Despite stringent anti-drug policy and laws against alcohol consumption, Saudi Arabia is not exempt from substance addiction.

Though exact statistics are few, many Saudis are thought to consume drugs or alcohol despite the consequences.

Addiction Statistics In Saudi Arabia

The country ranks as the largest consumer of illicit amphetamines in the region, with 30% of global amphetamine seizures coming from Saudi Arabia.

While heroin use has seen a decline in the past decade, the rise in amphetamine use is a continuingly worrying trend.

Additionally, hashish and cannabis are consumed throughout the nation, alongside illegally sourced alcohol in its many forms.

Due to its illegality, substance use in Saudi Arabia carries a heavy stigma, and for those suffering from addiction, this narrative of shame can make life unbearable.

Often faced with immense guilt, Saudis with undiagnosed substance use disorder may either refuse to seek help or be unable to access professional resources.

That’s why here at Rehab 4 Alcoholism, we’ve made it our mission to connect those in need with leading rehab facilities.

Our expert team will work carefully with your unique needs and preferences to find a suitable drug & alcohol rehab in Saudi Arabia.

The Referral Process

It’s often noted that the first steps towards recovery are the hardest to take,  which is why our expert team has devised a simple referral process.

Our professional team has your best interests at heart and will work to find the treatment provider most suitable for your needs.

If your addiction requires inpatient care, we’ll build a profile of your preferences and create a list of affordable clinic recommendations.

Once you’ve reached out to the Rehab 4 Alcoholism centre, we’ll begin by organizing a free phone consultation to assess your situation.

You’ll be put into contact with a supportive team member, many of whom have been through recovery themselves.

They’ll explain the pre-admittance assessment to you, and then pass you on to an experienced addiction psychiatrist for a brief health assessment.

The health assessment is an integral part of the referral process, as it allows us to gauge your mental and physical wellbeing.

Usually lasting between 10-15 minutes, a medical professional will ask you about any symptoms you might have.

You’ll then be asked to describe your substance-use history, the nature of your addiction, and any pre-existing medical conditions.

This will decide which medications you’re eligible to receive as part of your detox program once you’ve entered a drug & alcohol rehab in Saudi Arabia.

Moreover, any information you disclose will be entirely confidential and discussed on your terms.

Following this phase of the consultation, you’ll be given the floor to describe your preferences for the optimal rehab clinic.

Whether you have a specific location, treatment plan or budget in mind, we’ll keep each priority keenly in mind when building your bespoke referral.

Depending on the urgency of your situation and current location, you may also have the chance to visit your short-listed clinics.

This way, you can take all the time you need to make an informed decision before commencing rehabilitation.

Finally, upon choosing a drug & alcohol rehab in Saudi Arabia, we’ll organize your accommodation, travel and admissions paperwork, to make the process as stress-free as possible.

Physical VS Psychological Addictions

As a medical condition affecting both the mind and body, those with substance use disorder can exhibit a variety of symptoms.

As such, it helps to categorize the type of addiction into physical and psychological– and this is the main distinction offered by experts.

For those with a psychological addiction, daily life is governed by the intense mental and emotional compulsion to use a substance.

This type of dependency is driven by increased dopamine production in the brain when an individual uses the same drugs or alcohol.

Therefore, victims of psychological addictions exhibit behavioural changes relating entirely to the mind and emotions.

The ensuing mental cravings override all other thoughts- causing individuals to neglect hobbies, responsibilities and even relationships.

Moreover, if the individual abstains from said substance, intense psychological withdrawal is likely to occur in the form of depression, anxiety or mood swings.

In contrast, for someone with physical addiction, alcohol or drugs are needed to outrun painful bodily withdrawal.

This is because, with unregulated substance use, our bodies reach a state where they cannot function without it.

Therefore, sudden cessation or quitting “cold-turkey” induces a range of symptoms as the body tries to re-adjust.

These include but aren’t limited to:

• Vomiting
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Muscle aches
• Persistent pains
• Seizures

Increased tolerance is another tangible sign of physical addiction and can lead people to overdose.

With consistent substance over-use, our bodies become acclimatized to the effects, meaning more is needed to achieve the same euphoric feelings.

This effect is particularly prevalent in those with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), and they often find the need to drink more and more to feel its effects.

Becoming trapped in this vicious cycle means those who desperately want to quit simply cannot, due to the unmanageable nature of withdrawal.

The Detox Process

For many in the throes of addiction, achieving a life of sobriety can seem to be an insurmountable task.

As such, undergoing the detox process often evokes feelings of apprehension, fuelled by the misconception that detox is a gruelling process.

Thankfully, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

At a drug & alcohol rehab in Saudi Arabia, you’ll be recommended a fully supervised detox designed to optimize safety and comfort.

Medicated detoxification is considered the foundation of any effective recovery program, and is best carried out in an inpatient clinic.

For alcohol use disorders, the detox process can take anywhere between 7-10 days and begins immediately after you check in to rehab.

Initially, you’ll complete a short medical exam to determine the contents of your bespoke detox plan.

A team of non-judgemental medical professionals will recommend the best course of action– including the length of detox, and which medications you’ll receive.

Usually, anti-anxiety medications such as Benzodiazepines and Beta Blockers are prescribed to relieve psychological symptoms, which are common in alcohol withdrawal.

This pharmacological support, combined with the slow reduction of alcohol in the body, means you can start your rehabilitation in relative comfort.

Additionally, patients undergoing detox will receive 24/7 medical support, behavioural counselling, and holistic therapy such as nutrition supplements.

