Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Watford

Quick Links for help with addiction in Watford

The benefits of residential drug and alcohol rehab in Watford
The admissions process for drug and alcohol rehab in Watford
How much does rehab in Watford cost?

Drug and alcohol detox centres are designed to help people with their issues, but one thing which has to be remembered is people can relapse even after undergoing treatment.

Watford alcohol recovery facilities are remarkably effective [1] at curing addictions, but not everybody can maintain it in the long term. Sometimes, some additional drug and alcohol help in Watford is required.

Drug and alcohol rehab, luckily, always allows people to return to rehab facilities for treatment.

Research from 2018/19 [2] suggests that about 3.2 million people in the UK between 16 and 59 have taken some kind of drug.

Not all of those people will go on to develop addictions. There are, after all, major differences between use, abuse and addiction. [3]

The first simply means drinking alcohol or taking drugs in any form. The second means using to a harmful extent. The third is a disease, where you physically can’t stop yourself from using.

But that’s not all that the study revealed.

In that same time span, there were 18,053 admissions to the hospital for drug misuse. The number of deaths due to drug misuse stood at 2,917, a statistic that is even more concerning when considered alongside the drastic impact alcohol addiction has on an individual’s lifespan [4].

Getting any kind of professional support is the best way to combat addiction. Here, we’re going to look over the variety of options for addiction treatment [5] in Watford.

Rehabilitation centres can treat various addictions [6] regardless of whether they are substance use disorders or behavioural addictions, from benzodiazepines and gambling addiction, to ketamine dependence and opioid use disorder.

The American Society of Addiction Medicine’s Patient Placement Criteria (ASAM Criteria) [7] is the framework that will be used to accurately assess your addiction and severity.

Below, we provide some statistics about alcohol and drug use in Watford:

Drug and Alcohol Statistics in Watford

Data

Deaths related to drugs or alcohol in Hertfordshire, including Watford (2020)

Deaths related to drugs or alcohol (2019)

Percentage of drug and alcohol related deaths in Watford, within Hertfordshire (2022)

13%

Percentage of men in Hertfordshire who drink over the recommended NHS limits

33%

Start your recovery journey today at a drug and alcohol rehab in Watford – call our expert team on 0800 088 66 86

The disease model of addiction

Something very important to establish when first discussing addiction [8] is that it is a disease, not a moral failing.

More specifically, it’s considered a disease because it changes the way your brain works and because those changes are often long-lasting or permanent.

Both drugs and alcohol more specifically alter the chemicals in your brain, leading to severe physical and psychological symptoms. This prevents a lot of people from recovering.

Typically, addiction signs [9] include:

An inability to stop
Preoccupation with substance abuse at all times
Continued use despite negative consequences
Behavioural changes [10]
Increasing use of substances and an increased tolerance
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms

You can also keep an eye out for the physical conditions [11] individuals tend to suffer as a result of addiction, including:

Liver failure [12]
Cirrhosis [13]
Heart disease
Blood pressure issues [14]
Brain damage [15]
Hepatitis
Gastrointestinal issues [16]
Cancer [17]
Organ damage [18]
Deficiencies of various minerals (Calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, etc.) [19]
Delirium tremens
Seizures

These specific signs can differ significantly [20], even for people suffering from the same addiction.

For example, a type one alcoholic [21] is far more likely to show signs of anxiety and will not drink for pleasure compared to a type two alcoholic. [22]

These conditions are extremely serious, but getting the right help at the right time can minimise these symptoms and, in some cases, even reverse them. [23]

Alternatively, not getting help can mean that some of these conditions end up lasting the rest of your life. [24]

In a professionally supported drug and alcohol rehab in Watford, the physical symptoms resulting from physical addiction will be dealt with via detox.

The most important point here is that your addiction isn’t your fault. It’s also similar to other diseases in the sense that it’s treatable and you can always achieve recovery. [25]

You can read more about the disease of addiction here. [26]

To see for yourself how this approach can create an effective addiction treatment plan in Watford, call our team today on 0800 088 66 86

Dual Diagnosis at rehab in Watford

Mental health treatments are a huge part of drug and alcohol rehab in Watford, or anywhere else. This is because there’s such a strong connection [27] between addiction and other mental health issues.

