If you think you or a loved one may have an addiction, whether it be to drugs or alcohol, this page is for you. At Help4Addiction, our dedicated experts can find the right Essex rehab for you.
With centres located in and around Essex, we can take your preferences into account to find the right treatment for you, whether you’re looking for private rehab or NHS rehab. Read on to learn more about alcohol addiction, drug addiction, and how we can help you combat your addiction.
What is Alcohol Addiction?
Alcohol addiction can affect all aspects of your life – from your family and relationships to your physical health and mental health. Alcohol can be particularly harmful to your physical health – in fact, it has been found to be a causal factor in over 60 medical conditions. [i]
If you think you might be addicted to alcohol, then we can help you find the right alcohol rehab treatment centre for you in Essex. Our addiction specialists can discuss your treatment options with you in a friendly manner. We understand how difficult it can be to deal with alcohol addiction, whether it be yourself or your loved one with the addiction.
What is Drug Addiction?
Drug addiction is considered a chronic and relapsing brain disorder as it can have many physical and mental effects. Drug addiction can affect your brain’s circuits that impact stress, reward, and self-control – and even if you stop taking drugs, these effects can last.
It can also have effects on your bodily organs – however, this damage tends to be treatable and preventable. However, if you don’t get help for drug addiction, the effects can last – and can even be fatal. [ii]
Read on to learn about the key types of drug addiction – cannabis addiction, cocaine addiction, amphetamine addiction, heroin addiction, opiate addiction, ketamine addiction, and prescription drug addiction.
Cannabis Addiction Essex
Many people have the opinion cannabis is not addictive. Although cannabis may not be physically addictive, it is possible to develop a psychological dependence and addiction to cannabis, as it is a habit-forming drug.
In fact, as many as 30% of those who use cannabis regularly develop symptoms that are consistent with cannabis use disorder/ cannabis addiction. [iii]
It is the most popular illicit drug in the UK, despite the fact that it is currently illegal to produce, sell, and consume (class B drug). [iv] If you are struggling to stop smoking or using cannabis/ marijuana, then contact us today to discuss your cannabis addiction treatment options.
Cocaine Addiction Essex
If you are struggling to control or stop your cocaine use, you likely have a cocaine addiction. Cocaine is a highly addictive substance that affects how your dopamine system works. Frequent and long-term cocaine use can lead to you developing a physical and psychological dependence on the drug, meaning you’ll experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop using it.
Cocaine is the second most used drug in the UK, second to cannabis. [v] Roughly seven out of 10 drug users use cocaine regularly, but only 14% of these people seek help from medical professionals or charities.
We want this figure to be higher – if you think you may be addicted to cocaine, contact us today. We can find the right cocaine addiction treatment for you in or around Essex, whether you’d rather undergo inpatient rehab/ residential rehab or outpatient rehab treatment. [vi]
Amphetamine Addiction Essex
Although some types of amphetamines may be prescribed, it is possible to develop an addiction to amphetamine drugs. Amphetamines work by affecting your central nervous system, increasing activity in your brain. Amphetamines can leave you feeling more focused and confident.
Prescription amphetamines can be abused and some amphetamines such as speed are illegal for use in the UK. Abusing amphetamines can not only lead to addiction but can cause a drug overdose. If you’re struggling to stop taking amphetamine drugs or you experience withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop, then you may have an addiction.
Heroin/Opioid Addiction Essex
Heroin is one of the most dangerous drugs. It is an opioid drug that works to alter your central nervous system and binds to your opioid receptors. Opioids can also be prescribed – some common prescription opioids include tramadol, codeine, oxycodone, morphine, and fentanyl. [vii]
Heroin addiction and opioid dependence can be difficult to break – if you think you may be addicted to opioid drugs such as heroin, contact our specialists today to find the right Essex heroin rehab treatment for you.
Ketamine Addiction
Ketamine is a controlled substance in the UK [viii] and is used in the veterinary and medical fields as an anaesthetic. Despite being illegal for recreational use, many people use ketamine illicitly for the dissociative anaesthetic effects.
