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Drug & Alcohol Rehab Berkshire

Are you seeking information about alcohol and drug rehab in Berkshire? If so, Help4Addiction is a free and anonymous service that can assist you in many ways. Whether it’s looking or your nearest rehabilitation clinic or to learn what the signs of addictions are, there are plenty of services that we offer to the general public so they can confidently overcome their addictions.

 

Do I really need help dealing with addiction?

 

Contrary to what many people think, addictions can be incredibly debilitating especially when you start to experience withdrawal symptoms. For example, someone that can’t control their drinking may start to develop a dependency on alcohol. Their bodies will be so accustomed to functioning with alcohol in the system that it will start to show negative symptoms when there’s no alcohol in the body. Some examples of this include headaches, tremors or even nausea when there are periods of no alcohol in the body. The same can also happen in addictions to drugs, where taking them feels like a positive more than a negative because your body functions better with it.

 

The reality is that your body has grown dependent on it in order to function. That’s why going cold turkey can often make you feel horrible, prompting you to return to your old ways and continue drinking or taking drugs. With a rehabilitation program, you’ll not only receive medical attention to help you overcome those withdrawal symptoms, but you’ll be surrounded with positive support to help motivate you to beat your addictions. While there are many cases of people overcoming addictions to drugs and alcohol on their own, going through a rehabilitation program in Berkshire can yield a much higher chance of success.

 

How do I know if I’ve developed an addiction?

 

One of the biggest issues with addiction is that the signs are very subtle and often ignored. As a result, you may already be addicted to drugs or alcohol but are failing to notice the signs.

 

  • Making huge sudden weight losses and gains
  • Frequent changes in your mood
  • Increased number of depressive bouts
  • Unable to refuse alcohol or drugs when offered
  • Irritation from very small things
  • Becoming more secretive about your actions
  • Growing tolerance for stronger drugs and alcohol
  • Financial problems caused by alcohol or drug use
  • Career growth stunted due to alcohol or drug use
  • Loss of interest in activities that were previously exciting and fun

 

If you experience any of these, then you may want to consider speaking to a medical professional to see if they can offer an educated second opinion. Not everyone that takes drugs or drinks alcohol will become addicted, but it’s vital that you come to grips with the reality that you might have developed an addiction if you experience these symptoms. If you’re concerned and want to talk to someone immediately, then don’t hesitate to contact us at Help4Addiction.

 

What can rehabilitation centres offer me?

 

Alcohol and drug rehab centres are designed to help people break their addictions. The idea is to gain a deeper understanding of why you’re addicted and to also detoxify the body of the drugs and alcohol that you’ve become dependent on. The detoxification process does involve exposing your body to withdrawal symptoms, but with the medical staff on hand at rehab centres in Berkshire, you’ll be given medication and assistance to help you overcome the worst of it.

 

Rehab centres in Berkshire also provide a friendly atmosphere and community for you to deal with your addictions in peace. Many people find that they relapse into things like drinking alcohol or taking drugs because they’re pressured by their peer, but with a positive environment surrounding you, it’s far less likely to happen. You’ll also get life experience advice from other addicts, some of whom may become lifelong friends as you both strive to overcome your addictions.

 

Another essential component of beating your addictions is to undergo therapy. Therapy with specialists at a rehab centre will help you understand how you can manage your addiction by changing the way you behave. Talking therapies are often used to manage anxiety and depression but it’s also helpful for overcoming addictions to drugs and alcohol.

 

In short, a rehab centre in Berkshire will provide you with all the resources that you need in order to overcome an addiction. If you’re unsure where your nearest rehabilitation clinic is or are curious about other details, then feel free to contact us and we’ll help you search for that information.

 

What can I expect from a rehabilitation centre?

 

The best way to show you what to expect from a rehab clinic in Berkshire is to go through a single day and the activities involved.

 

In the morning, you’re treated to a healthy early breakfast. This is to provide you with good nutrients for the rest of the day and to also build a routine so that you can wake up and sleep at similar times each day to provide stability to your lifestyle. This may be followed by some counselling or therapy that focuses on your addiction and understanding how it came to be.

 

In the afternoon, you’ll likely receive some intensive therapy or treatment depending on the level of your addiction. This could involve specialised one-on-one sessions, family therapy or group therapy with other residents. This is often followed by or comes after a hearty lunch.

 

In the evening, you’ll likely go through another short group session or you might receive more one-to-one advice regarding your addictions. It may even include a quick checkup to ensure that you’re not feeling overwhelmed by rehab and to track your overall progress at the clinic.

 

To help distract you, there are often many activities and free time available in rehab. Depending on the clinic, this may include sports, indoor activities like ping-pong, time at the gym or even meditation and prayer.

