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Drug and Alcohol Rehab Clinic in St Albans

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When you are struggling with an addiction, it can feel utterly hopeless, just as when having to watch someone that you love deteriorate from substance abuse, it can make you feel powerless. Either way, addiction is a devastating disease that affects many of our lives.

On this page, we are going to look at addiction, share some of the tell-tale symptoms of drug and alcohol misuse, and share some insight into how our rehab facilities in St Albans work.

If you want to know more, please feel free to read on and we will tell you everything you need to know.

About drug and alcohol addiction

What do we mean by addiction? And at what point does it go from recreational use to a dangerous, full-blown habit that can destroy lives?

Let’s begin by defining addiction: addiction is a chronic relapsing brain disease. What that means is those who are suffering with addiction have had their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours rewired by the dangerous substances they have been using. And that simply telling them to ‘stop’ is not enough.

Addiction is a disease that requires specialist treatment and support to overcome. Certainly, for those in the early stages of addiction who have friends and family supporting them, overcoming addiction without specialist care may be a possibility. However, for those who have been struggling with substance abuse for some time, serious change needs to be brought about with professional rehabilitation services.

Let’s begin by looking at the symptoms of addiction. Then we will walk you through the rehabilitation process and how one of our St Albans rehab clinics can provide you with professional addiction support to help you through these difficult times.

How to spot someone who needs help with addiction

Unfortunately, it isn’t always easy to spot an addiction problem. Some people can go many years with substance misuse problems before their lives fall apart. This is what makes addiction so dangerous: because often, by the time the problem has been spotted, serious physical and underlying mental health issues have taken root.

Which is where we come in; if any of the following signs and symptoms of drug and/or alcohol addiction apply to you or someone that you care about, contact us at one of our rehab centres today. We can offer free, confidential advice on how best to proceed and get the help and support that you need.

Short & Long Term Symptoms of Drug Addiction

Taking drugs on the short term is always a risk, but it is the long term effects that you should be wary of.

Below, we’ll share the short and long term impacts of drug use. If either you, or someone that you love is displaying these signs, we urge you to contact us today.

Short term:

  • Shallow breathing and shortness of breath

  • Elevated body temperature (including the sweats)

  • Rapid (or irregular) heart rate

  • A dangerous increase in blood pressure

  • Insomnia and having difficulty sleeping at night (irregular sleeping patterns and days on end without sleep)

  • Slurred speech

  • Loss of appetite

  • Uncoordinated movements and clumsiness

  • Having difficulty concentrating on normal day to day tasks, including work duties

  • Irritability and loss of patience

  • Aggression toward others

  • Angry outbursts (often over trivial things)

  • A growing lack of inhibition

  • Hallucinations.

Long term:

  • Severe kidney damage

  • Cirrhosis and permanent damage to the liver

  • Increased risk of cancers

  • Irreversible tooth decay

  • Skin damage and increased signs of visible ageing

  • Infertility

  • Strokes

  • Seizures

  • Sexual dysfunction (and loss of libido)

  • Lung & breathing issues

  • Cardiovascular problems

  • Overdose and the possibility of fatality

  • A decline in cognitive function

  • Memory loss

  • Chronic paranoia (resulting in the collapse of relationships and increased social anxiety)

  • Depression

  • Psychosis.

Drug rehab St Albans

If the above symptoms apply to you or a loved one, it’s pretty clear that drug addiction is the culprit. In this case, seeking specialist support from an addiction specialist is highly recommended.

Feel free to contact our team at our St Albans rehabilitation centre and we can advise you accordingly.

co codamol addiction - Spilled pills

Short & Long Term Symptoms of Alcohol Addiction

Short term:

  • Slurring of the speech

  • Feelings of drowsiness

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Frequent and severe headaches

  • Having difficulty breathing

  • Distorted vision and trouble with hearing 

  • Impaired judgment (often resulting in brash decision making)

  • Temporary unconsciousness 

  • Anaemia

  • Coma

  • Blackouts

  • Unintentional injuries such as being in a car crash.