Addiction is very often a symptom of these mental health issues [28], with major examples being:

Your treatment facility will be able to diagnose and treat any further mental health problems following a psychiatric assessment.

Mental health professionals include psychologists, psychoanalysts, psychiatrists, and counsellors.

When treating addiction, it’s very important that we look beyond a surface level, to examine these and see which you might be suffering from.

Drug and alcohol rehabs in Watford will aim to help you tackle all of these with evidence-based treatments. [31]

It’s very important that you’re open with us from the start, about any underlying issues. We’ll be in a much better position to plan out your treatment [32] if we have the full context.

Addiction is not considered a ‘choice’ or ‘moral failing’ on behalf of the addiction sufferer – rehab is always about treating the disease of addiction.

To learn more about how a drug and alcohol rehab in Watford will support your mental health during addiction treatment, call us today on 0800 088 66 86

The importance of abstinence at rehab in Watford

Some in this field might believe in moderation or harm reduction [33] for various reasons. But during and after your addiction treatment in Watford, abstaining from drugs and/or alcohol is very important.

Your risk of relapse will be significantly reduced if you avoid contact altogether. Getting put into contact with it on any level could trigger thoughts of using.

It could also you feel tense or anxious, which could make you tempted to use it again.

Completely removing drugs and alcohol from your life also helps you to establish clearly defined goals from the start.

If you only go for moderation [34], things may become more blurry, meaning the line between recovery and relapse will also get thinner.

Finally, living your life completely sober will give you better clarity, so you can make more sensible judgments going forward.

Experts have agreed [35] that abstinence is always the safer and more effective route to addiction recovery.

To begin your journey towards lifelong abstinence at a drug rehab in Watford, call our team on 0800 088 66 86

The benefits of residential drug and alcohol rehab in Watford

There are of course other options. But many people benefit from residential drug and alcohol rehab in Watford.

First of all, it suits those with more severe addiction issues. There’s more of a continual nature to the treatment you receive, as you’re in an environment where you’re supported 24/7. This also means that you’ll be kept away from temptation.

If you have an issue with something that is physically addictive, like alcohol or opiates, detoxing also might be easier in a residential space. If you’re at home you might have to handle any withdrawal symptoms alone.

This of course doesn’t apply in every situation. But many people develop problems like mental health issues and addictions because of various negative circumstances.

In cases like these, it might be good to get away from home. Even if you don’t have home issues, it could be good to take a break and then “reset”.

Time at residential rehab could also help you reassess your life outside of it. In the long run, this will allow you to see any changes that might need to be made post-recovery.

Lifestyle changes are an important part of any relapse prevention plan, so this is something that should be carefully considered.

If residential rehab in Watford sound like the right treatment choice for you, call us todau on 0800 088 66 86

Private Rehab vs. Council-Funded Rehab in Watford

Private and council-funded rehab both have their benefits and their drawbacks. It’s important to examine which one is best for you before you get started with any addiction treatment in Watford.

Private rehab is often faster and easier to access. There aren’t nearly as many waiting lists [36] and greater access to one-to-one treatment can also be more effective.

In a lot of cases, going away to residential rehab will also allow you to get away from whatever situation you’re currently in. All distractions will be removed.

And you may also be removed from any toxic situations that are driving your addiction.

On the other hand, council-funded rehab treatment in Watford is accessible to all, as all or most of the cost of treatment [37] will be covered.

Going for this option will often also allow you to recover within your local community. If residential rehab wouldn’t suit your case, this could be a better option for the above reason.

Before you make any decisions on treatment, you should carefully consider which one of these would be best for you.

For help choosing between private and public rehab in Watford, call us today on 0800 088 66 86

Is residential rehab in Watford right for you?

As much as we’ve talked about the benefits of residential rehab in Watford, it might not be for everyone. It’s generally designed for those deemed “high risk”.

