Drug & Alcohol Rehab in Arnold

Arnold is an important suburb of Nottingham and is situated just northeast of the city boundary. As such, it’s often impacted by the same issues affecting the inner city communities, and one of these is the exponential rise in Substance Use Disorders.

Since Covid-19, neighbourhoods like Arnold across the UK have seen increased rates of drug-related crime, hazardous drinking, and substance-related hospital admissions.

The Nottingham City Council’s Cumulative Assessment [1] recently measured the impact of substance-related crime and disorder in the area.

It found that there has been a 40% increase in drug offences between 2019-2020, with alcohol-related antisocial behaviour increasing by 338 incidents in the same year.

Moreover, 67% of respondents in the Respect for Nottingham Survey agreed that their main reason for feeling unsafe was people being “drunk or rowdy” at night.

With increasing substance use noted in the Arnold locale, it’s unsurprising that health concerns relating to addiction have also increased.

The Local Alcohol Profiles for Nottingham [2] states that in 2021, local A&E departments recorded 2,075 admissions for alcohol-specific conditions: a figure that places a preventable burden on the NHS.

Tragically, alcohol dependencies such as these can have fatal consequences, with Nottingham suffering 120 instances of alcohol-specific mortality in 2020-2021.

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

What is Substance Use Disorder (SUD)?

Even if someone has the intense, unsatiable urge to consume drugs or alcohol, they may not realise that such feelings often mean they have a Substance addiction [3].

The disease known as Substance Use Disorder (SUD) takes on many forms, and its manifestation is contingent on environmental, social, and genetic factors.

Nonetheless, it’s essential to understand the basic science behind it to gauge whether you might need treatment at a drug and alcohol rehab in Arnold.

At its most basic, addiction is defined as having a lack of control over how much of a substance you consume, whether this is alcohol, stimulants, amphetamines, or opiates.

The ASAM expands this further [4] to explain that SUD targets the brain’s reward system to create a “chronic medical disease”. This disease can quickly become debilitating due to interactions between an individual’s brain circuits, genetic makeup, environment, and personal events.

Of these factors, the most important to understand is how SUD affects someone’s neurological pathways. The way it affects the body’s most vital organ means addiction can impact anyone despite where they find themselves in life.

Habitual drug and alcohol use [5] can cause the biochemistry of the brain to become flawed, as it over-excites the reward circuitry. The brain quickly associates substance use with feelings of euphoria due to the dopamine released by drugs and alcohol.

This leads to cravings that are hard to satiate, and at the same time, a higher tolerance develops.

Having a higher tolerance to a substance makes it much harder to break the physical act of consumption because the brain requires larger amounts to produce the same high.

Before an individual knows it, they’ll begin to prioritise drugs and/or alcohol over everything else, and will begin to suffer from withdrawal symptoms if they try to break this cycle alone.

Why Are Withdrawal Symptoms Dangerous?

Unfortunately, the withdrawal process can make the process of quitting almost impossible without the help of a professional team at a drug and alcohol rehab in Arnold [6].

Withdrawal refers to the sudden or gradual emergence of unpleasant symptoms after suddenly discontinuing drugs and/or alcohol.

As such, the method of going “cold turkey” is seldom, if ever advised by clinicians and addiction specialists.

Acute withdrawal is a term used to describe severe physical and psychological symptoms that manifest within 48 hours post-consumption, and it’s these side effects that are considered the most dangerous.

While the exact symptoms will differ depending on the substance, the time it remains active in the body, and the amount that has been used, each experience can be overwhelming.

Opiate withdrawal, for example, is often likened to having a severe case of the flu: with symptoms including fever, rapid heartbeat, runny nose, sweating profusely, and muscle aches.

Conversely, stimulants often produce psychological withdrawal symptoms in sufferers: including panic attacks, irritability, depressive episodes, and agitation or mood swings.

While these side effects are uncomfortable, to say the least, they rarely lead to fatal complications or long-term health defects. It’s in cases of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) or Benzodiazepine addiction that withdrawal can lead to death if it isn’t properly treated.

If you’re a heavy drinker who decides to quit suddenly, you’ll be at risk of developing a life-threatening condition known as Delerium Tremens: a condition that 1 in 10 people suffering from AUD encounter if they detox alone.

Symptoms include confusion, hallucinations, agitation, and seizures in acute cases. Other complications include alcoholic cardiomyopathy, damage to peripheral nerves, and autonomic hyperactivity (tachycardia, trembling, profuse sweating).

Similarly, those suffering from Benzodiazepine withdrawal are at risk of developing more serious symptoms, especially in the initial 72-hour window. These include debilitating anxiety, abdominal cramping, and grand mal seizures for those with severe addictions.

With all this in mind, addicted individuals must receive the appropriate care at a drug and alcohol rehab in Arnold. Here, they can access a bespoke medicated detox that will help them slowly taper their substance use and avoid serious withdrawal symptoms.

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

What is the Rehab Admissions Process?

While it’s possible to navigate the admissions process without professional guidance, the constant research and attention to detail required can cause a lot of stress.

