Understanding Psychiatric Treatment Options in East Sussex

Communities across the UK have long battled the effects of drug and alcohol addiction.

Unfortunately, this nationwide problem has only increased since the emergence of Covid.

According to a recent Government health survey, 37% of men and 19% of women admitted to drinking over 14 units of alcohol in a week.

Statistics on drug use depict a similarly worrying picture, with 16,994 hospital admissions put down to substance misuse in 2020.

Despite having a wealth of psychiatric treatment options, East Sussex is no exception to the rising prevalence of addiction in the UK. It meets a similar rate of alcohol abuse to the rest of the nation, according to a 2020 NHS study.

As a result of this hazardous consumption, alcohol-related hospital admissions have increased.

In the same NHS survey, the county reported that per 100,000 people, 1,086 received hospital treatment for mental or physical disorders caused by alcohol.

The Disease Model of Addiction

Following years of damaging stigma, addiction has now been recognised as a chronic illness thanks to scientific advances.

Despite social narratives claiming substance dependency as a moral flaw, it’s now more widely known as a disease directly affecting the brain.

Experts in the field have concluded that addiction is informed by genetic, biological and environmental factors.

Moreover, the disease model of addiction states that the brain’s reward pathways are altered, causing chronic relapses in those suffering.

The victim’s level of psychological or physical dependence will increase dramatically with continued use in a vicious cycle.

As a result, someone who is physically or emotionally dependent on a substance will find it difficult to abstain.

In these cases, it’s more important than ever to recognise addiction as a disease.

By doing so, the stigma surrounding it decreases, while the level of holistic and medical support within the community increases.

Rather than forming an unhealthy habit of their own free will, victims of substance dependency are fighting a chronic disease.

If you recognize elements of this disease in yourself or a loved one, it’s crucial to seek the help of a drug & alcohol rehab in East Sussex.

Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDITs)

Thankfully, there are many tools for assessing the need for psychiatric treatment.

If you’ve recognized hazardous drinking in yourself or someone dear to you, it may be time to use the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT).

AUDIT was first published in 1991 using data derived from a World Health Organization (WHO) collaborative study.

Since then, it has become the most popular and widely used screening model for alcohol use disorders.

By presenting subjects with a questionnaire, AUDIT helps identify the consequences of drinking and someone’s level of psychological or physical dependence.

It also provides an indispensable framework for intervention, which has been adopted by healthcare professionals the world over.

This questionnaire, described as a “quick, interactive self-test on alcohol consumption”  is made up of 10 questions.

These have been crafted to evaluate the overall severity of the addiction and identify the presence of psychological or physical symptoms.

Initially, the subject is asked to estimate the number of units they consume daily.

Following this, questions revolve around the negative impacts of their drinking, whether they need a drink to start the day, or if they suffer any symptoms.

These responses are scored and reviewed by an expert, who will then provide personalized advice and suggest future treatment plans.

Other ways of screening the severity of your addiction include:

• CAGE Questionnaiire
• DSM-5 (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition)

What Is An Intervention?

Although many people suffering from substance dependency seek professional treatment, just as many people, if not more, are reluctant to reach out.

They may believe there is no cause for concern and be in persistent denial.

Here at Rehab 4 Alcoholism, our team can impart expert advice if you’re concerned for a loved one.

We’ll connect you to a professional interventionist– with years of experience in helping others exit the denial phase and begin treatment.

Conventionally, an intervention is an orchestrated attempt to help a loved one seek treatment for their addiction.

In these sessions, friends and family come together and ask the victim to address their condition and seek help.

Although family must be present, the responsibility of orchestrating an intervention shouldn’t fall solely on them.

To help relieve pressure, it’s helpful to seek the expertise of a specialist who can validate the intervention.

This can include:

• Psychiatrists
• Counsellors
• Addiction experts
• Other medical professionals

They can suggest future treatment programmes tailored to an individual and offer ways to address destructive behaviour.

After all, the end goal of each intervention is to collaborate sympathetically with the affected person.

As such, there are many intervention methods a specialist might suggest.

Of these, the most progressive and widely used is the Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) model.

In cases of severe substance abuse, this method optimizes success by using the science of positive reinforcement.

If you’re ready to seek the aid of a CRAFT interventionist, the team at Rehab 4 Alcoholism can help you access their expertise.

