Drug & Alcohol Rehab in Kent

The UK is sadly very familiar with alcoholism, due largely to a strong drive for social drinking.

In this kind of environment, casual drinking can quickly turn habitual, which then develops into an addiction and ultimately dependence.

What ever addiction you are suffering from, Rehab 4 Alcoholism is here to help.

Our expert advisers will match you with a range of expert rehabs in Kent, giving you the best chance of beating your addiction and taking back control of your life.

Addiction and Substance Misuse in Kent

Both Kent county council and Kent police have recently been concerned about the pattern of drug and alcohol use in Kent.

One of the main areas of concern is the growing number of people who drink more than the recommended level of alcohol units each week.

This is worrying as people who drink at these levels may be unaware of the devastating consequences it can have on their future health.

There is also a concern about the services available to help tackle alcohol abuse.

Many people seek help, including those with a mental health conditions, but for several reasons are unable to engage with the necessary treatments.

This extends beyond just alcoholism, with concerns raised regarding the widespread use of various illicit drugs and other addictive substances.

The Disease Model Of Addiction

The disease model of addiction proposes that addiction is an illness just like any other.

It can be caused by genetics, environment and many other biological reactions our bodies are susceptible to.

It stresses that some people are naturally much more susceptible to addiction, stressing that they can have little control over their addiction once it has set in.

Therefore, anyone diagnosed with addiction has become unwell because of a physical reaction and not a moral failing.

Rehab 4 Addiction strongly believes in the disease model and advocates empathy and compassion towards people who become addicted.

Dual-Diagnosis

It is likely that anyone who has been diagnosed with a substance misuse disorder (SUD) may well have been diagnosed with another mental health condition.

If this is the case they are referred to as a dual diagnosis patient.

A SUD is a mental health condition where people are unable to stop themselves from consuming a substance, potentially triggering both physical and psychological dependencies.

Other common mental health disorders that feature alongside SUD include anxiety and schizophrenia.

Which Diagnosis Was Present First?

It is challenging for medical practitioners to ascertain whether the patient had the SUD or mental health diagnosis first, as a SUD can both trigger mental health conditions and be caused by one.

People can develop depression by drinking too much alcohol, but is also known that some patients with post-traumatic stress disorder drink heavily to help them shut out the distressing symptoms.

It can be useful when devising a treatment plan for medical practitioners to investigate how the SUD and the mental health condition interrelate.

It is also possible that some patients will have been diagnosed with more than one mental health condition which further complicates matters.

Evidence-Based Treatments

The rehab centres operating in the Kent area will utilise evidence-based treatments to care for dual diagnosis patients.

This means the treatments have been thoroughly researched and have proven to be reliable and effective methods.

Examples of evidence-based treatment include medication to limit symptoms of other disorders, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy which has been proven to be very effective in treating mild to moderate depression.

Rehab Goals and Objectives

The overriding aim of rehab is to provide clients with all the tools necessary to give up consuming substances.

In other words, abstinence.

There are some substance misuse treatment philosophies that prefer the harm minimisation approach which seeks to reduce the level of people’s consumption down to a level that is less damaging for their health.

The goal of achieving abstinence though is seen as the preferable option for rehab centres.

Mainly because it is unlikely anyone who has become physically dependent on a substance will be able to reduce their drinking to a lower level.

This is because any consumption of substances may trigger an intense, uncontrollable reaction which will lead to a long-lasting relapse.

The best way to keep control is to set firm boundaries and work towards total abstinence from substances, anything else could prove to be catastrophic.

The Benefits Of Residential Rehab in Kent

There are several advantages to booking into residential rehab treatment in Kent.

Although there are many, they include:

• The fact that there will be no temptations present as you will be staying in a location with strictly no drug or alcohol policy.
• All the residential rehab establishments in Kent deliver expert, high-quality treatments with a strong evidence base behind them.
• You will receive around the clock care during your time in rehab, there will always be staff available should you need support.
• You will be able to focus solely on your recovery without worrying about any other stressful factors. All the usual stresses that can trigger your substance misuse will be eliminated.
• Rehab staff will encourage you to focus on other aspects on your life that you have ignored as substance use started to dominate your life. This can include improving your sleep and diet, engaging in exercise and planning a career.

