Drug & Alcohol Rehab in Surrey

Addiction rates have been rising across the UK, and unfortunately that includes Surrey.

Easy access to drugs and alcohol, along with widespread stress factors, has made substance abuse an immediate issue for many.

It’s easy for casual substance use to slowly turn into an addiction, which can then quickly become dependence.

However, whilst substance abuse in the UK has worsened over recent years, rehabilitation practises have been developing too.

Addiction And Substance Misuse In Surrey

The Surrey area has experienced an increase in drug and alcohol consumption in recent years.

Between 2017-18 it was estimated that there was nearly 3,000 opiate and crack users between the ages of 15-64, and over 2000 people receiving treatment for their substance misuse problem.

The number of people receiving treatment for alcohol and non-opiate drugs has increased by 14% in Surrey over the same period.

There are also concerns about alcohol intake, mainly because of increases in high-risk and binge-drinking in the 16-24 age group, and an increase in the numbers of over-35-year-olds visiting a hospital due to alcohol-related conditions.

The Disease Model Of Addiction

The disease model of addiction presents addiction as a physical disease that develops in people through  no fault of their own.

A disease is not a choice, and people are not responsible for the illness that happen to them.

Anyone can become ill at any time due to injury, neurological changes, infection or conditions that develop because of genetics.

Becoming ill is not a choice, and the power to make ourselves better is one we must seek out.

This is the model that the world-famous Alcoholic’s Anonymous strongly promotes within its recovery ethos.

When viewed as a disease, we understand better how addiction removes the physical and mental abilities of a person to resist their urges.

The disease model of addiction is not only effective, but it strongly encourages compassion for those who are suffering from addiction.

Dual Diagnosis

A substance use disorder (SUD) have an addiction, which is a mental health disorder characterised by a loss of control over their behaviour as well as becoming physical and psychologically dependent on a substance.

It is highly likely anyone with a SUD will have other mental health disorders, although the level of severity will differ.

The term dual diagnosis is used to describe people who have been diagnosed with a SUD and another mental health condition such as depression, anxiety or schizophrenia.

Which Diagnosis Was Present First?

It is very difficult to establish whether the mental health condition or the SUD was present first as they can both cause and be caused by each other.

It is known that excessive alcohol consumption can cause feelings of depression and anxiety, but it has also been reported that anyone with a mental health disorder such as post-traumatic stress disorder can turn to substances to help them cope with their distressing symptoms.

It may also be that some patients have been diagnosed with more than one mental health condition.

It is imperative for addiction specialists to understand how the mental health disorder and the SUD interact with each other, as this will form a key part of the patient’s treatment plan.

Evidence-Based Treatments

Rehab centres in Surrey use evidence-based treatments to help treat dual diagnosis patients.

These methods have been proven through scientific trials to be successful and effective in helping to improve patients’ condition.

There is medication available to treat the symptoms of mental health conditions such as anxiety and bipolar disorder, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy has been found to be very successful in reducing the negative symptoms in patients with mild to moderate anxiety.

Rehab Goals And Objectives

The goal of any rehab service is to guide all patients towards abstinence from consuming substances.

There are also harm reduction approaches to treating substance misuse, which seeks to reduce people’s substance misuse down to a more manageable level.

This can be effective in improving the health of users who may not be at the stage where they are addicted.

However, anyone attending rehab will be physically dependent on a substance and cannot risk taking substances on a casual basis as this will likely result in relapse.

Abstinence also ensures that users of illegal substances avoid further difficulties with the law.

Abstinence, therefore, is seen as the only way forward for people who become drug dependent, as it gives people a specific target and allows them to set a strict boundary, something substance misusers may have previously struggled with.

The Benefits Of Residential Rehab In Surrey

There are many benefits to engaging in residential rehab in Surry.

You can focus on your recovery safe in the knowledge that you will be based in a strict drug and alcohol-free zone.

