Clinically Reviewed by
Dr. Olalekan Otulana (Advanced Practitioner)
All information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.
Last Reviewed: 23rd September 2022
Many rehabs offer an expedited process for urgent cases, providing urgent rehab admissions so that treatment can begin immediately. Some cases this may be same-day admission, or it may take 24-48 hours.
For some people who attend rehab, their slide into addiction may have been a slow and steady one. For others it is more of a swift downward spiral. And still others may end up in rehab following an emergency event, such as experience of an overdose or mental health crisis, and an urgent rehab admission may be required.
Most drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres have a thorough admissions process involving pre-admission screening, interviews and medical tests. This helps ensure that you are going to the best place for your own individual circumstances and allows the rehab to draw up a tailored treatment plan to best treat the various aspects of your addiction.
There are a number of reasons why people may seek urgent rehab admission for themselves or their loved ones. These could include:
Overdose can be a lethal business. In 2020, 4,561 deaths related to drug poisoning were registered in England and Wales. Alcohol poisoning can also be extremely dangerous. Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures tend to group alcohol-specific deaths together.
In 2020 there were 7,423 such deaths and, while the majority died from liver disease, 12.1% were attributable to mental and behavioural disorders due to the use of alcohol and 6.2% were due to external cause of deaths including accidental or intentional poisoning by and exposure to alcohol.
Even if it is not fatal, an overdose can cause lasting or permanent damage and it is certainly not an experience you want to repeat. Some overdoses are entirely accidental while others are deliberate and could signal that an addict has given up all hope. Following emergency treatment, an urgent admission to rehab could provide a chance to turn things around.
What constitutes ‘rock bottom’ can vary from one individual to the next, but often involves finding themselves in a situation that makes them realise the direness of their situation. There can be points where an addict experiences a moment of clarity and knows that they have to clean up. It’s important that they are able to access help as soon as possible, as they may simply seek to lose themselves again in drugs or alcohol if they do not.
An intervention by friends or family may be needed to help an addict face up to their addiction and the consequences of their behaviour. Again, there may be a limited window of opportunity to get them into rehab or other treatment before they slide back into previous harmful behaviours.
This could take different forms, from a mental health crisis to the realisation that a marriage is very much on the rocks or that the addict is on the verge of losing their job. A personal loss, or the imminent threat of one, may be enough to get the person to seek help right away.
It is often the case that the person with the addiction or substance misuse issue is reluctant to seek help. Addiction and dishonesty frequently go hand in hand and this can include denial – even to oneself. It can be extremely difficult for anyone to watch a loved one harm themselves and those around them with drugs and alcohol, but it can also be difficult to know how to approach them or what to say or do for the best.
In general terms it is always best to speak to the person (preferably when they are sober) in a calm and supportive manner. There can be a fine line to tread, though, in not enabling their continuing substance misuse or overlooking unacceptable behaviour.
Another valuable tool can be an intervention. This is where people close to the addict come together to explain in their own words the impact of the addict’s behaviours. This can often come as a shock to the person at the centre of it all, especially if they didn’t know or had blocked out how much pain they were causing to those around them.
Passions can easily rise at such a gathering, so it is important to stage an intervention in a planned and structured way. Some addiction recovery professionals and counsellors specialise in leading interventions and can help to make sure it runs smoothly, without descending into recriminations and anger that can be counterproductive.
At the end of the day, the person with the problem must still consent to enter rehab, but an intervention can often provide the motivation and realisation they need.
The exact make-up of a rehab programme can vary from one place to the next but there are some common elements you can expect to find. For most people entering rehab the first major stage is detoxification, or detox. This is the period during which your body processes the drugs or alcohol already in your system and can be very challenging.
You may experience extremely strong cravings and compulsions and may also experience a range of physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. This is always best undergone in a supervised setting if possible, whether that is a hospital, a dedicated drug and alcohol detox clinic or a rehabilitation centre. Medical supervision during detox is even more important following a crisis such as an overdose or mental health episode.
Rehab also strives to address the root causes and underlying issues surrounding a person’s substance misuse and addiction. This typically involves a range of psychological therapies and other treatments. The person undergoing the programme will be encouraged to explore these issues via techniques such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), group therapy and counselling. They will also be encouraged to change the way they think and behave around drugs or alcohol, and to develop strategies for avoiding relapse.
If you, or someone you know, is in urgent need of rehab, contact us now to find out more.
Raffa manages the day to day caring services here at Cassiobury Court. Dedicated to the treatment and well being of our visitors she is an outstanding mental health coach registered with BAAT (British Association of Art Therapists). Raffa has outstanding experience in managing rehabs across the country and is vastly experienced at helping people recover from drug and alcohol addictions.
Dr. Olalekan Otulana MBChB, DRCOG, MRCGP, DFSRH, FRSPH, MBA (Cantab)
Dr Otulana is a highly experienced GP and Addiction Physician. He has a specialist interest in Substance Misuse Management and he has a wide range of experience in the assessment, management (including detoxification) and residential rehabilitation of clients with various drug and substance addiction problems. His main aim is to comprehensively assess patients with addiction problems and determine their treatment needs for medical detoxification treatments and psychological interventions. He is also experienced in managing patients who require dual drug and alcohol detoxification treatments.
A strong healthcare services professional with a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree from Cambridge University Judge Business School.