Private Rehab vs. Council Funded Rehab

There are two options available for funding your rehab treatment, there is the private financing route and there is also the option of applying for council funding to cover the cost of treatment.

There are pros and cons to each option which are discussed below.

Private Rehab – Pros

Privately funded clients will be able to begin treatment immediately if they have quick access to their funds.

Individuals with a more substantial budget will be able to select a more comprehensive treatment plan to give them the best chance of recovery, this includes holistic therapies and other technology-based specialist treatments.

You will receive an excellent aftercare service for several months after you rehab treatment has ended.

If you have another diagnosed health condition these rehab services have a great deal of expertise in treating dual diagnosis patients.

Private Rehab – Cons

It can be very expensive to pay for treatment out of your own pocket, so work out what you really need and budget carefully.

Private financing does not automatically guarantee you will recover, you need to focus, show high levels of motivation and fully engage with treatment

Council-Funded Rehab – Pros

There is funding available for those individuals with a strong desire to recover from substance misuse, and who do not have the financial resources to pay for it themselves

The field of addiction has developed a great deal of expertise in recent years and even though you may not get to access as many services as privately funded clients, the treatments your funding will approve are effective and reliable and will make a difference

Council-Funded Rehab – Cons

There can be frustrating delays in waiting for the decision-makers to approve your funding application, alongside potentially long waiting lists.

When your funding is eventually approved it may be restricted and you may have funding for outpatient treatment only.

There may be hitches when following your treatment plan, you may not always be able to stay with the same therapist and the location of your treatment may change several times.

Residential Rehab IS NOT For Everyone

Attending rehab is not a viable option for everyone.

Some individuals seeking rehab treatment may be better off looking for alternative treatment services that are more compatible with their needs.

These can include:

Anyone Who Consumes Less Than 30 Units Per-Day

If during your assessment it is apparent that you consume less than 30 units of alcohol a day, then you may be advised to engage with treatment as an outpatient.

People in rehab have a history of drinking more than 30 units a day and need regular monitoring to ensure they are making progress in their recovery, as failure to do so can have negative consequences for their health.

If you drink less than 30 units a day you will be able to access quality services such as psychotherapy and detox treatment whilst living at home so there is minimum disruption to your daily life.

Patients With Severe Mental Health Conditions

Even though there will be many dual diagnosis patients in rehab the severity of the co-existing mental health condition will differ between individuals.

Anyone assessed as having a severe form of a mental health disorder such as Schizophrenia would probably find that rehab centres do not possess the expertise required to meet their treatment needs.

Those In Extremely Ill-Health

There are some patients who have been diagnosed with severe physical health conditions as a result of their excessive alcohol consumption and are therefore not in the best condition to engage with treatment.

One of these conditions is Delirium Tremens (DT) which can be made worse by ceasing alcohol consumption without medical supervision.

These can include auditory, visual and sensory impairments.

Anyone who has consumed large amounts of alcohol and neglected their diet to a point where their levels of vitamin B have diminished can develop Wernicke Encephalopathy syndrome.

This is a serious long-term condition where patients experience mental confusion and fever-like symptoms.

Anyone who has reached this stage has a far reduced chance of recovery and will require constant medical care, making it impossible to fully engage with treatment.

Clients Judged As High Risk

If potential rehab patients are assessed as either at risk of exhibiting violent or suicidal tendencies due to a severe mental health condition, then they may need to go through a risk assessment to ensure they are suitable candidates for rehab treatment.

The safety of staff, fellow patients, and the individuals themselves is the top priority.

The Alternatives To Going To Rehab

There are other options available to you should you wish to access support for substance misuse in Kent.

All these services use vetted, effective and reliable treatment methods.

Support Groups

Kent is home to numerous Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, as well as Cocaine Anonymous groups, all of which offer support and empathy without any judgment of your situation.

