Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Flintshire
This article will discuss drug and alcohol rehab in Flintshire. Flintshire is a county located in the northeast of Wales and has a population of 155,593.
According to the latest data collected by National Statistics in 2020, there were 23,887 referrals for substance misuse and dependency.
Of these, 9,310 were for alcohol and 8,792 were for drugs, such as cannabis or cocaine. Of the male sample taken, 3,312 were assessed for heroin, 1,964 for cannabis, and 1,246 for cocaine.
The majority age group of this sample was 20–59 (5,640), followed by those under 20 (835). Those aged over 60 accounted for 46. [1]
Please follow this link for more information about drug and alcohol use in Flintshire and Wales.
The latest data for Flintshire estimates that there were 415 assessments for heroin and 290 assessments for drugs.
If you are based in Flintshire and looking for help with drug and/or alcohol dependency, this article will discuss what treatment is available, how to access it, and what to expect.
Please call our 24-Hour Helpline:0800 140 4690.
What is Alcohol Addiction?
Alcohol addiction, alcoholism, or Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) are terms used to describe someone that cannot control their alcohol consumption, has a preoccupation with alcohol, and continues to drink regardless of negative health or social consequences. [2]
Alcohol addiction will also mean you depend on it to function properly. This might include needing alcohol to prevent withdrawal symptoms such as shakes, nausea, or headaches.
AUD is a broad spectrum, but any level of continued alcohol consumption that puts your health at risk is considered problematic.
Here are some symptoms of AUD to be aware of:
- Craving alcohol
- The inability to limit alcohol consumption
- Being unsuccessful in cutting down alcohol consumption
- Daily tasks revolving around the need for alcohol – this could be work, socialising, or hobbies
- Daily tasks being negatively impacted because of alcohol
- Continuing to use alcohol in unsafe situations, such as when driving
- Developing a high tolerance to alcohol and needing more to achieve the desired effect
Please call our 24-Hour Helpline:0800 140 4690.
What is Rehab?
Rehab, or rehabilitation, comes in many forms – it can include rehab for health issues, post-operations, or addiction.
Central to all rehab, however, is recovery. With regards to addiction, rehab is designed to provide a supervised program that helps people overcome their dependency.
It also aims to help people develop the tools necessary to have a healthy and sober life.
Some examples of rehab include:
- Inpatient rehab – people will stay at a hospital where they will receive treatment
- Outpatient rehab – people will attend weekly appointments at a doctor’s surgery, hospital, or clinic
- Residential treatment – attending at a private facility
- Recovery house – temporary housing that offers treatment and is supervised by a medical professional
Although the type of rehab can vary, each aims to provide similar services:
- Detoxification – this involves the removal of the substance from the person’s system. Medical staff will assist with this process
- Therapy – one-to-one therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or group therapy, for example
- Relapse prevention to help people maintain sobriety upon leaving rehab
- Aftercare – continued support after completing rehab
These services will be covered in more detail below.
Please call our 24-Hour Helpline:0800 140 4690.
What is Addiction Intervention?
Addiction intervention is when family and/or friends gather to convince a loved one that they need to seek professional help concerning their substance use.
Interventions are usually held when the loved one does not recognise or believe that they need help.
Interventions should not be spontaneous, and some forethought should be given to when/where it will take place, who will be involved, and what needs to be said.
Interventions should be a process of encouragement – they should not be aimed at blaming or shaming the person that needs help.
An intervention needs to be positive. Although the person must understand the negative impact their addiction is having, the intervention should not guilt them into change.
Instead, family/friends should focus on how the addiction has changed their loved ones and its impact on family and friends. It is worth perhaps writing down what you plan to say before the intervention. [3]
Some other useful tips include:
- Conduct research about addiction before the intervention
- Find out what treatment is available and what it will involve
- Practice positive communication
- Find out how you can best support a loved one through treatment
A focal aspect of an intervention should be to highlight that there is a solution and that treatment options are available.
Because interventions can be hard to get right, it is recommended that people consider seeking the help of a professional interventionist – whether just as a consultant or to be actively involved.
Either way, interventionists will be able to provide useful insights, act as a mediator, and even help plan and organise the intervention.
In addition, medical professionals have developed methods that can be useful for families considering conducting an intervention.
Please call our 24-Hour Helpline:0800 140 4690.
CRAFT Method of Intervention
An example of this is the Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) method.
CRAFT was designed specifically for families that are struggling to convince a loved one that they need help.
An intervention expert will work alongside the family over several months. They will conduct sessions aimed at teaching families how to organise and implement a successful intervention.
