Drug & Alcohol Rehabs in Somerset

As the UK struggles to combat drug and alcohol addiction, so does Somerset.

Drug and alcohol problems are not only limited to the big cities in the UK, but are rife in the counties too.

Addiction isn’t a problem exclusive to those who suffer directly from it: the community suffers as a whole.

Addiction can cause relationship breakdowns, emotional trauma, burdens on public services and criminal activity.

This is true of all addictions, whether binge drinking, drug abuse or even a behavioural addiction like gambling.

However, although substance abuse has worsened in the UK over recent years, rehabilitation practises have been keeping pace.

Drug And Alcohol Addiction In Somerset

Somerset has seen a significant rise in hospital admissions related to alcohol in those who are aged under 40, especially when compared to the rest of England.

2018 and 2019 saw over 5,200 possibly dependent drinkers, which equates to around 11.6 per 1,000 people in Somerset.

More than 5% of people under 25 years old admitted to seeking hospital treatment due to alcohol.

According to Public Health England data, there were 71 fatalities due to alcohol-specific reasons from 2020 to 2021 in Somerset alone.

Drug and alcohol addiction not only affects the one who suffers primarily, it also has immeasurable repercussions on the community.

From the 1st of April 2019 to the 31st of March 2020, Somerset saw 1,067 presentations to drug and alcohol treatment facilities.

Of these new presentations, 18% were parents or adults living with children.

It was then estimated that in 18% of assessments for children in need that substance abuse was a significant contributor towards family and relationship problems.

Children are often exposed to the effects of addiction early, and this can make them susceptible to falling into addiction later in life.

It is also estimated that alcohol costs the NHS over £3m in healthcare costs each year in North Somerset alone.

Additionally, around 20% of subjects seeking alcohol treatment had some form of housing problem.

What Are The Symptoms Of Addiction?

Addiction is officially classified as a chronic brain disease.

This disease consists of the subject’s mesolimbic pathways or reward pathways being altered in a way where they become dependent on a particular substance.

Stigmas surrounding addiction have been perpetuated by the misconception that it is due to a poor lifestyle or lack of discipline.

However, the brain disease model of addiction can help us understand that it is, in fact, a disease.

It can be difficult to accurately assess whether certain negative effects are a direct symptom of addiction just based one how someone feels.

While some people may be paranoid, others may be more dismissive of symptoms and health concerns.

Drug and alcohol consumption is linked to a range of medical conditions, such as:

• Liver disease
• Cancer
• Cardiovascular disease
• Mental health issues

It is important to identify symptoms early to prevent addiction from festering and leading to health issues.

Addiction can cause a range of physical and psychological issues, and different substances can yield different effects for subjects.

For example, alcohol can cause both physical and psychological symptoms, heroin can cause physical symptoms, whereas cocaine and cannabis cause psychological symptoms.

Should patients be recovering from alcoholism or heroin addiction, they may be required to undergo a medicated detox.

This is because they are physically addictive substances.

Physically addictive substances can present severe withdrawal symptoms, such as:

• Nausea
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Seizures

These can even be fatal.

Substances such as cocaine and cannabis, however, are psychologically addictive.

While they can yield uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, psychologically addictive drugs do not require a medicated detox.

Psychological symptoms include anxiety, depression, insomnia, and more.

Often, addiction will exacerbate existing health conditions.

In other cases, addiction can be the leading cause of a health condition that subjects suffer from, such as alcoholic hepatitis or liver failure.

Subjects who require treatment for drug and alcohol addiction often require additional health treatment.

For example, 59% of adults entering treatment in the UK said that they needed an additional mental health treatment.

In these cases, a dual diagnosis will be made.

These conditions commonly include:

• Schizophrenia
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Bipolar disorder
• Psychosis
• Eating disorders
• Co-dependency
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

When a dual diagnosis is made, the drug and alcohol rehab in Somerset will tailor the recovery programme to ensure that both conditions are treated in order to help the patient become healthy once again.

Am I Addicted?

It can be difficult to know whether you or someone else is addicted simply based on symptoms.

Additionally, self-diagnosing is rarely a good idea.

It is advised that subjects seek diagnosis from a medical professional to understand whether they need treatment or not.

However, there are particular frameworks that subjects can refer to if they want to gain more insight into their potential substance dependence.

These tools are accessible and convenient, making it worth considering in addition to seeking professional guidance.

AUDIT

The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is one popular way to understand someone’s addiction more clearly.

With the AUDIT, the subject will take a test and answer 10 questions concerned with addiction consumption, dependence and consequences.

For the benefit of the subject, it is advised that they answer with complete sincerity when they take the test.

They will receive a score, with a score of higher than 8 being a cause for concern, and a score of 13 or higher indicating a severe level of addiction.

