Drug & Alcohol Rehab in Letchworth

Drug and alcohol problems are rife throughout the country, and areas of Hertfordshire, such as Letchworth, are no exception. From 2020 to 2021, it was estimated that almost 300,000 adults in the United Kingdom [1] took steps to make contact with a drug and alcohol treatment provider.

Unfortunately, while this statistic is already staggering, less than half of this number proceeded to undergo an addiction treatment plan at a drug and alcohol rehab anywhere in the UK.

Clearly, there is a big gap between admitting you are suffering from an addiction, and taking the necessary steps to enter a drug and alcohol rehab and undergo addiction treatment.

Areas of Hertfordshire, such as Letchworth, also suffer from both direct and indirect effects of drug and alcohol addiction. From 2019 to 2020 in Hertfordshire, including Letchworth, there were 1,465 new presentations into addiction treatment during this timeframe.

Out of these new presentations, it was discovered that 48% were parents [2] (some living with their children, others living elsewhere from their children) that were suffering from substance addiction.

Not only does the addiction suffer people directly in the form of neurological and physiological changes, but it can also affect children, as well as other members of the community, significantly. Not only do these children suffer from financial or housing insecurity, but they are also exposed to trends of drug and alcohol consumption which can entirely change the trajectory of their lives.

Another study carried out by Herts Health Evidence discovered dangerous trends among young members of communities of Letchworth and other areas of Hertfordshire.

Out of child respondents to a survey who claimed that they do drink regularly, 2.5% claimed that they consume around 7 to 9 alcoholic beverages each night.

When the child respondents (who reported ‘yes’ to consume drugs) were asked the question “Do you want to reduce or stop taking drugs?” 44.4% of the child respondents said no, whereas another 23.2% said they would like to reduce, but not stop, their drug consumption [3].

Start your recovery journey today by calling our expert team to access drug & alcohol rehab in Havant on 0800 088 66 86

What is Drug and Alcohol Addiction?

Drug and alcohol addictionalso referred to as substance addiction or substance use disorder, is officially recognised as a disease of chronic brain relapsing.

When someone is suffering from a substance addiction, neural pathways in the brain have been altered and manipulated in a way which makes the person become physiologically dependent on the addictive substance.

Because of the dramatic change in the brain’s neural pathways, the addicted person will begin experiencing a range of physical and or psychological side effects.

These people may suffer from withdrawal symptoms which make it not only difficult but potentially dangerous to abstain from their addictive substance.

Physical withdrawal symptoms are typically associated with substances such as alcohol or heroin, for example, and they can be particularly dangerous.

They may range from symptoms such as headaches and trembling to vomit and even seizures.

If someone’s dependence on their addictive substance is severe, they will be required to undergo a medicated detox at a drug and alcohol rehab in Letchworth in order to recover safely.

On the other hand, psychological withdrawal symptoms are typically associated with substances such as cannabis, cocaine, and alcohol (alcohol presents both physical and psychological symptoms, as do other substances).

These withdrawal symptoms include things such as insomnia, paranoia, anxiety, depression, and more.

Long-Term Effects of Drug and Alcohol Addiction

In addition to the plethora of short-term effects of drug and alcohol addiction, there are many long-term effects which people need to consider in order to reinforce their desire and motivation to seek medical help.

If someone does not seek treatment for their dependence, they may suffer from a range of psychological and physical issues.

Some drugs and alcoholic substances are considered to be carcinogenic, which means that they can lead to the development of cancer. There is a strong correlation between those who consume high amounts of drugs and alcohol and those who develop cancers and diseases.

Liver Disease is one of the most rampant causes of premature and preventable deaths in the UK. According to the British Liver Trust, around 90% of Liver Disease cases are due to alcohol consumption [4]. Even moderate consumers of alcohol develop Alcohol-Related Liver Disease.

Frequently consuming drugs and alcohol will also lead to a range of long-term psychological issues. There is a strong correlation between those suffering from mental health conditions and substance addiction.

In fact, the UK Government estimated that over 60% of patients suffering from substance addiction also suffer from mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and so on.

Indulging in psychoactive substances in particular can lead to the development of more severe mental health issues such as schizophrenia and other mental health issues which may not be reversible.

Start your recovery journey today by calling our expert team to access drug & alcohol rehab in Havant on 0800 088 66 86

What is the Admissions Process? Entering a Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Letchworth

In order to enter a drug and alcohol rehab in Letchworth, the subject will need to undergo a comprehensive admissions process.

While it may sound formal and complicated, Rehab Recovery can help simplify this process and ease the patient’s transition into rehab.

The admissions process will typically consist of answering a range of questions related to physical and psychological health, medical history, addiction history, and more.

Patients will be able to complete this health assessment swiftly over the phone with a friendly team member and admissions officer at Rehab Recovery.

When Rehab Recovery has received your information (which will not be shared with anyone other than addiction specialists), consultant psychiatrists and addiction specialists will help form a personalised treatment plan and identify the most optimal drug and alcohol rehab in Letchworth to facilitate your recovery.

There are many different kinds of rehab facilities, and treatment plans can vary considerably from one patient to the next. Because of the variety, it is important to undergo a health assessment in order to find a rehabilitation facility which can maximise your responsiveness to treatment methods.

