Drug & Alcohol Rehab in Belgium

Like most other European countries, Belgium has its share of problems when it comes to drug and alcohol abuse and addiction.

In 2019, a large-scale study discovered that 9.7% of Belgian nationals between the ages of 15 and 64 years old consumed alcohol on a daily basis.

On top of that, cocaine use is widespread in Belgium, and over 10% of the population consume cannabis regularly.

Although many people can use drugs or drink without ever developing an addiction, drugs and alcohol do become a serious problem for many others.

The best way to treat drug or alcohol addiction is through rehab, where you can get proper treatment for the underlying causes of your addiction, as well as going through detox in a safe, secure environment.

We are here to help you secure a place at a quality drug & alcohol rehab in Belgium, as well as provide free advice on the practical side of going to rehab.

To talk to one of our Rehab 4 Alcoholism advisors, call us on 0800 111 4108 if you’re calling from the UK, or +44 345 222 3509 if calling from Belgium.

You will reach one of our expert team of advisors, who will be more than happy to talk you through the referral process.

Alternatively, read on for more information about why rehab works, and how we can help you to get there.

The Admissions Process Into Rehab

Although thousands of people per year go through drug & alcohol rehab in Belgium, there are many different things that can stop a person from reaching out for help with addiction.

It might be that they don’t have the resources available to them, that they are afraid of ‘coming out’ as an addict to friends or family, or it may be that they refuse to accept that they even have an addiction.

Although coming to terms with addiction is hard, it should be as easy as possible to get help once you’re ready to reach out.

That’s why we are here to make the process of rehab referral as straightforward as possible.

All we need to do is speak to you and make sure that we understand your needs.

Based on the information you give us, we can consult our extensive database of facilities to suggest an appropriate clinic near you.

If you’re happy to take our recommendation, we take care of all the administrative concerns and can have you arriving at a clinic within a couple of days.

The first thing to do is call Rehab 4 Alcoholism on the number provided above.

You will be put through to one of our expert advisors, who you can speak with in confidence.

Whenever you’re ready to proceed, they can begin your initial telephone assessment.

This involves asking you some questions about your substance abuse habits and what effect addiction has had on your life up to now.

We ask these questions so that we can pick out a suitable clinic for your needs.

If you’re happy to take our recommendation and it fits your criteria and budget, we can have you arriving at the clinic with a very quick turnaround.

Once you arrive, you will be assessed in-person by staff at the clinic.

The purpose of this assessment is to be sure that they get your care plan right, including your detox, which is the next stage of treatment.

Rehab is a safe, non-judgmental space and you can be honest with the staff about your drug use without fear of consequences.

Once the staff have determined your needs, and that you are not a risk to yourself or others, you will begin your detox which will last about a week, before moving onto the rest of your rehab schedule.

Overall, there is a very quick transition between contacting us and getting into the full swing of your addiction treatment at rehab.

This is something that we pride ourselves on, because when it comes to treating addiction, time is always a factor.

Physical And Psychological Addiction

When people talk about drugs and addiction, there is sometimes a premise that some drugs are psychologically addictive, whereas others are physically addictive.

Although there is a great variance in terms of how people experience addiction, the ‘physical vs. psychological’ argument is somewhat limited.

Many addictions will manifest both physically and psychologically in the person using the drug.

For example, it is common knowledge that there are an array of strong physical symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal.

This might be muscle cramps, shaking, sweating or anything of that nature.

Still, even if an alcoholic is not experiencing physical withdrawal symptoms, they may still feel that they cannot face the day, or socialising with others, without the use of alcohol.

This suggests that addiction has a basis in both physiology and psychology.

Some would also argue that addiction is also to some extent a spiritual condition, which is a part of the 12-step approach to treatment, detailed in its own section further below.

However you experience difficulties with addiction, the most important thing is to seek professional help as soon as possible.

The sooner you can cut the cycle of substance abuse, the less damage you will cause to yourself and to others around you.

Alcohol Detox: How It Works

Anyone who is admitted to rehab with alcohol addiction will have to go through a detox procedure soon after they arrive.

The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be extreme for some people, especially those who are extremely heavy drinkers, or have been in alcohol addiction for a long period of time.

Withdrawal carries the possibility of symptoms like seizure, vomiting, and muscle spasms.

With this in mind, it is always best to go through detox at rehab, where your symptoms can be monitored and managed by a tight-knit team of medical professionals who specialise in detox.