DSM-5

Subjects can also refer to the Diagnostics and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders -5th Edition or DSM-5 framework.

This framework is effective and often used by clinicians to determine the severity of someone’s substance use disorder.

According to the DSM-5 framework, there are four symptoms that are associated with addiction.

They are recognised as:

• Risky use
• Social problems
• Impaired control
• Physical dependence

Examples of these are wanting to limit consumption but not being able to, neglecting social and occupational responsibilities, consuming despite knowing the health ramifications, and much more.

If a subject identifies with two or three symptoms from the framework, it would indicate that they are suffering from a mild form of substance use disorder.

If a subject suffers from four or five symptoms, then it would indicate that they are suffering from a moderate form of substance use disorder.

However, if patients identify with five or more symptoms it would indicate that they are suffering from a severe form of substance use disorder.

In the event of this, subjects should seek support from a drug and alcohol rehab in Somerset as soon as possible.

These are just two of the many different psychiatric assessments that can be used to diagnose and quantify addiction.

Other systems also include the ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) criteria and the CAGE Questionnaire.

With the information these assessments provide, recovery specialists and psychiatrists will work to create a person-centred care plan tailored specifically for you, filled with physical and psychiatric treatments chosen to give you the best chance of achieving and sustaining sobriety.

What If A Loved One Is Addicted?

If you suspect that a loved one is addicted, but you aren’t too sure, you can stage an intervention to help them seek professional support.

By staging an intervention, you are directing them towards recovering from addiction in a non-confrontational way.

An interventionist will be assigned to you and will help to facilitate communication between the subject and their loved ones.

In an intervention, the interventionist will mediate the discourse as friends and family members express how their loved one’s addiction has impacted their lives.

The ultimate goal is to help the loved one see reason, and help them realise that they do have a problem, but in a non-confrontational way.

If friends and family try too hard to coerce the loved one into seeking help, they may be discouraged.

CRAFT

The CRAFT approach is an effective and often utilised form of intervention.

CRAFT helps families who struggle to communicate with their loved one to find new ways to express their concerns and support their loved one.

It also emphasises positive reinforcement.

Not only does CRAFT focus on the individual battling addiction, it also focuses on the impacted family.

Research studies have shown that family members who have undergone the CRAFT approach experienced an increase in wellbeing following the process.

What Is A Medicated Detox?

If patients are abusing a physically addictive substance, such as alcohol or heroin, they will be required to undergo a medically-assisted detox.

The purpose of a medicated detox is to allow toxic substances to leave their body and help patients overcome withdrawal symptoms.

Patients will spend around 7 to 10 days processing through a drug or alcohol detox.

Pharmacological intervention will also be used in order to help patients overcome withdrawal symptoms.

Medication that patients receive will vary from Subutex to Naltrexone, Benzodiazepines like chlordiazepoxide (Librium), and many more.

These substances will be administered in a controlled and medically regulated environment.

They help to limit the worst drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms, keeping such conditions in check and allowing the individual to progress safely and effectively.

Some of the most commonly experienced elements of drug and alcohol withdrawal syndrome include:

• Seizures
• Unconsciousness
• Wernicke’s Encephalopathy
• Delirium Tremens
• Hallucinations
• Paranoia
• High fever
• Extreme anxiety
• Confusion

Patients will receive 24/7 care from medical professionals when undergoing a medicated detox at a private drug and alcohol rehab in Somerset.

Information To Consider For Your Admission Assessment

Before you call us at 0800 111 4108 for your pre-admission assessment, there are a number of things you should consider before selecting a drug and alcohol rehab in Somerset.

Firstly, you should disclose any health conditions that you have with the team at Rehab 4 Alcoholism.

Whilst recovering from addiction may be a priority, your personalised recovery plan will take into account any other conditions that you have to help you recover.

Additionally, you should create a list of what your priorities are when searching for a drug and alcohol rehab in Somerset.

This could list from a range of things such as facilities, location, budget, reputation, and so on.

Maybe there are particular facilities which will help you recover optimally.

Additionally, you should seek a drug and alcohol rehab which has a minimum of around 20 years of experience and positive reviews from previous patients.

It’s also important that you disclose your budget with the trained admissions officer.

The drug and alcohol rehab must be affordable and viable to you.

The consultant psychiatrist and trained admissions officer will locate suitable drug and alcohol rehab facilities based on your needs and preferences.

The Benefits Of A Private Drug And Alcohol Rehab In Somerset

The benefits of a private drug and alcohol rehab in Somerset are numerous and should not be understated.

At a private drug and alcohol rehab in Somerset, patients will undergo a personalised recovery programme which includes medicated detox, therapy, relapse prevention planning, and medical supervision.

Additionally, this will be conducted in a medically supported facility occupied by medical professionals.

This means that patients can be ensured that they are undergoing recovery in the most optimal environment possible.