Rehab services in Surrey offer a wide range of effective and proven treatments to tackle the physical and psychological effects of addiction, delivered by experienced health professionals.

There is continuous 24-hour care during your time in rehab so you will always have someone to turn to.

The rehab environment will enable you to switch off from any stressors in your life which are always on your mind and free you from all your environmental triggers.

Rehab offers people the chance to contemplate other neglected areas of their life that may have impacted their functioning since their substance misuse took over, for example:

• Sleep
• Hygiene
• Diet
• Exercise
• Hobbies

Private Rehab vs. Council Funded Rehab

There are both advantages and disadvantages of privately financing rehab yourself, or trying to access funding for treatment through the local council.

Private Rehab – Pros

You will be able to commence treatment immediately as a self-funded, patient meaning any delays relating to funding approval will be removed.

There tend to be a greater choice of psychological and physical treatments available, along with the extra options of holistic therapies and recreational activities to help clients recover.

The care you receive at the rehab clinic you attend will continue for several months after you have left, due to their high-quality aftercare service.

They have experience and expertise in working with dual diagnosis patients.

There will be 24/7 monitoring and support available to assist you during any challenging times that occur.

Private Rehab – Cons

Treatment can be costly, so it is important to work out what treatment you really need and don’t opt for extra non-essential services.

People entering treatment still have to work hard during their stay.

All the money in the world does not guarantee recovery if you don’t fully commit to treatment.

Council-Funded Rehab – Pros

Anyone that possesses the drive and perseverance to recover and build a better life for themselves can take advantage of council funding to access effective treatment.

There are a lot of established, reliable treatment interventions available to treat substance misuse.

Any council-funded treatment you receive will be just as effective as the treatment privately funded clients receive.

However, though not necessarily more effective, privately funded clients may be able to afford more comprehensive treatment.

2. Surrey & Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Mole Business Park, 18, Randalls Rd, Leatherhead KT22 7AD

Telephone: 0300 555 5222

Website: https://www.sabp.nhs.uk/

3. i-access

Address: Laurel House, Farnham Road Hospital, Farnham Road, Guildford, GU2 7LX

Telephone: 0300 222 5932

Website: https://www.surreydrugandalcohol.com/

4. Change Grow Live – Croydon

Address: 190 Church Rd, Croydon CR0 1SE

Telephone: 03001 239 288

Website: http://www.yeldall.org.uk/

Address: 14 Jenner Rd, Guildford GU1 3PL

Telephone: 01483 590 150

Website: http://www.catalystsupport.org.uk/

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

Council-Funded Rehab – Cons

It will probably take several months for the funding to be approved, so people will experience delays in commencing treatment.

The application process is also time-consuming as people are required to complete several detailed forms.

Officials approving the funding may only allow outpatient treatment rather than rehab services if they decide that your situation does not meet the threshold for residential treatment.

The treatment options available are likely to be limited when compared with privately funded clients.

It’s unlikely funding would cover holistic and recreational therapies.

Your treatment schedule may not always run smoothly, there are more likely to be disruptions and alterations to your programme.

For example, the location may switch, and you may not always see the same therapist.

Residential Rehab Is NOT For Everyone

Not everyone is a suitable candidate for rehab.

There are some patients who require rehab treatment, but whose personal circumstances mean they may not be in the best condition to fully engage with treatment.

Such individuals include:

Individuals Who Drink Less Than 30 Units Per-Day

Anyone who consumes under 30 units of alcohol a day may find that outpatient services would be sufficient to meet their treatment needs.

Patients in rehab tend to drink in excess of this, and so their health is deemed to be a concern which means leads to them requiring regular monitoring.

It is also important to remove them from their usual environment which features many temptations.

Receiving treatment as an outpatient gives you access to important services, including detox treatment, psychological therapies and educational components, but you can live in your own home while receiving treatment.

Patients With Severe Mental Health Conditions

Even though there will be dual diagnosis patients in rehab, many of them will have mild or moderate depression and anxiety running alongside their SUD.

