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The Legal Class ‘A’

The Legal Class ‘A’

Its socially acceptable, cheap and available almost everywhere, but have you any idea of the dangers behind alcohol?

Alcoholism is a progressive disease, often not taking full effect until someone is in their 50’s. It’s a very ‘normal’ thing to pop to the pub when the suns shinning or after work for a glass of wine or two, however some of us just have the genetic pre disposition of addiction, and the child of an addict in 8x more likely to develop an addiction themselves. This literally means some of us have been born as an addict and for those, that one glass of wine will never be enough.

Unfortunately, the common preconception of an alcoholic is someone who isn’t well maintained, sitting on that park bench, drinking their vodka out of a brown paper bag. This is absolutely not the case and simply the definition of an alcoholic is someone who puts one drink in them and doesn’t know when to stop.

Once alcohol has its grips on you it is not only very hard to stop but it is very dangerous. Alcohol withdrawal is something that needs to be taken exceptionally seriously. Withdrawals can include shakes, sweats and sickness and in major cases also cause seizures.

So how does someone who is in the cycle of alcohol addiction stop?

Sadly, just stopping really is a no go. In the early stages of alcohol abuse, stopping is not the problem, staying stopped is the main challenge. Once an alcoholic is in full addiction and physically dependent on alcohol withdrawals involved in stopping can be a real health risk. Withdrawal symptoms can start as quickly as 2 hours following the last drink. Mild withdrawals can cause slight tremors and anxiety which would make it very difficult for someone trying to stop with their own will power. More serious withdrawals can cause seizure and delirium tremens which can be very detrimental to someone’s long term health.

Many alcoholics will try and cut down their drinking and feed their denial of addiction with their own reduction techniques. Unfortunately, this technique very rarely works. As an alcoholic truly cannot and does not know when to stop after that first drink, abstinence in this way can just be impossible. Although reduction techniques can sometimes work as a short term solution, the addict’s tolerance and lack of control over drinking can lead to the alcohol intake quickly creeping back up to an unmanageable amount. If the reductions are teamed with withdrawals, then the addict can be taking some really dangerous risks with their health.

A medical detox is the most highly recommended and the most effective way to detox from alcohol. Medical detoxes are most commonly carried out in residential rehabs where doctors are available to be able to prescribe a variety of treatments to help an alcoholic detox comfortable and safely. The idea of a medical detox is to use medication just for the time that the detox is being carried out and the patient to leave alcohol and substance free at the end of their treatment. A medical detox would typically last 7-10 days and the treatment could include benzodiazepines such as Librium alongside relaxants such as Diazepam, Lorazepam or Oxazepam.

What do we recommend?

The easiest and most effective way to stop drinking is certainly in a residential rehab and having a medical detox. There are a variety of rehabs available all over the country covering many different price ranges all with highly qualified teams or doctors, consultant psychiatrists and councillors to help not only with abstaining from alcohol, but with supplying tools to remain ‘dry’ long term.

Rehabs offer a range of different programs but for alcohol all will start with detoxication and medically managed withdrawal. Allowing the body to detox safely is critical and this is an essential primary stage of treatment for alcoholics.

It doesn’t stop there!!

Often alcohol is the solutions, not the problem. Underlying physiological issues can be the reason behind peoples drinking and the real reason why someone is looking to change the way that they feel and escape from reality.  Not dealing with these underlying issues is the main cause of relapse in alcoholics.

The amount of physiological treatment given in a residential rehab is dependent on the length of the stay. Whilst counselling, group sessions and one to one therapy is carried out alongside any length detox the ‘full’ rehabilitation program is 28 days. Good physiological treatment is absolutely essential and if a full program is not carried out in a residential rehab there are alternate intensive outpatient solutions such as The Online Rehab available to have in place as an aftercare solution.

If you are looking to detox from alcohol, please call Help4Addiction on 0330 088 9518

If you are looking for further support following a medical detox, please visit www.theonlinerehab.co.uk

 

Nicholas Conn / 9th November 2016/ Posted in: Alcohol, News/Press

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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 0330 088 9518.

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