The personalised programme will address any requirements that the patient has and each variable of their addiction.

By addressing these variables, the personalised programme will help them overcome not only addiction but other issues in their life (e.g. cognitive distortion, unresolved trauma, etc).

One size does not fit all when it comes to addiction.

Each addiction is caused by something different, and the severity varies from one patient to another.

Because of this, a personalised recovery programme is paramount in order to facilitate optimal recovery.

Patients will also undergo therapy.

Despite therapy having the connotation of formal counselling sessions, there is a range of ways that it can be facilitated.

Patients can undergo communicative therapy, support sessions, or holistic therapy which involves many of their hobbies.

Relapse prevention planning is also crucial to any recovery programme and will form the cornerstone of an individual’s aftercare plan.

While one of the key objectives is to overcome addiction, another is to stay in recovery.

Relapse prevention planning will help patients identify relapse triggers and to develop healthy coping mechanisms.

How Much Does A Private Drug And Alcohol Rehab In Somerset Cost?

At a private drug and alcohol rehab in Somerset, a 28 day stay in a multi-occupancy room costs around £6,000.

Typically, a 28 stay at a private room would be between £8,000 to £12,000.

While it may seem expensive, patients will receive accommodation and high quality addiction treatment at a facility with trained medical professionals to ensure that they are safe and comfortable throughout their stay.

Addiction is not something that should be downplayed.

It is a problem which will continue to fester unless the subject takes action and seeks professional support.

At a drug and alcohol rehab in Somerset, patients will undergo recovery in an environment which is optimal for recovery.

Free Services And Outpatient Recovery

An alternative to paying for treatment is seeking the support of free drug and alcohol rehab services as an outpatient.

While treatment may not be as effective as private services, this is a budget friendly option for those seeking addiction support.

Patients can undergo home detox and recovery programmes as an outpatient.

This is desirable for those who have occupational and familial responsibilities and cannot spend 28 days at a drug and alcohol rehab.

However, not everyone should opt for this form of recovery.

Those who have attempted to recover before but failed should not undergo a more independent form of recovery.

They should undergo recovery in an environment where they will be supported thoroughly 24/7.

Additionally, patients who have co-occurring disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, diabetes, and so on, should not undergo treatment as an outpatient.

This is because they will need special attention to address their addiction along with their health conditions.

Should the patient keep failing to overcome addiction because they lack the necessary support, they may become more and more discouraged as their addiction festers.

Personalised recovery programmes at medically supported facilities will maximise the patient’s responsiveness to recovery and increase their chances of recovery because they address each issue.

Regardless, there are several free and NHS-run addiction services available throughout Somerset, including:

1. REACH Drug & Alcohol Services

Address: Woodcock Court, Queen St, Gillingham SP8 4DZ

Telephone: 08000 434 656

Website: http://www.edp.org.uk/reach/

2. With You

Address: 35 Boulevard, Weston-super-Mare BS23 1PE

Telephone: 01934 427 940

Website: https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/

3. Addiction Recovery Agency

Address: 38 Boulevard, Weston-super-Mare BS23 1NF

Telephone: 01934 415 376

Website: https://www.recovery4all.co.uk/

4. Somerset CAMHS

Address: Wellsprings Rd, Taunton TA2 7PQ

Telephone: 01823 368 368

Website: https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/camhs/

4. Somerset Drug and Alcohol Services

Address: 10 Cannon Street, Taunton TA1 1SN

Telephone: 0300 303 8788

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

You can also reach out to a number of helplines, including Mind UK, Young Minds, Rethink Mental Illness, Change Grow Live, Turning Point, We Are With You, Samaritans, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the National Association for the Children of Alcoholics and Papyrus.

A local NHS Foundation Trust may also be able to help you access a sober living house if your home environment proves dangerous to sobriety.

Therapy At A Drug And Alcohol Rehab In Somerset

There are a vast range of options when it comes to undergoing therapy at a drug and alcohol rehab in Somerset.

These therapies each have different methods of reaching the same objective: developing healthy habits and improving the wellness of the patient in order to help them overcome addiction.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a staple in any addiction recovery programme because it has an effective history of helping patients overcome cognitive distortions.

Cognitive distortions are when people have habits of viewing situations in a negative or inaccurate light.

When it comes to addiction, cognitive distortions can prevent the patient from being proactive and seeking recovery.

Many patients might overgeneralise and decide that they are unable to recover from addiction due to the difficult challenges that it poses.

Others may suffer from polarised thinking, going from one extreme to the next as they think about their circumstances.

Catastrophising is another example of cognitive distortion when patients will immediately assume that the worst case scenario is the likely outcome.

At a CBT session, a counsellor will help the patient navigate these cognitive distortions.