This is generally defined as:

People drinking 30+ units of alcohol a day [38] and who also have co-occurring mental health issues – The first part of this is the benchmark that establishes if someone with an alcohol problem needs residential rehab. If you also experience.
People whose mental health issues could hinder their recovery – Being honest with yourself, do you think you would struggle, for example, to stay sober or even do an at-home detox in the first place? If so, you might need the greater level of support that residential rehab offers. Under certain circumstances, attempting an at-home recovery may also make any underlying mental issues much worse.
If you’ve already made multiple attempts at recovery and have failed to stay sober [39], you will likely also benefit from more intensive treatment this time around.
If you experience severe withdrawal symptoms, such as alcoholic seizures and delirium tremens – These could make an at-home detox highly dangerous or even life-threatening.
If your addiction has caused you to suffer from Wernicke’s encephalopathy – This is a disorder caused by a thiamine deficiency, which creates biochemical lesions in your central nervous system. This is often caused by addiction to various substances. Symptoms can include confusion, a slowing down of mental activity, vision changes and lessened muscle coordination.
If you’re known to commit acts of violence against loved ones when intoxicated – In this case, you going to a residential space to recover will be best for everyone.

If none of the above applies to you, you might want to discuss other options for addiction treatment [40] in Watford, such as at-home treatment.

The DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria for substance dependence also define it by 7 points. If these apply, then residential rehab will likely be right for you. The first is tolerance. More specifically, this is defined as needing to take increased amounts of the substance to get the same effect.

This then often leads to dependence developing, resulting in the withdrawal symptoms mentioned below in many cases.

Second, on the list is experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to stop using. These change from addiction to addiction. Some substances aren’t even physically addictive, so they don’t produce physical withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal symptoms can also range in severity, from being highly unpleasant (like nausea and diarrhoea) to highly dangerous (like seizures).

Number three is taking the substance in larger amounts over a longer period. [41] This links back to the earlier point about tolerance.

A continual desire to stop that doesn’t go anywhere, or repeated attempts to stop that don’t work, are the fifth point.

If you spend a lot of time on a certain substance, including getting hold of it, using it and recovering from use, that’s also a major sign of substance dependence.

This is then followed by ignoring personal and professional obligations for the sake of your addiction.

To finish off, the seventh and last point on the criteria list is continued use, in spite of serious physical or mental harm being caused.

This is the point where both your physical and mental health could be at the worst risk. It’s the point where you truly need to reach out.

To find out if drug and alcohol rehab in Watford is right for you, call our team on 0800 088 66 86

The alternatives to going to rehab in Watford

Residential drug and alcohol rehab in Watford doesn’t suit everybody.

If the major criteria for residential rehab in Watford don’t fit you, or if you simply don’t feel like that’s your path, there are plenty of other options.

One of the most common alternatives is outpatient treatment. You’ll stay at home, whilst being in contact with a local team. You might also make regular visits to a centre, where your progress will be checked.

This is often less intensive than residential rehab. It’s effective for people with less severe addiction issues. Some people may also feel more comfortable (and therefore might recover more effectively) by staying at home.

Alongside this, if you have a physical addiction, you might also participate in an at-home detox. Here, your intake will slowly be reduced over a set period, meaning you can avoid withdrawal symptoms while also stopping your use.

You’ll also be assisted with specific medication, which will be sent to you.

Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous can also be a huge help for a lot of people. These local gatherings in Watford will allow you to share your feelings and your experiences, in a confidential space.

They will also allow you to form relationships with people who truly understand what you’re going through.

If your addiction has also had an impact on your family, you might also consider recommending them for AI Anon Family group meetings.

These function similarly to groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. But here, there’s a focus on the people around the person with the addiction.

SMART Recovery is also a different approach, which might suit some better than residential rehab. SMART stands for Self-Management And Recovery Training.

The emphasis here is on you: you make a decision yourself as to whether or not you have a problem, you build motivation within yourself and (hopefully) eventually you learn to manage your own feelings and behaviours.

There are several SMART Recovery meetings in and around Watford, as well as a huge number of regular online meetings.

To learn more about the alternative addiction treatments in Watford that might suit you, contact us today on 0800 088 66 86

The admissions process for drug and alcohol rehab in Watford

The first step in drug and alcohol rehab in Watford is simply getting in touch.

Feel free to call us, or you could drop us a message if you’re not comfortable with a direct conversation. Either way, from there we can give you simple advice if that’s all you feel you need.

If you’d like us to go further, we can examine your case and create a treatment plan accordingly.