Any patient with a severe form of schizophrenia or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder would probably benefit from specialist care, as these conditions require expert treatment to keep the patient stabilised.

They may, therefore, not be in the best place to engage with treatment.

Those In Extremely Ill-Health

Patients who have drunk excessive amounts of alcohol for years may have developed serious physical conditions, such as Delirium Tremens (DT) which produce auditory hallucinations and leads to people experiencing strange feelings on their skin.

A heavy drinker can develop DT if they attempt to give up alcohol and experience 4-5 days of withdrawal symptoms without consulting with medical professionals.

Another severe condition is Wernicke-Encephalopathy which occurs as a result of high alcohol consumption and poor diet.

High metabolism of alcohol depletes the body’s store of vitamin B and this leads to a rapid deterioration in short-term memory.

This is irreversible, and anyone diagnosed with this condition tends to be placed in hospital permanently.

They will experience mental confusion and fever-like symptoms and need immediate medical attention, or they will die.

Anyone whose health has reached this critical level will need specialist care and will not be able to engage with treatment.

Clients Judged As High Risk

People diagnosed with certain mental health conditions can be prone to aggressive and violent outbursts.

In these cases, staff need to ensure the safety of both themselves and other patients.

It must be pointed out that not all patients with these conditions are violent, but anyone with a history of violence would be required to undergo a risk assessment.

There may also be patients who may be assessed as a suicide risk who would also not be suitable for residential rehab treatment.

The Alternatives To Going To Rehab

If you feel residential rehab is not for you then there are other organisations who you can turn to for treatment.

Support Groups

There are an abundance of support groups throughout Surrey for people who are suffering from substance addiction.

They all follow the AA philosophy and provide a safe and confidential space for anyone worried about their alcohol consumption.

The AA runs a programme of recovery from alcohol and many of their beliefs and principles have been adopted by centres throughout the world.

Other support groups such as Narcotics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous follow the AA model, although they may adjust their programme to the specific nature of the substance misuse they support.

All support groups welcome new members, offering empathy and compassion if you reach out to them.

Talk to us today for all the information you need to get in touch.

Al-Anon

Surrey also has many Al-Anon meeting groups, in which family members and close friends of substance misusers can connect to other people in similar situations.

By sharing their own stories and listening to others these group meetings enable people to cope with the negative consequences of such events, learn new ways to help and to find the courage and confidence to move forward.

Outpatient Treatment

There are many outpatient services in the Surrey area provided by local charities and NHS community projects, all of which work together in drug and alcohol rehabilitation projects.

There will be a comprehensive array of therapeutic services available such as home detox treatment, psychological therapies and educational programmes specifically related to recovery from substance misuse.

There is also the opportunity to do a home detox through your local GP who will supervise your detox treatment.

SMART Recovery

SMART is a national charity that provides specialist support online through its trained facilitators.

These specialists will guide you through an educational and personal development programme which was designed to help people overcome addiction.

Similar to AA, SMART recovery’s therapeutic ethos is focused on 4 key areas:

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

The Admissions Process In Surrey

Anyone being admitted to rehab will be required to undergo an assessment to determine the best course of treatment for them.

The practitioner carrying out the assessment will refer to the six dimensions of the ASAM criteria to help them achieve this.

Depending on their responses to questions each dimension will receive a risk rating (from 0-4), with the higher score indicating a higher risk.

Any dimensions that have a higher risk will feature more prominently in the treatment plan.

The six dimensions cover the following areas:

• Current level of substance use
• Any physical illnesses present
• Any mental health concerns
• Readiness to begin treatment
• Their risk of relapse
• Any other factors in the wider context of their life (family, legal, employment)

The severity of a person’s substance misuse will also be investigated using the DSM-5 criteria.

