Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Wanstead

We are here to provide immediate and tailored help for addiction and substance abuse in Wanstead. Sobriety includes a long road of recovery, with constant battling of urges, cravings, and intense emotions.

Attempting to cut out alcohol or drugs can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms, which is why we are here to help guide you through withdrawals, rehabilitation, and aftercare.

This is due to a severe dependency on drugs or alcohol, often producing behavioural issues and mental health disorders.

If you are currently residing in Wanstead and believe you or a loved one need rehabilitation in Wanstead, read this article and chat with us for more information.

Am I an Addict?

The DSM-5 characterises addiction as the regular want and need to use drugs or drink alcohol. This compulsion is so strong, that users often cannot control their urges, and give in to every craving.

If you are addicted, you are likely to be unable to cut or reduce your intake, and you will experience severe withdrawal symptoms if you don’t. [1]

These withdrawal symptoms are both mental and physical. The mental withdrawal symptoms that are most common consist of:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Nervousness
• Memory less
• Confusion
• Panic attacks
• Irritability
• Agitation
• Difficulty focusing
• Cravings

The most common physical withdrawal symptoms of addiction are:

• Sweating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Muscle, bone and joint pain
• High temperature
• Restlessness
• Change in sleep
• Change in body weight
• Shaking and shivers
• Heart palpitations

All types of drugs and alcohol have slightly different withdrawal symptoms, some are mild, and some can be life-threatening.

The severity of the withdrawals often depends on the nature of your addiction, such as:

• How long you have been addicted
• What substance you are addicted to
• Method of ingestion
• Amount consumed each time
• Whether you are mixing substances or not
• Family history and genetics
• General mental and physical health

Duration of withdrawal symptoms depends on these points mentioned, but the first symptoms can arise as soon as 6 hours after your last drug use or alcohol ingestion.

However, withdrawal symptoms get gradually better over time as your body adapts to life without substances again.

Questionnaires for Addiction

If you are suffering from withdrawals in Wanstead, or are becoming increasingly worried you are addicted, take an at-home questionnaire such as the CAGE questionnaire. CAGE was originally designed for alcoholism, but has since been adapted for drug use: [2]

CAGE Questions for Alcohol Use:

1. Have you ever felt you should CUT down on your drinking? YES/NO
2. Have people ever ANNOYED you by critiquing your drinking? YES/NO
3. Have you ever felt bad or GUILTY about your drinking? YES/NO
4. Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover? YES/NO

CAGE Questions Adapted to Include Drug Use (CAGE-AID)

1. Have you ever felt you ought to cut down on your drinking or drug use? YES/NO
2. Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking or drug use? YES/NO
3. Have you felt bad or guilty about your drinking or drug use? YES/NO
4. Have you ever drunk or used drugs first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover (eye-opener)? YES/NO

A YES answer gives you a score of 1, and a NO answer gives you 0 points. If you score over 2 points on either set of CAGE questions, it is classed as clinically significant. You should get in touch with us to discuss rehabilitation or intervention in Wanstead. If you want to focus on alcoholism, the AUDIT is an alcohol screening tool:

AUDIT questions: [3]

1. How often have you had 6 or more units of female, or 8 or more if male, on a single occasion in the last year?
2. How often during the last year have you failed to do what was normally expected from you because of your drinking?
3. How often during the last year have you been unable to remember what happened the night before because you had been drinking?
4. Has a relative or friend, doctor or other health worker been concerned about your drinking or suggested that you cut it down?

Are you FAST+?

1. How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?
2. How many units of alcohol do you drink on a typical day when you are drinking?
3. How often during the last year have you found that you were not able to stop drinking once you had started?
4. How often during the last year have you needed an alcoholic drink in the morning to get going after a heavy drinking session?
5. How often during the last year have you had a feeling of guilt or remorse after drinking?
6. Have you or somebody else been injured as a result of your drinking?

You should answer the first 4 questions and see what your score is. If you rank as ‘fast+’, you are required to answer the remaining 6 questions. These tests help you get an idea of the severity of your addiction, and whether addiction intervention is required.

Pre-Rehabilitation: Addiction Intervention

Most drug and alcohol users are in denial about whether they have an addiction problem. They will then remain unmotivated to get help or talk about it.

Over 80% of addicts currently want to reach out, but feel unready to do so or do not know how. [4] Seeking help as early as you can give you the best chance at a successful recovery, reducing the risk of relapse.

Intervention is designed to stop the user from abusing drugs or drinking alcohol. The aim is to get them safely into a suitable rehabilitation centre, without force or confrontation.

There are 4 types of intervention available in Wanstead:

1. Simple intervention

The simple intervention consists of mainly one-to-one conversations, usually consisting of the addict and a loved one.

