Rehabilitation is a programme of physical and psychological health treatment offered by many different facilities, organisations and companies in the UK.
The programme itself will differ in its contents from individual to individual, depending on their specific needs and history, as well as the reasons for which they are entering rehabilitation in the first place.
However, the general aim of rehabilitation remains the same, no matter the individual or their unique needs and requirements.
The aim of rehab is to help an individual overcome their addiction (or other mental health condition) and, although addiction can never be fully ‘cured’, rehab works toward helping individuals learn coping mechanisms, allowing them to deal with their addiction in the long term.
As well as the mental health side to rehabilitation, programmes such as those offered in The Priory [1] also offer physical rehab – helping the individual to become healthier in both body and mind.
The two are strongly linked and so one form of treatment without the other would not be as effective as a programme focussing on just one of these elements.
In order to get the most out of the rehabilitation programme, individuals should always ensure that the programme that they have selected is based across the three key areas of rehabilitation: detoxification, rehabilitation/therapy and aftercare.
These three areas provide a solid structure on which these individuals can then build a personalised treatment programme, no matter where they choose to partake in this.
Studies show [2] that individuals who undergo this form of ‘structured’ rehabilitation show a far faster increase in self-esteem and feeling of control in their life, demonstrating the effectiveness of this style of care and treatment programmes.
This is why, no matter whether the individual in question is searching for rehabilitation options through Rehab 4 Addiction or is seeking another source of care, they should always ensure that the programme that they commit to follows these three stages of rehab.
The following subheadings outline these stages further, highlighting the importance of each.
This is the first and often most overlooked stage of rehab.
This is because many individuals often feel as though they can complete this stage of care and only this stage.
This leads to numerous issues, as many people often fall into the pattern of detoxifying, relapsing, and beginning the process again – repeatedly.
Detoxification is when the individual removes the harmful toxins and chemicals from their body that have built up over time as a result of addiction to substances.
This can cause serious long-term health issues, especially when these issues are left untreated or the individual continues to detoxify without continuing further treatment in the remaining stages of rehabilitation.
When it comes to individuals struggling with alcohol addictions (also known as alcoholism), this can be a notoriously difficult challenge to overcome.
In part, this is due to the dangers of withdrawing and detoxing from alcohol, but there are also many other factors.
This is why some studies are beginning to suggest alternative approaches to the detox stage [3] – such as those based on social interaction.
As the bulk of an individual’s time in drug and alcohol rehab, they will be encouraged to take part in a variety of different therapies, treatment programmes and activities designed to help them overcome their struggles with addiction.
These treatment programmes will vary massively depending on the individual.
Though some forms of care are more common than others, every individual is different and this means that every rehabilitation programme should be specialised for the individual in question.
For example, a common form of therapy offered to all individuals struggling with addiction is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
This is commonly used in addiction recovery and mental health treatment as it can be applied to a variety of different situations.
CBT focuses on changing the negative thought patterns of an individual.
For addiction, this may mean focussing on the origins of an individual’s addiction and changing the negative thoughts and/or feelings that arise as a result of this.
As the final stage of rehabilitation – and another one that is often forgotten about – individuals are encouraged to begin some form of care after leaving the main form of their treatment programme.
Although aftercare may include further treatment programmes, these are often partaken in on a far more part-time basis and the individual’s progress may not be tracked as often or as in as much detail.
During aftercare, an individual may have regular meetings with an aftercare support officer or general support worker.
During these meetings, individuals will have the opportunity to speak about their progress, if they believe that they need additional support, and any other queries that they may have.
These meetings are also an opportunity for the support officer to track their progress and make any suggestions that they may have toward the future of the individual’s care.
If an individual feels as though it is suitable for them, then any individual should feel free to start seeking rehabilitative care.
If an individual’s life in beginning to become disrupted by their addiction i.e., they have become unable to partake in activities/work that they previously partook in, then this is also another reason why an individual may enter rehabilitative care.
A ‘serious’ addiction is something that every individual will have a different opinion on and therefore makes it hard to quantify, but every individual has the right to enter rehab – no matter how serious or trivial they perceive their addiction to be.
The length of a programme within drug and alcohol rehab will also differ, meaning that individuals can spend as much or as little time within a rehab centre as they feel is necessary – with advice and support from medical professionals.