These criteria include:

1. Taking the substance in larger amounts or for longer than you’re meant to.
2. Wanting to cut down or stop using the substance but not managing to.
3. Spending a lot of time getting, using, or recovering from use of the substance.
4. Cravings and urges to use the substance.
5. Not managing to do what you should at work, home or school because of substance use.
6. Continuing to use, even when it causes problems in relationships.
7. Giving up important social, occupational or recreational activities because of substance use.
8. Using substances again and again, even when it puts you in danger.
9. Continuing to use, even when you know you have a physical or psychological problem that could have been caused or made worse by the substance.
10. Needing more of the substance to get the effect you want due to high tolerance.
11. Development of withdrawal symptoms, which can be relieved by taking more of the substance.

They will be assessed as having a severe SUD if they meet 6 or more of the 11 criteria, a moderate SUD if they meet 4 or 5 of the criteria and a mild SUD if they meet 2.

Alcohol Dependency Assessment Tool – Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDITs)

Substance misuse practitioners use the AUDIT questionnaire to assess the state of a person’s alcohol dependency.

This tool uses 10 questions to investigate the amount and frequency of a person’s alcohol consumption and determine what the negative consequences of this consumption are.

The results of the AUDIT are invaluable in assessing the next suitable course of action for the client.

A person will be judged as being alcohol dependent if they record a score of 13 or over, whilst a score of 8 would be categorised as a potential cause for concern.

Professional Interventions

If the friends or family of an addiction sufferer find that their loved one is reluctant to seek help, a professional intervention may be required.

Interventions are pre-planned strategic courses of action based on psychological theory that can shape a person’s behaviour.

These sessions can help to facilitate clear and effective communication between parties, with the goal of encouraging the sufferer to seek help.

The CRAFT approach teaches family members to adapt their behaviour to respond to the actions taken by the addiction sufferer.

During their day-to-day interactions, family members will reward the positive behaviour of the user (such as abstaining from taking substances) and punish the negative behaviour (consuming substances).

A reward could be an evening out, whereas a punishment will often involve a refusal to enable the addiction and allowing negative consequences to play out.

It is hoped that these daily responses to the user’s behaviour will help encourage them to seek treatment.

The family members will be taught to act assertively and respectfully without appearing angry.

How Much Does Rehab Cost In Surrey?

The treatment cost for rehab in Surrey varies depending on various factors, one of which would be the centre where they decide to pursue treatment.

The length of time a person stayed would also affect the cost, as would whether they require a room to themselves or if they wanted to share with other patients.

Having your own room during a full 28 day stay stay would cost in the region of £8,000-£12,000 whereas sharing a multi-occupancy room would cost around £6,000.

The length of a person’s stay is also an important factor.

A 10-day detox only would cost in the region of £3,000-£6,000 if a person decided to stay in a room on their own, whereas a multi-occupancy room would cost somewhere around £2,000-£4,000.

Our team of advisors can issue you with a more accurate quote based on your personal situation if you contact us today.

Tips For Choosing The Right Rehab In Surrey

When choosing a suitable rehab location in Surrey, the following points should help you reach your decision:

Choose a location that is convenient for you, you may wish to be in a centre close to family and friends.

Contact the centres that you are interested in and ask for an in-depth quote for treatment to see which centres are in your budget range.

Check the services and reputation of each rehab centre you are interested in for treating your specific form of substance misuse.

It is important to have treatment at a location that has proven skill and experience in treating your specific form of SUD.

Conduct research into how long they have been operating for, anything over 20 years indicates a reliable service with a proven track record.

Make sure to contact the rehab centres and ask them any specific questions you may have.

From these conversations, you will be able to gauge whether you feel a positive connection with the service.

Researching any reviews about the treatment centre, or speaking to people who have been through treatment there will enable you to obtain a more realistic view of the experiences you will have in treatment.

What Is A Detox?

Detox treatment utilises pharmacological interventions to help patients manage the symptoms and medical complications associated with their dependence.

Developing a dependence on a substance that interferes with the central nervous system leads to a state of intoxication which can negatively impact the cardiovascular system.

It is therefore necessary to go through detox treatment to lower the level of the substance in your bloodstream and to reduce the impact of any withdrawal symptoms that appear.