The key goals of CRAFT include:
- Helping families understand the nature of addiction
- How to communicate positively and encourage positive behaviour changes
- How to communicate and listen empathetically
- How to access treatment, what to expect, and how families can help support their loved ones during treatment
- How to create boundaries and stop enabling behaviour
Please call our 24-Hour Helpline:0800 140 4690.
Treatment Options in Flintshire: What is Available and How much Does it Cost?
Flintshire is home to a wide range of free local drug and alcohol services. These include:
- Bernardo’s Flintshire Services
- The Phoenix Group
- Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Team
- Community Drug and Alcohol Service
- Motivational Enhancement Service
These organisations provide a range of free services, such as drug and alcohol support, referrals, treatment options, counselling and therapy, and needle exchange. [4]
For more information about local services in Flintshire, please follow this link.
Can I get treatment through the NHS?
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as an NHS rehab facility. Funding is available via the NHS for a person to enter a private, residential facility. This requires an application to the local council.
To explore this as an option, it is recommended that people speak with their GP or with a key worker.
However, it should be noted that funding through the NHS is not easy to obtain. It requires people to meet a very strict criterion. This might include:
- Attending local services
- Attending a pre-rehab course
- Being sober before entering rehab
- Having received some counselling and/or therapy
- Convincing the council that you will maintain sobriety after rehab
Even if this criterion is met, there is no guarantee that funding will be available. In the UK, in recent years, there have been many budget cuts – this has negatively impacted treatment options across the UK.
Alternatively, people can pay for private rehab themselves. However, private rehab can be very expensive.
Recent data suggests that, on average, rehab in the UK costs between £300 to £400 per day. Luxury rehab can be much more expensive, with treatment costing several thousand per day.
Please call our 24-Hour Helpline:0800 140 4690.
How long Does Rehab Last in Flintshire?
The duration of rehab will be determined by several factors, such as:
- The person’s specific needs
- The age, sex, and gender of the person
- The substance being treated
- How long the person has been using a substance
- If there are other medical/health issues
Certain substances, such as heroin or alcohol, are likely to require a longer period of rehab.
The reason for this is that such substances can have serious and life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. Therefore, it is likely that people will need medical assistance.
In addition, if a person has been an addict for a long time, they might require more rigorous therapy and counselling.
Other medical issues are also taken into consideration. Someone suffering from anxiety or depression might also require more time in therapy than average.
People will be assessed before entering rehab , and the duration will be suggested by a medical professional.
In general, however, most rehabs offer 7-day, 14-day, 28-day, and 90-day treatment options.
Please call our 24-Hour Helpline:0800 140 4690.
Inpatient Versus Outpatient Treatment
Another factor to take into consideration regarding rehab duration is inpatient versus outpatient treatment.
Both offer a similar program – detox, therapy, relapse prevention, and aftercare – but are different in various ways.
The most obvious difference is that inpatient treatment requires the person to stay at a facility for the duration of their treatment. Most inpatient treatments last for 28 days.
Outpatient treatment, on the other hand, does not. Instead, people will attend a weekly appointment at a local service, clinic, doctor’s surgery, or hospital. On average, outpatient treatment lasts between several months to a year.
The benefit of inpatient treatment, although more intense, is that people will receive 24/7 medical assistance and will be in a more secure environment.
This can be particularly useful for those that are suffering from severe addiction.
The benefit of outpatient treatment is that it can be worked around a person’s commitments, whether work or childcare.
In addition, outpatient treatment is more readily available and is often free through local services.
The main downside is that people remain in their normal environment surrounded by potential triggers. [5]
Alcohol Rehab in Flintshire
The first stage of any rehab program, whether inpatient or outpatient, is detox and withdrawal.
For alcohol dependency, withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to severe. Symptoms related to alcohol withdrawal are known as Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (AWS).
Mild to moderate AWS symptoms include tremors (shakes), flu-like symptoms, sweating, headaches, and restlessness.
Severe symptoms include insomnia, delirium, disorientation, high blood pressure, increased heart rate, breathing problems, and seizures.
Fortunately, symptoms related to AWS can be reduced via the prescription of a sedative.
One of the most popular sedatives used is Librium. Librium helps reduce anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, and decreased appetite.
Librium is also less addictive than other sedatives , making it ideal for those already suffering from addiction.
Like most sedatives, however, there can be side effects such as drowsiness and stomach issues – bloating and diarrhoea, for example.
Please call our 24-Hour Helpline:0800 140 4690.
Rehab for Cannabis, Cocaine, and Heroin in Flintshire
The withdrawal process can be milder when detoxing from other substances, such as cannabis.
Cannabis withdrawal does not require medical assistance, and symptoms are not severe or life-threatening.
