Safe & Expert Addiction Treatment & Detox
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If you’re currently researching addiction treatment options for yourself or a loved one, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the main treatment options, including rehab, therapy and detox.
We’ll do a deep dive into what rehab is, what addictions can be treated and what happens when you attend rehab. The article will also explore the differences between inpatient and outpatient addiction rehab, explore free addiction treatment options and look at the importance aftercare plays in maintaining sobriety.
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What Are My Addiction Treatment Options?
Different addiction treatment programmes will suit different people and their individual needs and life circumstances. Whatever type of addiction treatment you choose to partake in, the key to successfully recovering is ensuring you are engaged and committed to change. In this section, we’ll take a look at some of the main types of addiction treatments you can access.
Rehab
Rehabs are typically abstinence-based and involve an in-depth, comprehensive addiction treatment process. Inpatient treatment is the most intensive option, in which you move into the facility and focus wholly on beating your addiction. During outpatient treatment, you will visit the facility for scheduled appointments but remain based at home. At most rehab facilities you will have access to 24-7 medical care and a range of addiction treatment options to explore.
Counselling and Therapy
Counselling and therapy often play a pivotal role in addiction recovery, as they help to uncover the root cause that is driving the addiction. When it comes to the right therapy for you, there is plenty to explore. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a very practical, solution-based approach to therapy that is all about changing negative thought patterns, and, in turn, behaviours.
For people who would benefit from a strengthened support network, family therapy could be helpful. It helps to repair relational bonds and helps educate your support network on the mechanics of addiction, so they can help support you through this challenging time.
Trauma-informed addiction is an appropriate option for people dealing with trauma or those diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There are plenty of types of therapies that can be trauma-informed, such as CBT, a 12 steps approach and even alternative approaches such as equine therapy.
Sometimes certain groups benefit from a closed environment to work through shared issues. Women-only addiction therapy has been specifically designed to help women through addiction issues that they may not feel comfortable discussing with men present.
There are various other types of approaches that might suit you including dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and group therapy including specific groups for eating disorders, body image, relapse prevention and adult children of alcoholics.
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Detox
If you are struggling with alcohol or substance addiction, detoxification will likely be a key part of your recovery process. A medically managed detox will help guide you through that process and any withdrawal symptoms in a safe, comfortable environment with professional help at hand whenever you need it. This is important because substance withdrawal can be difficult, and in certain cases, life-threatening. While detoxification is a crucial part of recovery, it doesn’t address the root cause of addiction so it is usually only part of the overall addiction treatment process.
What Is Rehab?
The term rehab usually refers to a rehabilitation facility which specialises in addictions such as drugs and alcohol or other health issues. You can choose to be an inpatient or an outpatient at most rehabs. The main difference is that inpatient stay onsite the whole time, whereas outpatients remain based at home coming to the facility for scheduled appointments. Because of the less intensive nature of outpatient treatment, it is typically carried out over a long time.
Rehabs are often used by people struggling with moderate to severe addictions who are unable to recover in other environments. Because rehabs are focused on abstinence, with no alcohol or drugs available, it offers a safer environment to recover. Inpatient rehab also has the benefit of removing all of the usual triggers of your drug or alcohol abuse, which many people find tremendously helpful when overcoming an addiction.
Which Addictions Can Be Treated at Rehab?
Different rehabilitation facilities will treat different issues. Here at Smarmore Castle, we have successfully treated over 1,000 patients suffering from a range of addictions including alcohol addiction, drug addiction and behavioural addictions including gambling, porn and gaming addictions.
We treat all addictions using an evidence-based approach, which views addiction as a disease. With alcohol and substance abuse, this means achieving sobriety first through a detox, to maximise your chances of making a full recovery. One of our consultant psychiatrists will pull together a personalised treatment plan which takes into account your medical history and any other relevant lifestyle factors. It is likely to include one-to-one therapy, support groups and twelve-step meetings to equip you with the tools you need to beat your addiction.
What Happens on a Typical Day at Rehab?
If you’re currently researching addiction treatment options and wondering if rehab is for you, it’s reasonable to want to know what life is like there. After all, it is a big commitment.
On your first day at Smarmore Castle, you’ll be met by our administrative and nursing staff. Here a nurse will talk you through the daily routine you can expect during your stay, any visiting arrangements and specific guidelines you’ll follow while you’re here. They can also answer any questions you or your family have.
You’ll then go through a detailed medical assessment, which will inform your specific addiction treatment plan. After your medical assessment, you’ll meet with a senior therapist who will go through your treatment approach and answer any of your questions.
Next, if it is something you and your family want to engage with, we offer family counselling sessions which help your family become more involved in your treatment and learn how to best support you as you go through the process.
Safe Detoxification from Drugs & Alcohol
You’ll be shown around the facilities and to your bedroom, all of which are en-suite. Bedrooms are single-sex and accommodate between 2 – 4 people. Private rooms are available on request.
There’s also a welcome pack that you’ll be given on arrival which will provide you with a treatment timetable, guidelines, visiting hours and a few written assessments. You will also be assigned a peer mentor, who will show you around and introduce you to everyone else.
Once you’ve settled in, you will begin your treatment programme. How that looks will vary between individuals but after you have been through a detox it will likely involve some one-to-one therapy, group sessions and access to holistic complementary therapies including aqua therapy, aromatherapy massage, creative writing and mindfulness meditation.
