Drug Abuse Programs

The following drug abuse rehab programme information has been prepared under the supervision of Consultant Addiction Psychiatrist Dr Bruce Trathen MBBS MRCPsych, and Senior Addictions Therapist David Goodlad FRSPH MA Dip. MBACP (Snr. Accred) UKRC NCAC CADC.

Accessing reliable and accurate drug rehab programme information can be confusing and time consuming. Triage Advisors are here to help you make fully informed and accurate decisions. Call 0117 339 0080.

What is a drug abuse program?

Drug abuse programs refer to treatment aimed at helping those who are physically or psychologically addicted to a substance or substances. These substances include alcohol, heroin, cocaine, cannabis and prescription medications, amongst others. Drug addiction programs can either be offered on an outpatient basis within the community, or in residential rehab programs that take place within a clinic.

Drug addiction programs will start by dealing with the physical side of the addiction. Sudden withdrawal from certain substances, such as alcohol or benzodiazepines, can be life-threatening in some circumstances, and so a drug addiction detox program allows individuals to stop using the substance immediately in the safest way possible. For other substances, sudden withdrawal is not normally life-threatening, but can be extremely unpleasant, and willpower alone may not be enough to remove the substance.

A medically supervised detox in a residential rehab program is the safest and most effective way to become substance-free. A professional detox in a drug rehab programme also increases the chances of recovery and reduces the likelihood of relapse.

Once the person becomes completely free from substances, residential rehab programs will focus on the psychological side of the dependence. This will usually combine several types of therapy; some examples are group therapy, one-to-one therapy, educational seminars, and personal reflection. It is important that the person learns to understand the addiction and the reasons behind it in order to avoid relapse once they have left the residential rehab program.

When should someone seek drug addiction programs?

Anyone who is physically addicted to a substance can benefit from drug addiction programs. Drug abuse programs may also benefit those who do not have an actual physical dependence but are experiencing severe reactions to the initial cessation period from a particular substance or substances. With any addiction, the person is often not taking care of themselves to a satisfactory standard, and so they can benefit from detox by improving their general physical wellbeing. Often a person will take a combination of substances, sometimes referred to as poly addiction.

Where to find residential rehab programs

The advantage of a residential drug rehab programme is that it offers treatment in an extremely supportive environment. Each day is highly structured in order to get the most out of the program, and highly qualified staff members are available to provide support every step of the way. Full residential rehab programs will deal with both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction.

It is possible to access drug abuse programs overseas. This option can be particularly appealing to those individuals who have already accessed help in the UK with limited success. By travelling overseas to access drug addiction programs, the person is completely removed from their problematic surroundings. Overseas treatment can also represent better value for money in some cases.

It is also possible to access free NHS services. Whilst it would clearly be preferable to access a drug rehab programme without having to pay for it, it is important to remember that there is an imbalance between availability of addiction treatment in the NHS and the demand in the community. Therefore, there can often be long waiting lists involved when trying to access the NHS drug abuse programs.

Not everyone will be in a position to access drug abuse programs privately or be offered them on the NHS. For those in that position it can be easy to lose motivation and become frustrated with the situation. We know the challenges faced when trying to access NHS drug abuse programs. We can offer advice on alternative treatment options as well as offer support and encouragement during this time.

How long could a drug rehab program take?

The length of the drug rehab programme will depend both on the severity of the situation, and the substance being taken. For the physical side of an addiction, an alcohol detox can take between 7 and 10 days. Opiate detox or Heroin detox will usually require a minimum of 14 days in order to safely detox. A rapid or accelerated detox is not advisable both for psychological reasons and physical comfort.

The best outcome of success will be when a medicated detox is accessed in conjunction with complete drug addiction programs that offer psychological treatment as well. Therefore, for alcohol the minimum duration of a residential rehab program should be 28 days and for drugs should be 6 weeks. This will allow enough time for both the physical and psychological side of the addiction to be addressed.

How much does a private drug rehab program cost?

Triage Healthcare recognises that there is a deficit in the provision of affordable private treatment for addictions in the UK. High quality free advice and information is provided to all, as well as best-value private treatment to individuals with a limited budget. If you arrange a residential rehab program through Triage Healthcare you will never pay more and in some cases you will pay less for residential treatment than by booking direct with a treatment centre.

Where to find drug addiction programs in the UK

There are a number of different drug abuse programs available. It is important that the treatment is tailored to the individual - addiction is different for each person; there is no “one-size-fits-all solution”. In order to find out the drug rehab programme that represents the best chance of success for all concerned, call one of our experienced advisors. Our advice is all completely free and confidential.

Triage Healthcare offers an immediate response service. Our helpline is open 7 days a week, and has a 24 hour messaging service which will be responded to by one of our trained advisors as soon as possible should you call out of hours. When considering private drug addiction programs it is important to know exactly what you are getting for your money.

We are staffed by highly experienced and expert professionals in addiction medicine and counselling, who are ethically bound to give you advice according to the latest evidence of what works, and who are not allowed to advise you according to a profit motive. Rather we will find you the best value residential rehab programs given your particular circumstances and wishes.

We understand that there may be concerns regarding treatment, particularly in terms of cost, location and success. That is why we are here. We can advise you on residential rehab programs that are individually tailored. We can help all concerned decide on a comprehensive drug rehab programme that is affordable to your budget. You can telephone to speak with us straight away in confidence or email us with the guarantee of a timely response.

We have an in-depth knowledge of the full range of treatment services and drug addiction programs throughout the UK and abroad, and will advise you independently of any particular centre.