Alcohol & Drug Rehabs in Cambridgeshire

The UK is entirely too familiar with alcoholism and binge drinking, due largely to a strong drive for social drinking.

With this mindset it is easy for frequent casual drinking to become habitual, developing into an addiction and finally pshycological and physical dependence.

If you are suffering from addiction, whether to alcohol or any other substance, Rehab 4 Alcoholism is here to help through excellent person-centered care and treatments.

Our expert advisers will match you with rehabs in Cambridgeshire, providing you with all the information you need to take the first step towards achieving sobriety.

Addiction in Cambridgeshire: The Stats

The facts and figures related to drug and alcohol abuse in Cambridgeshire have made for dire reading in recent times.

For instance, a total of 335 children aged 16 years or under were admitted to hospital last year for substance use-related issues – 152 admitted for issues related to alcohol abuse, and 183 admitted for issues related to drug abuse.

The rate of drug poisoning has been increasing steadily across the UK.

Reflective of this is the approximate 80% increase in deaths from drug poisoning in Cambridgeshire in the last 10 years.

In 2019, 14 people died from drug poisoning in Cambridge, which is almost double that of the year before.

Additionally, 8 people lost their lives from drug poisoning in East Cambridgeshire alone last year.

This was the highest number of drug poisoning deaths recorded in the area for 28 years.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Cambridgeshire is considered the 4th most fractious area in the UK to spend an evening due to problematic drunkenness, according to a 2019 report on alcohol-related issues.

Addiction is a Brain Disease

The “brain-hijack theory” has shown that addiction is a brain disease caused by a malfunction in brain areas associated with seeking pleasure and reward.

Recent advances in neuroscience strongly support the brain disease model of addiction.

This is very important to note, as it disproves the commonly held view that the person is to blame for their addiction.

Rather, the brain disease model demonstrates that the cause of addiction can be located in vulnerable neuronal circuits.

Understanding addiction as a brain disease is much less stigmatizing than the non-scientific view of addiction as a moral deficiency.

Also, it has allowed for the development of more efficacious medical interventions that can treat addiction more precisely.

The brain disease model of addiction also recognises genetic, environmental and social factors that cause observable physical changes in the brain.

Physical brain changes can make an individual more susceptible to begin using alcohol, continue using alcohol, and become addicted.

Addiction as a Symptom

Numerous co-occurring mental health issues have been linked to addiction, such as:

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Post traumatic stress (PTSD)
• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Psychoses
• Schizophrenia
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Borderline personality disorder (BPD)

Each of these can make individuals more vulnerable to alcohol addiction.

Many people suffering from psychiatric disorders like these experience unbearable emotional pain, and use substances like alcohol in an attempt to escape their distress.

Unfortunately, this attempt to alleviate suffering puts people at higher risk of developing an addiction.

Residential rehab facilities are very successful in treating cases of dual diagnosis with evidence-based treatments like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), which are both talking therapies, Motivational Interviewing (MI), Psychotherapy and Contingency Management.

Other therapies you may be offered include:

• Holistic therapies such as mindfulness, yoga, acupuncture, art therapy, equine therapy, music therapy, drama therapy and more. 
• Group psychotherapy
• Individual therapy
• Family therapy
• Motivational interviewing
• Motivational therapy
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Brief intervention
• Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REB)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Codependency treatment

A Focus on Abstinence

It is important to understand that addiction is treatable, regardless of genetic, environmental or social factors.

Brain changes that are conducive to addiction can be corrected, due in large part to the brain’s amazing ability to modify, change and adapt.

Alcohol rehab facilities in Cambridgeshire concentrate on sustained abstinence as the best way to overcome addiction.

Abstinence is the most effective way to reverse dysfunctional brain circuitry that makes people more vulnerable to alcohol dependence.

One study comparing abstainers and non-abstainers showed that those who remain fully abstinent while in remission have more stable recoveries, and enjoy a better quality of life long term.