 

Get in touch with us for more info about rehabilitation centres in Berkshire

 

If you’re tired of the withdrawal symptoms and want to completely remove those addictions from your life, get in touch with us and we’ll connect you to your nearest alcohol and drug rehab centre in Berkshire. With a positive community at your back to support you, medical advice to help you manage your withdrawal symptoms and plenty of encouragement, overcoming your addictions doesn’t need to feel impossible.

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Detoxification (detox) is the medical intervention required for someone who is physically dependent to drugs or alcohol. If required, medical detoxification would be the first step taken in residential rehab. Detox is used to prevent uncomfortable and dangerous (even fatal) withdrawals symptoms resulting in suddenly becoming abstinent from alcohol/certain drugs.

The goal of a medical detox is to aid in the physical healing required following long term addiction and rid the body of all together of substance whilst providing a cushion for unpleasant symptoms of withdrawals. Detox is not considered the whole treatment for drug/alcohol addiction and it is always recommended that a comprehensive rehabilitation program is used along side to help maintain long term abstinence.

Medication is often required for alcohol detox. If you are dependent on alcohol and experiencing withdrawal symptoms it is vitally important to seek medical advice prior to stopping. There is a long list of medications used when treating alcohol addiction and the exact medication given to an individual will depend on their needs/medical history. Some of these include;

  • Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
  • Lorazepam (Ativan)
  • Diazapam (vailium)


Librium and Valium are the most commonly used detox medication in the UK. All medication used to help with alcohol detox have been proven to help reduce the effects of withdrawal symptoms.

There are also a number of drugs recombined by the NHS to help treat alcohol misuse. Some of these include:

  • Naltrexone
  • Disulfiram (Antabuse)
  • Nalmefene
  • Acamprosate (campral)

Medication is always required for heroin detox. For someone suffering from heroin addiction, the thought of detoxification (detox) can be exceptionally daunting. Withdrawal symptoms from opiates, such as heroin, can be severe and include pain, vomiting, nausea and shaking.

There are different ways that heroin detox can be carried out, most usually either ‘maintenance therapy’ or ‘full medical detox’.

Attempting to switch from heroin to a heroin substitute, usually on a controlled prescription, is known as Maintenance therapy. Subsites used are most often methadone or buprenorphine.

A full medical detox from heroin will always be carried out in a residential rehab setting and will allow the individual to switch form heroin to a substitute and slowly withdraw completing treatment free of all substances. Someone using a heroin substitute can choose to have a full medical detox at any time, however detoxing substances such a methadone can often add to the length of detox required. Drugs most commonly used to fully detox from heroin are, Subutex, Suboxone and Methadone. Much like alcohol, the exact drugs used will be dependent on the individuals needs/medical history.

Once detoxed from heroin the risk of overdose is much higher following relapse due to tolerance following withdrawal.

The length of treatment in a residential rehab depends on a number of elements. Some substances require longer periods of detox than others.

Private paying patients will also often choose a length of stay that suites their therapeutic and financial needs. As a rule, a full treatment program in a rehab is considered to be 28 days (often referred to as a month), however, treatment is offered in several different ways and lengths starting at 7 days.

Treating alcohol addiction will always require a minimum of 7-10 days, this would be considered the detoxification (detox) faze. The length required for treating drug addiction can vary drastically depending on the substance being used. Detox for Heroin addiction is generally around 14 days minimum, with more time required if substances such a methadone are being used. Treating prescription drug addiction can often take the longest. The time required for treating gambling addiction, eating disorders and sex addiction will be based on the individuals needs.

Rehab programs can be as long as an individual requires but primary treatment is normally caped at 12 weeks, with the offering for further secondary and tertiary treatment thereafter.

*based on average rehab stays, everyone will vary dependant on needs and medical requirement/history.

There is no need for your employer to know that you are seeking help for trauma and addiction unless you choose to involve them with the process. All employers should have a policy that explains what you do if you cannot come to work due to illness – illness to include treating alcohol addiction/treating drug addiction.

If your work absence extends over 7 days your employer is likely to require an official statement of fitness to work which would be obtained from your GP. This would need to supply evidence of your illness as well as any adjustments required for returning to work, fazed return or reduced hours, but does not need to specify in detail the reason why you have been absent.

If you are absent from work for 7 days of less, for example entering rehab for a detoxification (detox) on a Saturday for 7-10 days taking a full week away from work, you can self-certify your illness by letting your employer work you will not be attending work for that period of time. Exactly how an individual would do this would be dependent on a specific companies’ policies on taking sick leave.