2. Classical intervention

Classical intervention is also called the ‘Johnson Model of Intervention’. This involves everyone but the user themselves; people gather to discuss their roles and contribution towards addicts’ recovery.

There are 7 elements to the Johnson Model of Intervention:

1. Mediation crew
2. Planning
3. Care-focused
4. Notes and proof
5. Addiction focus
6. Therapy for intervention
7. Options for treatment

3. Family system intervention

This is based on the ‘family framework’, focused on family bonds that have been ruined by addiction and dependency. Concerned others are asked to take part in family guidance

The main form of family system intervention is CRAFT. CRAFT stands for ‘community reinforcement and family training, specifically designed for ‘concerned others’.

Concerned others are asked to educate themselves on addiction and the brain’s reward systems. [5]

Family, friends, and professionals gather together to discuss the effects that addiction has had on the user, and how it has impacted them personally.

They are all asked to reward pro-social and anti-using behaviour, whilst allowing the negative consequences of using to play out.

Over 72% of those that go through CRAFT end up in rehabilitation, making it one of the most successful forms of intervention.

4. Crisis intervention

Crisis intervention is impromptu and immediate. People will immediately get involved when the user has become a danger to themselves or others.

Once the intervention has been successful, contact us to discuss routes of rehabilitation or therapy in Wanstead.

Addiction Rehabilitation in Wanstead

The ASAM has created 6 dimensions, designed to help clinicians tailor treatment for you as an individual. Each dimension will be assessed, and a professional will grade you from 1-4, 1 being low risk and 4 being the highest risk. [6]

• Dimension 1 – Acute intoxication and/or withdrawal: will the patient suffer from withdrawals concerning the addicted substance? Or are they vulnerable to withdrawal symptoms?
• Dimension 2 – Biomedical conditions and complications: will any outstanding medical conditions intervene or interrupt addiction treatment?
• Dimension 3 – Emotional, behavioural, or cognitive conditions and complications: what is the emotional state of the user? Is it stable?
• Dimension 4 – Readiness to change: does the user seem sufficiently motivated to change?
• Dimension 5 – Relapse, continued use, or continued problem potential: is it possible that the user will relapse, or do they seem vulnerable to relapse?
• Dimension 6 – Recovery/living environment: does the user seem very social? Possibly to the point that certain people or places will interrupt treatment.

The more risk each dimension has, the more focus that area of treatment will have. Treatment options for you in Wanstead will be discussed and planned for the nature of your addiction. Treatment options fall into two categories, inpatient and outpatient.  

Inpatient treatment, also known as residential rehab, is an all-inclusive treatment designed to treat the most severe addictions. Patients are required to check themselves into a highly controlled environment, with 24-hour professional support. 

Inpatient treatment usually costs from £10,000 to over £100,000 per week, ranging in price according to the type of treatment, time spent in rehab, and area you are residing in. This price includes medically assisted detox, rent, utilities, activities, and staff training.

This is not usually referred through the NHS, so you will have to pay upfront. A typical day in residential treatment is tailored towards you and your needs, including psychiatric help, individual therapy, and group therapy.

This usually runs for the whole month, but 7 days is the minimum for assisted detox.

A detox is the first step in therapy, but this is only necessary if you are physically addicted to a substance. You will be closely monitored by medical professionals and offered medication to ease the initial side effects. The brain reacts in different ways, so all withdrawal symptoms will differ slightly.

Outpatient therapy involves you staying at home in Wanstead, but you will need to attend the centre for monitored medication, therapy, and professional help. This is better suited for you if your addiction is less severe, or you have a strict routine that requires flexible treatment.

Outpatient treatment requires a minimum of 10 hours a week, focusing on therapy and counselling. This can be at any rehab clinic or outpatient centre close to you in Wanstead, to make it easy for you to attend before or after work and responsibilities.

Both inpatient and outpatient rehab in Wanstead will provide you with adequate attention and therapy, but which one you choose will depend on your lifestyle, severity of addiction, and motivation.

Therapy on Offer in Rehab

Below, we discuss the different types of therapy available at rehab.

1. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy,

Known as CBT, is commonly used as a therapeutic intervention for addiction.

Research shows that alcohol and drug addictions are exacerbated by irrational thought processes leading to behavioural issues. CBT is also used to treat mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression, so CBT is widely used for co-occurring conditions. [7]

Dysfunctional and negative thoughts often undermine addicts’ attempts to reduce or cut down on drugs or alcohol. These thoughts also make you doubt your ability to get sober and recover, accompanied by intrusive thoughts about using substances again.

To change this addictive behaviour, CBT addresses the root causes and thought processes that lead to addiction. CBT provides the tools and mechanisms to manage and help change these thoughts, aiding mental health and well-being.

Addiction is often classed as a dangerous cycle, so breaking the cycle of thoughts can address the destructive behaviours that follow. This is a flexible treatment, offered in both individual and group settings.