Long term:

  • Intentional injuries such as sexual assault and domestic violence

  • Increased risk of work-related injuries

  • A loss of productivity both at work and at home

  • Increased relationship issues

  • Alcohol poisoning 

  • High blood-pressure

  • Stroke

  • Liver disease

  • Nerve damage 

  • Sexual dysfunction (erectile dysfunction for example)

  • Permanent brain damage

  • Ulcers 

  • Gastritis

  • Malnutrition 

  • Increased risk of cancer of the mouth and throat

  • A wide variety of mental health issues, including depression.

Alcohol rehabilitation St Albans

Do any of the above symptoms of alcohol abuse apply to you or someone that you love? If so, do not hesitate to contact us today! With rehab in St Albans, we can help you kick the habit once and for all, and take back control of your life.

Drug and alcohol addiction treatment in St Albans - How does it work?

So, how does rehab (St Albans) work? What addiction treatment options are available? Here’s everything you need to know…

Acceptance and a desire for change

Before you do anything, first you must accept that you have an addiction problem and have a desire to change. The only way that anyone can have a chance at a successful recovery is if they are ready to make progress.

This is why forcing somebody into rehab can be a costly mistake. Unless they are entirely on board and want to take their lives back, it would be a total waste of time.

If you want advice on how to convince someone to go to rehab, please do not hesitate to contact us today and we will gladly offer our support.

Assuming that everyone is on board, here’s a step by step guide to rehabilitation:

Step 1 - Intake:

First up is the admissions process. This is when an initial comprehensive screening process takes place. Our qualified professionals and addiction specialists will take you through an open and confidential discussion about your situation.

  • They will ask questions about the nature of your addiction, the substance you have been using, and how long you have been addicted for.

  • You will go through a psychological and physical examination to determine what your mental and physical health is like.

  • Following that, our addiction specialists will be able to put together a comprehensive treatment programme especially for you.

These programmes are designed for you and you alone. This is because no two people are the same and each individual requires different treatments in order to have the best chance at recovery.

Once your programme has been put together, you will be ready to enter our residential rehab facility in St Albans.

Step 2 - Detox:

The next stage in the rehabilitation process is detox. A medically assisted detox will be required to cleanse your mind and body of all the harmful substances that you have been putting in your body. This is an essential part of the rehab process as it will clear your mind and prepare you for the psycho-therapeutic treatments to follow.

During the detox process you will experience a number of dangerous withdrawal symptoms – both physical and psychological.

This is why it is paramount that you are detoxing with medical professionals, and not attempting to do it alone.

Fortunately, at our St Albans rehab centres, you will receive the best medical care in state of the art medical facilities.

Your vital signs will be monitored and in some cases, for the more severe addictions, you may be prescribed detox medication to help ease the detoxing process.

After you have gone through this process as comfortably and safely as possible, you will be ready for stage 3 of the rehabilitation programme.

addiction treatment - wooden block letters

Step 3 - Long term treatment efforts:

After having successfully been cleansed of the harmful substances that have been ailing you, you will be prepared – mind, body and soul – for your rehab treatment.

The frequency and nature of the treatments that you will receive will depend on your individual situation. Again, the prescribed treatments and activities will be determined by your addiction specialist.

These treatments can include (but are not limited to):

  • holistic therapies

  • psychological treatment

  • dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT)

  • group therapy sessions (similar to Alcoholics Anonymous / Narcotics Anonymous)

  • family therapy

  • art therapy

  • cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

  • one to one sessions with spiritual counsellors

  • individual therapy with certified psychiatrists

  • group sessions

  • and more.

The main reason for these treatments is for you to better understand your addiction. They will help you identify and understand any underlying mental health issues that you have been dealing with – and which may have led to your addiction in the first place.

When you better understand the self and your addiction, you will be better positioned to make a full recovery. Recognising your own personal triggers and being armed with the necessary techniques to avoid relapse is an essential part of the healing process.

Following that, once you have gone through your treatments, you will be ready to return to your day to day life.

Step 4 - Recovery and aftercare:

Even after having completed the most effective treatment programme, it doesn’t mean that you are entirely in the clear. As such, our staff will put together an aftercare programme especially for you.

Similar to your inpatient rehab treatment programme, the aftercare will be designed with your unique situation in mind.