The ASAM Criteria [42] is a significant method for any addiction. It more specifically uses the following six dimensions:

Acute Intoxication and/or Withdrawal Potential – This goes into your previous experience of both addiction as a whole and withdrawal. It also examines your potential for withdrawal symptoms in the future.
Biomedical Conditions and Complications – The second dimension looks at any underlying conditions you might have, whilst also considering your health history.
Emotional, Behavioural, Cognitive Conditions and Complications – This is similar to the second dimension. But this time the focus is on your mental rather than physical health.
Readiness to change – You look into all the help in the world. But you can’t make a change in your life unless you actually take action and are willing to change. This is what the fifth dimension is all about.
Relapse, Continued Use, or Continued Problem Potential – If you’ve already attempted to recover and have relapsed, this could be a big influence on your future treatment path.

The DSM-5 Three Levels of Severity are also useful here. They go from “At Risk”, to “Mild”, “Moderate” and finally “Severe”.

To learn more about the admissions process at drug and alcohol rehab in Watford, call our team today on 0800 088 66 86

Rehab for Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol dependence can creep up whether you’re drinking little and often, or binge drinking [43] on occasion.

Left untreated, alcohol addiction only increases, and can slowly begin to take a toll on your life, health and relationships.

Without intervention, you could go on to develop harmful health conditions like alcoholic hepatitis and Wernicke encephalopathy.

Addiction to alcohol can be assessed with the CAGE questionnaire. [44] This examines your habits, frequency of usage and feelings about alcohol.

Alcohol is physically addictive substance, which means that it changes the chemistry of your brain and body.

Therefore, if you have been drinking heavily. you’ll need to go through an alcohol detox in order to safely reduce alcohol from your system. This is because your body may have adjusted to the substance.

A doctor or medical professional will need to assess your previous usage to see if you need a medicated detox.

A medically assisted detox generally consists of a gradually decreased Librium prescription over 7-10 days, which weans you off alcohol safely, while your body gets back to normal.

You may also receive prescriptions for Acamprosate [45], Naltrexone [46], and various antidepressants [47] or anti-anxiety medications [48] when necessary.

It can be dangerous for someone with a severe alcohol addiction to try to detox. You could develop Delirium Tremens and other dangerous alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which is why quitting without support is never a good idea, [49]

Charities Al-Anon [50] and Alateen [51] can provide guidance for anyone affected by alcohol abuse.

The National Association for Children of Alcoholics [52] is another free service that helps children of alcoholic parents.

The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), Watford

Another effective way of assessing alcohol addiction cases is through AUDIT. [53] Developed by the World Health Organisation, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test is comprised of 10 questions.

It uses a scoring system from 0 to 4, with a score above 8 being a cause for concern. A score of 13 or over also indicates dependency.

Questions 1 to 3 focus on intake:

“How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?”
“How many units of alcohol do you drink on a typical day where you are drinking?”
“How often have you had 6 or more units if female or 8 or more if male [54] on a single occasion in the last year?”

Questions 4-6 move the assessment over to dependency. As previously mentioned, this is the point where your body starts to become reliant on whatever you’re addicted to.

The questions related to it here are:

“How often during the last year have you found that you were not able to stop drinking once you had started?”
“How often during the last year have you failed to do what was normally expected of you because of your drinking?”

The physical and psychological effects of addiction can also leave a devastating impact, both personally and professionally.

As a result, Questions 7-10 focus on the consequences of your drinking:

“How often during the last year have you needed an alcoholic drink in the morning to get yourself going after a heavy drinking session?” [55]
“How often during the last year have you had a feeling of guilt or remorse after drinking?”
“How often during the last year have you been unable to remember what happened the night before because you had been drinking?”
“Have you or somebody else been injured as a result of your drinking?”
“Has a relative or friend, doctor or other health worker been concerned about your drinking or suggested that you cut down?”

If you would like to know more about diagnosing and measuring alcoholism to inform alcohol addiction treatment in Watford, call our team today on 0800 088 66 86

Holding an intervention to prepare a person for drug rehab in Watford

Intervention is an essential action taken by your loved ones to help you see that you need help.

If you choose to get in touch with Rehab Recovery on behalf of someone else, this is something we can help you with.