In some cases, it may be possible able to arrange a home detox for certain services users.

In this case a course of Librium would be sent out, along with detailed instructions for the user.

However, the criteria for this service are very strict, and it is only available to those whose drinking is less severe.

Specifically, you would have to have an alcohol intake of less then 30 units per day.

You would also need to have a stable home environment on which to detox.

The main advantage to home detox is that it costs significantly less than a full course of treatment at rehab.

However, it is less safe than rehab, because although you will have the right medications, you won’t be under medical supervision.

If you think that you might be a suitable candidate for home detox, this is something that we can discuss over the phone.

Whatever your level of alcohol intake, it is never a good idea to try to detox without any supervision, medication, or guidance.

Going cold turkey from alcohol is extremely dangerous, and can often result in seizures or death.

Make sure you secure some kind of help and advice before withdrawing from alcohol.

Detox For Other Illicit Drugs

Whatever drugs you are abusing, you will be able to detox under medical supervision at rehab.

Your detox will start soon after your assessment upon arrival at the clinic.

The medical staff will need to make certain arrangements for your detox, based on the information that you provide them with.

This is why it is vital to be completely honest with them about the level of your substance abuse.

You won’t get yourself or anyone else in trouble by doing so – they just want to be sure that they arrange the right type of detox for you.

The detox process will differ wildly depending on the type of substance you are detoxing from.

When dealing with opiates such as heroin, or prescription drugs like diazepam, the potential for intense physical symptoms is very high.

These symptoms will need to be managed by medical professionals, often with the use of medication.

With some drugs, the chances of severe physical withdrawal symptoms are quite slim – this includes drugs like cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy.

However, there are always psychological symptoms to deal with, such as acute depression and anxiety.

The detox team will be able to manage these symptoms as well.

Overall, the detox phase of your treatment will probably last between a week and 10 days, depending on the factors mentioned above.

Alcohol Rehab In Belgium

Alcohol abuse is a big problem in Belgium.

As we mentioned at the top of the page, nearly 10% of Belgians consume alcohol every single day.

Drinking is a big part of Belgian culture – after all, beer is one of the country’s most famous exports.

However, if drinking becomes a problem, it is time to seek treatment at drug & alcohol rehab in Belgium.

Some people ask us at what point casual drinking becomes an addiction.

There isn’t an exact answer to this, as everyone is different.

However, there are a few behavioural indicators to look out for in terms of your relationship with alcohol.

You have likely developed an addiction if:

• You drink over 3 units of alcohol every day, or almost every day.
• You have hid the extent of your drinking for family or loved ones.
• Your drinking has caused you to neglect your responsibilities, such as your job or children.
• You spend most of your available time or money on alcohol.

If one or more of the above list apply to you, it is time to accept that you may have developed a drinking problem, and that you may need to reach out for professional help.

If you call Rehab 4 Alcoholism on the number provided above, we can offer free advice on dealing with alcohol addiction and, whenever you are ready, can start the referral process while on the phone with you.

Alcohol detox can be handled at rehab, under the supervision of on-site medical professionals.

It is likely to involve the use of a medication called Librium, which is a sedative that is commonly used for managing alcohol withdrawal.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms have the potential to be severe, including seizures in some extreme cases.

This is why it is important to have proper medical guidance and supervision while you detox, especially if you have been a very heavy drinker.

In some cases, it may be possible for us to arrange a home detox for you, which would involve sending out Librium to you in the mail, along with detailed instructions.

This treatment is considerably cheaper than detox at rehab, but it is not as safe as you won’t have any medical supervision during detox.

This is only an option for those who are drinking less than 30 units per day, and who have a stable home environment in which to detox.

We can discuss over the phone whether or not you might be a suitable candidate for a home detox.

Cocaine Rehab In Belgium

Cocaine is a highly-addictive stimulant that causes most users to feel energetic and highly sociable, while also increasing the likelihood of undesirable behaviours, such as aggression, hostility and paranoia.

In the short term, cocaine abuse significantly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke, as well as being likely to make the user more violent and aggressive.

Long-term use can bring a host of psychological problems, increasing the likelihood of:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Chronic Fatigue

Cocaine is a controlled substance in most European countries.

However, that certainly doesn’t mean that the drug is not widely available.