A CRAFT therapist will optimize the chances of effective intervention by carrying out the following practices:

• Build ways to effectively communicate with the affected individual.
• Curate an understanding of what drives their drug or alcohol use. For example, triggers can be associated with a specific time of day, interaction, or emotion.
• Encourage pro-social behaviour through the science of positive reinforcement.
• Help them through difficult conversations and remain supportive through highs and lows alike.

The Cost of Drug & Alcohol Rehab in East Sussex

When going through the admissions process, it’s important to consider the financial cost of rehab treatment.

Many factors will affect the final price, such as the length of your stay, accommodation style and the clinic’s location.

For instance, patients wishing to choose a 10-day detox with a single occupancy room will pay anywhere between £3,000-6,000.

The same detox plan with a shared room will vary from £2,000-£4,000– a comparatively lower price which increases affordability.

Following detox, the cost of a 28-day residency with a multi-occupancy room will cost an additional £6,000. However, if a single occupancy room is chosen, the price increases to £8,000-£12,000.

Recognising the financial burden that can accompany private treatment is part of our job here at Rehab 4 Alcoholism.

As such, we’ve curated ways to lessen the financial pressure. Many of our treatment providers offer payment plans on a sliding scale basis.

After disclosing your budget, the staff at a drug & alcohol rehab in East Sussex can advise you on the best way to proceed with payment.

It may be that the cost can be split into manageable segments and spread out over a longer period.

 Co-occurring Disorders and Addiction

Also known as dual diagnosis, co-occurring disorders refer to the phenomenon of suffering from addiction and a mental health disorder.

In many cases, one condition will inform the other and so they should be treated in tandem.

Unfortunately, it’s common for those starting treatment for addiction to have a co-occurring disorder.

According to a recent GOV UK report, 59% of adults starting addiction treatment were doing so under a dual diagnosis.

Fortunately, at the right drug & alcohol rehab in East Sussex, both conditions will be treated in tandem.

For instance, someone with anxiety may drink to alleviate their symptoms, albeit temporarily.

It is crucial to treat both alcohol consumption and the cause underpinning it.

People often use substances as a crutch to support themselves through pre-existing mental symptoms.

However, though it provides temporary relief, drug or alcohol use will only aggravate symptoms in the long-term.

Conversely, substances can also be the cause of a mental health condition.

If someone is drug dependent, they can appear to have depression or anxiety- but these are also symptoms of drug use in itself.

In the same way, drinking can cause depressive episodes by depleting serotonin.

By checking in to a drug & alcohol rehab in East Sussex, those suffering can access a dual diagnosis and subsequent treatment.

An addiction psychiatrist will determine whether the subject’s mental health condition is pre-existing or substance-induced.

Pre-existing mental health conditions could include:

• Bipolar Disorder
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Schizophrenia
• Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REB)
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Patients are offered a personalized treatment plan tailored to their unique dual diagnosis.

For example- those with anxiety as part of their diagnosis benefit from counselling and behavioural therapy alongside beta-blocker medication.

Relapse Prevention Strategies at Rehab

Despite rehab’s ability to change lives and implement recovery, achieving lifelong sobriety is a long-term practice.

However, by opting for a drug & alcohol rehab in East Sussex, patients can learn about and implement relapse prevention strategies.

Those who have completed rehab often feel better than ever, but despite this, relapse can occur and is often a feature of recovery in itself.

As such, reputable rehab centres offer patients the tools to manage relapse and overcome triggers.

At Rehab 4 Alcoholism, we believe that personalised treatment gives people the best chance at success.

To honour this belief, we’ve chosen treatment providers who offer bespoke relapse prevention plans– tailored to suit each patient and their complex needs.

One example of a popular relapse prevention tool in rehab is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

When implemented regularly, sessions help patients to identify and analyze their triggers, while working to manage them effectively.

When the time comes to leave rehab, patients are provided with 12 Step Facilitation Therapy to help link them with therapeutic communities.

Sessions are completed on an outpatient basis and encourage active participation in groups such as AA or NA.

To maintain abstinence, those in recovery will also benefit from the HALT relapse prevention method.

This model is designed to help subjects recognize when they’re in a vulnerable state and take steps to improve their mental and physical health.

