Drug & Alcohol Rehab in Henley
Henley-on-Thames is a town in the parish of Oxfordshire, west of London. Individuals struggling with substance misuse are usually associated with socioeconomic and health inequalities, leading to higher rates of mortality.
The highest rates of alcohol and drug misuse in Oxfordshire are reported by young white males, living in deprived urban areas. [1]
Nationally, there has been an increasing trend in the use of Class A drugs amongst younger adults. Around 87% of alcohol-dependent adults have ‘unmet needs’, along with 60% of crack and opiate users in Oxfordshire. Oxford also has a high rate of alcohol-specific hospital admissions, compared to neighbouring areas.
Most patients receiving help for drug and alcohol misuse are white, British, heterosexual, and have no religious faith. Interestingly, alcohol users are usually fully employed, whereas drug abusers tend to be unemployed or economically inactive.
Start your recovery journey today by calling our expert team to access drug & alcohol rehab in Henley on 0800 088 66 86
Defining Addiction
The word ‘addiction’ has sparked much debate over the past couple of decades. The origin of ‘addiction’ has connotations of being ‘highly devoted’ to someone or something, having both negative and positive implications. [2] [3]
The past few years have framed addiction as involving overpowering urges, considered a disease of the brain, changing the reward pathways and the person’s ability to contemplate decisions. [4] [5]
This does not develop instantly, but it is a process that involves a shift of the ‘self’. [6] [7] Many people that become addicted to something sense a change in themselves, feeling ‘different’ to how they did before addiction. [8]
Signs and Symptoms
Those that struggle with addiction developmental, physical, and behavioural symptoms.
The following elements are common characteristics of someone struggling with addiction:
- Ignoring the negative consequences of using drugs or drinking alcohol
- Impaired control, involving failed attempts at getting sober
- Withdrawal symptoms if intake of substance is cut
- Ignoring any current responsibilities such as work
- Isolating themselves socially
- Anxiety and nervousness
- Depression
- Increased tolerance
- Taking extreme risks in denial
The effects of addiction can differ according to the severity of the addiction, and any existing or pre-existing health issues.
Denial of addiction is common, as people tend to avoid confrontation due to feelings of shame and guilt. Users also tend to avoid getting clean due to dangerous and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
The DSM published the following criteria covering the medical symptoms of addiction: [9]
- Using more of a substance than intended or using it for longer than you’re meant to.
- Trying to cut down or stop using the substance but being unable to.
- Experiencing intense cravings or urges to use the substance.
- Needing more of the substance to get the desired effect — also called tolerance.
- Developing withdrawal symptoms when not using the substance.
- Spending more time getting and using drugs and recovering from substance use.
- Neglecting responsibilities at home, work, or school because of substance use.
- Continuing to use it even when it causes relationship problems.
- Giving up important or desirable social and recreational activities due to substance use.
- Using substances in risky settings puts you in danger.
- Continuing to use despite the substance causing problems to your physical and mental health.
The patient’s response to these symptoms will dictate the severity of the addiction in question. If the patient identifies with 1 or 2 symptoms, they might be at risk of addiction. Between 2 and 5 symptoms indicates a mild and moderate addiction and any more than 6 addiction symptoms indicate a severe addiction.
You can also take questionnaires from the comfort of your own home and speak to a clinician about the results.
For example, the University of Washington published a drug-use questionnaire to help identify addiction behaviour, covering the following themes of drug use:
- Using drugs when they are not prescribed
- Abusing more than one drug at a time
- How many do you use per week
- Blacking out as a result of drugs
- Being able to stop using drugs when you want to
- Do you feel guilty about drug use
- Has drug use created issues in your relationships
- Wanting to use drugs despite consequences
Start your recovery journey today by calling our expert team to access drug & alcohol rehab in Henley on 0800 088 66 86
Addiction Intervention in Henley
The start of recovery is accepting that you need help, and breaking free from denial. Intervention, by name, intervenes in the person’s relationship with substances.
This can be done by a loved one, a professional, or anyone that will have an impact on the patient.
There are many types of intervention, ranging from a one-to-one to a planned intervention by a professional interventionist. CRAFT intervention, community reinforcement and family training are run by people that are concerned for the patient.
Family, friends, and loved ones are asked to use incentives and positive reinforcement when the patient behaves in an appropriate manner. This might be staying sober, being sociable, and staying hygienic. If the patient engages in substances and continues using them, loved ones are asked to allow any negative consequences to happen. [10]
If intervention is successful, the patient will be assessed and enter a form of rehab in Henley.