Symptoms of cannabis withdrawal include anxiety, agitation, restlessness, headaches, and a lack of appetite.
After a person stops using cannabis, they can expect withdrawal symptoms to emerge within seven days and to last up to 10 days.
When a person is going through cocaine withdrawal, they are likely to experience mostly psychological symptoms such as paranoia, anxiety, mood swings, irritation, and depression.
However, some people have been known to experience headaches, sweats, restlessness, and fatigue.
After a person stops using cocaine, withdrawal symptoms can emerge very quickly – sometimes as quick as an hour. Cocaine withdrawal symptoms should begin to reduce after several days, but some can last up to 10 days.
Please call our 24-Hour Helpline:0800 140 4690.
Heroin withdrawal is one of the more arduous withdrawal experiences. This is due to heroin being very psychologically and physically addictive.
Heroin withdrawal symptoms range from mild to serve, but even mild symptoms are very unpleasant.
Mild symptoms include flu-like symptoms – nausea, vomiting, fatigue, sweats, and diarrhoea – anxiety, depression, restlessness, and agitation.
Severe symptoms include increased heart rate, breathing issues, insomnia, and hypertension (high blood pressure).
Such symptoms usually begin to emerge six-to-twelve after the person stops using and can last for up to ten days.
It is usually recommended that people come off heroin gradually and are likely to be prescribed Methadone, Suboxone, or Buprenorphine.
Dual Diagnosis
Dual diagnosis, co-occurring disorders, or dual pathology refers to someone that has both an addiction and mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression.
Uncovering if a person has a dual diagnosis is an important part of rehab, as it will impact the necessary treatment that they receive, such as medication and therapy.
Unfortunately, addiction and mental health go hand in hand. It is very common for someone with an addiction to develop mental health issues.
Research has found that substances such as alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, and heroin, can lead to anxiety and depression and even increase the risk of someone developing schizophrenia or personality disorder.
Studies have also found that people with mental health issues are more at risk of developing an addiction than those that do not have mental health issues.
This is because many people with mental health issues will use substances to help manage their mental health symptoms.
In turn, prolonged use will increase the likelihood that that person will become dependent upon the substance. [6]
Please call our 24-Hour Helpline:0800 140 4690.
What Therapy Will I Receive During Rehab in Flintshire?
There are several different types of therapy that people might experience during rehab, such as:
- One-to-one/talk therapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Motivational Interviewing (MI)
- Holistic therapy
- Group therapy
One-to-one therapy, or talk therapy, involves talking to a trained professional, such as a psychologist or counsellor. They will aim to uncover the roots of the addiction, such as childhood experiences, trauma, relationships, and family.
CBT aims to understand the connection between thoughts and behaviours. Most behaviour, such as using a substance, is rooted in unhealthy thoughts before the behaviour occurs.
Therefore, CBT will teach people how to change their thought processes with the hope that this will be reflected in positive behaviours, such as maintaining sobriety and healthy living.
MI aims to uncover and then re-shape a person’s motivations. With regards to addiction, people will be encouraged to talk about what motivates them to use a substance. [7]
People will then work with the therapist to create new and healthier motivations.
All rehabs will offer some form of holistic therapy, such as meditation, yoga, poetry, art, or music.
A final example is group therapy. This is probably one of the most common therapy types and will require people to interact with peers.
In a group therapy session, people will gather with other substance-dependent people and people going through rehab to share their experiences and struggles.
Group therapy has been found to help reduce the feeling of isolation and increase accountability.
Please call our 24-Hour Helpline:0800 140 4690.
Relapse Prevention and Aftercare in Flintshire
The final objective of rehab is to prepare people to leave and to provide them with the tools necessary to prevent them from relapsing – that is, engaging in old habits and behaviours, such as using a substance.
A huge part of achieving this is to help people develop a relapse prevention plan. This is a written document that contains useful information regarding their addiction and potential triggers to be aware of.
In addition, people will work with a medical professional to develop useful tools that can be implemented in their old environment.
This might include practising how to say no, how to avoid certain social situations, how to better control emotions, how to recognise negative behaviour patterns, or how to think positively.
Upon leaving rehab , people will be offered aftercare, such as continued therapy and counselling. Usually, this will last for several weeks after the person has left rehab.
In addition, people will be encouraged to engage with local services, such as SMART Recovery, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and Narcotics Anonymous (NA).
Each of these services is available in Flintshire.
Please call our 24-Hour Helpline:0800 140 4690.
References
[4] https://www.flintshire.gov.uk/en/Resident/Community-Safety/Substance-misuse.aspx
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