For other drugs, the consistent severity of addictions often results in a longer period of detox.

As such, patients suffering from illicit substance dependencies can expect to spend between 10-30 days detoxing.

This is so toxins in the body can be gradually reduced, and the worst withdrawal symptoms avoided or keenly managed.

Unfortunately, for individuals detoxing from cocaine and amphetamines, the risk of psychological withdrawal is far greater.

As a result, a holistic approach that is rich in emotional support is crucial.

At a drug & alcohol rehab in Saudi Arabia, patients dealing with stimulant use disorder receive a combination of behavioural counselling and medication to help ease anxiety or depression.

To this end, low-dose sedatives and muscle relaxants are often prescribed to ease agitation and feelings of panic.

Moreover, you’ll have round-the-clock access to entertainment facilities, libraries and nutritional support.

While it’s usually not necessary for other addictions, victims of opioid use disorder often undergo substitution therapy as part of their detox plan.

This is a form of medical intervention whereby weaker opiates gradually replace heroin and then lower in dose to ease the body into sobriety.

Often in the form of Subutex, methadone or buprenorphine, this effective form of therapy reduces cravings and avoids severe withdrawal.

Rehab For Alcohol Use Disorder

Most effective when completed on-site at a clinic, rehab for alcoholism combines a variety of psychotherapy and relapse prevention workshops.

At a leading drug & alcohol rehab in Saudi Arabia, patients benefit from a routine of individual therapy, group therapy and alternative therapies such as yoga or meditation.

While committing to a rehab program can seem daunting, it’s by far the best way to begin recovery.

The inpatient nature of care removes any triggers or temptations experienced by individuals in their home environment, thereby ensuring the safety of patients and encouraging their success.

Moreover, at a rehab for alcoholism you’ll get to the root cause of your addiction with the help of psychiatrists, medical staff and the camaraderie offered by others in recovery.

As such, patients often opt to spend between 30-90 days receiving comprehensive treatment, before moving through an aftercare program.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Each bespoke care program includes a form of communication-based psychotherapy, usually based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

Aiming to re-wire thought patterns, CBT encourages the patient to find the link between their thoughts, feelings and alcohol use.

With regular sessions alongside a psychiatrist, behavioural therapy is a powerful tool for discovering and treating the root cause of addiction.

Group Therapy

Group therapy is another important part of daily life at a rehab for alcoholism, as it encourages healing through community.

In groups of between 5 and 10, patients have the chance to interact with those going through similar alcohol-related struggles.

These sessions will allow you to take inspiration from your peers, give advice where appropriate, and share the highs and lows of recovery in a safe, healing space.

Holistic Therapy

In addition to psychotherapy, holistic therapy is offered in various formats and workshops.

Designed to optimize fitness and overall health, holistic activities allow patients to curate the tools for a better life post-rehab.

You’ll be encouraged to create some personal goals regarding nutrition, fitness, or additional hobbies, and can join relevant workshops accordingly.

Typically, these include art therapy, healthy eating, yoga classes, mindfulness or equine therapy.

Rehab For Other Drugs

Battling an illicit drug addiction can ruin lives both directly and indirectly, which is why proper rehabilitation is vital.

At a drug & alcohol rehab in Saudi Arabia, you’ll undergo the appropriate treatment and support needed to begin your road to recovery.

With an encouraging team by your side every step of the way, rehab for drug addictions can last between 60 to 120 days.

As ever, there will be plenty of room to manoeuvre depending on your unique circumstances.

After treating the physical effects of addiction via detox, you’ll begin a care plan that aims to tackle the ingrained psychological dependency.

To this end, a combination of CBT and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) often produces the best results.

While the latter is a derivative of the former, DBT places more emphasis on the emotions surrounding addiction.

Over a series of sessions, DBT allows patients to cultivate greater self-understanding and acceptance while working to heal any unresolved trauma.

Alongside behavioural counselling such as CBT, many patients experience an increase in motivation that helps to carry them through their rehab residency.

Treating heroin addictions and opioid use disorders requires an equally comprehensive approach.

Oftentimes, on-site care to treat these severe addictions consists of psychotherapy, emotional counselling and medication plans tailored to each individual.

Throughout your rehabilitation, you’ll have full access to all the tools needed to beat your addiction and cultivate healing: including medical and psychiatric facilities, as well as entertainment suites.

With this in mind, individuals often choose to spend between 60 and 120 days in rehab for heroin.

These longer-term residencies ensure that all elements of your heroin addiction have been carefully treated.

Therapy options typically include CBT, DBT, behavioural counselling, contingency management and more.

Aftercare and Post-Rehab Support

Upon leaving rehab with a wealth of new knowledge and self-acceptance, our clients will receive an aftercare package.

At no additional cost, this comprehensive plan will last for 12 months, but give you tools to last a lifetime.

To ensure that you stay in recovery, you’ll have access to a wealth of resources- including hotlines and fellowship groups.

Depending on your substance use history, you’ll have the chance to join either Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings.

Led by a trained psychiatrist, these supportive communities are made up of those in recovery working through a 12 step program.

In this program, participants are encouraged to be honest, work on character flaws and to move forward.

Each step focuses on a particular philosophy thought to be conducive to healing: including honestly, forgiveness, making amends for past transgressions and more.

Get Help Today

To begin your journey towards recovery, dial 44 345 222 3509.

You will be put in contact with an experienced member of our team, and you will be supported throughout your path to recovery.

Battling addiction is never easy, and it is necessary to utilise all the support you can.

At Rehab 4 Alcoholism, we can achieve recovery together.