Ketamine can be psychologically addictive and habit-forming. If you feel unable to stop taking ketamine or control your ketamine use, contact us today to find the best Essex ketamine addiction treatment for you.
Prescription Drug Addiction
Prescription drugs can be just as addictive as alcohol and illicit drugs. Just because prescription drugs have been prescribed by a doctor, that doesn’t mean that they are always perfectly safe and non-addictive.
If you abuse prescription drugs, the chances of you developing a prescription drug addiction are greatly increased. However, there’s still a chance of you developing dependence and addiction to prescription drugs if you follow the instructions from a medical professional.
Prescription drug addiction is essentially taking prescription medication in any way other than prescribed. This can include taking more than prescribed, taking the drugs more frequently, mixing your prescription drugs with alcohol or other drugs, or taking someone else’s prescriptions.
Signs You Need Drug Or Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Addiction can affect all areas of your life – however, in some cases, addiction can remain hidden. One of the key signs that you have an addiction to drugs or alcohol is that you are unable to stop, limit, or control your substance use/ substance abuse.
The key sign of physical dependence on a substance is that you experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop your consumption or you lower your dose (go from a high dose to a low dose).
Alcohol and drug addiction can affect your physical health and your mental health. If you find yourself still using drugs or drinking alcohol despite the negative effects, then chances are, you have an addiction.
Likewise, if other people such as friends and family have noticed the impact of your substance abuse or substance addiction, then you should seek help. We recommend that you undergo drug and alcohol rehab treatment if you feel unable to stop – read on to learn about the rehab process, from detoxification to aftercare.
The Drug And Alcohol Addiction Treatment Process
Rehab treatments can vary – although the three core steps generally remain the same: Detoxification, Therapy, and Secondary Treatment. Whether you’re in need of alcohol rehabilitation or drug rehabilitation, there’s a program out there for you in Essex. Read on to learn more about the treatment process.
Drug And Alcohol Detox Essex
Detoxification is the first stage of any rehab treatment – it involves cleansing your body of the substance. During alcohol or drug detox, you will be deprived of the substance you are addicted to.
The length of detox can vary depending on the addiction itself and other personal factors such as your height and weight and history of substance abuse/ substance misuse. At Help4Addiction, we can find quality 7-day drug detox treatments, 14-day treatments, 28-day treatments, and longer.
During this stage, you may experience unpleasant and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. In severe cases, you may be offered a medically assisted detox.
However, most withdrawal symptoms tend to peak after a couple of days. Your mental health may also be affected during the withdrawal process – especially if you have existing mental health disorders.
Drug And Alcohol Therapy Essex
Upon successfully detoxing from the drug or substance that you’re addicted to, you may undergo therapy to treat the psychological and social aspects of addiction. The aim of therapy is to boost your confidence and provide mental health support.
CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) is a common form of therapy offered during drug or alcohol rehab. Some other types of therapy include group therapy, counselling, and interpersonal therapy.
Secondary Treatment Essex
When you leave rehab, you may struggle to remain sober and you may be worried about relapsing. In this instance, you may benefit from secondary treatment, also known as aftercare.
Aftercare aims at preventing relapse and easing the transition from rehab back into your everyday life. Some forms of aftercare can include group therapy, support groups (e.g Alcoholics Anonymous), or counselling with a qualified counsellor.
Finding The Right Essex Drug And Alcohol Rehab
At Help4Addiction, we understand how addiction can affect you and those around you. We know it can be difficult to take the first step into treatment and make positive changes, which is why our friendly team can help to find you the right treatment.
If you live in or around the Essex area, we can find the right rehabilitation for you whilst taking into account your personal circumstances, requirements, and preferences.
Whether you’re looking for inpatient rehabilitation at a residential treatment centre, or you’d rather attend an outpatient centre travelling from Essex, we can accommodate you. Contact us today for addiction support in Essex.
[i] https://alcoholchange.org.uk/alcohol-facts/fact-sheets/alcohol-statistic
[ii] https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drug-misuse-addiction
[iii] https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-02530-7
[iv] https://www.politics.co.uk/reference/cannabis/
[v] https://www.statista.com/topics/7547/drug-use-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/