Each letter in the acronym represents a red flag of relapse

• Hunger
• Anger
• Loneliness
• Tiredness

By recognising these markers of ill-health, subjects can perform self-care actions such as exercise and healthy eating to decrease cravings for drugs or alcohol.

Similar models exist to help move past relapse triggers, an effective example of which is the Cenaps Relapse Prevention Model.

Cenaps provides a combination of medical and holistic advice for managing relapse triggers and comprises 9 steps.

Among these are awareness, understanding and self-regulation.

While there are many resources and treatment options for overcoming relapse, it’s important to create a plan that is personalized to you.

At a drug & alcohol rehab in East Sussex, your bespoke care program will be formed by assessing your needs and identifying your unique triggers.

What is a Detox and Do I Need One?

Detox refers to the safe and gradual removal of drugs or alcohol from a patient’s body.

As a fundamental part of all addiction recovery programmes, detox must be planned carefully and tailored to suit the individual.

At a drug & alcohol rehab in East Sussex, those starting their treatment journey will often undergo a medicated detox.

These take place in a comfortable, medically regulated environment where a substance can be withdrawn safely from the body.

Throughout their medicated detox, patients are prescribed medication to assist their recovery and optimize their comfort.

This will ease any potential drug or alcohol withdrawal symptoms (such as delirium tremens and seizures) and ease the transition into the rest of their bespoke treatment plan.

As with many facets of addiction treatment, the medicated detox varies according to a patient’s addiction severity and substance use history.

1. Medicated Detox for Alcohol

Patients who are battling Alcohol Use Disorder will typically spend around 7-10 days allowing alcohol to withdraw from their bodies.

This time frame prevents more serious conditions from forming, such as Acute Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome, where the body goes into shock.

However, this is a worst-case scenario and many subjects would experience mild to moderate symptoms without the help of a medicated detox.

While convalescing in a medically supported facility, a team of medical professionals will be on hand to provide 24/7 care.

They may prescribe you naltrexone to manage cravings, or anti-anxiety medication to ease restlessness.

2. Medicated Detox for Other Substances

Each addictive substance varies in the kind of symptoms they cause in an individual.

For instance, heroin is known for causing severe physical addictions and will present potentially fatal drug or alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

On the other hand, cannabis and stimulants like cocaine are psychologically addictive substances.

This means they won’t present the same physical symptoms of heroin or alcohol addictions but can induce severe anxiety, insomnia, etc.

For patients recovering from cocaine use disorders, the medicated detox stage is short but intense– lasting around 7 days.

On the other hand, a heroin detox requires subjects to spend around 14 days in medically supported accommodation.

Rehab for Heroin

Capable of causing the most severe addictions, heroin is a highly dangerous opiate that destroys lives worldwide.

As such, it’s vital to seek the help of a drug & alcohol rehab in East Sussex if you’re struggling with heroin use.

When it comes to opiate addictions, longer-term rehabilitation of between 60-120 days is considered optimal.

This is to make sure you’ve tackled both the psychological and physical symptoms by implementing therapy, detoxing and creating a relapse prevention strategy.

Initially, patients will complete a medically-assisted detox, usually consisting of substitution therapy.

Then, they are guided through the contents of their bespoke care programme by a therapist assigned to their case.

Oftentimes, behavioural intervention such as DBT is involved in these treatment plans.

DBT is completed in one-to-one settings and is successful in uncovering the underlying cause behind opiate use.

Alongside their case-worker, patients can build the skills to manage the psychological component of their addiction.

This can include healing pre-existing trauma or managing negative emotions.

In addition to behavioural therapy, contingency management is implemented by many rehab centres and has seen great success.

It utilizes an incentive-based system to reward patients for ongoing abstinence and reaching milestones in their treatment.

For example, many rehab centres use a voucher system, whereby tokens are exchanged for items conducive to healthy living.

These can be anything from specific meal requests to gym classes and yoga instruction.

Rehab for Cocaine

Treating SUD should never be reduced to a “one-size-fits-all” approach, and cocaine dependency is no exception.

Due to the severe psychological addictions caused by cocaine, comprehensive inpatient care is often necessary.

By choosing a drug & alcohol rehab in East Sussex, you’ll be provided with a safe and comfortable environment in which to recover from stimulant use disorder.

The length of time you’ll spend here will depend on your unique needs and can last anywhere between a few weeks and a few months.