These meetings offer a safe environment for people to talk about their predicament and listen to the life stories of others in the group.

The AA has a huge amount of experience in helping people with addiction and many rehab centres use its core principles in their treatment programmes.

New members are always welcome, and you can find a meeting near to you by visiting their website.

Al-Anon

Al-anon offers support for family members of people who have become addicted to substances.

It follows the same principles as the AA and also provides a safe place for people who have been through similar experiences to connect with each other and share their stories.

The group context enables members to develop the resilience and help them deal with their situation.

Local Drug & Alcohol Teams in Kent

There will be several local charities and community projects with links to the NHS which will offer outpatient services.

These services tend to be well-coordinated, able to offer support and information about every addiction service in Kent.

You will, through these local services be able to access a range of proven and effective psychological and biological interventions to help treat your SUD.

These key services include individual and group therapy, an opportunity to follow the 12-step programme and relapse preventions workshops.

There is also the opportunity to sign up for a home detox treatment which you can engage in whilst living in your usual surroundings

SMART Recovery

SMART recovery uses an online platform to provide psychological support and educational material for people who wish to move on from their substance misuse.

SMART Recovery is a renowned and respected charity that anyone in the UK can turn to for support.

It has an army of trained facilitators who will help you work through its personal development syllabus.

The main elements of the course involve managing your thoughts and feelings as well as resisting cravings, developing a strong motivation to give up substances and showing you how to live a balanced life.

Organisations offering free addiction support

Below is a list of several organisations that offer free support and advice in and around Kent:

1. Turning Point, Kent

Address: 6-8 Park Rd, Sittingbourne ME10 1DR

Telephone: 01795411780

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

2. C G L | West Kent Recovery Service

Address: Mill House, Mill St, Maidstone ME15 6XH

Telephone: 03301281113

Website: https://www.changegrowlive.org/westkent/help

The Admissions Process In Kent

If you are seeking rehab in the Kent area it will be necessary for you to have a comprehensive assessment to help practitioners formulate a treatment plan for you.

Practitioners will refer to the 6 dimensions of the ASAM criteria to help them complete this assessment.

This involves investigating your current situation in relation to the biological, psychological, and social aspects of your substance misuse.

These include:

• Your current level of substance use
• The state of your physical health
• The state of your mental health
• How prepared you are to begin treatment
• If you are vulnerable to relapse
• Do you have any concerns in other areas of your life? (e.g., family, legal, employment)

The assessor will award a risk rating to each dimension, each of which contributed to judging your ability to engage with treatment.

Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)

The AUDIT questionnaire is used by health professionals to assess the degree to which a person is dependent on alcohol.

The questionnaire comprises of 10 items, devised to record how much and how often a person drinks alcohol and to establish the negative consequences of their drinking patterns

The analysis derived from a patient’s AUDIT responses helps practitioners recommend the next course of action.

Any score of 13 or over would indicate a strong alcohol dependence, whilst a score of over 8 would indicate a need for an intervention to prevent their condition from worsening.

Professional Interventions

Family members who are concerned about the behaviour of a relative can turn to substance misuse professionals to try and persuade their relative to seriously consider engaging with treatment.

They will be able to advise the family on how they can implement a strategic approach to influencing the attitude and behaviour of their relative which will hopefully make them realise they should seek professional help for their behaviour.

Advanced intervention methods, such as CRAFT, train family members to react in specific ways to addictive behaviour.

By punishing substance use behaviour (ignoring them) and rewarding abstinence (praising them) during their daily interactions, they may be able to tip the balance and persuade the family member to seek professional help.

How Much Does Rehab Cost In Kent?

The cost of treatment is very much dependent on the rehab service that you use, the duration of your stay, and whether or not you wish to have a room to yourself.

If you opted for a single occupancy room for a full 4 weeks then it would cost you between £8,000-12,000, but sharing with other clients for the same period of time would cost around £6,000.

