Does Rehab Work?

Why do we so often hear about celebrities who spend their whole lives in and out of rehab? Does it not beg the question, “Does rehab work?”

Does Rehab Work? The Truth

The truth is that there are many different factors at play and you will find plenty of debates online as to whether rehab is beneficial or not.

Giving up drinking for good is the goal of rehab and this is how its success or failure is often measured but what is not always taken into consideration is what happens after rehab.

Many studies on the subject have shown that the most effective treatment is a combination approach, including an intensive inpatient stay with medication and counselling, followed by outpatient support and this can sometimes last months or years.

It is about providing you with the support you need to help you change lifelong habits that have led to your drinking, into new lifestyle and behaviours which will support your abstinence.

This is why we believe that finding the right rehab for you, is ultimately the key to its success or failure.

It is true that you have to be ready for recovery. You have to want to give up otherwise no amount of rehab treatment will help. You may go through the programme, but if you are not truly behind the process, you will be far more likely to relapse.

But given that there are also lots of different styles of rehab treatment, it will be important to find the right one that will not only fit in with your lifestyle and finances, but also your personal beliefs and goals.

Alcoholism is a powerful addiction and difficult to overcome. You will greatly increase your chances of success if you have the right support in place.

The simple answer to the question “Does rehab work?” is “Yes”. Rehab does work but one size does not fit all. You will need a programme specifically designed and tailored to your needs and circumstances to give you the greatest possible chance of success.

Common therapies used in and around rehab

What is Aftercare?

Treatment does not finish when you leave rehab. Aftercare is vitally important to help maintain recovery and is available in many ways.

Rehabs understand how difficult it can be when the individual leaves and goes back to their day to day lives, and after spending an extended amount of time in their care having learnt to trust and rely on certain therapists there is comfort in knowing that even after leaving, nobody is left ‘alone’. Rehabs will put together an aftercare plan prior to discharge for all patients.

This will include ongoing aftercare in the rehab itself, care in their local community and online rehab support.

What is DBT?

DBT stands for Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and is an adapted version of CBT to intensely treat emotions.

DBT is used to treat a number of mental health problems by helping to change unhelpful ways of thinking and motivation change.

DBT places importance on the relationship gained between patient and therapist as this relationship is used to help motivate change in the individual. Dialectics (in DBT) means acceptance and change and DBT is an excellent tool to not only help manage emotions by accepting them but learn to regulate them moving forward.

How to Treat Trauma?

Trauma and addiction are quite often two things that come hand in hand. Trauma is experienced by an individual and is often very present in justifying or turning to substance misuse.

Wide ranges of treatment options are used for conditions of psychological trauma, such as PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), a combination of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), hypnotherapy, exposure therapy and CBT are used in successful trauma treatment. Research has shown that simultaneously treating trauma alongside treatment for substance misuse is very effective. It has also been proven that when treating addiction, 50% of individuals have experienced trauma in some way and this left untreated leads to a much higher rate of relapse.

What are Holistic Therapies?

Holistic therapies such as massage, reflexology, yoga and meditation treat mind, body and soul and when applied to treating addiction can help open the mind to therapy.

There is nobody that officially verifies the effectiveness of holistic treatments for Addiction, however, it is well documented that a person’s satisfaction and comfort with treatment directly offers the likeliness to fully engage and achieve long-term sobriety.

Holistic therapies used alongside a medical detox integrate the physical, mental and spiritual health of a patient. Holistic therapy is now one of a wide range of ’alternative’ therapies used in residential rehabs around the world.

What is Outpatient Treatment?

Outpatient therapy is a less intensive version of residential treatment. Whilst not always considered the best primary option for addiction available for those unable to commit to residential stays.

A person undergoing outpatient care would be expected to attend regular meetings with their assigned therapy teams and be given a similar program to follow to those in residential rehab.

It is unlikely that someone suffering from a  physical dependency and in need of a medical detox would be eligible for outpatient treatment. Patients in an outpatient program benefit from not having to take a large amount of time away from home (especially important for those with dependants), not having to take time away from work and keeping costs down while still getting a good level of support to overcome addiction.

What is Art/Music Therapy?

Creative therapies are mentally and visually stimulating. These therapies also activate the imagination and have been proven in assisting with expression and communication in other therapies when used together.