Interventions are often a vital part of recovery. They help the person suffering from the addiction see their situation from the outside and finally take the first step of admitting that they have a problem. [56]

Hearing the perspectives of the people they care about, and hearing the impact of their addiction on those around them, could help them to understand why they need help.

Intervention usually occurs at a point where the person has continually refused to seek out help for themselves. The intention is to motivate them to finally seek out that help before their addiction gets any worse.

A professional interventionist can also help lead an intervention, assisting your family and/or loved ones to truly understand the situation.

When talking specifically about addiction, there are two approaches: the traditional approach and the CRAFT approach. [57]

In a traditional intervention, loved ones of the person suffering will read out letters [58], airing their concerns.

They usually discuss how they feel about the situation, the ways that the addiction has negatively impacted them and how they would like things to be moving forward.

The CRAFT approach, on the other hand, focuses on communication.

Here, families learn how to support the person with the addiction and, as we said before, effectively communicate with them. This then creates a healthier dynamic for everyone moving forward.

For help hosting an intervvention in order to prepare a loved one for addiction treatment in Watford, give our team a call on 0800 088 66 86

How much does rehab in Watford cost?

When it comes to rehab cost, variations mostly come from the kind of treatment you’re going through, the type of room you choose in the case of residential rehab and how long your treatment lasts.

A 10-day detox with a single occupancy room usually comes to about £3,000 to £6,000. Multiple occupancies for the same length of time then goes down to £2,000 to £4,000.

Many people find that they need more time to fully recover. 28-day detoxes are also available for £8,000 to £12,000 for single occupancy and £6,000 for multiple occupancies.

There are, of course, options other than residential rehab. An at-home detox typically comes to £1,500.

For a more accurate estimation of the cost of your stay at a drug and alcohol rehab in Watford, call us on 0800 088 66 86

Tips for choosing the right drug and alcohol rehab in Watford

Professionally supported drug and alcohol rehab in Watford is one of the best ways to recover from addiction.

Before you make any decisions about drug and alcohol rehab in Watford, it’s very important to do thorough research. That way, you can make an informed decision about what’s best for you.

First of all, you should look at the success rates of every place you’re considering. How effective are they as a whole?

Lining up with this, you should also look at any available reviews. See what other people’s experiences are, and then make a decision for yourself based on what you find.

Find somewhere that has qualified and experienced staff, who will be able to effectively help you on your rehab journey.

Last but not least, make a list of all the places you’re considering and then speak to each one (or drop a message if that would make you more comfortable).

Once you’ve had a conversation with each one, it should be easier to judge what your next moves should be.

Start your recovery journey today by calling our expert team on 0800 088 66 86

What is a detox, and do I need one?

Medical detox is designed to help those coming off physically addictive substances like alcohol and opiates. Avoiding withdrawal symptoms is extremely important, as they’re often a huge barrier to recovery.

As you use more of these, your body will adjust to and become reliant on them. A major sign of this is increased tolerance.

When your intake suddenly drops, you can get a range of symptoms. Some, such as nausea and diarrhoea, are highly unpleasant.

Others like seizures, delirium tremors or hallucinations, are more dangerous or even life-threatening.

Specifically for alcohol, withdrawal symptoms start about 6 to 8 hours after your last drink. In that early period, you might experience headaches, nausea, insomnia, vomiting, sweating and anxiety.

If you have a more serious case, worse withdrawal symptoms like hallucinations and seizures may then start to emerge after 12 to 48 hours.

And if your addiction is bad enough for you to be experiencing delirium tremens, those will occur within 48 to 72 hours. But please be reassured that the last two only apply in the worst of circumstances.

The most severe symptoms can be dealt with via a Librium-based detox. This is usually done over a 10-day period. It’s then followed by further treatments in rehab, for about 3 weeks.

Buprenorphine and Chlordiazepoxide can also treat a variety of addiction withdrawal symptoms and minimise any uncomfortable symptoms you encounter while your body returns to normal.

These are mostly focused on your mental health, in addition to developing a relapse prevention plan.

To begin your detox at an alcohol drug rehab in Watford today, call our expert team on 0800 088 66 86

How long does rehab in Watford last?

Like any other process, before going into rehab in Watford you will probably wonder how long it will last.

It largely depends on a variety of factors.

For example, some addictions may require a medical detox, as they produce physical withdrawal symptoms when the levels in your system drop. Examples of such drugs include opioids, benzos and alcohol.