If, however, you were just requiring detox treatment for approximately 10 days, a single occupancy room for this period would cost £3,000-6,000 whereas sharing in a multi-occupancy room for 10 days would cost £2,000-4,000.

Please contact one of our representatives for a detailed breakdown of the overall cost should you require it.

Tips For Choosing The Right Rehab In Kent

It is important to consider many factors when deciding which is the best rehab centre for you to receive treatment.

The following points should help you with your decision:

• Establish which location is preferable to you, you may prefer to be close to family members and friends, or you may wish to be away from the area which is strongly associated with your substance use.
• If your budget is tight, you should contact all of your preferred options and request a detailed price breakdown for treatment.
• Check the reputation of your chosen rehab locations for caring for your specific substance misuse. Some treatment centres have a strong reputation for dealing with specific addictions.
• Research how long each rehab has been practicing for. If they have been providing rehab services for 20 years or more then it is fair to assume they offer a reliable service.
• Make sure you feel the right chemistry with the rehab service you attend. By ringing them and speaking to them about any areas of concern you have you can assess whether they are interacting with you in a way that you feel comfortable with.
• If you would like to gain a realistic account of life at a rehab centre you can read online reviews or speak to people who have spent time there. When reading reviews, it’s important to obtain them from independent sources rather than the rehab centre’s website.

What Is Detox and Do I Need One?

Detox treatments are designed to help people who have become physically dependent on a substance to reduce the level of the substance from their body safely and efficiently.

A person’s body can be adversely affected by continuous substance misuse and high levels of intoxication can severely harm a person’s cardiovascular system, liver and other organs.

Detox treatment will allow the body to remove the toxic element of the substance from your body and reduce the negative impact of the withdrawal symptoms.

Alcohol Withdrawal Is Potentially Dangerous

It must be noted that there are potentially dangerous consequences from withdrawing from high levels of alcohol consumption.

Alcohol has a depressive effect on the brain and over time the body adapts to its presence.

However, when a person stops drinking, they will experience intense physical effects.

This means withdrawing quickly without seeking medical support can lead to seizures.

Alcohol Detox Uses A Substitute Drug

A drug called Librium is used to help people withdraw from alcohol safely.

It contains anti-convulsant characteristics that drastically reduce the likelihood of someone having seizures when they stop drinking alcohol.

Librium is also able to prevent other alcohol withdrawal symptoms and will help to reduce the level of alcohol in the bloodstream.

Psychosocial Therapies

After a week or two when a patient is stabilised after detox, they can begin to follow the psychological and educational parts of their treatment plan.

This will involve individual therapy to help them deal with the emotional aspects of their addiction, the 12-step programme which will lead them to abstinence and CBT to enable them to modify unhelpful thought processes.

How Long Does Rehab Last?

A patient is usually in rehab for 28 days.

This is considered a suitable length of time for people to fully benefit from the psychological therapies and educational components of their treatment plan.

There are, however some patients who require detox treatment who may stay for longer depending on the nature of their addiction.

Detox treatment can last for 2 to 3 weeks for patients who are having treatment for opioid drugs or severe alcohol misuse, meaning they may be in rehab for 8 weeks.

There Is Only Detox Available For Certain Drugs

There only tends to be a detox option for opioid drugs such as Heroin, alcohol, and benzodiazepines.

This is because there are substitute drugs available to help patients withdraw safely and efficiently from these substances.

For substances like cannabis or cocaine, which are not physically addictive, rehab focuses more heavily on psychological recovery and relapse prevention.

Physical And Psychological Dependence

Detox treatment addresses a person’s physical dependence, but they may also have a psychological dependence on the substance.

Psychological dependence occurs when a substance becomes strongly linked with a positive or essential feeling.

This is because some drugs such as opioids trigger the area of the brain known as the dopamine pathway which is responsible for eliciting positive emotions.

The more often someone takes a drug for this experience the more of the drug they will need to consume in the future to experience the same feeling, as their body has built up a tolerance to it.

Rehab For Cocaine In Kent

There are first-class rehab services for cocaine addiction in Kent.