Art and music therapy can be used separately or together and are expressive therapies that allow people to communicate their thoughts and feelings in artistic forms instead of words.

Patients are encouraged to express themselves through not only painting, drawing and sculpting but also dancing, acting, poetry and music.

These therapies used alongside other therapies (such as CBT, DBT and counselling) can effectively address behaviour addictions, non-physical drug addiction and emotional issues for those not requiring or having had a detox. A physically dependent addict is unlikely to engage in art/music therapy during their medical detox.

What is a Detox?

Detoxification is the medical intervention used for individuals physically dependent on substances to help prevent serious withdrawals.

Detox, if required, is considered the most important stage in drug/alcohol treatment. A combination of prescribed medication is used to assist with a detox to help prevent and manage uncomfortable and dangerous withdrawal symptoms.

This is the first stage in treating addiction and is essential for individuals using drugs which they are physically dependent to (such as heroin) or drinking large quantities of alcohol and suffering withdrawals symptoms (such as shakes, sweats, etc). It is always recommended that a detox is coupled with a treatment program to help guarantee long-term abstinence.

What is CBT?

CBT stands for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and is currently the most widely used treatment when addressing mental health issues, such as addiction, and has been proven to improve mental health and wellbeing.

CBT is a talking therapy and helps to change the ways that an individual thinks and manages behaviour. The vicious cycle of overwhelming thoughts, feelings and physical sensations can make someone feel trapped and CBT helps to deal with these problems by breaking them down into smaller parts.

Unlike other therapies, CBT works with the present problem and focusses less on the past. CBT has been very successful in treating addiction (substance and behavioural) and the depression and anxiety disorders that commonly come alongside this.

What is an Intervention?

Intervention is a guided process that helps an addict to recognise the full extent of their problem and to help break denial.

This process would normally be teamed with a pre-arranged plan for immediate admission to an intensive treatment. The individual suffering from addiction is often unwilling or unable to accept that they have a problem.

During an intervention, feedback will be given to the addict of the effect from their behaviour and the effect it is having on themselves, as well as their family and friends.

Interventions are normally held by family members and close friends and can often be led by a trained professional interventionist who can help guide in the process. It is common for the addict to try and change the subject of the intervention or even try to make a joke out of the situation.

The overall goal of an intervention is to get the addict to accept their behaviour and responsibility to their behaviours and accept the reality that they need to seek help for their drug or alcohol addiction.

What is the Online Rehab?

The world’s first comprehensive online rehabilitation, offering primary treatments and ongoing aftercare solutions.

The Online Rehab is affordable and ideal for someone with a busy work schedule or dependents. All programs are carried out from at home, face to face through the computer and therefore there is no need for the addict to take any time out from their day to day lives.

The Online Rehab can come with if travel for work is required or if there are any planned holidays. Using something like The Recovery Support program (which is one of the programs offered on The Online Rehab) as ongoing aftercare is exceptionally valuable.

All groups are counsellor led and workbooks are followed to ensure there is a good direction. The groups are kept small and intermate. The Recovery Support program is a great alternative for those who cannot get to meetings as often as they would like to.

What is Family Support?

Family support is often vital alongside the support given to a recovering addict. It is important to recognise that an addict’s behaviour doesn’t affect just them but usually all those around them too.

It is common that family members/friends feel isolated in caring for an addict and it is reassuring to know they are not alone.

This support is often essential for people involved with the addict in being able to fully understand and support their journey to recovery and long-term abstinence. Family support is offered through treatment centres, fellowship groups and online support.

This is open to all members of the family; parents, siblings, spouse, children, as well as close friends.

What are the 12 Steps?

The Twelve Steps is a programme that promotes openness and honesty.

The program follows a set of principles which outline the course of action an addict should take for their long-term recovery. The 12 steps methods have been adapted to address alcohol misuse, substance misuse and behavioural addictions.

There are several fellowships and 12 step meetings held all around the world, open to anyone at any stage of recovery and are completely anonymous. The fellowships were first founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Robert Holbrook Smith (who are now known more commonly as Bill W and Dr. Bob).

For free independent and confidential advice on choosing the best solution for your alcohol addiction call us today on 0203 955 7700