2. Dialectical Behavioural Therapy

DBT, is a form of CBT. DBT focuses on emotional regulation rather than focusing primarily on thoughts. Both CBT and DBT can be paired with other forms of therapy, such as Contingency Management. [8]

3. Contingency Management (CM)

Primarily used as a motivational tool, providing material awards as encouragement for good behaviour. When you show signs of desirable behaviours, such as sobriety, therapy attendance, and sticking to responsibilities, you are rewarded.

Contingency Management has been shown to reduce both relapses and dropping out of treatment. CM is referred to as ‘motivational incentives’, justified by the assumption that behaviour is shaped by consequences. [9] If you show signs of negative behaviour, such as low attendance or failing a drug test, rewards are removed immediately. The most common type of award is cash or vouchers. [10]

4. Motivational Interviewing

Also based on encouragement. The purpose of MI is to build the patient’s motivation to attend therapy, committing to change in line with the patient’s values. The therapist will help the patient make their plan at their own pace, giving them more control and authority over their success.

5. Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EDMR)

Aims to help patients recover from trauma. EDMR helps clients focus on their symptoms of distress, promoting emotional stability.

EDMR uses dual stimulation exercising, discussing trauma of the past whilst engaging the brain through taps, tones, and eye movements.

6. Holistic Therapy

If you are in search of a different form of therapy, you should try holistic therapy. Holistic therapy or holistic psychotherapy helps the patient heal the mind, body, and soul all at once. This balanced approach is not focused on one symptom or issue but aims to improve all aspects of the patient as a whole.

There are different types of holistic treatment, such as:

• Acupuncture and massage therapy
• Tai chi and mindfulness
• Meditation and yoga
• Art and adventure therapy
• Nutritional education
• Sport and exercise therapy
• Equine therapy
• Animal-assisted therapy

There are only a few of the therapies on offer in Wanstead for addiction, so make sure you do your research into the surrounding area.

Relapse Prevention and Aftercare

Once you have completed therapy, it is crucial you involve yourself in the prevention of relapse. Aftercare is as important as intervention and therapy, preventing relapse will help you stay on track. The best way to involve yourself in relapse prevention is to attend a group therapy session like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.

Alcoholics Anonymous follows a 12-step programme: [11]

1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol – that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Decided to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when doing so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and practice these principles in all our affairs.

Groups of past, present, and recovering alcoholics gather together to discuss life with and without alcohol. Stories, recovery, and struggles are shared to provide support to one another and work through them together.

Smart Recovery is another route of aftercare. The 4-point programme builds the tools and techniques learnt in rehab, helping you implement them into daily life. [12]

1. Building and maintaining motivation gives you power over your own choices.
2. Coping with urges to understand why they happen, and the tools needed to prevent this.
3. Managing thoughts, feelings and behaviours that stop you from ‘using to feel better’.
4. Living a balanced life to regain your health and lifestyle to aid long-term well-being.

All aftercare programmes encourage family involvement. Family and close friends can help reduce the likelihood of relapse when the patient in recovery is at risk. Family and friends can also get involved in some rehab programmes such as family therapy.  Remember, the more people you talk to and involvement in your recovery, the better your chances of sobriety.

Get in touch with us today to help you find the rehab and therapy you need in Wanstead

References

[1] Centre for Substance Abuse Treatment. Managing Chronic Pain in Adults With or in Recovery From Substance Use Disorders. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2012. (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 54.) Exhibit 2-6, DSM-IV-TR Criteria for Substance Abuse and Substance Dependence. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92053/table/ch2.t5/

[2]  https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/1729/cage-questions-alcohol-use

[3] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/684823/Alcohol_use_disorders_identification_test__AUDIT_.pdf

[4] hanjie S. Evidence-based psychosocial interventions in substance use. Indian J Psychol Med. 2014 Apr;36(2):112-8. DOI: 10.4103/0253-7176.130960. PMID: 24860208; PMCID: PMC4031575.

[5]https://www.apa.org/pi/about/publications/caregivers/practice-settings/intervention/community-reinforcement

[6]. American Society of Addiction Medicine (2021) ASAM: Quality and Science. available @ASAM Home Page.

[7] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Alcohol, Marijuana, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Nicotine). 

[8] Dimeff, L.A., & Linehan, M.M. (2008). Dialectical behaviour therapy for substance abusers. Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, 4(2), 39–47.

[9]https://www.recoveryanswers.org/resource/contingency-management/#:~:text=Contingency%20Management%20is%20often%20called,is%20shaped%20by%20its%20consequences.

[10] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). Contingency Management Interventions/Motivational Incentives (Alcohol, Stimulants, Opioids, Marijuana, Nicotine).

[11] https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/about-aa/the-12-steps-of-aa

[12] https://smartrecovery.org.uk/