How to Find Good Addiction Treatment

Addiction treatment is necessary for those who have developed a problem with drugs or alcohol or who are compelled to engage in certain behaviours such as gambling, sex or shopping. It is difficult to admit when your use of a particular substance has reached problem stages or when you no longer have control over a certain activity. Nevertheless, unless you can admit to having a problem, you will never be in a position to overcome it.

When it comes to addiction, there are various treatments available. But how to find good addiction treatment might be something that you find overwhelming. After all, it can be difficult to know what type of treatment you might need and who is the best person or people to provide it.

However, before learning more about how to find good addiction treatment, it is important to assess your own personal situation.

Do You Need Help for Addiction?

You may have been worrying about your own use of a substance in recent times, or perhaps you believe that a particular activity is getting out of control. If so, then it is worth considering the fact that you might have an issue that needs to be addressed.

Maybe you do not believe that you have a problem at all but your loved ones have been raising concerns about changes in your behaviour? If this is the case, it is still worthwhile to take a step back and examine your situation.

What you should know is that failure to see the extent of your problem is not unusual when it comes to addiction. Most affected people find it hard to understand the damage that their actions are causing. This is usually because they are unable to see clearly due to the way in which their illness has affected their brain.

If you have been abusing a substance such as alcohol or drugs, then it is important to think about the way in which you use it. Are you using more than you used to? If so, you may have developed a tolerance to its effects, meaning that you are not getting the same relief as before.

Are you experiencing unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit or cut back on your use of this substance? If so, you might have a physical or psychological dependence – or both. Moreover, if you are unable to quit, or feel compelled to use this substance even when knowing it will cause problems for you or others, you may very well be addicted. If this is the case, you need help to get better.

Finding the Right Addiction Treatment

Addiction treatment for a substance use disorder typically involves detox and a rehabilitation programme. But if you are wondering how to find good addiction treatment, know that it is important to consider your own personal needs and circumstances.

Finding the right addiction treatment programme is really about finding the one that is most suitable for you. It is important to consider your personal preferences as well as your requirements. You should learn a bit more about what options are available so that you can choose the right provider.

What Options Are There?

In the UK, there are many different options available for those who need treatment for addiction. Programmes can be residential or day care based and are provided by organisations such as the NHS, charities, local counsellors, local support groups and private clinics.

Inpatient Programmes

Inpatient programmes take place on a residential basis in a distraction-free environment. Most are provided by private clinics and run for between four and twelve weeks. The programme is usually concentrated over the course of a few weeks so are quite intensive, meaning you will spend almost all day in treatment.

Inpatient programmes are ideally suited to those with a severe addiction. They are also recommended if you have underlying medical issues, have a stressful home environment, or have tried to quit in the past with an outpatient programme without success.

Outpatient Programmes

Outpatient programmes take place on a day care basis, whereby you would attend regular counselling sessions at a specific clinic or hospital. These programmes tend to be provided by the NHS and charities, for the most part.

How these programmes are run vary widely from one provider to another. Some require weekly attendance for a few hours whereas others require you to attend daily for an hour or two, at least for the first few weeks.

As you might imagine, with varying treatment options each week, the duration of programmes also varies quite a bit. Some run for a few months while others can continue much longer, with some people attending counselling on an ongoing basis for a number of years.

As outpatient programmes require you to learn how to stay sober in the real world instead of in a sheltered facility, many believe it is a better option. Nonetheless, for those who would find it difficult to stay sober while getting on with everyday life, an outpatient programme might not be ideal. Outpatient programmes require a strong determination to succeed and a willingness to make some lifestyle changes.

What to Consider When Choosing?

When thinking about how to find good addiction treatment, it is wise to consider your own needs. For example, if you have a severe addiction and are struggling to break free from alcohol or drugs, an inpatient programme might be your best option. But inpatient treatment is not for everyone.

Those who have commitments at home or in work may not be able to commit to full-time treatment and would, therefore, require an outpatient programme.

The cost may also be an issue for you. While inpatient programmes are typically provided free of charge, inpatient programmes tend to be provided by private clinics and therefore come with a fee. An average 4-week programme here in the UK costs between four and six thousand pounds, which may seem quite high to many people.

Know though that there are benefits to paying for treatment. What you may not realise is that demand for free programmes is very high and, because supply cannot often meet this demand, most outpatient programmes come with a long waiting time for admittance. It is likely that you would have to wait for weeks or months before a place becomes available, which may not be ideal if you are keen to get started on your recovery journey.

You might be worried that if you are forced to wait for the treatment you will go off the rails and lose all motivation to get help. An inpatient programme might seem like the better option, especially considering that many can accept patients within one to two days of their initial enquiry.

As you can see, there is a lot to think about when trying to find a good treatment provider. It is important that whoever provides your care can meet all your needs and circumstances. If you would like more information about how to find good addiction treatment, you can speak to your doctor or call us here at Primrose Lodge for further details about the programmes we offer.

We can answer any queries you may have regarding inpatient programmes and what to expect at our clinic. Call today and speak with one of our friendly advisors.