Drug & Alcohol Rehabs in the North East

Drug & Alcohol Rehab in the North East

The North of England has a higher prevalence of alcohol dependence, and opiate and crack cocaine use than the rest of the UK, meaning that there is a great need for people in the North to have access to high-quality, recovery-focused addiction treatment. [1]

There are a number of excellent treatment options available in the North East, and our team has put together a helpful guide so you know what to expect from addiction rehab.

Learn about the benefits of drug and alcohol rehab in the North East, the types of addiction treatment available and how to access the treatment you need so you can get professional help for your drug and/or alcohol addiction. 

How Do I Get Started in Drug & Alcohol Rehab in the North East? 

In order to get into addiction treatment, you will need to explore your rehab options first and see which type of treatment is best for you. 

You could do this by chatting to a member of the Rehab4Alcoholism team, talking to your GP or searching for local rehab clinics yourself and talking to them about your options. 

Depending on the type of treatment you want to undergo, you might need a referral from a GP or support worker, in which case you will need to talk to them about your needs. However, some addiction treatments only require a self-referral and are happy to see people independently. 

Once you have a referral or have referred yourself, you will then have an initial assessment which will help to create a personalised treatment plan. 

During your assessment, you will talk about your addiction and your needs, and the addiction specialist will discuss your options for drug and alcohol rehab in the North East with you. 

Throughout this discussion, a personalised treatment plan will be formed which will describe the type of treatment/s you will have, the timeline of the treatments and the goal of treatment to ensure that everyone knows what should be happening and when. 

How Can I Help My Loved One Get Addiction Treatment? 

If you have a loved one that is currently struggling with addiction, or you suspect they are falling into the trap of a substance dependency, then there are ways to support them in getting help. 

The Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) Approach to intervention, is a more modern method of intervention which aims to help people to guide their loved ones into addiction treatment using positive reinforcement. 

It can be incredibly difficult to see a loved one struggling with addiction and not being open to getting help, and it can often cause frayed and ruined relationships. 

Whereas traditional interventions can be confrontational and focus on the damage that the person’s addiction has done to those around them, however, the CRAFT approach allows friends and family members to learn how to support their loved one by recognising and rewarding positive steps they take. 

The training educated the person’s loved ones on how to communicate with someone with an addiction, how to discuss their addiction without laying blame but without excusing the behaviour and how to encourage positive steps and self-care. 

It also helps the addicted person to realise that the reward they feel from engaging in drugs and/or alcohol can be replaced with the reward of a substance-free life. 

The CRAFT method has proven to be very successful in helping to get people into drug and alcohol rehab in the North East and in helping friends and family members to support their loved ones and build positive relationships focusing on recovery and positive reinforcement. [2]

What Happens During Drug & Alcohol Rehab?

Knowing what the process of drug and alcohol rehab in the North East is like can make the whole process a lot less daunting, and help prepare you for your addiction treatment journey. 

When you have our initial assessment and your personal treatment plan is created, you will be given a breakdown of the treatment you will have and how long you will have it for. 

However, to give you an idea of what most personal treatment plans consist of, and let you see what your treatment plan might look like, here are the three main stages that you might expect to see in drug and alcohol rehab in the North East. 

First Step of Addiction Treatment: Detox

This is the first step in every addiction recovery journey, and this is when you stop taking the addictive substance for the first time. 

During this stage you might experience withdrawal symptoms and cravings, and can sometimes be a dangerous period as your body is adjusting to functioning without the addictive substance. 

It lasts around 5-10 days and can be done on an inpatient or outpatient basis, with or without the help of detox medications. In the case of moderate to severe alcohol withdrawal, consulting a medical professional before you detox is essential, as withdrawal symptoms can be fatal.

You can learn more about withdrawal symptoms in the ‘alcohol withdrawal symptoms’ section, and about the detox process in the ‘Structured Detox Regime’ section. 

Second Step of Drug and Alcohol Rehab in the North East: Addiction Therapies

After you have completed your detox, most patients then attend addiction therapies to help treat the psychological, social and behavioural side of their drug and/or alcohol addiction. 

There are a variety of addiction therapies which can be used to treat addiction, including those which are more focused on your thought patterns, those which incorporate your family relationships and those which look at your overall well-being.

Some of the most commonly used addiction therapies include counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy, group therapy, family therapy, holistic therapies and motivational interviewing. 

Find out more about addiction therapies in the ‘Structured therapy and counselling regime’ section. 

Third Step of Addiction Treatment: Aftercare

Aftercare is an often-underestimated component of addiction rehab which is incredibly important for people to support their independent recovery following the completion of their treatment. 