You will likely also attend specific skill sessions, such as sleep hygiene techniques and life skills. You will be provided with three nutritious meals a day, along with snacks and refreshments. There will also be free time during the day which you can choose to fill however you like. You could swim in the pool, take a sauna or steam or explore the beautiful gardens.
What Happens During a 28-Day Treatment Programme?
Inpatient treatment plans vary from four to eight weeks, but five weeks minimum is usually recommended in most cases.
During the length of the stay, and depending on your specific addiction, you may first go through a medically supervised detox. In the case of alcohol and substance addiction, this is critical for breaking physical dependence.
From there, you will spend the remainder of your time engaged with a range of therapies from the 12-step programme to CBT and trauma therapy. You may also be involved in group therapy sessions, as well as partake in our range of complementary therapies.
Inpatient Addiction Rehab
Inpatient treatment is the most intense option, in which you move into the facility and focus wholly on beating your addiction. At most rehab facilities you will have access to 24-7 medical care and a range of addiction treatment options to explore. Inpatient addiction treatment is an excellent option for people suffering from a severe or long-standing addiction, as well as for those dealing with additional mental health challenges.
Outpatient Addiction Rehab
Outpatient rehab is a less intensive approach in which you visit the facility for scheduled appointments, but remain based at home. So while you will have access to the same types of addiction treatment, such as detoxification and group therapy, you will remain in your own environment the rest of the time. This can be tricky if your home life is unstable or features a lot of triggers. However, it is a beneficial option for many people, such as those juggling the demands of work or childcare. Because outpatient rehabs do not allow for total focus on beating the addiction, they are best suited to people with milder addictions, who are very disciplined.
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Can I Get Free Addiction Treatment?
It is possible to get a referral through your local NHS, but going down this route can often involve a long wait.
Another free option for people struggling with addiction is the 12-step style programme. While not a structured counselling programme, they can be incredibly helpful in beating addiction. A few popular ones include:
Alcoholics Anonymous: https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/
Narcotics Anonymous: https://ukna.org/
Gamblers Anonymous: https://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/
Sex Addicts Anonymous: https://saauk.info/
Gaming Addicts Anonymous: https://www.gamingaddictsanonymous.org/
What Happens After Rehab?
Just because someone has successfully detoxed and achieved sobriety does not mean they are no longer at risk of relapsing. At Smarmore Castle, we view aftercare as a critical component of addiction recovery. After leaving all patients are given a one-year continuing care plan and two years of access to continuing care groups including alumni group meetings, recovery chat apps, and an annual reunion. This ongoing support sets people up for the best chance of success after they leave the trigger-free environment of rehab and return home to their daily lives.
At Smarmore Castle we are always ready to discuss your concerns about addiction and which treatment options are available to you. Please don’t hesitate to call us on 041 214 5111. We are available 24/7.
What is the best treatment system for addiction?
Addiction is a complex issue and requires individualised treatments. Not all modalities will suit everyone’s unique needs and life situations. If severe substance abuse is a component, detoxification will be required.
How much does addiction treatment cost?
Addiction treatment costs vary from free support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, to inpatient stays at rehabilitation clinics. Sometimes NHS funding is available.
What happens in rehab?
Rehab is a facility that helps people deal with addictions and other health issues. You can attend as an inpatient or outpatient. programmes vary between different rehabs but typically offer medically assisted detox, a range of therapies and support groups and access to complementary modalities.
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- How to Access Rehab With Health Insurance
For those experiencing existing mental health conditions in Ireland, there are private medical insurers who can help you cover treatment. As addiction experts, we know that receiving the appropriate care and support when you have a mental health disorder is pivotal to attaining long-lasting recovery. Below, we will go through the various health insurance options to help you understand your options when it comes to seeking private residential care for substance abuse. Please note that there is no guarantee that you can be covered for all addiction problems as policies are always assessed on a case-by-case basis. Find Out More
- My Loved One Doesn’t Want Help, What Do I Do?
You can’t force someone to go to rehab. At the end of the day, it needs to be their decision because they are the ones that need to be open to turning their lives around. There are ways in which you can encourage someone to enter treatment, one of these ways is via an intervention with a trained interventionist, who facilitates an honest discussion between family members and the addict. This is something Smarmore Castle can arrange – contact us today.
- Which Drugs Does Smarmore Castle Detox From?
We can detox people from any drugs whether they are illegal drugs such as cocaine, heroin, ketamine; or prescription drugs such as benzodiazepines or zopiclone, oxycodone, zolpidem, klonopin, methadone, cannabis; and legal drugs such as alcohol.
- How Long Is the Treatment Programme?
Our treatment programme starts at 4 weeks and is flexible in length, giving you the opportunity to extend for a longer period if you need it.
- Do You Treat Dual Diagnosis?
All patients are reviewed by a consultant psychiatrist in the first week and we can diagnose and provide treatment for a number of co-occurring mental health conditions.
- Do I Need to Be Abstinent Before Admission?
Our medically managed detoxification with 24/7 medical cover means that we can perform complete and complex detoxes at Smarmore Castle. You don’t need to be abstinent before arrival.
- How Do I Get To Rehab Safely?
Smarmore Castle is one hour north of Dublin international airport and we can arrange a driver to collect you and bring you straight to us for free.
We can also arrange a ‘sober transport’ service with a trusted driver, from anywhere in Ireland or Northern Ireland, at an additional cost.