Cocaine is a powerful stimulant, meaning the withdrawal the symptoms people will experience include:

• Sadness
• Depression
• Anxiety

Specialist rehab services will seek to provide psychological therapies to clients withdrawing from cocaine, ensuring that they are supported emotionally through the early weeks of their rehab.

This will help them to make sense of what has happened to them and to give them the cognitive skills to cope with cravings and stressful situations.

Rehab For Heroin Rehab In Kent

There are many experienced services in Kent that have been treating heroin addiction for years.

There are two aspects to the treatment process for Heroin: physical and psychological.

Physical treatment will be carried out by using drugs such as Methadone and Buprenorphine, which are substitute drugs chemically similar to heroin which reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms.

The length of time to detox from heroin varies between people and is dependent on the quantity they have consumed over the years.

As soon as the body’s level of heroin has been reduced, the patient can start to engage with therapies and learn relapse prevention skills.

Rehab For Cannabis In Kent

Cannabis may not be seen as addictive or harmful as opioid drugs, but it can be very damaging on someone’s mental health if consumed regularly over a long time.

Because of its therapeutic effect on the human body, people can develop a strong psychological dependence on cannabis, even though they may not be physically dependent on it.

Treatment for cannabis misuse will include the use of basic medication to target individual withdrawal symptoms that a person will experience when attempting to come off the drug.

This is followed by psychological interventions to offer emotional support to patients as they deal with their psychological dependence on the drug.

Psychological Therapies For Substance Misuse Available In Kent

There are many different psychological therapies used by treatment centres in Kent, all of which have been very effective in helping people with SUDs.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT helps people overcome the maladaptive thought patterns that have caused them a great deal of distress and contributes towards addictive behaviour.

CBT helps people improve their low self-esteem and enables them to gain a more realistic perspective when analysing events that happen to them.

Some people tend to blame themselves for circumstances that are not their fault or are affected deeply by the opinions of others.

Substance users may also have developed expectations regarding substances that are inaccurate and therefore need re-educating on, for example “drinking alcohol is the only way to relax”.

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)

One main advantage of using DBT is that it is extremely effective at helping clients deal with strong, negative emotions, which can be a powerful driving factor for substance misuse.

Specially trained DBT practitioners provide a solid foundation in the sessions to allow the client to manage their uncomfortable feelings in a safe environment under their supervision.

DBT allows the client to tolerate these negative feelings and gain the skills to cope with them without resorting to taking substances.

The client will learn to accept their situation and to find the courage to move forward.

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

MI is a therapeutic tool to help clients through the “stages of change” model and is particularly useful when the client is displaying signs of resistance towards treatment.

It is important for the therapist to be supportive and empathic rather than confrontational when working with the client.

There will be occasions when clients are torn between wanting to stop, yet at the same time continuing to consume the substance as it still has some value for them.

By using MI therapists help clients find the right motivation needed to tilt the balance towards them committing to giving up substances.

Holistic Therapies

Rehab services now offer various holistic therapies as part of their treatment programme.

These services offer a different approach to therapy, encouraging patients to think and express themselves in new ways and drawing them away from the patterns of thought that encourages their addiction.

The holistic therapies used are based on strong theory and solid evidence.

Creative Therapies

Rehab centres have acknowledged the therapeutic potential of creative therapies such as art, drama and music in recent years and this is reflected in the fact it is beginning to feature on many rehab centre’s treatment programmes.

Music, drama and art enable people to find another outlet to express the negative emotions they have stored up over the years.

By being allowed to be creative people can convey feelings that they may not have the vocabulary to express.

These can be very valuable therapies for people with a history of substance misuse, helping them to process feelings related to denial, shame, and spirituality.

Equine Therapy

Engaging in equine therapy can improve your confidence, self-esteem and social relationships and help you deal with stress and anger in a more healthy way.

Horses have an innate ability to read aspects of people’s body language and interacting with a horse will enable you to receive feedback on the communication style that you emit during your session.

The therapist will be able to view what is happening in the session with the horse and explain the positive and negative aspects of the communication style which you are exhibiting.

