Drug & Alcohol Rehab in Bideford
Bideford is a town in North Devon. The Department of Health and Social Care published a study showing that 69 deaths between 2019 and 2022 were the result of drug-related illnesses. [1]
These drug-related statistics have increased since April 2016, proving that substance misuse still needs to be tackled in the UK.
Substance Misuse and Addiction Characteristics
Substance misuse refers to the harmful use of substances such as alcohol and illicit drugs.
Extensive and continued use of substances leads to a mental and physical dependency, also called ‘addiction’.
Addiction creates strong cravings to continue the use of substances, where people struggle to control their intake and persist in using despite the negative and destructive consequences.
A high priority is given to substances due to the increased of substance tolerance. The brain pathways change with addiction, increasing tolerance to the substance every time it is consumed.
This will often lead to physical and mental withdrawal symptoms once the intake is cut or stopped. [2]
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.
For more information about rehab in Bideford, simply reach out to our 24/7, confidential hotline on 0800 088 66 86.
Addiction is a complex and chronic brain disease, but it is managed and treated through drug and alcohol rehab in Bideford, Devon.
The stigma and assumptions surrounding addiction mark it as a failure of morals and self-control.
This is far from the truth, as addiction directly affects the brain and takes control of behaviour and the rest of the body.
If you are struggling with addiction in Bideford, then you have come to the right place.
People tend to use substances to experience the pleasure and euphoria associated with use, to improve their focus, for curiosity, or to self-medicate other symptoms.
However, some people are more likely to become addicted to substances than others, based on: [3] [4] [5]
- Behaviour in childhood
- Parental supervision
- Genetics
- Experimentation
- Availability
- Poverty
- Self-efficacy
- Relationships
- Community resources
- Stress and trauma
- Personality types
Some people exhibit similar symptoms of addiction, but these may differ according to a variety of factors such as the severity of addiction:
- Lies and secrecy
- Changes in weight and mood
- Difficulty sleeping and concentrating
- Taking high risks
- Mental health issues (anxiety and depression)
- Social isolation and avoiding responsibility
- Shakes, bloodshot eyes, and poor hygiene
These symptoms and characteristics are only a few that make up the complex disease of addiction.
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.
For more information about rehab in Bideford, simply reach out to our 24/7, confidential hotline on 0800 088 66 86.
First Steps of Recovery at Rehab in Bideford
The first step to take once addiction has been noticed is to try and figure out the severity of the addiction in question.
This can be done from the comfort of your own home, using addiction questionnaires like CAGE.
CAGE screens for alcohol and drug abuse: [6]
- Have you ever felt you needed to Cut down on your drinking?
- Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
- Have you ever felt Guilty about drinking?
- Have you ever felt you needed a drink first thing in the morning (Eye-opener) to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?
Patients will answer YES or NO to each question. If more than 2 out of 4 questions are answered with a YES, then patients will be medically assessed for addiction as they are exhibiting addictive behaviour.
Addiction intervention is designed to help people struggling with addiction, but these people remain unmotivated to start treatment or reach out for help in Bideford.
Intervention is designed to help substance users by motivating them to start treatment through opening their eyes to the effects of addiction.
There are different types of intervention, ranging from simple conversations to family meetings.
A simple intervention can be a conversation between the user and a loved one about addiction, and this by itself may be enough for the user to break free from denial.
CRAFT intervention is a more structured intervention, planned by concerned members or friends associated with the user.
Concerned others of the patient are asked to intervene through the use of incentives.
Users are rewarded for avoiding substance use and addictive behaviour, and the consequences of failing to do so are made clear. [7]
During the intervention, the options for drug and alcohol rehab in Bideford will be discussed, along with the therapy sessions they are able to offer.
Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Bideford
If intervention is successful, patients will enter either inpatient rehab or outpatient rehab in Bideford.
Initially, there is usually an assessment carried out by professionals, matching the patient to the rehab centre and therapy sessions.