Although there are benefits to merely using less while recovering from addiction, the scientific literature continues to state that the safest, most efficient and most effective method of remission is to abstain altogether.

Through abstinence, the possibility of symptoms reappearing or an eventual full return to addiction is significantly less likely.

Residential Rehab in Cambridgeshire: The Benefits

Attempting to undergo detoxification on your own is very dangerous and potentially life-threatening.

At a residential rehab in Cambridgeshire, caring and compassionate medical professionals are on hand 24/7 to relieve distressing drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and ensure that the drug and alcohol detox process runs as smoothly as possible.

Our residential alcohol rehab in Cambridgeshire is the most effective psychiatric treatment option available.

Residents live at the inpatient rehab facility for the duration of psychiatric treatment, where they can avail of 24-hour medical care, and any social resources that might be necessary.

At a residential rehab in Cambridgeshire, you will be welcomed into an understanding and compassionate environment.

The warm, community feel at these rehabs foster the development of strong social networks and relationships between staff and fellow residents.

A support system like this can be incredibly helpful on your journey to recovery.

Furthermore, residents do not have access to substances that could harm their chances of making a full recovery.

This contributes massively to the much higher success rate of residential rehab.

In addition, those who overcome addiction at an alcohol rehab in Cambridgeshire receive training in the psychological tools necessary to prevent relapse once they have left rehab.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Private Rehab

Opting for private rehab is recommended as it has many advantages over government-funded services.

Some advantages of Private Rehab include but are not limited to:

• No admission criteria
• Exceptional success rates
• Immediate and seamless access to a safe and caring environment
• Immediate access to medical detox in conjunction with 24-hour medical care
• Expert support and guidance
• Adaptable rehabilitation programme tailored to your physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual needs
• Co-occurring mental health issues and addiction are treated simultaneously
• Access to a variety of evidence-based therapy modalities that help to unearth root causes of addiction, and address underlying issues
• Visits from family and significant others are welcomed
• Receive advice on how to make private rehab more affordable
• Learn tools that help to prevent relapse
• 1-year complimentary aftercare programme at no additional cost. This includes rehab prevention such as: sober living houses and coping mechanisms.

Private rehab can be rather costly, and this is perhaps the stand out disadvantage it carries.

Unfortunately, the high cost means that private rehab may be inaccessible to people without the financial means necessary to attend.

Private rehab often necessitates that a person leaves their locality to attend the rehab centre.

In some cases, this may prevent people from financially supporting their family for the duration of their stay in rehab.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Government-Funded Services

It is important to gain a comprehensive understanding of the differences between private rehab and government-funded services so that you can make an informed decision.

Although government-funded services have many drawbacks, they do have some advantages that deserve consideration.

These may include:

• Free treatment
• Access to a rehab preparation programme
• Psychaitric treatment is accessible to people from all walks of life
• Rehab centre is generally located close to home

Despite these advantages, private rehab is highly recommended over government-funded rehab for an abundance of reasons.

Disadvantages of government-funded rehab include:

• You may not meet admission criteria
• Potentially dangerous – you may be asked to drug and alcohol detox before entering rehab
• Lengthy admissions process – you may be subject to a waiting list
• Not guaranteed referral to a residential rehab
• You may not be placed in your preferred rehab centre or programme of choice
• You may come in contact with people who have no intention of getting clean
• Addiction and mental health issues may be treated separately
• Not as comfortable as private rehab
• Not as many recovery resources to avail of

Alternatives to Rehab

If you feel as though attending rehab might not be for you, some alternatives are certainly worthy of exploration.

Many people that struggle with addiction find great solace, support and success in the following options.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a global organization operated by former addicts who are passionate about helping fellow addicts remain abstinent.

AA groups in cities all over the world hold easily accessed meetings free of charge, all offering advice on how to keep on the recovery path.

Family members of those in recovery are welcome to join in on group meetings.

The presence of loved ones at meetings can be very comforting and often contributes greatly to a person’s success.

