Residential Rehab

The United Kingdom has the highest prevalence of drug abuse and misuse in all of Europe. This ranges from alcohol addiction, prescription opioid addiction, and “street drug” addiction like heroin or cocaine. If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, then you are not alone. Residential rehab is a consideration for many people facing this battle.

There are a lot of questions and uncertainties for someone considering going into in-patient addiction rehabilitation. If you’re looking for answers to these questions, then you’ve come to the right place.

You or your loved one can get the help needed by just taking the first step to getting sober. And knowledge about the process can be your biggest ally. Get the answers to your important questions and get the ball rolling towards sobriety, health, and happiness.

What is a Residential Rehabilitation Facility?

First things first: what is a residential rehabilitation facility? Residential rehab centres are live-in facilities where individuals go to receive help with addiction recovery. These programmes can last on average from 14 days up to 6 months and offer intensive drug and/or alcohol addiction treatment.

Many individuals struggling with addiction choose residential rehab to help with the detox phase of recovery. This can be one of the hardest parts, so many people choose to be in a controlled environment with access to the care they will need.

Residential recovery centres are not just for detoxing, though. Individuals who start drug abuse counselling at a live-in facility have far higher success rates than those that choose to remain at home to get sober. Experts suggest that there are quite a few reasons for this success. Let’s explore the benefits of choosing a residential substance abuse programme.

What Are the Benefits of Choosing a Residential Facility?

There are many benefits of residential rehabilitation facilities. While each person’s situation is unique, many of these benefits can be universal. It is up to each person to decide what setting is ideal for their own recovery.

However, consider some of these benefits of a residential recovery programme:

• High success rates: Individuals who enter and complete residential addiction treatment have higher rates of success. These facilities offer a total environment shaped around healing for sobriety
• 24-hour care and attention: Residential rehab facilities provide a greater level of attention to the client with 24-hour care
• Ideal for initial detoxing: With many types of addiction, detoxing can be one of the hardest parts. And in some cases, it can be dangerous or even life-threatening. Live-in rehab facilities offer round the clock care with medical staff to help clients safely detox
• Avoid common triggers and social pressures: Another huge benefit of residential rehab is the removal of triggers that are found in everyday life. These triggers may include daily life stressors or social pressure to use. Many people uncover hidden triggers during their time at a residential facility
• Access to counselling/treatment with licensed therapists and/or doctors: Clients at rehab facilities have on-site access to licensed counsellors, therapists, and/or doctors at almost any hour of the day
• Medical care on-site: Clients who require medical care and/or monitoring are able to receive this round the clock at a residential addiction rehab centre
• Specialised care: Residential rehab facilities offer both individual and group sessions throughout the day/week. This type of specialised treatment can be harder to find or manage outside of the residential setting
• Time and space for recovery: special setting to really focus on getting clean and finding healthy ways to cope with addiction. These facilities usually have very positive and supportive environments. It is an ideal setting for healing

Everyday Life in Residential Drug/Alcohol Rehab

While each rehabilitation facility will differ, many have some similarities. There is obviously a focus on getting clean and starting counselling/therapy for addiction. Many rehab centres have multiple sessions daily.

Most rehab centres have a heavy focus on overall health as well. Clients will usually engage in daily activities to keep busy. These can include outdoor activities like hiking, biking, or even horseback riding. Some facilities have gardens that are tended to by residents. Many of these activities offer great hobbies and ways for an individual to replace unhealthy coping methods like drug or alcohol use.

There is often a heavy focus on overall health in residential rehabilitation programmes. There are usually multiple opportunities for physical exercise daily. Yoga and meditation practices can be found in many rehab centres. There are usually daily exercise classes or other workout opportunities like fun group sports or other outdoor excursions.

There are also plenty of opportunities for clients to get into the swing of sobriety in daily life. They can still watch their favourite television programmes and hang out with the other clients in relaxed settings.

There are opportunities to play group games like cards or board games – creating a desire to get back to life’s simple pleasures that can be enjoyed without drugs or alcohol. Passion for reading, learning, painting, crafting, journaling, and much more can be learned or rediscovered in a residential care rehab facility.

There is also usually a focus on nutrition and a healthy diet. You will often enjoy delicious and well-rounded meals that will help you to naturally feel better day by day. These healthy habits can be carried into the real world when you are ready to return home and live your life in healthy and happy sobriety.

Common Types of Treatment Plans and Philosophies

Here are some of the most common types of treatment plans/philosophies that you will find with residential substance abuse treatment programmes:

• 12 Step Programmes: This is one of the most common philosophies for those trying to get and stay clean. It uses a progression of 12 healing steps for the recovering addict
• Therapeutic Community: This is simply a programme that involves creating and maintaining relationships with others who are living a sober life. This is often other people who are in recovery along with counsellors and therapists helping them
• Faith-Based: There are many faith-based options out there, so if this is what you are looking for, then make sure to search for one specific to your beliefs
• Integrated or Eclectic Programmes: These programmes will integrate several philosophies or plans for clients
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or Social Learning: CBT is an advanced type of treatment that should only be done by a licenced counsellor or psychologist. It can have major success but should be approached with care by CBT-trained mental health professional. It involves creating new patterns for future behaviour by altering thoughts and actions in the present
• Personal and Skills Development: This approach focuses more on practical skills and knowledge to get and stay clean

It is important that you find a facility and programme that most closely matches your personal needs and beliefs. This can really help to be an advantage to your sobriety.

What Happens When You Finish the Addiction Recovery programme?

Depending on the programme you choose, there might be several options once you are done with your time in a residential recovery centre. Some facilities offer a phased exit in which the client may go home for the work week and come back for weekends. Or they may receive a treatment plan with a weekly group or individual meetings.

The plan for you may depend on many things like the type of substance abuse that was treated. Those suffering from alcohol addiction may be referred to as Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Those struggling with other types of drug use might get a referral for Narcotics Anonymous meetings.

Having new friends and a social group that is focused on sobriety can be a huge help for someone struggling with addiction and sobriety. This can be especially important for someone leaving the residential rehab setting. A sponsor can be a critical aspect of life for someone in recovery. Take advantage of these great opportunities available in your community.

You or your loved one may also be referred to a local counsellor or therapist that works closely with the facility that was attended. This can really help to keep clients feeling the support they had in their initial treatment.

In this day and age (and especially with the current coronavirus pandemic), many counsellors and therapists are offering services remotely online. This can be a great option for many who want to continue professional treatment.

In Conclusion

If you or a loved one is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, it is so important to talk with a doctor or mental health professional as soon as possible. Addiction is a serious disease and it can wreak havoc on lives. However, help is out there.

There are qualified professionals who can help get life back on track. And choosing the residential rehab route can be one of your best bets to finally get sober. Best of luck to you on your life journey, and may you find peace and happiness with recovery.