Aftercare consists of methods and tools to help people after rehab to reduce the risk of relapse and help people recognise the stages of relapse.

It also contains contacts for people if they want further help after treatment is over, whether it’s through a peer support group, crisis hotline or a 12-step programme. 

Find out more about aftercare in the ‘Aftercare and relapse prevention’ section. 

How Long Does Drug & Alcohol Rehab Last?

Drug and alcohol rehab in the North East usually lasts around 4 weeks or 28 days. This is the minimum amount of time it is recommended for someone to have inpatient treatment. 

This is because it allows for 5-10 days of detox, and then a further 3 weeks of addiction therapies. 

During this time, the body and mind have had a good amount of time to adapt to living without the addictive substance and the patient has had time to learn and apply the techniques, tools and methods to further recovery which are taught in addiction therapies. 

However, depending on your personal treatment plan, treatment might last less time (for example, if you are only attending treatment for a 7-day detox) or more time if needed. 

Outpatient treatment can also go on for longer, for example, 3-6 weeks, especially if you are attending treatment sessions only once a week. 

Outpatient treatment can be a lot more flexible in terms of the intensity of treatment, so you might attend fewer sessions per week but often over a longer period. 

For more serious cases of addiction, and if the medical team feels as though you need more time in rehab, you might stay in rehab for up to 90 days. 

There are also halfway houses and sober living accommodation which houses patients for longer and teaches them life skills. This is a good option for people who do not have stable home environments. 

Will I Have Inpatient or Outpatient Addiction Treatment? 

Whether you have inpatient or outpatient drug and alcohol rehab in the North East will depend on your personal circumstances and will be considered when your personal treatment plan is created. 

Inpatient treatment is when addiction treatment is administered whilst the patient remains in the rehab clinic. If you have inpatient treatment, you stay at the clinic during the day and night throughout the treatment programme. 

Inpatient treatment is often used for moderate to severe addiction, for people who have health risks associated with the recovery and for those who do not have suitable home environments for recovery. 

Inpatient treatment is more accessible to private patients than NHS patients, and during private inpatient rehab, you might also have access to facilities such as a gym, swimming pool and spa treatments. 

Part-hospitalisation is a type of treatment programme which is classified as being between inpatient and outpatient rehab.

During this type of programme, the patient remains in the rehab clinic for part of their treatment (usually an inpatient detox) and then attends therapies on an outpatient basis. 

Outpatient programmes are when the patient stays at home during treatment and only comes into the rehab centre to attend their addiction therapies. 

This is a common way to administer many addiction treatments, particularly for NHS-funded addiction treatment, as it is more flexible and less expensive than inpatient treatment.  

There are degrees of intensity when it comes to outpatient treatment, from Intensive Outpatient Programmes (IOP’s) which requires the patient to attend 10+ hours of addiction therapies per week, to less intense programmes where the patient will only attend therapies for a few hours per week. 

Both inpatient and outpatient drug and alcohol rehab in the North East have their benefits and drawbacks. 

Inpatient treatment is more costly but also allows for 24/7 access to medical staff and the use of rehab facilities. Outpatient treatment however is more flexible for people with work or other commitments, but also doesn’t have round-the-clock support, therefore, requiring more independence. 

Are There Any Options for Drug & Alcohol Rehab on the NHS?

NHS drug and alcohol rehab in the North East makes getting help for addiction much more accessible to people who might not be able to afford private treatment. 

NHS addiction rehab is free to all UK residents, and there are NHS treatment centres available all over the North East. 

NHS Drug and Alcohol Rehab Treatment Centres in the North East

Newcastle Treatment and Recovery (NTaR), provide drug and alcohol services throughout Newcastle and are run by the Newcastle, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation alongside the charities Humankind and Changing Lives. [3] 

They offer a range of free NHS services such as medications for detoxification, community-based treatment programmes, psychosocial therapies and ongoing addiction support. 

Wear Recovery Sunderland Integrated Drug and Alcohol Service is also run by the Newcastle, Tyne and Wear NHS foundation alongside DISC and changing lives, and offers addiction support for people in Sunderland experiencing drug and/or alcohol dependency. [4] 

The County Durham Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service offer free addiction support for people in County Durham, including recovery and detox programmes, group therapy and employment programmes. [5]

There are a range of NHS outpatient and inpatient addiction recovery support services, as well as free services provided by local charities. You can discuss NHS rehab options with the Rehab4Alcoholism team today or get in touch with your GP about NHS drug and alcohol rehab in the North East. 

Should I Have NHS or Private Drug & Alcohol Rehab in the North East?

Whether you fund your addiction rehab privately or through the NHS, you will receive the best quality care from trained addiction professionals who can help you on the road to recovery. 