The counsellor will help the patient understand why they entertain these forms of thinking, and help them overcome them in order to view their addiction from a more rational and constructive perspective.

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), like CBT, is a form of therapy implemented to help patients overcome negative thoughts and feelings associated with their trauma or addiction.

Whilst CBT focuses on the cognitive side of recovery, DBT focuses more on the emotional side of recovery.

The goal of DBT is to help patients manage intense thoughts and feelings.

This will help them adopt healthier thinking habits when they approach addiction and any other issues that arise later in life.

Motivational Interviewing

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a goal oriented style of therapy.

A counsellor will act as an interviewer and ask the patients many questions related to why they want to recover from addiction.

In doing so, the patient will not only answer the questions but they will navigate their own intrinsic motivation towards recovering from addiction.

This can be effective in consolidating intentions, and manifesting goals into existence.

The more tangible their goals become, the more likely they are to achieve them.

MI is often used alongside other motivational therapies, including Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET).

Support Sessions

Another effective form of communicative therapy are support sessions.

Here, patients will attend meetings and share their insights and experience when it comes to overcoming addiction.

This is an opportunity for patients to inspire others, and to be inspired by others.

It is effective in creating a stronger support network and communicating can be a form of catharsis or unburdening for the patient who is relieving themselves of issues which can cause internal conflicts.

Family Therapy

Like support sessions, family therapy consists of the patient and his or her family members attending meetings to discuss addiction.

It is an opportunity to communicate constructively and educate the family members on the complexities of their loved one’s addiction.

The family is often seen as the first line of defence for their loved one’s addiction.

By educating them, family therapy creates a reinforced support network for the patient.

If their family can identify and navigate relapse triggers, their chances of recovery becomes much higher.

Holistic Therapy

Holistic therapy is unique because it is a form of therapy which aims to improve the patient’s wellness on a physical, psychological and spiritual level.

This is different to other forms of therapy which have a specific objective or purpose.

Patients can take part in holistic therapy without the therapy sessions themselves feeling too formal or even like therapy.

Holistic therapy comes in the form of the patient’s interest, and can come in the form of (though not limited to):

• Art therapy
• Music therapy
• Drama therapy
• Aromatherapy
• Yoga
• Mindfulness
• Equine therapy
• Acupuncture

Many other specialised talking therapies are also used n addiction treatment, including:

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy
• Brief Interventions
• Group Psychotherapy
• Co-dependency Treatment
• Contingency Management

Many treatments are available in the form of both group therapy and individual therapy, giving you the chance to tailor your treatment to your specific needs and preferences.

Other Fellowship Programmes

While Alcoholics Anonymous are one of the most renowned examples of fellowship programmes, there are plenty of alternatives to this group.

Whether subjects want to explore fellowships that follow different structures or cater to drug addictions, there are many other options available.

Narcotics Anonymous

Narcotics Anonymous is the narcotic equivalent to Alcoholics Anonymous.

It is a non-profit and community-based organisation.

This means that the recovery of its members is at the forefront of its objectives.

Here, patients who are recovering from drug addiction can attend meetings, socialise with other addiction sufferers and attend group events, as well as learning how to lean on a higher power when addiction seems overwhelming.

The only requirement subjects need in order to join NA is their willingness to overcome addiction.

NA also recognises that polysubstance dependence is common, and allows subjects who are recovering from alcoholism to join the support network.

Cocaine Anonymous offers a similar service, whilst several periphery organisations also exist, such as Al-Anon Family Group Meetings, who provide support to the loved ones of addiction sufferers, and Alateen who specialise in supporting adolescents.

SMART Recovery

Self-Management and Recovery Training is a global community of mutual support groups.

Members can be those who suffer from alcohol, drug, sex, gambling addiction, and many others.

As long as they seek science-based and self-empowered addiction recovery, members are welcome.

SMART Recovery also utilises a 4 Point Program in order to help members sustain sobriety.

The 4 points consist of:

• Building and maintaining motivation
• Coping with urges
• Managing thoughts, feelings and behaviours
• Living a balanced life

Sessions can be attended in-person or online, and SMART Recovery heavily emphasises self reliance.

Similar to AA, SMART provides the tools to help their member become more independent.

Contact Rehab 4 Alcoholism Today

For more information on the services we provide in Somerset and to claim your free telephone assessment, contact Rehab 4 Alcoholism today and for free on 0800 111 4108.

Alternatively, send us a message through our website.

All information you supply to our advisors will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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

We offer admission to addiction treatments across and near to Somerset, including in Bath, Weston-Super-Mare, Taunton, Yeovil, Bridgwater, Frome, Portishead, Highbridge, Clevedon, Nailsea, Keynsham, Chard, Midsomer Norton, Minehead, Wellington, Wells, Shepton Market and many more.

Remember: you are never alone in overcoming your addiction.