As former addicts themselves, the people who run AA have an intimate understanding of the lived experience of addiction.

The opportunity to avail of continuous support from empathetic people who know exactly what you are going through can be incredibly empowering.

AA is based on the 12-step programme, which has been regarded as the gold standard for addiction recovery since its inception in the 1930s.

In short, the 12-step programme consists of a set of individual principles that lay out how to recover from addiction and maintain abstinence.

Complimenting the 12-step method are the 12-traditions, which help to ensure that AA remains true to its core as a safe and supportive organisation.

SMART Recovery

Self-Management And Recovery Training (SMART Recovery) is a global organisation that offers virtual group meetings for people who wish to refrain from using drugs or alcohol.

Born out of dissatisfaction with the lack of variety in addiction recovery support, SMART Recovery offers an evidence-based alternative to traditional methods that places more emphasis on personal agency.

The SMART Recovery approach is predicated on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and motivational enhancement tools that are strongly supported by the scientific literature.

These techniques equip individuals with the ability to regain control over the commonly experienced precursors to addiction.

Home Detox

Home detox for alcohol can be an effective way of removing all traces of harmful toxins from the body.

If done responsibly, for example with oversight and guidance from a medical expert, detoxing at home can reduce the severity of drug and alcohol withdrawal syndrome and the likelihood of adverse reactions.

When detoxing at home, a medical professional will provide medication to relieve distressing drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Home drug and alcohol detox however is much riskier than residential rehab and is generally not recommended, particularly for people with chronic alcohol addiction.

Drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms are especially severe during the early stages of detoxification and may be life-threatening in the absence of expert medical supervision.

For this reason, detoxing at a residential rehab is highly recommended for people with severe alcohol addiction.

Although home detox facilitates receiving treatment in the comfort of one’s own home, it comes with many risks and has a much lower success rate than residential rehab.

Furthermore, home detox is not concerned with any psychological, social or environmental factors that may have played a causal role in the development of the addiction.

Al-Anon & Alateen

Al-Anon and Alateen is a fellowship programme of recovery for the friends and families of people with an alcohol addiction who may have been negatively impacted as a consequence of their loved one’s alcohol use.

You can be an Al-Anon and Alateen member irrespective of whether or not your loved one is in recovery.

The goal of Al-Anon is to equip people with the tools necessary to help loved ones conquer their addiction to alcohol and to foster feelings of hope and happiness among members.

At Al-Anon meetings, members are provided with a safe and compassionate space in which to share thoughts, feelings and stories from their lived experiences.

Outpatient Treatment in Cambridgeshire

To aid the recovery process, individuals are strongly advised to attend an outpatient treatment programme upon leaving residential rehab.

Outpatient treatment requires individuals to visit a local alcohol treatment centre in Cambridgeshire for approximately 10-12 hours for 3-5 days per week.

At outpatient treatment, people learn about drug abuse and receive individual and/or group therapy that helps them to maintain abstinence.

If you have been thinking about using alcohol and experiencing some difficulty in your attempt to remain abstinent, attending an outpatient treatment programme could be very beneficial for you.

The most common types of outpatient treatment programmes are addiction therapy, intensive outpatient, and hospital care.

As with home detox, outpatient treatment programmes are not recommended for people with chronic alcohol addiction.

Similarly, outpatient treatment is not recommended for people who don’t have a strong support network to offer help and encouragement during recovery.

The Admissions Process to Alcohol Rehab in Cambridgeshire

You are required to undergo a clinician’s psychiatric assessment prior to admission.

This will ensure that you receive a treatment plan that is tailored to meet your individual needs.

Most of the people who are admitted to alcohol rehab in Cambridgeshire pay for their treatment programme privately.

Paying privately guarantees that you will be admitted within 24 hours.

Payment plans for residential rehab in Cambridgeshire are structured to suit you.

Alcohol rehabs in Cambridgeshire also accept payment via a medical insurance policy.