However, having options is always useful, especially when it means that everyone is able to access drug and alcohol rehab in the North East no matter their financial situation. 

There are advantages and disadvantages to NHS and private addiction rehab, and here are the key things to consider when deciding which funding option to choose.

Is There a Waiting List for Private and NHS Rehab?

If you want to get drug and alcohol rehab in the North East right away, then this is something to consider when discussing treatment options. 

Unfortunately, many areas of the NHS are underfunded and understaffed, leading to long waiting lists for treatment. 

The waiting list for NHS drug and alcohol rehab in the North East can be anywhere from 3 weeks to 6 months and can be up to 1 year. 

Inpatient programmes often come with a longer waiting list than outpatient treatment, however, both are often longer than private treatment. 

The majority of private rehab clinics are able to take in patients within just 24-48 hours so for fast treatment, this is the best option.

Can I Have Inpatient Treatment in NHS & Private Rehab? 

Inpatient programmes are much more limited on the NHS, as they have less beds available than the private sector. 

Private drug and alcohol rehab, however, has plenty of inpatient and outpatient spaces available. 

In private addiction rehab you also have more options when it comes to the type of room you stay in if you do attend inpatient rehab. 

For example, you can choose a private room, an en-suite, different dining packages and optional extras such as the use of luxury facilities. 

What Addiction Therapies are Available through NHS & Private Rehab? 

Although you can access a range of addiction therapies on the NHS and in private drug and alcohol rehab in the North East, some treatments might be more difficult to access on the NHS than others. 

Therapies which are more costly or take more time are less available on the NHS than in private rehab. 

For example, holistic therapies such as music therapy or equine therapy is often more available via private rehab than NHS-funded rehab. 

One-to-one support, although available via NHS rehab, is also less commonly used than group therapy or group support services due to the cost. 

What Is the Cost of Private & NHS Addiction Rehab?

The cost of rehab varies widely, especially depending on whether you have private or NHS rehab. 

NHS drug and alcohol rehab in the North East is free so you don’t have to pay for any addiction treatments you receive on the NHS. 

Private addiction treatment, however, costs an average of £1,500-£2,000 per day. 

In total, the cost of a 28-day inpatient treatment programme in private rehab is around £6,000-£8,000. 

However, the price of private rehab varies between clinics, and depends on the treatment you have, what type of room you stay in, any extras you pay for and what facilities you use. 

Some high-end private rehab centres can cost up to £20,000 for a 28-day stay. 

Why Is Dual Diagnosis Important for Co-occurring Disorders?

Co-occurring conditions affect around 7.7 million adults in the UK who are struggling with a drug and/or alcohol addiction. [6]

Co-occurring disorders, also known as comorbid disorders, are conditions that exist alongside another condition in one individual. 

For example, if someone is struggling with substance use disorder (alcohol or drug addiction) and also suffers from depression at the same time. 

There are several common co-occurring disorders which affect people with substance use disorder, including schizophrenia, ADHD, OCD, bipolar disorder, PTSD, borderline personality disorder, anxiety and depression.

In fact, for some of these disorders such as borderline personality disorder, substance use can be part of the diagnostic criteria used to provide evidence of the condition itself. This is usually due to the ‘impulsivity’ symptom that some of these conditions have which is often connected to substance misuse. [7]

It can be virtually impossible to tell which disorder came first, however, for example, whether the substance use disorder initiated the development of the other disorder, the other disorder led to the substance use or they developed independently of one another. 

What we do know, however, is that comorbid disorders often interact and negatively impact one another. The longer an addiction continues, often the worse both the substance use disorder and the other disorder get. 

Therefore having a dual diagnosis (a diagnosis which includes both disorders) can really help in drug and alcohol rehab in the North East to ensure that both disorders are treated effectively.

During treatment, both the substance use disorder and the comorbid condition need to be treated, separately and together. It also must be made sure that the treatment of one disorder does not negatively impact the other. 

Being aware of comorbid conditions in treatment leads to more effective treatment of both disorders, a deeper understanding behind the cause and treatment of the drug/alcohol addiction and overall a greater chance of recovery. 

Cocaine Rehab in the North East

Cocaine is a commonly used ‘party drug’ which is often snorted in powder form (powder cocaine) or smoked in the form of small rocks (crack cocaine). 

Cocaine is a stimulant drug which produces extreme happiness, alertness and energy, however, it can also have very negative short and long-term effects on the body and mind. 