In fact, in some social circles cocaine use is rampant, and carries very little social stigma.

However, many people will know first-hand that what starts as ‘recreational’ use can very quickly develop into a full-blown cocaine addiction.

When this happens, the best thing to do is to seek treatment at a rehab clinic.

Due to not being physically addictive there is no cocaine detox phase, although withdrawal can produce anxiety, restlessness and intense cravings.

For the rest of your cocaine rehab treatment, you will focus on identifying the root causes of your addiction, and addressing those issues with the help of the mental health team.

Counselling is a big part of cocaine rehab, with the aim of exploring why you are driven to cocaine use to begin with.

Getting a better understanding of yourself will mean that you have a better chance of staying in recovery once you leave rehab.

Heroin Rehab In Belgium

Heroin and opiate abuse has sadly become much more common in recent years.

In fact, overdose from heroin and other opiates accounted for around 50,000 deaths in the US in 2019 alone – around 70% of all drug overdoses.

The fact that the death statistics around heroin are stark, and yet people continue to use the drug, should tell you how addictive this substance truly is.

Heroin use always carries a high risk of overdose, along with increased risks of organ failure, heart attack and stroke.

Even if these things don’t happen, heroin abuse still makes lives miserable.

As an expensive and highly addictive drug, it can lead to users stealing from others or committing others crimes in order to secure their next hit.

There is only one way out of the misery of heroin addiction, and that is with professional help.

The best possible treatment for heroin addiction is residential rehab.

This provides the opportunity for a heroin user to get clean, go through therapy, and plan effectively for a sober future, all under the same roof.

Heroin is arguably one of the toughest addictions to beat, but with the right treatment and a personal commitment to the programme, it is possible.

Heroin detox usually involves the use of medication, such as Subutex and Methadone.

This is because heroin withdrawal symptoms can be extreme, including the possibility of muscle spasms, abdominal pain and psychological distress.

This is why you need to go through heroin detox at rehab.

Going cold turkey is not a viable option, and is actually very dangerous.

Heroin addiction is a life of despair, but there is always a way out through rehab.

Millions of people have successfully quit heroin and never used opiates again.

You can be one of them if you get the right help, and that is what we are here for.

If you’re serious about quitting heroin, call us for advice on 0800 111 4108 (UK) or +44 345 222 3509 (international).

Dual Diagnosis And Co-Occurring Disorder Diagnosis

The vast majority of people who are in active substance addiction will have an additional mental health issue at the same time, which is often yet to be treated or even diagnosed.

At rehab, you will get help from top mental health professionals who will be able to assess you properly and diagnose any underlying issues.

They also have the ability to prescribe medications, such as SSRIs antidepressants, or whatever would be appropriate.

These underlying mental health conditions can include:

• Obsessive compulsive disorder
• Clinical depression
• Schizophrenia
• Anxiety disorder

Any of these conditions can make a person’s addiction much worse, as they present a lot of triggers that they may not have any idea how to deal with.

A big part of rehab is learning healthy coping techniques for your addiction, and this can be applied to any other mental health issues as well.

How Long Does Rehab Take?

Treatment at drug & alcohol rehab in Belgium will usually last for about 28 days in total.

This provides enough time for a patient to detox, go through therapy sessions, and prepare for leaving the clinic.

For some patients, detox might take longer than average, perhaps due to being a particularly heavy user or drinker.

In this case, that patient’s total rehab stay could end up being longer, as they won’t start their therapies until later.

In total, rehab usually shouldn’t take more than a month.

This may seem like a long time to be away from your regular life, but it is important to prioritise your wellbeing and invest in your own health.

We can provide advice on how to have your responsibilities taken care of while you’re away, such as arranging childcare or cover at work.

Types Of Therapies At Rehab

Rehab is not just about detoxing and getting sober – it is about getting to the root of your problems to ensure that you don’t fall into active addiction again.

To that end, a lot of your time at rehab will be spent in various therapy sessions, each of which will give you a better understanding of your issues and of substance addiction in general.

Your rehab therapy plan will be carefully thought out by the mental health professionals who are looking after you at the clinic.

It is likely to feature many different kinds of therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectal Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Contingency Management and Motivational Interviewing.

Group therapy is always a big part of the plan at most rehab clinics.

These sessions can be very valuable, in that you are able to learn from others while also sharing your own problems and thoughts with the group.

