting withdrawal symptoms may be required to undergo a detox. Here, they may be prescribed medication from an addiction physician to ease any discomforting withdrawal symptoms that they’re experiencing.
Therapy and counselling is imperative to establish a long-term and sustainable lifestyle. Communication-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and help patients understand where their self-destructive habits and thought processes come from.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy helps patients who experience intense emotions to manage these feelings and develop healthier coping mechanisms rather than self-medicate with substances.
Other forms of therapies take a more holistic approach by focusing on the mind, body, and soul. Holistic therapies like art therapy, adventure therapy, music therapy, equine therapy, yoga, and more, encourage patients to develop new hobbies that have all-encompassing benefits.
Relapse prevention planning is essential to ensure long-term sobriety and abstinence. While Cognitive Behavioural Therapy helps patients develop relapse prevention strategies, other methods like that of HALT (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired) are effective in educating patients on the complexities of relapse triggers and how to navigate them.
Similarly, aftercare is important to ensure long-term recovery. Once the patient leaves rehab, they will have newfound skills, coping mechanisms, and perspectives to carry out a healthy lifestyle devoid of substances. However, they still need a support network.
An aftercare programme will support patients by granting them access to counselling sessions, support groups, and the 12-Step Programme that is particularly effective in maintaining a lifestyle of abstinence and happiness.
Addiction isn’t an obstacle that you must tackle alone. At Rehab 4 Addiction, we can connect you with expert and trusted addiction treatment services in Glasgow that suit your unique requirements.
Whether you’re considering undergoing treatment with the NHS or a private rehab in Glasgow that caters more to your needs, our team is here to help you answer any questions along the way.
Call us today by dialling the number 0800 140 4690 to find personalised addiction treatment in Glasgow that will facilitate your newfound lifestyle of health and wellbeing.
[1] Adult substance misuse treatment statistics 20232 to 2024: Report https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/substance-misuse-treatment-for-adults-statistics-2023-to-2024/adult-substance-misuse-treatment-statistics-2023-to-2024-report
[2] Drug-Related Deaths in Scotland in 2023 https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/publications/drug-related-deaths-in-scotland-in-2023/