Cocaine, cannabis, and amphetamines all require a medical detox, however, because they produce physical withdrawal symptoms when you stop using them.

These can range from tremors to seizures, becoming incredibly dangerous or even life-threatening

If you have an alcohol problem specifically, we’d recommend a minimum of 7 days for alcohol detox. But to get the full benefit, you should really participate for at least 28 days.

Generally, the longer you spend on treatment, the more effective it is likely to be. So having a more severe addiction will also likely mean that treatment lasts longer.

And, of course, things might change depending on how your initial treatment goes. If your first plan has turned out to not be for you,

Nothing is set in stone, as everyone’s rehab experience will be different depending on their individual circumstances.

To get an estimation on the length of your stay at rehab in Watford that takes your personal situation into account, call us today on 0800 088 66 86

Rehab for Cocaine in Watford

Image above: Group therapy in Watford

Cocaine and crack cocaine are psychologically addictive drugs. Known for producing bursts of energy followed by a crash, the withdrawal symptoms associated with it are psychological too.

Left untreated, you can develop cocaine dependence, and over time this can ultimately result in cocaine addiction.

The biggest examples are things like agitation, tiredness, depression and discomfort.

Part of the reason why cocaine is so addictive is because of the way it causes dopamine levels in your brain to build up. Like other examples mentioned here, such as heroin, this produces feelings of pleasure and positively re-enforces users.

Tolerance can also build up very quickly, meaning that addiction develops very fast.

As it doesn’t produce any physical withdrawal symptoms, you won’t need a detox in this case. The main focus during rehab for cocaine in Watford will be on mental health treatments.

Begin your journey to beat cocaine addiction at a drug and alcohol rehab in Watford today – call us on 0800 088 66 86

Rehab for Heroin in Watford

Image above: Group therapy at a drug and alcohol rehab in Watford

Heroin is a physically addictive drug which is more specifically an opioid. This means that it binds to opioid receptors in your brain.

his then results in a rush of euphoria, which makes it highly addictive.

Heroin produces a variety of unpleasant physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms, such as:

Shaking
Sweating
Abdominal pain
Muscle spasms
Agitation
Depression

Sharing equipment to take heroin can also lead to skin infections and HIV, while the additives sometimes contained can also clog blood vessels.

If you withdraw from heroin, symptoms should start to show up 6 to 12 hours after your last dose. They then peak at 1 to 3 days and subside after about a week.

After this period, you’ll then move into behavioural therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectal behavioural therapy and contingency management. More information about addiction counselling is available here.

Begin your journey to beat heroin addiction at a drug and alcohol rehab in Watford today – call us on 0800 088 66 86

Rehab for Cannabis in Watford

Unlike a lot of other drugs on this list (with the exception of alcohol), cannabis is a lot more socially accepted. It has medicinal purposes and is even legal in a lot of places.

According to the WHO, it’s the most used psychoactive substance under international control.

But it is still very possible to develop an addiction to it. In fact, this year the US National Institute of Drug Abuse estimated that around 30% of cannabis users have some kind of use problem.

Cannabis use disorder is a behavioural addiction which means that while it’s not physically addictive, it can take a strong psychological hold.

Like any other addiction, if you can’t stop your use in spite of harm to your life, you need to seek out help.

Some common symptoms of cannabis addiction are:

Impaired balance
Lessened coordination
Indecisiveness
Irritability
Mood swings
Withdrawing from activities and commitments

This is another one where behavioural therapies will be your most prominent treatment, as well as support groups and workshops.

Begin your journey to beat cannabis addiction at a drug and alcohol rehab in Watford today – call us on 0800 088 66 86

Types of therapy on offer in drug and alcohol rehab Watford

When treating addiction, it’s very important that we look at the underlying mental causes of addiction. [59]

A variety of therapy and counselling techniques experienced during addiction treatment in Watford will help you get under the surface, to really dig out and deal with those root causes. [60]

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [61] has developed guidelines for all healthcare providers, to ensure all treatments adhere to quality standards.