Personalisation at a Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Letchworth

Personalisation is imperative to enhance recovery methods at a drug and alcohol rehab. There are varying levels of care at rehab facilities in order to accommodate varying degrees of addiction severity. Furthermore, some rehab facilities will place more emphasis on personalisation than others.

According to the ASAM Criteria [5], there are four levels of treatment which patients can undergo at a drug and alcohol rehab:

These levels are:

Level 1 – Outpatient Treatment
Level 2 – Intensive Outpatient Treatment
Level 3 – Inpatient Treatment
Level 4 – Intensive Inpatient Treatment / Partial Hospitalisation

Typically, patients who are suffering from a mild to moderate form of addiction will be advised by their consultant psychiatrist and addiction specialists to undergo care at level 1 or 2. Here, they can undergo their addiction treatment programme as an outpatient, returning home each night and being able to maintain their employment due to a flexible schedule.

Outpatient treatment [6] typically requires patients to undergo around 6 to 30 hours of treatment per week, depending on whether they undergo the regular or intensive outpatient treatment programme.

Patients suffering from more severe addictions, which may mean suffering from mental health issues (co-occurring disorders), severe withdrawal symptoms, or an extremely high level of consumption, for example, will be advised to undergo addiction treatment as an inpatient (level 3 or 4 care).

As an inpatient at a residential rehab facility [7], patients will have access to a higher level of care and will be able to undergo their detox, therapy, and counselling at the same facility where they will stay, making it much more convenient. They will be able to devote their utmost attention to recovery methods for around 28 days at a residential facility which is occupied by health professionals to support your recovery.

Start your recovery journey today by calling our expert team to access drug & alcohol rehab in Havant on 0800 088 66 86

Medical Detox at a Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Letchworth

Patients suffering from severe withdrawal symptoms will be advised to undergo a medical detox at their drug and alcohol rehab in Letchworth.

This medical detox phase will help patients overcome their discomforting withdrawal symptoms which make it not only difficult but dangerous to abstain from their addictive substance.

During the detox phase, patients at residential rehabilitation facilities will receive medication prescribed by an addiction physician and will be able to stay in safe and comfortable while they recover from the withdrawal symptoms associated with their alcohol or drug addiction.

Some of the medications include Benzodiazepines, Subutex, SSRIs, and more. These different forms of medications will be utilised in order to minimise the severity of symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, and vomiting, and some will be imperative in minimising the severity or possibilities of seizures.

Therapy at a Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Letchworth

While many treatment plans will be personalised in order to accommodate the patient’s unique needs, there are many forms of therapies which are included in most recovery programmes.

At a drug and alcohol rehab in Letchworth, patients can expect to undergo therapy sessions such as:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) [8]: CBT is one of the most commonly utilised forms of therapy, not only for addiction treatment, but for mental health treatment. Patients undergoing CBT will benefit from not only identifying negative cognitive and behavioural patterns, but from replacing them with healthier habits. These habits will help patients form a more sustainable and healthy lifestyle to reinforce their abstinence.
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) [9]: Similar to CBT, DBT is used to treat a wide range of mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and more, in addition to addiction. DBT will help patients who suffer from intense emotions to become more rational and proactive when facing issues not only related to their substance addiction but other issues in life.
Family Therapy: Family Therapy is beneficial for patients who share both positive or negative relationships with their family. The purpose of Family Therapy is to improve the level of communication between the patient and their family and to improve the family’s knowledge and abilities to support their loved one’s recovery. Not only will this reinforce the patient’s support network, but it can be effective in offering counselling and relief for family members suffering from their loved one’s addiction.
Holistic Therapy [10]: Holistic therapy is a unique form of therapy, because rather than identifying and targeting specific symptoms of addiction, it fosters overall well being. Examples of holistic therapy include adventure therapy, yoga, meditation, art therapy, equine therapy, and so on, and fosters physical, mental, and spiritual health.
Motivational Interviewing [11]: While not necessarily a form of “therapy” in the traditional sense, Motivational Interviewing can improve the effectiveness of the rehab experience. This is done by increasing the patient’s intrinsic motivation levels, thus reinforcing their participation and willingness in other aspects of their rehab programme. A licensed counsellor will help the patient utilise their intrinsic motivation in order to increase their engagement in therapeutic methods.

Start your recovery journey today by calling our expert team to access drug & alcohol rehab in Havant on 0800 088 66 86

Aftercare Following Treatment in Letchworth

Following a successful period at a drug and alcohol rehab in Letchworth, patients will have access to an aftercare programme which is designed to support them throughout their post-rehab life.

Some studies show that patients who undergo an aftercare programme are far more likely to sustain their lifestyle of abstinence successfully than those who do not undergo an aftercare programme.

Aftercare programmes will vary from one rehab facility to the next, however, many tend to offer career guidance, counselling, and access to fellowship programmes such as Alcoholics Anonymous [12], Narcotics Anonymous [13], SMART Recovery [14], and more. These self-help groups allow patients to gain access to new forms of support networks which can be instrumental in their newfound lifestyle of sobriety.