How Can We Help?
We will help patients enter inpatient rehab or outpatient rehab in Henley, helping them attend the therapy they need to get sober and avoid relapse.
The rehab that you enter will depend on a variety of factors, such as:
- How severe the addiction is, based on the DSM symptoms discussed earlier
- Health issues, such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, or psychosis
- What type of substance the patient is addicted to
- Whether they can move into the facility
- The severity of withdrawal symptoms
- Social support
- Detoxification
If the addiction in question is more severe, the patient will be best suited to inpatient rehab. This is residential, meaning the patient will temporarily move into the centre in Henley. This residential rehab is not usually offered through the NHS, so the patient will have to pay the rehab centre directly.
The cost covers everything, from medication to therapy, so there will be no hidden costs on arrival. Often, patients will move from inpatient rehab to outpatient rehab in Henley, as they work on their addiction.
Outpatient rehab in Henley is offered through the NHS. This is not residential so patients will attend their therapy at the centre when they have sessions or require medication.
Both types of rehabs, although suited to different patients, offer similar therapy sessions such as:
- A supervised detox, offering medication for withdrawal symptoms
- Medication management, such as Librium
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Social support sessions
- Aftercare planning
- Relapse prevention plans
The most common type of therapy session on offer is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), a form of behavioural therapy that changes the way we look at addictive thoughts. This form of treatment believes that addictive behaviour starts with addictive thoughts, and if we can change our reactions to these thoughts, we can change our behaviour.
CBT focuses on the deep-rooted issues that may have led to addiction, changing the way patients respond to negative behaviours. This also reduces the chance of patients relapsing, as it helps them change their response to high-risk situations.
If patients are struggling with motivation to start or continue therapy, the rehab centres have help available. Rehab centres in Henley use motivational interviewing to find out what is making the patient anxious or doubtful of rehab.
They then work on this using contingency management, using incentives such as monetary vouchers to help keep the patients on track and in therapy.
Patients may prefer group therapy, where they can remain anonymous and receive and offer mutual support. These groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) offer a safe space for patients to chat, share stories, and discuss feelings. [11]
Alcohol addiction and substance abuse (drug addiction) require treatment at a rehab facility in Henley. These centres can also help with mental health conditions and mental health issues, using a range of approaches to improve quality of life and recovery efforts.
Many rehab centres offer medical supervision and health professionals when patients need it.
Life in recovery is not easy, but our teams can make this recovery journey easier. Addiction recovery is tailored to each patient, looking at addiction history, the experience of drug and alcohol use, and other co-existing health conditions.
Rehab programmes, including residential rehab programmes (private rehab) and outpatient rehab, offer a range of therapy sessions to help you with any problem you require help for, regardless of severity.
Start your recovery journey today by calling our expert team to access drug & alcohol rehab in Henley on 0800 088 66 86
References
[2] Sussman S, Sussman AN. Considering the definition of addiction. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2011 Oct;8(10):4025-38. doi: 10.3390/ijerph8104025. Epub 2011 Oct 20. PMID: 22073026; PMCID: PMC3210595.
[3] Alexander BK, Schweighofer AF. Defining “addiction” Can. Psychol. 1988;29:151–162.
[4] Orford J. Addiction as excessive appetite. Addiction. 2001;96:15–31.
[5] Bechara A. Risky business: Emotion, decision making, and addiction. J. Gambl. Stud. 2003;19:23–51
[6] Goodman A. Addiction: Definition and implications. Br. J. Addict. 1990;85:1403–1408.
[7] Larkin M, Wood RTA, Griffiths MD. Toward addiction as relationship. Addict. Res. Theory. 2006;14:207–215.
[8] Jacobs DF. A general theory of addictions: A new theoretical model. J. Gambl. Stud. 1986;2:15–31
[9] https://www.gatewayfoundation.org/addiction-blog/dsm-5-substance-use-disorder/
[10] Kirby KC, Versek B, Kerwin ME, Meyers K, Benishek LA, Bresani E, Washio Y, Arria A, Meyers RJ. Developing Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) for Parents of Treatment-Resistant Adolescents. J Child Adolesc Subst Abuse. 2015 May 4;24(3):155-165. doi: 10.1080/1067828X.2013.777379. PMID: 25883523; PMCID: PMC4394369.
[11] https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/
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