The body has adapted to the presence of the substance, so if consumption of the drug is ceased then the body will behave unpredictably.

Alcohol Withdrawal Is Potentially Dangerous

Anyone attempting to withdraw from alcohol must seek guidance from medical practitioners before giving up the drug, particularly if they have been consuming high amounts for a long time.

This is because withdrawing suddenly from alcohol can lead to seizures which can be life-threatening.

Substitute Drugs Used In Detox Treatment

Substitute drugs are used because they prevent any withdrawal symptoms from appearing while simultaneously ensuring alcohol levels in the body are gradually reduced.

Librium is a drug used to perform this function as it also possesses an anti-convulsant property, limiting the risk of seizures while they are attempting to come off alcohol.

Psychosocial Therapies

When the person’s blood alcohol levels have been stabilised, they can start to engage with the psychosocial aspect of their rehabilitation.

This will include individual therapy to address the emotional causes of their dependency, group therapy to improve their ability to relate to others and CBT to help them manage their unhelpful thinking patterns.

How Long Does Rehab Last?

On average someone entering residential rehab will stay there for 28 days, though there are some patients that may be required to stay for longer depending on their needs.

Twenty-eight days is deemed sufficient time for patients to engage in psychological therapies and educational programmes to help them tackle their substance misuse problems.

However, detox patients may well be in rehab for up to 8 weeks, particularly if they are having treatment for an opioid detox which can take up to 3 weeks to carry out.

Detox Is Only Available For Certain Drugs

Rehab services will usually only offer detox treatment for alcohol, benzodiazepines and opioids.

These are all highly addictive substances which have substitute drugs available to help treat the intense, often dangerous withdrawal symptoms that can occur.

Physical And Psychological Dependence

Detox will treat the physical dependence aspect of substance addiction, but there is also a psychological dependence aspect to treat.

Many substances produce feelings of pleasure when taken, which leads to a psychological dependence.

This is because the chemicals in the substance activate the reward centre in the brain which is responsible for controlling emotional reactions.

If a person consumes a lot of a substance, its effects will lessen over time as tolerance increases, so they will need to consume more of it to experience the same effect.

Rehab For Cocaine In Surrey

There is excellent rehab treatment available for cocaine in the Surrey area.

A significant aspect of the treatment will focus on helping the client deal with the withdrawal symptoms they will experience.

As cocaine is a stimulant drug these symptoms tend to be:

• Sadness
• Insomnia
• Depression
• Anxiety

There is no recognised detox treatment for coming off cocaine, so the biological aspect of the treatment will utilise appropriate medication to ease each withdrawal symptom.

It is important to always offer emotional support to a loved attempting to give up cocaine in rehab.

CBT has been used to help people gain valuable cognitive skills to help them manage their thoughts, emotions and cravings.

The majority of people who attempt to give up cocaine are successful, so with the right motivation and emotional support the chances of a successful outcome are very favourable.

Rehab For Heroin Rehab In Surrey

The rehab treatment for heroin comprises of two areas.

Firstly there will be a biologically based detox treatment that will aim to reduce the level of heroin in your body.

This is achieved by using substitute drugs such as Buprenorphine and Methadone, which share chemical characteristics with heroin but do not produce strong withdrawal symptoms or cause addiction.

The length of time a person spends in detox depends on how much heroin they have taken and how long they have been taking it for.

It can take up to 3 weeks to significantly decrease the amount of Heroin in the bloodstream.

Once a person’s physical dependency has been stabilised, the second phase of treatment can begin which involves psychological therapies and educational programmes.

Rehab For Cannabis In Surrey

Even though cannabis is a milder drug when compared with opioids, it can still have a detrimental effect on a person’s psychological health if they consume the drug frequently over a period of years.

People use cannabis for its calming effect, and because achieving this relaxed state is highly desirable people will be motivated to re-experience it.