The first step is to follow a medically-assisted drug or alcohol detox, which typically lasts around 7-10 days for stimulant addictions.

After cocaine has left the body, the decrease in dopamine levels makes it vital for patients to work on psychological healing.

To facilitate this, methods such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI) are used to create a relapse prevention plan.

While CBT aims to resolve the root cause of cocaine addiction, MI helps to increase the motivation to attend these psychotherapy sessions.

Many patients at a rehab clinic for stimulant addictions opt to receive medication throughout their stay.

This is often done to treat the symptoms of pre-existing mental illness or other such co-occurring disorders.

Panic disorders and depression are often associated with cocaine over-use and can be treated using beta-blockers or SSRI’s. These medications help to regulate dopamine and decrease restlessness.

Rehab for Cannabis

According to The Office For National Statistics (ONS) cannabis overuse is a prominent issue affecting countless lives across the UK.

In 2020, 2.6 million adults reported using cannabis. Rates of problematic use have also risen due to the pandemic.

The ideal candidate for cannabis rehabilitation will be someone who has tried to cease using but remains an everyday user despite these efforts.

If you’ve been affected by hazardous cannabis consumption, or know someone who has, help is available in the form of a drug & alcohol rehab in East Sussex.

After arriving at rehab for cannabis, the first step is to complete detoxification.

Whilst those addicted to cannabis won’t suffer physically, psychological symptoms can still occur.

With the right supervision, any drug or alcohol withdrawal symptoms usually subside within 7 days.

Following this, patients can choose whether they’d be suited to an inpatient or outpatient treatment programme.

An inpatient stay for severe cannabis addictions can last up to 30-days to ensure optimal recovery.

As this form of dependency is often psychological, behavioural therapies such as CBT and DBT are often suggested and are tailored to suit each individual.

Alongside individual talking therapy, group support sessions are often useful and provide a sense of community within the rehabilitation process.

Such therapeutic communities often continue into the aftercare process and are a staple of outpatient recovery.

Choosing the Right Drug & Alcohol Rehab in East Sussex

Searching the internet for an appropriate rehab clinic can be an overwhelming process.

There are often so many choices yielded by a quick google search, that it can even prevent people from completing their search.

Each rehab centre in East Sussex differs in its approach to treating addiction and may specialise in treating different substance use disorders.

As such, it’s important to evaluate the different types of rehab and decide which type is most suitable for yourself or a loved one.

To this end, subjects may find it useful to compile a list of their preferences and what’s important to them.

Some factors to include in this list are:

• Budgetary preference
• Rehab location
• Preferred types of treatment

Furthermore, an optimal drug & alcohol rehab in East Sussex will be well-established and have evidence of its reputability.

This comes in the form of positive reviews and experience of 20 years or more in addiction treatment.

Our partner centres here at Rehab 4 Alcoholism have been vetted by The Care Quality Commission for England and Wales.

This means that each treatment provider we recommend comes with the guarantee of world-class care and leading facilities.

While our team are happy to liaise with potential rehab clinics, it’s also recommended that you speak to members of staff.

We can help you organize these conversations- which provide a safe space for you to discuss your individual needs and the type of care offered by said rehab.

What Do the Styles of Therapy Involve?

Each style of therapy encountered at a drug & alcohol rehab in East Sussex targets different symptoms of SUD.

While pharmacological therapy tackles bodily symptoms, behavioural therapy targets cognitive distortions to improve the patient’s mental wellbeing.

Many of the therapies favoured by healthcare professionals are communication-based. These include but are not limited to:

• Motivational Interviewing
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

1. Communication-Based Therapies

Oftentimes, communication-based therapies are implemented in the form of support sessions.

These provide patients with a crucial platform to share their experiences. During workshops, participants can empower others through their own stories and consolidate a strong support network moving forward.

Similarly, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) (also known as talking therapies) are staples of recovery programmes and are rooted in the science of communication-centric treatment.

While CBT assists patients in reconfiguring negative thought patterns, DBT focuses on emotional management.

This is particularly effective in cases where the individual has unresolved trauma underpinning their addiction.

Used alongside behavioural therapies, Motivational Interviewing (MI) aims to help patients reinforce their personal goals for recovery through communication.

With the help of a trained therapist, patients can learn to reach sobriety by creating ambitions and reinforcing a determination to complete treatment.