Any time longer than 7 days it is likely an employer will require a note from the individuals GP certifying their sickness and a fit note on return. Most companies have a clearly outlined policy on sickness and receiving sick pay so the exact requirement can vary. A rehab will always be willing to advise on time off work.

How much does rehab cost is a very frequently asked question. The cost of treatment can range from £1,000 per week upwards depending on the place, with luxury rehab being the most expensive.

There are free options available on the NHS but the waitlist of those looking for free treatment is longer than that for privately paying patients. Some private health insurance policies will cover treatment in some rehabs around the country.

Choosing the right rehab centre will often be based on priced but it is important to follow guidance on the most suitable treatment centre for an individual’s needs which our expert team of advisers are on hand to offer.

There are certainly pro’s for both treatment near by and traveling for treatment with one of the most asked question being should I get rehab near me? There are rehabs all over the UK and around the world that all offer expert programs, let’s look at how to choose a rehab.

Local treatment

Being close to home gives certainly has benefits. Visitors are normally permitted in rehab following the first 7 days stay, therefore if an individual is in treatment for a length of time longer than that being local will make it easier for loved ones to visit.

Most rehab centres will also provide a full aftercare plan for someone following treatment, this will include ongoing aftercare in the specific treatment centre. Living close by can make it easy to take full advantage of ongoing aftercare. There can also often be the option for ongoing care with an individual therapist, again being close by will allow that treatment to be carried out face to face.

Some individuals wish to be local but are willing to look broader, for instance the greater city of residence (London, Manchester, Liverpool, etc)

Treatment Away

Getting treatment away from home can be very appealing to some. Being out of the local area makes it a lot harder to just walk out of treatment as resources locally are unknown. Some also take comfort in knowing that they are not near home and focus more on treatment.

As the price for treatment can vary so much from one residential treatment centre to another, private paying patients often would rather travel to keep the cost down. Those using private health insurance may also have to travel to find a treatment centre covered in their policy.

When opting for treatment away from home this can be anywhere in the UK and also abroad. Aftercare can still be carried out and very successful using tools such as The Online Rehab.

There is no right or wrong when choosing where to go to residential rehab, but our expert advisors are always on hand to help provide information on all possible options.

Whilst millions of people in the UK have taken recreational drugs (amphetamine, cannabis, cocaine, crack, crystal meth, GHB, heron, ketamine, methadone, and prescription drugs) and drank alcohol not all become ‘addicted’. Most recent reports show that 279,793 individuals were in contact with drug and alcohol misuse services in the last year with over half of that being from opiate addiction and a quarter for alcohol.

There are several risk factors invoiced in addiction and those using drugs and alcohol socially, simply take the risk. These risks are as follows;

Tolerance – basically, if a substance is used repeatedly an individual’s tolerance to it will build. This will result in more of the same substance being required to get the same effect. In the long run this can easily lead to addiction and physical dependencies.

Environmental risks – these can include influences such a peer pressure and stress as well as physical or mental abuse of an individual (particularly as a child). Overall, those who live with frequent pressures and stress are more likely to reach for a substance to cope and are therefore at higher risk of becoming addicted.

Drug type – it is very well known that certain drugs are simply more addictive than others. Using substances such as heroin increases the risk of becoming addicted for need to ‘chase’ a high as well as physical dependency.

Drug administration – how a drug is administered can affect its addictive qualities. A drug injected rather than smoked or snorted will release a quicker and more intense high thus making it psychologically (and in many cases physically) more addictive.

Biological factors – it is now widely reported that being an addict is not only psychological but also biological. This includes your genetic makeup, mental health, sex and age. It is also reported to be 8 times more likely for the child of an addict to become an addict themselves.

Its believed that addiction is approximately half genetics and therefore some are 50% more likely to become addicted than others.

How do you help a loved one trapped in addiction?

The first step is to help and encourage the individual to become willing to accept help. They do not need to be shouting this off the rooftops, but they do need to be willing to go into treatment. There are ways to help someone become willing to get treatment for alcohol or treatment for drugs.

Set boundaries – set boundaries and stick to them. Once you have laid them out follow through with whatever consequences you have set however hard it is.

Stop finances – if you are financially supporting someone stopping these finances can be the quickest way for the addict needing to ask for help. With no money to acquire a substance an addict’s options become very limited.

Intervention – getting together with other family members/friends/colleagues and staging an intervention is often very successful in the fist stage of acceptance and gaining an admission to residential rehab.

You can’t make them quit, this can lead to dangerous withdrawal. Boundaries are very important in helping someone become willing to get help. Unfortunately you cannot do someone’s recovery for them and without self-motivation it is very hard to make it work.

The next step is to call our highly trained advisers 0203 955 7700.

There is a huge range of rehab options available and where to start can be completely over whelming so let us help.