By continuing to take the drug they will build up a psychological dependence on it if they are taking it in order to relax.

The withdrawal symptoms will be the opposite of the effects of the drug.

In the case of cannabis, this can mean:

• Irritability
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Depression

These withdrawal symptoms can be targeted by medicine you can obtain from your GP or pharmacist.

Treatment will include a combination of psychosocial therapies and educational sessions to help patients understand the reasons for their cannabis dependence and encourage them to achieve sobriety.

Psychological Therapies For Substance Misuse Available In Surrey

Residential rehab centres have a wide range of psychosocial therapies available to them when designing treatment programmes for patients.

These can include:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT can help people who have been diagnosed with an SUD to manage their thoughts more productively.

Many people who have a mental health diagnosis tend to have inaccurate beliefs about themselves that do not help their recovery.

They tend to have low self-esteem and experience a lot of negative feelings.

CBT will challenge these inaccurate beliefs to help a person them take control of their thought patterns, helping them recover and avoiding psychological distress.

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)

DBT helps people to deal with strong, uncomfortable feelings that may have been prevalent in them for a long time and have contributed to their substance misuse behaviour.

Skilled therapists work with the client in a safe space to explore these feelings and to teach the client to process these feelings.

Through this process clients will be able to accept their situation and have the strength to move forward to recovery.

Brief Interventions

The aim of brief interventions is to enhance the client’s motivation to change their substance use behaviour.

This form of counselling seeks to help clients move through the stages of change model so that over time they will become committed to changing their behaviour and reducing their use of substances.

The therapist plays a key role in working collaboratively with the client and engaging them in a conversation about their behaviour.

Under no circumstances are any demands made, neither is any pressure applied.

The goal of a therapist is to raise the topic of substance misuse and discuss the pro and cons of them continuing this behaviour and provide a list of alternative options for the client to consider.

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

MI is a very effective approach for instigating behaviour change and helping people work through any resistance they may have to overcome their substance misuse.

The relationship between the therapist and client is at the heart of this approach.

The therapist must show empathy and support when working with the client.

The idea of the approach is to engage the client in a discussion around their substance misuse behaviour and to help the client resolve any ambivalence they may have.

They may want to give up and feel like they should, but their behaviour suggests they are not fully committed to abstinence.

Holistic Therapies

There has been a rise in the number of holistic therapies that have been used in the treatment of substance use disorders in recent years.

Some of these include:

Creative Therapies

By engaging in creative therapies clients will be able to express previously unexpressed emotions relating to traumatic memories that may have been affecting them.

Therapies such as art, drama and music (including drum therapy) provide people with an alternative avenue of releasing their feelings when they may not have the words to express them.

These therapies tend to work well in helping patients work through issues relating to substance misuses, such as shame and denial, and is also helpful in facilitating spiritual growth.

Equine Therapy

This involves having sessions with a therapist and a horse who acts as a co-therapist.

The therapist will be trained to facilitate your interactions with the horse, which can provide you with valuable feedback on your communication style.

The therapist will be able to explain the reactions of the horse to your interaction style and provide you with key information about how you relate to others.

People who have undergone equine therapy have reported an improvement in self-confidence, ability to communicate with others and increased resilience to stress.

Adventure Therapy

Anyone engaging in adventure therapy will find themselves engaging in a range of outdoor activities such as rock climbing, sailing or orienteering, whilst surrounded by natural environments such as mountains, rivers and forests.

They will learn practical and technical skills to boost their confidence and competency levels such as collaborating with others, map reading and problem-solving.

Group Therapy

Group therapy provides the opportunity for substance users to connect with their fellow humans in a safe space under the guidance of an experienced therapist.

It has been proposed that addiction is a relational or attachment disorder that developed in childhood.

Learning how to relate to others by showing empathy and appreciating their predicaments in a group context can improve a person’s communication skills.

The group also meets the core human need of belonging and affords group members the opportunity to share personal history, whilst also learning about the personal history of others which can have an immense therapeutic value.