The client will be able to reflect on this feedback and assess which aspects of their communication style they may need to adjust so that they can develop better relationships with others

Adventure Therapy

Adventure therapy has gained prominence in recent years as mental health professionals have acknowledged the therapeutic and educational value of spending time in natural outdoor spaces such as forests, rivers, and mountains.

By engaging in practical and team-working activities in these environments participants have reported improvements in self-confidence, practical and problem-solving skills, and an increased ability to communicate more positively with peers.

Group Therapy

Engaging in group therapy can be helpful in improving people’s ability to form bonds with others, something they may have previously struggled with.

The group will be facilitated by an experienced therapist who will foster the interactions between group members and help them to relate to each other.

Many theories believe that substance misuse has its roots in early family life and in particular the attachment process.

The group context will enable members to show empathy and concern for others, make them realise they are not alone in their struggles, and it enables the basic human need of belonging.

Individual Therapy and Counselling

One-to-one therapy forms a vital part of substance misuse treatment.

Counselling sessions provide a place for clients to make sense of their substance-related behaviour and allow them to explore the psychological and emotional factors in their lives that may have contributed to their behaviour.

This may involve talking about childhood memories, traumatic experiences, breakdowns in relationships and other various negative experiences they have had such as redundancy and ill-health.

Talking through concerns with a qualified therapist can help people explore options and make choices about their next course of action, giving them the courage to make important decisions that will enable them to move forward.

Family Therapy

A keen area of exploration when treating SUD patients is how they experienced early family life, as the early interactions between children and their families set the template for our future behaviour.

Family therapy will help people understand the consequences of the negative communication patterns that occurred in family life and help family members to work through these so they can connect with each other more cordially.

Relapse Prevention Education In Rehab

Relapse prevention (RP) education will make a significant contribution to your chances of maintaining recovery post rehab treatment.

Enabling clients to identify the high-risk situations in which they may become vulnerable to relapsing is at the heart of any RP education.

After identifying various high-risk scenarios that are personal to them clients are then taught cognitive based skills and strategies to help them overcome the challenges posed by high-risk situations.

High risk situations could be any situation which may tempt you back into using substances.

Examples include the company of certain individuals or a specific location or event.

The HALT Approach

Research has indicated that when we are in certain physiological and psychological states we are more vulnerable to relapse.

The HALT approach identifies 4 bodily states that can lead to us becoming more predisposed to relapsing. These are:

• Hungry
• Angry
• Lonely
• Tired

Being aware of this and putting strategies in place to implement when we experience these states can significantly reduce anyone’s vulnerability to relapse.

One strategy may involve having designated people you can talk to or be with when you are feeling lonely.

Getting Help Today

To discover how we can help you defeat your addiction and take charge of your life and your future, contact us today.

When you call, we shall conduct an initial assessment and then help you select the best-suited treatment providers in Kent. All the rehabs that we work with must be regulated by the Care Quality Commission ( CQC England and Wales) or the Care Inspectorate (Scotland). 

This will ensure your journey away from drugs or alcohol is highly successful and lasting.

Rehab 4 Alcoholism also works with rehabs across the UK, including Maidstone, Gillingham, Dartford, Chatham, Ashford, Rochester, Margate, Gravesend, Dover, Canterbury, Ashford, Sevenoaks, Whitstable, Broadstairs, Tonbridge, Aylesford, Margate, Rochester, Wye, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Appledore, Faversham, Gravesend, Tenterden, Chilham, Biddenden, Chiddingstone, Dartford, Ramsgate, Sandwich, Herne Bay, Chatham, Sittingbourne, New Romney, Fordwich, Hythe, Godmersham, Barfrestone, Goudhurst, Penshurst, Elham, Crundale, Wingham, Cranbrook, Meopham, Bethersden, Staplehurst, Minster, Bapchild, Lyminge, Elmsted, Hawkinge, Tudeley, Waltham, Otford, West Malling, Paddock Wood, Queenborough and many more towns and cities.