Here at Rehab Recovery, we can guide you through the addiction treatment protocol: providing professional advice whenever you need it and helping you access a personalised recovery pathway.

To start your journey towards entering a drug and alcohol rehab in Arnold, simply call our admissions hotline on0800 088 66 86 [7]. You’ll be connected to a member of our friendly support team who will ask your reason for calling and help you plan the next steps of the process.

If you wish to proceed with the rehab admissions process after having some questions answered, our team can arrange a full telephone assessment, free of charge.

This will be conducted by one of our consultants, who will examine your medical history, take note of your symptoms, and ascertain the nature of your substance use. They’ll also gather your treatment preferences, budget, and preferred rehab location in the Arnold area.

Carried out with complete confidentiality, this process allows us to propose a suitable drug and alcohol rehab in Arnold and start suggesting recovery programmes.

Providing you’re happy to go ahead with one of the clinics we suggest, the rest of the process will consist of planning a treatment date, finalising a payment plan, and arranging travel to the centre.

Treating Comorbidity at a Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Arnold

Substance addiction and mental health disorders change the brain fundamentally, and it’s not uncommon for these conditions to coexist. The issue of comorbidity also referred to as co-occurring disorders [8] and dual diagnosis, is one that impacts over half of the patients attending a drug and alcohol rehab in Arnold.

When discussing comorbidity, it’s important to note that the same areas of the brain are affected by both substance use disorders and mental illnesses. This means that oftentimes, the symptoms of one condition can exacerbate the other.

Moreover, mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and OCD can increase the likelihood of someone turning to substances as a way of coping with their psychological symptoms.

While there are almost too many disorder combinations to think of, some co-occurring disorders are more common than others, with experts noting prolific combinations. For instance, those addicted to cannabis have an increased risk of developing psychosis, while those with anxiety or depression often drink alcohol to cope with symptoms.

Individuals with co-occurring disorders will often have more complex treatment needs than those with just one condition: meaning that specific care is needed at a drug and alcohol rehab in Arnold. Research has revealed that comorbidity requires integrated treatment following a thorough diagnosis, otherwise known as psychological screening.

During a recovery programme for dual disorders, a team of specialists will treat an individual’s SUD and mental illness at the same time.

This means that, rather than attending different therapy sessions for each disease, treatment is integrated into one, personalised programme. During their time at the rehab, dual-diagnosis patients will encounter a mix of cognitive behavioural techniques, group skills sessions, and psychoeducation.

Therapeutic Styles at a Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Arnold

Without undergoing therapy at a drug and alcohol rehab in Arnold, the health consequences caused by addiction will only get worse.

To help patients recover fully from their Substance Use Disorder, rehab clinics encourage them to attend various therapeutic sessions [10] that draw on various schools of thought.

Though many styles exist, the following methods are frequently utilised in recovery programmes across the country, including those in Arnold:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy [11] (CBT): This solution-centred behavioural therapy has been used in clinics across the world to treat SUD, helping patients prevent relapse by addressing negative thoughts. CBT theorises that substance misuse is fuelled by faulty interpretations and negative thought cycles. It’s these negative processes that CBT aims to rewire through a series of cognitive restructuring, exposure therapy, and activities such as journaling.
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy [11] (DBT): Covering a range of pathologies and mental illnesses, DBT is invaluable to psychiatrists the world over. At a drug and alcohol rehab in Arnold, DBT therapists help patients cultivate a more positive mindset through a balancing act of acceptance and change. For example, those with emotional trauma at the root of their SUD can use DBT to find ways of managing stress and reframing their feelings.
Holistic Therapy [12] (HT): Famed for treating addiction from a unique perspective, HT programmes promote the well-being of someone’s mind, body, and spirit without using the medicine. Using this approach of “wholeness” is integral to HT practices, with participants able to choose from a range of health-promoting, positive activities and exercises. Routine exercises such as yoga and pilates is utilised, alongside calming practices such as meditation, acupuncture, tai chi, and classes on nutrition.
Family Therapy [13] (FT): The primary goal of rehab is to help individuals learn how to overcome their SUD, and a large part of this is ensuring their loved ones are involved in their treatment. Family members can also benefit from FT at a drug and alcohol rehab in Arnold, as sessions allow them to learn more about addiction and rebuild trust in their addicted loved one. Workshops teach familial groups how to communicate beneficially, practice self-care, and resolve ongoing arguments.
Contingency Management (CM): Operant conditioning methods such as CM posit that if positive behaviour such as sobriety is rewarded, it is more likely to occur again. In CM programmes, a patient and their therapist will establish motivational rewards depending on the person’s values and treatment goals. Popular incentive types include gift cards and vouchers that can be exchanged for food, items, money, or entertainment.
Motivational Interviewing (MI) [13]: Rather than addressing the specific causes of substance addiction, MI increases treatment retention by helping patients increase their motivation levels. Because it’s a short-term counselling method, MI sessions are often implemented in the early stages of recovery when intrinsic motivation levels often take a dip. Participants chat one-to-one with an MI therapist about their reasons for choosing sobriety and work towards building a list of goals for the future.