Studies have shown that, in general, men are more likely than women to enter rehab centres, though this is not always the case.
One piece of research [4] studied a group in which 98% of individuals who entered rehabilitation were male, and 13.3% of these individuals were unemployed.
Though only one study, this does highlight the differences in availability – or approachability – of rehabilitation for individuals within different demographic groups.
Despite the shift in the field of rehabilitation to be more inclusive to women, there is still an imbalance in the research available, and therefore it is harder to tell whether or not women are benefitting from drug and alcohol rehab in the same way that men have been for most of rehabilitation’s history.
Despite the limitations, however, the field of addiction and rehabilitation research is beginning to become far more inclusive, meaning that we are able to see more and more of an insight into the benefits and drawbacks of rehabilitation for all individuals.
When an individual first starts seeking rehabilitative care, it can be overwhelming with the number of options available.
This is why, at Rehab 4 Addiction, we strive to ensure that individuals feel guided and assisted in making the best choice for them.
This requires an in-depth assessment of the individual’s addiction – including its severity and history.
A further breakdown of the type of questions an individual may be asked follows below:
Though not all of these questions may be asked directly, it is important that the individual seeking rehabilitative care is as open and honest as possible when it comes to answering these questions.
By answering honestly, these individuals will give our staff at Rehab 4 Addiction the best and most accurate information when it comes to matching individuals to their most suitable rehabilitation programme.
An important distinction that must be made before individuals choose a specific rehabilitation programme is the decision as to whether they would like to attend rehabilitation within a specific rehabilitation centre (i.e., a dedicated establishment), or if they would like to attend rehab on a more ‘casual’ basis.
There are many differences between these two rehab options – referred to as inpatient care if occurring in a centre, and outpatient care if the individual partakes in care outside of a centre.
However, rehabilitation undergone outside of a rehab centre is to be taken no less seriously than rehabilitation within a centre.
The two options are outlined in the following subheadings.
Inpatient care refers to rehabilitative support services that are received within a dedicated rehab centre.
Inpatient care is a full-time form of care, meaning that individuals will take part in rehabilitative treatments on a daily basis.
This means that the individual is living within the centre and spends the entirety of their rehabilitation programme as a resident of the centre.
This form of rehabilitation is generally most suited toward individuals who have serious issues with and suffering severe effects from addiction – often affecting their daily life, as mentioned previously.
Individuals who are referred to inpatient care may have attempted to rehabilitate before but were unsuccessful, or may have been noted to need additional support in order to progress.
Individuals can be referred to inpatient care by a medical professional, but they may also refer themselves depending on their needs, the effects of their addiction, and the struggles that they experience on an everyday basis.
In contrast, outpatient care is a part-time option than inpatient care.
Outpatient care refers to any form of treatment programme that an individual partakes in outside of a residential rehab centre.
This may include some of the same treatments as an inpatient care programme, but the difference lies in where and how often the individual partakes in these programmes.
While undergoing outpatient care, an individual may choose to continue to live at home, attending treatment programmes on a part-time basis rather than around-the-clock and full-time care.
Outpatient care may be more suitable for individuals with a shorter history of addiction, those who have not attempted rehabilitation before, or those who experience far less severe symptoms than others as a result of their addiction.
When it comes to choosing either inpatient or outpatient care, nothing is set in stone. This means that individuals can move between the two if they feel as though it is suitable.
For example, an individual may begin their treatment programme as an outpatient, before being referred to inpatient care if those around them (e.g., medical professionals, therapists etc.) feel as though it may be necessary.
The Priory describes itself as the UK’s ‘leading independent provider of mental healthcare and adult social care’, advocating for care for every individual, no matter their mental or social needs.
As well as offering support for individuals affected by drug and alcohol addictions, The Priory also offers support for mental health in general, making it one of the broadest and most accessible forms of care available in the UK.
With a focus on support, safety, and a positive outcome for all individuals who partake in their services, The Priory is one the UK’s leading providers of support.
The following subheadings outline the two key areas of focus when it comes to rehabilitation through The Priory.
Although many individuals may believe that The Priory is solely focused on individuals struggling with an addiction, there are also a multitude of services on offer for those struggling with general mental health issues.