Individual Therapy And Counselling

There will be 1-1 counselling sessions available to help people understand the emotional and psychological reasons for their substance misuse.

Building a therapeutic relationship with the therapist in a safe space will help you explore unresolved feelings and help you make sense of all the negative experiences in your life, whilst at the same time providing you with the strength to take responsibility for your life and make positive decisions.

Family Therapy

Therapists working in the area of addiction look to explore the degree to which early family experiences may have provided the foundation for addiction.

There may have been certain emotional topics or shared traumas that were never discussed.

Family therapy will help to analyse the way the family communicate and to help them address any unresolved conflicts which will help them function more productively.

Co-Dependency Treatment

Anyone who is co-dependent has trouble understanding what their own needs are and focuses intensely on the needs of others.

As a result of traumatic experiences in early family life, they tend to have low self-esteem and can appear to be both manipulative and controlling as they interact with people close to them.

Therapy will help co-dependents understand their own needs and how to get them met without overly focusing on the needs of others.

They will learn to communicate with people more authentically and with less emotional intensity.

Twelve-Step Facilitation Therapy (TSF)

For this form of therapy, the 12 steps strongly associated with the AA principles of recovery have been adapted into a series of therapeutic challenges that people can work through.

This can occur either under the guidance of a therapist or in a group therapy scenario.

These 12 steps are seen to be at the heart of recovering from any addiction and typically involve:

• Acknowledging your powerlessness and lack of control over substances.
• Reflecting on your behaviour and character flaws.
• Seeking forgiveness from those that you have wronged
• Connecting to a higher power to help you achieve abstinence.

Relapse Prevention Education In Rehab

An important feature of any rehab educational programme is relapse prevention (RP), which involves therapists working with the client to help them identify high-risk situations in which they may be tempted back into substance misuse.

Examples of high-risk situations include attending social functions or being part of a sports team that has a strong drinking culture.

The therapist will develop the cognitive skills of the client to help them develop specific strategies that they can use when high-risk situations arise.

The therapist can help the client rehearse their new strategies to help them avoid relapsing.

The HALT Approach

Understanding how emotions and body states impact substance use forms a vital part of a relapse prevention programme.

HALT focuses on 4 bodily states that can make people vulnerable to relapsing.

HALT refers to Hungry, Angry, Lonely and Tired.

Therapists would encourage substance users to plan a particular course of action for when they enter one of these states in order to prevent them from relapsing.

For example, if a person knew that they were vulnerable to relapsing when hungry they could plan to ensure that they always have food in their possession.

Theorists in the area of relapse prevention have investigated several areas that can improve a person’s ability to withstand relapse.

Psychological Factors

There are several individual personality factors and cognitive styles that may make people vulnerable to relapsing.

Anyone sensitive to high anxiety or predisposed to depression can be prone to relapsing.

It is therefore important for such people to engage in individual therapy to continuously support them after rehab, in order to provide them with the strength necessary to avoid relapse.

Those with low self-esteem also tend to be more likely to relapse, as they lose faith in their own ability to stay sober.

Social Factors

To avoid relapsing it is essential for people to build strong social networks.

Research has shown that single people who live alone are more likely to relapse.

Alcohol specific support is also known to be a vital resource in helping maintain recovery, this shows the importance of continuously attending AA meetings and talking to people who share similar struggles to you.

Get In Touch Today

Every day more people suffering from substance abuse in Surrey are reaching out to us for help.

If you’re ready to overcome your addiction, why not do the same?

Speak to one of our expert advisors today on on 0800 111 4108.

Our service is wholly confidential and entirely judgement-free.

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

Get help for addiction at a wide range of locations across Surrey, including in Woking, Guildford, Walton-on-Thames, Ewell, Esher, Camberley, Redhill, Leatherhead, Epsom, Weybridge, Ashford, Egham, Staines, Farnham, Horley, Godalming, Reigate, Caterham and many more.

We are here to help you build your way towards a better life.