The main focus is to ensure that your mental health is looked after. By regularly attending support groups and individual counselling sessions, we can monitor your progress and you can continue to share your thoughts and feelings with other people who are going through a similar recovery process.

This is therapeutic and considered to be absolutely critical to a persons recovery. 40 to 60% of addicts relapse after rehab and this is largely because they do not keep up with their aftercare commitments.

If you don’t want to fall into the 40 to 60%, then we urge you to commit to the aftercare options we provide you with.

Making the assumption that you are immune to relapse is a mistake. Instead, you should open yourself up to receiving further support, make friends in the various support groups recommended, and continue fighting the good fight!

How long does rehab take?

A typical drug and alcohol addiction rehab programme generally lasts around 28-days. However, there are a number of other options available, particularly for those with more severe addiction problems who need extra help and support:

  • 60-days

  • 90-days

In addition, some people may continue rehab after completing their residential treatment, in an outpatient programme (up to 1-year and beyond).

Outpatient treatment options

If the sound of staying in a residential facility and receiving treatment away from friends and family doesn’t appeal to you, you have other options that you can explore.

Outpatient programmes are designed for those who have work and familial commitments and are unable to stay in a residential rehab facility for an extended period of time.

Instead, they can take part in various rehab treatments, in an outpatient capacity, meaning they can attend meetings and counselling sessions in the evenings and on weekends before returning home.

This option is also recommended for people who do not have a serious addiction problem but would like to learn more about the dangers of addiction and how to cope with cravings.

If you are not quite sure where you fit, please do not hesitate to contact us today for free, confidential advice.

We have treatment centres for drug and alcohol rehab in St Albans

While we have drug addiction and alcohol rehab centres all over the UK, if you need rehab St Albans is one of our locations.

Whether you or a loved one is battling with alcohol or drug addiction, we urge you to contact us today. We understand how hopeless and alienating addiction can feel.

The good news is that most of our addiction specialists are recovering addicts who have been exactly where you are right now! So, if you want judgement free advice and support from people who understand you, we’re only a phone call away.

There is light at the end of the tunnel and you can make a full recovery!

Rehab today! Get help with your addiction to alcohol drugs gaming gambling codependency

What We Do

At Rehab Today (PCP) we offer all of our clients a safe and confidential alcohol detox across all of our trusted residential centres. Our alcohol detox treatments are thoroughly regulated by the Care Quality Commission and delivered by our experienced in-house doctors and nurses. Using evidence-based research and years of experience, we tailor your alcohol detox treatment personally to you and guide you on your path to sobriety.

How We Can Help

Alcoholics feel hopeless, no matter how much they want to stop. However, it is possible to stop and to stay stopped, and even enjoy the process. Our team of professionals have helped thousands of different people like you, who are struggling to recover from active alcohol addiction.

We are ready to help you overcome this deadly disease; are you ready to begin the recovery process and reconnect with your life and the old “you”?

We have a number of programs for people with alcohol use disorder and will do everything in our power to guide you through the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and help you take back control of your life.

Why Choose Us

We operate some of the UK’s leading drug and alcohol rehab centres and have been successfully treating people and their addictions for over 15-years. We treat our clients with the highest level of respect and dignity. At Rehab Today (PCP) we pride ourselves in providing a safe, comfortable, and judgement-free environment for you to receive your alcohol detox treatment.

That, and few people understand with symptoms of alcohol withdrawal than those who have had an alcohol use disorder themselves. Many of our medically trained staff have been a patient in an alcohol detox program and can speak from personal experience of just how difficult it is – and just how amazing it feels to be free of addiction.

If you decide to tackle your addiction with us you will have access to a wealth of resources. From free advice on how to start on your journey to recovery, to medication, care from medically trained professionals, and support groups with other people who understand exactly what you are going through.

How to Get Help

Are you sick and tired of feeling sick and tired? Ready to tackle your alcohol addiction? If so then getting professional help is the first real step to overcoming your problem and starting your journey to recovery. Please do not hesitate to use the live chat function to get in touch with a member of our team or contact us via telephone for immediate support and admission. Call today on 0800 0380 480. We have a number of friendly and professional staff waiting on standby 24/7

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