Some of the best-known ones at a drug and alcohol rehab in Watford are:

Cognitive behavioural therapy – Many people who try to overcome addiction fail due to cognitive distortions. These are toxic thinking and behavioural patterns, which can often inhibit recovery and cause you to spiral. Cognitive behavioural therapy specifically focuses on these distortions and aims to eliminate them. CBT has a very high success rate [62], with relatively low chances of relapse [63] for those who complete a full course, however some individuals will naturally find it less effective [64] which is why so many other therapies are offered.
Dialectical behaviour therapy – It’s also important that you learn to process your emotions effectively. DBT uses the same model as cognitive behavioural therapy, but this time it’s to help you with the above.
Brief interventions – As we’ve said previously, finally hearing about the impact of your addiction on those you care about most motivates a lot of people to get help. If you’re researching this on behalf of someone else, please note that an intervention is something we can help you with
Motivational interviewing – In motivational interviewing, you’ll be asked a series of questions designed to help you re-examine your behaviour. The idea is to give you a new perspective in a space where you won’t feel judged, helping you to build up the motivation needed to recover successfully. [65]
Holistic therapies – This is a broad category, including things like music therapy, art therapy, adventure and equine therapy. The connecting point is that they all aim to treat your entire person, primarily by engaging you in enjoyable activities. The word holistic even comes from the Greek “Holos”, meaning whole. Group therapy – Healing with people going through the same things as you can also be really beneficial. Like support groups, group therapy will allow you to form relationships with people who truly understand what you’re going through.
Individual therapy – working through other issues in a private, personal space is also very important. In individual therapy, you’ll have one to one access to highly personalised treatment, designed to suit your exact needs.
Family therapy – Addiction can also have a huge impact on those around you, including your family. If you need to heal collectively, family therapy could be a good option
Co-dependency treatment – Co-dependency is an unhealthy set-up, where one persons’ needs are put over someone else’s. This kind of unhealthy situation is something that can arise from addiction, so it might require treatment. Co-dependency also has links with conditions like anxiety, depression, dependent personality and eating issues
Twelve-Step Facilitation Therapy (TSF) – the famous 12 step programme has a few major components.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy – Learn to be present in the moment and to understand and accept [66] your thoughts and feelings without passing judgement on them.
Holistic therapies – Music therapy, Art therapy, Yoga, Meditation, Acupuncture, Mindfulness and Equine therapy
Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing
Group psychotherapy
Drama therapy

The biggest ones are: submitting yourself to a higher power (which doesn’t necessarily have to be religious), asking that higher power for help, admitting that you need help in the first place and making amends to those you might have hurt.

To experience these treatments at a rehab in Watford, reach out to our expert team on 0800 088 66 86

Relapse prevention plans at rehab in Watford

Any rehab in Watford you attend through us will help you to develop a plan to prevent relapse moving forward. Such plans often include various strategies and feature a few key aspects.

One of the most important parts of any relapse prevention plan is learning to recognise and identify triggers. The same also applies to cravings.

If you can work to easily identify early warning signs of both, you can work through them before they lead to a relapse.

You’ll also need to outline any necessary lifestyle changes to further avoid triggers. This could be personal or professional, such as learning how to overcome the urge to drink at night [67] or how to overcome addiction triggers in the workplace, or it could even relate to your living situation.

Now let’s talk about some of the strategies used in relapse prevention, starting with HALT.

HALT stands for Hunger, Anger, Loneliness and Tiredness.

These feelings are essentially used as warning signs for something deeper.

During this treatment, you’ll learn to recognise these feelings in that way, so you can make efforts to stop them before it goes any further.

Another significant strategy to prevent relapse is mind-body relaxation. This links to physical treatments used during rehabs, such as yoga, acupuncture and massage therapy, and functions around the idea that physical and mental stimuli can have a significant impact on relapse potential. [68]

These techniques, alongside mindfulness meditation and many other strategies, can really help you to refocus and relax.

Outside of unpacking your trauma in other treatments, this will allow you to zone back in on yourself. Learning how to feel relaxed during tense circumstances is also very important.

Finally, learning problem-solving skills and coping strategies can also help you move forward. This is something that can be developed in therapy, during the main part of your treatment.

To learn more about how a drug and alcohol rehab in Watford can help you aboid relapse, call us on 0800 088 66 86

Coming back to rehab in Watford

Sadly addiction cannot be fully cured [69], only managed effectively for the rest of an addiction sufferer’s life. As such, it is always worth noting the possibility of returning to rehab after the initial treatment process has ended.