The admissions team at Rehab 4 Alcoholism are happy to represent you in negotiations with your insurance company.

If you wish to receive public funding, contact must first be made with the NHS before reaching out to Rehab 4 Alcoholism.

The ASAM Criteria

The six dimensions of The ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) Criteria are used to identify the intensity of treatment that a person requires.

The six dimensions of the ASAM criteria formulate a comprehensive individual psychiatric assessment that incorporates biological, psychological, and social factors.

Psychiatric assessments are used to inform the organisation and planning of treatment across a variety of services.

The six dimensions are as follows:

Dimension 1– Acute Intoxication and/or Withdrawal Potential

Dimension 2 – Biomedical Conditions and Complications

Dimension 3 – Emotional, Behavioural, or Cognitive Conditions or Complications

Dimension 4 – Readiness to Change

Dimension 5 – Relapse, Continued Use, or Continued Problem Potential

Dimension 6 – Recovery/Living Environment

Severity of Addiction and DSM-5

The 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) includes 11 criteria for clinicians to determine the existence of alcohol use disorder and the severity of the addiction.

The three levels of severity are as follows:

• Two to three symptoms – mild substance use disorder
• Four to five symptoms – moderate substance use disorder
• Six or more symptoms – severe substance use disorder (addiction)

Clinicians assess the severity of addiction to formulate the most appropriate treatment plan for an individual.

Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDITs)

In 1989, the World Health Organisation developed the AUDIT to screen for hazardous alcohol use.

Hazardous use of alcohol is defined as any drinking behaviour that makes a person vulnerable to physical or psychological harm.

The AUDIT, which has been used right across the world since its inception, consists of 10 questions that look at 3 specific domains related to drinking;

• Alcohol intake
• Potential dependence on alcohol
• Experience of alcohol-related harm

Research continues to support the AUDIT as a very effective screening tool when applied across a variety of different cultures with diverse populations.

Additionally, the AUDIT is easy to use, consumes little time, and is available without having to pay a royalty fee.

As a result, the AUDIT is considered an extremely reliable and valid screening tool all over the world.

You can assess your consumption of alcohol by taking a quick and interactive AUDIT questionnaire on the official AUDIT screening website.

A score of more than 8 points is indicative of a potential issue, whereas a score of more than 13 indicates either a psychological or physical dependency on alcohol.

The CAGE questionnaire is also a good way of measuring your addiction.

How Much Does Rehab Cost in Cambridgeshire?

The price of alcohol rehab in Cambridgeshire depends on several variables.

These include the centre you choose, the length of your stay, and whether you sleep in a single or multiple occupancy room.

Price approximations are listed below:

• 10-day detox with a single occupancy room – approx. £3,000-£6,000
• 10-day detox with a multi-occupancy room – approx. £2,000-£4,000
• 28-day rehab with a single occupancy room – approx. £8,000-£12,000
• 28-day rehab with a multi-occupancy room – approx. £6,000
• Home detox – approx. £1,500

You can contact our helpline to find out the exact price of all alcohol rehab options in Cambridgeshire.

It is important to note here that we highly recommend a 28-day detox programme, as it allows participants to avail of evidence-based therapies which significantly improve one’s chances of making a full recovery.

Choosing the Right Rehab Centre for You

There are a variety of treatment programmes for you to choose from in Cambridgeshire.

Some centres employ different therapeutic modalities to others, and so it is important that you find one best suited to your needs.

Listed below are some general things to look out for when trying to find the right rehab centre:

• Does it have a good track record?
• Does it have high success rates?
• Does it have good reviews?
• Is it affordable?
• Are the staff sufficiently qualified and experienced?

What is a Detox

People who regularly drink alcohol over a prolonged period can develop a physical dependency.

If you have developed a physical dependency on alcohol, completely stopping drinking on your own can be life-threatening.