In the short term cocaine can leave people feeling paranoid, irritable and hypersensitive to light and sound. It can also lead to violent or unpredictable behaviour, a fast heartbeat, stroke or heart attack, nausea and high blood pressure. [8]

In the long term, cocaine use can lead to a breakdown of the nasal cartilage, nosebleeds and a loss of smell, respiratory distress, bowel decay and risk of infectious diseases. [8]

If you have a cocaine dependency, then finding help through drug and alcohol rehab in the North East is key to avoiding the many physical, mental, social and psychological side effects of being addicted to the drug. 

Cocaine rehab and detox consists of a 7-10 day detox which can either be done at home or on an inpatient basis and then 3 weeks of addiction therapies to help you rebuild your life free from the grips of cocaine. 

Cannabis Rehab in the North East

Cannabis has long been thought of as a harmless and non-addictive plant which helps users to feel happy, relaxed and giggly. 

However, cannabis is a psychoactive drug which carries several short and long-term risks, including cannabis dependency. 

Around 9% of people who take cannabis will develop a cannabis addiction, which raises to 17% if they begin taking the substance in adolescence. [9]

Some people who take cannabis have a very negative reaction to it either straight away or over time, with paranoia, anxiety, memory loss and psychosis being possible effects of taking the drug. [9]

Long-term and heavy cannabis use has also been shown to alter brain development, cause cognitive impairment and lower IQ scores, increase the risk of chronic bronchitis and increase the risk of schizophrenia and other psychosis disorders. [9]

Cannabis has also been connected to lower life satisfaction, poor education and a diminished sense of achievement, likely due to its demotivational effects. [9]

If you think you might have or be developing a cannabis dependency, there is help out there in the form of cannabis rehab. 

You are likely to have an at-home detox, possibly with some prescribed medication for the withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety or insomnia. Following this, you can get help with overcoming your addiction through addiction therapies.  

Heroin Rehab in the North East

Heroin is an opioid like codeine and opium, which is a highly addictive drug that helps to alleviate pain. [10]

Although heroin helps with pain, as it is converted into morphine in the bloodstream, it is primarily used as an illegal drug due to it causing a ‘rush’ of euphoric pleasure when taken. 

Heroin is incredibly addictive and can have severe side effects including nausea, vomiting and severe itching as well as slowed breathing which can lead to a coma and permanent brain damage. [11]

If you or a loved one is experiencing heroin addiction, then getting help as soon as possible should be a priority. 

Heroin detox managed through a drug and alcohol rehab in the North East can help you manage withdrawal symptoms safely and also reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, insomnia, vomiting, diarrhoea, cold flashes, cravings and muscle cramps and pains. [11]

Following your heroin detox, you will then go on to attend addiction therapies to help you manage your addiction as well as ongoing support provided by aftercare services. 

Will Drug & Alcohol Rehab in the North East Help Me Recover from My Addiction? 

Drug and alcohol rehab in the North East is the first step towards addiction recovery, helping you to both detoxes from substances safely but also helping you to learn the best methods of staying sober long term. 

There are many factors that go into every individual’s addiction recovery, so it is impossible to determine just what will work for who, but addiction rehab has proven to help people get their lives back from the cycle of addiction. 

Professional addiction treatment is regularly cited as helping people maintain short-term sobriety over 2 years, and long-term recovery has cited professional addiction treatment as helping them to remain sober for an average of 12 years. [12] 

Professional treatment has also been demonstrated to help reduce the risk of relapse too [12] 

Rather than struggling alone, reaching out for help can provide you with much-needed practical, psychological, physical and social support from people who have in-depth knowledge of addiction. 

Getting sober is difficult, so finding the right support to help you in your recovery is key to successful, long-term addiction recovery. 

Alcohol and drug addiction can be incredibly challenging to go through, for the person themselves as well as their loved ones. 

However, with drug and alcohol rehab in the North East, you can find the addiction treatment to help you recover safely from your substance dependency and achieve long-term sobriety.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below, we list a number of other resources that you may find useful in your search for quality and suitable rehab treatment in the UK:

• How much does rehab cost?
• Can I bring my mobile, tablet or laptop into rehab?
• Can improperly detoxing from alcohol kill?
• Will going to rehab help my legal case?
• Is 28 days in rehab long enough?
• Should I go to a local rehab or one that’s far away?
• What are the biggest misconceptions about going to rehab?
• What should I pack for rehab?
• What questions to ask when choosing rehab?
• What to ask if you’re dealing with trauma?

Call Rehab 4 Alcoholism for Fast Help

Rehab 4 Alcoholism offers safe and secure alcohol detoxification treatment throughout the United Kingdom. Centres are typically residential in nature and offer a diverse range of treatment plans depending on the severity of addiction and the personal wishes of patients.

Please call Rehab 4 Alcoholism today by dialling 0800 111 4108.