It’s important to mention there’s nothing humiliating about coming back to drug and alcohol detox centres in Watford. It’s a sign of maturity if the individual can admit they aren’t completely ready to go back into the real world, as of yet.

Here’s how to seek out drug and alcohol help in Watford again:

Make sure it’s definitely the right decision. If they feel like they need some additional treatment in order to achieve full alcohol recovery they shouldn’t hesitate to pursue it.
Call the private helpline and discuss with the trained healthcare professional what needs to be done. Individuals should mention they have entered drug and alcohol rehab before, and what they think went wrong.
Another diagnosis will be carried out by a doctor over the phone. Drug and alcohol rehab will change, again, depending on the individual’s current situation. These diagnoses are essential in assessing the status of the individual.
Advice will be given on what should be done next. If indeed, they do need to enter rehab again it should only take a few days before treatment commences again.

Patients are treated in exactly the same way, regardless of whether they have entered rehab before. The same loving and supportive attitude is offered to all patients to give them the best chance of achieving long-term abstinence.

To learn more about readmission into rehab in Watford, or to learn more about accessing further addiction treatments in Watford, give our team a call on 0800 088 66 86

Publically-Funded Services in Watford

A man talking another man's hand in support in Watford

1. The Living Room

Address: 156 Hatfield Rd, Albion Rd, St Albans AL1 4JA

Telephone: 03003 650 304

Website: https://www.livingroomherts.org/

2. GROW

Address: 423 High Street, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4NU

Telephone: 01923 256 189

Website: http://www.growhostel.org.uk/

3. Spectrum Drug & Alcohol Service, Hatfield

Address: St Martins House, 14 The Common, Hatfield AL10 0UR

Telephone: 08006 523 169

Website: https://www.changegrowlive.org/spectrum-hertfordshire-drug-alcohol-services/hatfield

The NHS and NHS Foundation Trust provide free, reliable information for drug and alcohol addictions and dependencies.

Attending nearby 12-Step programmes like Cocaine Anonymous [70], Narcotics Anonymous (NA) [71] and Alcoholics Anonymous Watford (AA) [72] can help you to maintain your abstinence by connecting with other people in recovery.

Smart Recovery [73] can help you to cope with relapse triggers, manage your thoughts and feelings, and stay sober.

Al-Anon is another useful tool that can make addiction easier to navigate for you and your loved ones.

Find mental health support with Rethink Mental Illness, Mind, Young Minds, Samaritans and Papyrus.

What Happens After Rehab?

After you’ve left rehab, a dedicated aftercare service can check in with you with person-centred care that ensures you’re not overwhelmed by any relapse triggers you may encounter.

A host of contingency management techniques, coping mechanisms and prevention plans will help you to stay strong and continue your life in sobriety.

Sober living houses are a great precaution after leaving your treatment facility. This home gives you and other recovering individuals a risk-free environment, away from relationships of codependency, substances and alcohol.

Contact Rehab Recovery

Woman with painted nails holding a mobile in Watford

Rehab Recovery offers advice and rehabilitation throughout St Albans, Hatfield, Harpenden, Borehamwood, Royston, Welwyn Garden City, Stevenage, Hertford, Hitchin, Bishop’s Stortford, Watford, Letchworth Garden City, Berkhamsted, Baldock, Hemel Hempstead, Abbots Langley, Ashwell, Baldock, Barnet, Hitchin, Hoddesdon, Kimpton, King’s Langley, Knebworth, Berkhamsted, Bishop’s Stortford, Borehamwood, Broxbourne, Buntingford, Stevenage, and more cities and towns across Hertfordshire.

If you or someone that you know is addicted to drugs and alcohol and needs help, we can guide you through the first steps to recovery.

All of the rehabs we work with are regulated by the Care Quality Commission [74] (England and Wales) or the Care Inspectorate [75] (Scotland).

Full recovery from addiciton can take a very long time [76], but getting the right help will give you the best chance of living a long, happy life.

At Rehab Recovery, we offer free advice from a team of non-judgemental professionals, many of whom are in recovery and understand how hard it can be to change your relationship with addiction.