Some people – perhaps those who are introverted in nature – might be apprehensive about group therapy, but once you’re acclimatised it can work very well.

There will also probably be a number of complementary activities in your rehab schedule.

This could include light exercise, such as yoga and tai chi, and activities centred around mindfulness, such as meditation and gardening.

These activities will provide respite and peace of mind, as well as giving you something positive and constructive to apply your focus to.

The 12-Step Approach To Recovery

Since the formation of Alcoholics Anonymous in 1935, the organisation has been underpinned by the 12-step programme, a series of commitments and affirmations that are designed to stop people from using alcohol.

This system is also at the centre of a large percentage of treatment facilities, including rehab.

The 12 steps encourage a spiritual approach to recovery.

Paraphrased in plain English, the steps read as follows:

Step 1: Admitting that you have become powerless over addiction.

Step 2: Coming to believe that a power greater than yourself can restore your sanity.

Step 3: Making a decision to turn your life over to God, as you understand him.

Step 4: Taking stock of yourself and your actions.

Step 5: Admitting to God, and to ourselves, how we have done wrong.

Step 6: Being entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

Step 7: Humbly asking God to remove our shortcomings.

Step 8: Making a list of all people you have harmed.

Step 9: Making direct amends to those people wherever possible, except when doing so would harm them or others.

Step 10: Continuing to take personal inventory and admit when you are wrong.

Step 11: Seeking to strengthen your relationship with God.

Step 12: Carrying the message on to others, and being mindful of these teachings in all our affairs.

You will notice that quite a few of the steps specifically mention God – however, the 12-step programme is not exclusive to religious people.

In this context, the word refers to God as you understand it – a higher power, determined by yourself, to use as a guiding light as you recover.

However, there are many people who feel uneasy about this aspect of 12-step, perhaps because they are atheist or because they have an established religion with a different understanding.

This is perfectly fine, and you can be treated without the use of the 12-step programme.

There are plenty of clinics that do not use it at all, and use a more clinical evidence-based approach.

There is also quite a lot of overlap between the two approaches.

We can talk about this during your consultation, and make sure that you are referred to a clinic with which you are comfortable.

Relapse Prevention Planning At Rehab

Rehab is a challenging process for anyone, and as you get to the last few days of your treatment you should feel a sense of pride in how far you’ve come.

However, it is important to stay focused on the next step, which is going back into the outside world as a person in recovery.

This will be a big step for you, just as it was a big step to come to rehab in the first place.

To help you approach this in the right way, you will need to create a relapse prevention plan.

The staff at the centre will help you with this plan.

The idea is to help you utilise the knowledge and coping techniques that you have picked up at rehab, and put them into practice.

Harm prevention is a big part of the plan, with advice on places or people to avoid for the sake of your ongoing recovery.

For example, you might have to cut off contact with someone you know who is still abusing drugs, even if they are a family member or good close friend.

Although it is not easy to make decisions like this, you have to remember how hard-won your recovery has been, and that your own health is the most important thing.

You cannot afford to jeopardise your own progress for the sake of others.

You will also be encouraged to take proactive steps to promote wellbeing, such as regular group therapy meetings or counselling.

Staying sober doesn’t just happen – you need to actively participate in your own recovery.

Aftercare Programmes At Rehab

Adjusting to life as a sober person can be challenging for anyone, and for many the first year in sobriety is the toughest.

This is why any clinic you are referred to through us will offer one year of aftercare services.

This means that, at weekends, you will be able to come back for catch-up meetings if you would like.

You are not under any obligation to do so, but many people find it very helpful.

The more you are actively committed to your own recovery, the higher the chance of it lasting for the long terms.

As well as being able to share your own thoughts at these meetings, you may also take a great sense of wellbeing from being able to help others, perhaps those who are not as far along the recovery road as you are.

Get Help Through Rehab 4 Alcoholism

We hope that the information above was helpful to you.

If you are suffering from addiction, you don’t need to suffer in silence – there is always help available through drug & alcohol rehab in Belgium.

Call us today on 0800 111 4108 if you are calling from the United Kingdom, or +44 345 222 3509 if you are calling from elsewhere.

One of our expert telephone advisors can begin your assessment whenever you’re ready, and before you know it, you could be starting treatment at a top class private facility near you.

Living with drug & alcohol addiction is incredibly difficult, but through proper treatment, there is always the possibility of recovery.