Going “cold turkey”, as it is known, is associated with a range of potentially very unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

Approximately 6 hours after you stop drinking, mild withdrawal symptoms may begin to set in. These typically include:

• Anxiety
• Shakiness
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Insomnia
• Sweating

In the 48-72 hours after you stop drinking, more serious withdrawal symptoms can start to take hold. These may include:

• Confusion
• Disorientation
• Profuse sweating
• Increased blood pressure
• Heart palpitations
• Auditory or visual hallucinations
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Delirium tremens

A medically-assisted detox helps individuals who are physically dependent on alcohol, to safely withdraw until their body is free of all toxins.

If you wish to stop drinking alcohol, then undergoing a medically-assisted detox under expert supervision in a residential rehab facility is the safest and best way to do so.

During detox, a clinician prescribes medication that is reduced gradually over about 7 days.

Benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium) and Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) are the preferred medications for treating withdrawal.

This is due to their cross-tolerance with alcohol and long half-life, which makes them safe and effective in preventing seizures and delirium tremens.

If you feel like alcohol is necessary for the proper functioning of your body, or to “feel right”, then you may require a medically-assisted detox.

Getting The Help You Need

At Rehab 4 Alcoholism we can recommend a range of specialist treatments conducted by medical specialists such as a psychiatrist, for alcohol addiction in Cambridgeshire.

Psychiatric treatment takes place in luxury settings, with an expert staff and offered with adaptable payment plans.

For expert and confidential help, reach out to us today.

Upon discharge from our care, each patient will receive an intensive aftercare program designed to give them the bets chance of permanent sobriety.

What About Charities and Publically-Funded Services?

Charities and council-funded services take place at a local town hubs and at NHS facilities. 

Throughout the week there are many SMART recovery and 12 Step Groups providing meetings for anyone who is struggling.

Below are some of the free and statutory-run services in Cambridge:

1. Change Grow Live Cambridgeshire

Address: Mill House, Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 3DF

Telephone: 0300 5550101

Website: https://www.changegrowlive.org/drug-alcohol-service-cambridgeshire/cambridge

2. Cambridge CAMHS

Address: Brookside Family Consultation Clinic, 18a Trumpington Road, Cambridge, CB2 8AH

Telephone: 01223 465100

Website: https://www.cpft.nhs.uk/service-detail/service/child-and-adolescent-mental-health-services-camhs-63/

3. CASUS

Address: 152-154 Mill Rd, Cambridge, CB1 3LP

Telephone: 01223 214614

Website: https://www.cpft.nhs.uk/search/service/cambridgeshire-child-and-adolescent-substance-use-service-casus-180/

4. Turning Point – Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

Address: Office 44 Pinnacle House, Newark Road, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE1 5YD

Telephone: 01733 857870

Website: https://www.turning-point.co.uk/

12-step fellowships such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous can help you remain sober, as well as other support groups like SMART Recovery.

Useful mental health providers include Mind UK, Young Minds, Rethink Mental Illness, Samaritans and Papyrus.

Getting Help Today

We have assisted individuals from all areas of life in conquering their addictions and laying the groundwork for a future that is brighter, happier, and healthier without alcohol.

If you have any questions regarding alcohol addiction rehab in Cambridgeshire, please call us today.

Get help for addiction across Cambridgeshire, including Newmarket, Oakington, Waterbeach, March,  Huntingdon, Peterborough, Ely, St Neots, St Ives, Ramsey, Littleport, Wilburton, Soham, Sawston, Yaxley, Godmanchester, Wisbech, Whittlesey, Saint Ives, Buckden, Great Shelford, St Neots, Ramsey, Fulbourn, Grantchester, Whittlesey, Chatteris, Sawtry, Sawston, Burwell, Melbourn, Hemingford Grey, Milton, Fen Ditton, Witchford, and many more towns and cities.

At Rehab 4 Alcoholism, we offer free advice from a team of non-judgemental professionals, many of whom are in recovery and understand how hard can be to change your relationship with addiction.

For more information about rehab in Cambridgeshire, simply reach out to our 24/7, confidential hotline on 0800 111 4108.