2. Holistic Therapy

A widely used style of alternative therapy, holistic therapy is very different to communication-based therapies.

Rather than focusing on symptoms, holistic therapy aims to improve the overall wellness of patients spiritually, mentally and physically.

Holistic therapy participants often experience a decrease in stress and anxiety.

This is because holistic therapy workshops focus on the reignition of hobbies and practices such as mindfulness.

There is almost certainly a form of holistic therapy to suit each patient, due to it being facilitated in many different ways.

Sessions vary from drama therapy, art therapy, music therapy to nutrition, yoga, tai chi, accupuncture and even equine therapy.

Other therapies you may be offered during your time at residential rehab include:

• Codependency Treatment
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Brief Intervention
• Family Therapy (Such as Al-Anon and Alateen)
• Group Therapy/Group Psychotherapy
• Individual Therapy
• Motivational Interviewing (MI)
• Motivational Therapy

How Long Does Rehab Last?

As each treatment programme is tailored to the individual, it’s difficult to predict the exact length of stay.

Moreover, recovery from substance addiction is rarely linear, and someone could remain in rehab for more or less time than planned.

Having said this, patients will typically spend around 28 days convalescing in a rehab clinic.

This is after successfully completing a medically-assisted drugor alcohol detox(i.e. using – substances such as Librium/Chlordiazepoxide to help relieve drug or alcohol withdrawal syndrome) which usually lasts around 5-10 days depending on the substance.

By spending 28 days at rehab, patients can focus on recovery through a combination of detoxing, relapse prevention planning and therapy.

When recovering from SUD, it’s vital to utilize time efficiently in order to optimize your chances of lifelong sobriety.

For example, those battling highly addictive drugs such as heroin may need to spend longer rehabilitating.

In these severe cases, patients may need to spend around 90 days receiving comprehensive treatment at their chosen rehab centre.

Free Addiction Help in East Sussex

Below are a list of other charities and organisations that offer support and advice at no cost:

1. East Sussex STAR – Change Grow Live

Address: Lift House, 6 St Leonard’s Rd, Eastbourne BN21 3UH

Telephone: 01323 410092

Website: https://www.changegrowlive.org/star-drug-alcohol-service-east-sussex/drugs

2. Turning Point

Address: 36 Ashburnham Rd, Hastings TN35 5JL

Telephone: 01424 200353

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

3. Sussex CAMHS

Address: Western Rd, Hailsham BN27 3DY

Telephone: 01323 446070

Website: http://sussexcamhs.nhs.uk/

You can also reach out to a number of helplines, including Mind UK, YoungMinds, Rethink Mental Illness, Samaritans and Papyrus.

SMART Recovery an help you keep relapse triggers in check.

Alcoholics Anonymous,Narcotics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous can support you to stay sober.

The NHS also offer up-to-date, trustworthy advice and guidance.

Get Help Today

At Rehab 4 Alcoholism we are able to match you to multiple drug and alcohol rehab clinics in East Sussex.

We offer a free and comprehensive psychiatric assessment to ensure your needs are best met throughout the process.

Here we have explored what alcohol rehabilitation involves and what to expect when you take part in it. We have also looked in-depth at the addiction and recovery process.

As always, our end goal is to help you to live a happy, healthy and addiction-free life.

Are you ready to choose recovery and sobriety? If you are, take the first step by contacting Rehab 4 Alcoholism today.

We also offer rehab facilities in Hastings, Lewes, Eastbourne, Rye, Seaford, Bexhill, Winchelsea, Alfriston, Battle, Ditchling, Burwash, Newhaven, Wadhurst, Pevensey, Crowborough, Hailsham, Uckfield, Camber, Brede, Brighton, Chailey, Chiddingly, Heathfield, Polegate, Northiam, Peacehaven, Ticehurst, Herstmonceux, Robertsbridge, Rottingdean, Newick, Forest Row, Friston, Brightling, Rotherfield, Hove, Buxted, Frant, Bay, Saint Leonards, Barcombe, Westham, North Chailey, Catsfield, Alciston, Crowhurst, Telscombe, Ashburnham, Cuckmere Valley, Bodiam, Beddingham, and other locations across East Sussex.

All of the rehabs we recommend are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (England and Wales) or the Care Inspectorate (Scotland).

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 East Sussex, simply reach out to our 24/7, confidential hotline on 0800 111 4108.