Offering specific treatments for individuals who struggle with anxiety, depression, eating disorders and more, The Priory also offers private assessments for autism and support for young people specifically.
This means that individuals can access a range of services for a wide variety of mental health issues, as well as for addiction specifically.
If an individual is specifically struggling with an addiction to alcohol, other drugs, or a chronic behavioural addiction such as shopping or gambling, then The Priory can also offer support.
The Priory recognises that addiction can have serious and long-term consequences on an individual’s life, including affecting their relationships, their daily life, performance at work, and their physical and mental health.
This is why it is vital that individuals struggling in these areas should seek support as soon as possible.
Many individuals believe that private rehabilitation can be expensive, but through The Priory this can be supported – both mentally and financially – meaning that any individual can access this form of care, no matter their situation.
When most individuals consider the cost residential or private care, they may become discouraged from pursuing this any further.
However, it is important that these individuals seek forms of financial support to enable their recovery – of which there are many forms.
There are two main forms of rehabilitation programmes that individuals may choose to partake in, and each comes with their own corresponding costs, suitability, and availability in the individual’s local area.
These options are as follows:
However, it is important to note that either of these programmes can be extended or restricted depending on the individual’s needs and requirements for their care.
The following subheadings outline this in more detail, focussing on who may be most suitable for each different option, the benefits of these programmes, and the drawbacks should they not be implemented to suit the individual’s needs.
A 7-day detoxification programme is generally carried out in a specialised detox clinic, where an individual would have access to all the support that they need, including medical professionals, treatment programmes, and emergency care options.
When in a detox clinic, an individual will have the best possible chance of completing rehabilitation successfully, as well as maintaining a sober and addiction-free lifestyle for the longest amount of time when compared to individuals who do not undergo a professional detoxification programme.
Through The Priory, and individual is able to complete a 7-day detox programme for approximately £8,045 – though this cost will vary depending on the additions that an individual may require in their care, as well as whether or not they require an extension on this time period.
Payment plans and financial support will always be available to those who need it, so if this is something that you are considering for your drug and alcohol rehab journey, then it is important that you speak to someone sooner rather than later to discuss the different options available.
For a fuller and more in-depth treatment for addiction, an individual may opt to enter a ‘full’ rehab programme, made up of 28 days of specialised and tailored care.
This is the recommended option, as it allows an individual to undergo the full process, rather than just the first stage of care.
Studies have shown that, [4] despite being a longer programme and requiring greater motivation to complete, those who underwent a full 28-day treatment programme were more likely to complete this programme when compared to individuals who attended a day session.
This shows that although the programme itself may require a greater level of commitment, a better attitude to care and a longer period of time, it is most effective when treating individuals who are struggling from long-term drug addiction and the consequences of this.
If you or someone you know is concerned about the cost of rehab, then there are many different paths that an individual can take.
For example, many centres offer payment plans and financial support should this be an issue.
This means that individuals will be able to spread out the cost of residential rehab over several months or years, depending on what is suitable for them.
In addition, some individuals may also hold private healthcare insurance. [6]
In the cases where rehabilitation is covered, this means that these insurance companies will cover the cost of the individual’s rehab – though not necessarily in its entirety.
In order to ascertain whether or not an individual’s healthcare plan covers this, they should check with their healthcare insurance provider directly, or speak to a member of the appropriate department should this insurance be provided through the individual’s workplace.
Also, individuals should feel free to contact Rehab 4 Addiction at any time to discuss their options – both in terms of finance and the right programme for them.
Rehab 4 Addiction is here to help you or someone that you know who may be struggling with addiction.
This means that we handle all communications with the utmost of confidentiality, professionalism, and in a friendly manner.
Through Rehab 4 Addiction, you will never be judged for anything you disclose to a member of our team, no matter how serious or trivial the individual may believe their situation to be.
In all instances, we will strive to match the individual to the most suitable rehabilitation programme for them, including all the stages of rehab: detoxification, therapy/rehabilitation, and aftercare.
Rehab 4 Addiction is here to help, so please do not hesitate to get in contact with a member of our team today on 0800 140 4690.
We are here to answer any questions, speak about the different areas of treatment associated with addiction, and to help individuals find the best possible treatment programme for them.
[1]
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5034981/
[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6428845/
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4441968/
[5] https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1994-27176-001
[6]