This is usually based on the following:
- History of active addiction and attempts at sobriety
- Mental and physical illness and health status
- The severity of the patient’s addiction
- Motivations for treatment and sobriety
If the professionals deem the addiction to be severe, the patient will be recommended inpatient rehab in Bideford.
Patients will move into the residency for a set period of time, receiving medical treatment and therapy around the clock.
This is not offered through the NHS, so it will be considered ‘private’ rehabilitation. Outpatient treatment is regularly offered through the NHS, but it is less intensive than inpatient treatment.
Outpatient treatment is designed for patients with a mild addiction. Outpatient rehab is much more flexible than inpatient rehab, but it offers similar therapy sessions.
Patients will also work on harm reduction and relapse prevention using the techniques they learn during therapy.
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.
For more information about rehab in Bideford, simply reach out to our 24/7, confidential hotline on 0800 088 66 86.
Addiction Therapy in Bideford
The therapy offered at inpatient rehab and outpatient rehab will often be similar. However, the sessions will obviously differ in length, flexibility, and intensity.
Behavioural therapy is one of the main forms of therapy used to treat addiction and co-occurring disorders like anxiety or depression.
Cognitive behavioural therapy, also referred to as CBT, is a therapy utilised in addiction treatment to examine the thoughts that lead to destructive behaviour.
CBT is underpinned by the belief that damaging thoughts lead to addictive behaviour.
Behavioural therapy then works to eradicate and phase out these thoughts using a variety of techniques, and in the long run this will change the addictive behaviour that follows thought patterns.
DBT, dialectical behavioural therapy, is a form of CBT. This talking therapy uses the same techniques as CBT but adapts them to help people struggling with emotional regulation and the management of stress. [8] [9]
Therapy may also work on people’s motivations for treatment. Motivational interviewing examines patients’ reasons for entering treatment, helping them manage and cope with their anxieties about treatment.
Contingency management uses incentives relative to each patient to motivate them to change.
These incentives can be anything of value (e.g., supermarket vouchers), but they will be removed if the patient stops reaching their assigned goals.
Evidence also suggests that 12-step facilitation group therapy sessions are some of the most useful treatment options for patients.
Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are anonymous group therapy meetings, where participants can share and listen to the range of highs and lows of addiction. [10]
A study conducted on the AA found that participants stated that the following are profound qualities of the AA programme: [11]
- Identifying with other alcoholics
- Sharing stories and talking
- Having a sponsor
- Working the 12 steps
Alcohol addiction and drug addiction both require rehabilitation programmes, supported by medical professionals.
Both inpatient/residential rehab and outpatient rehab clinics start with drug and alcohol detox, followed by specialised treatment and dual-diagnosis treatment.
The therapy offered through rehab might be one of the following:
- Holistic therapies
- Behavioural therapy
- Adventure therapy
- Equine therapy
- Art treatment and art therapy
- Medical detox
- Individual therapy, family therapy, and group therapy
- Drama therapy
- Counselling for mental health
These therapy sessions in Bideford are designed to help people in varying phases of addiction, so start your recovery journey today and get in touch with us.
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.
For more information about rehab in Bideford, simply reach out to our 24/7, confidential hotline on 0800 088 66 86.
References
[1] https://www.creditoncourier.co.uk/news/rise-in-drug-treatment-deaths-in-devon-590024
[2] https://www.asam.org/quality-care/definition-of-addiction
[3] https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drug-misuse-addiction
[4] Bevilacqua L, Goldman D. Genes and addictions. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2009;85(4):359-361. doi:10.1038/clpt.2009.6
[5] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Mental and Substance Use Disorders. https://www.samhsa.gov/disorders. Published June 20, 2014. Accessed June 4, 2018.
[8] NIH Publication. (2012). Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment; A Research-Based guide (3rd ed.).
[9] Dimeff, L.A., & Linehan, M.M. (2008). Dialectical behavior therapy for substance abusers. Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, 4(2), 39–47.
[10] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3140338/
[11] Robinson EAR, Price AM, Kurtz E, Brower KJ. Why is AA beneficial: A view from the inside. Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research. 2009;33(6, Suppl):S-146.
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