Drug and Alcohol Rehab Bishop Auckland
Drugs and alcohol are serious problems throughout the UK and Bishop Auckland and surrounding areas are certainly no exception. Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show a significantly higher rate of deaths relating to drug misuse in the North East compared to any other region in England. This area also has the highest rate of alcohol-related deaths in England.
All of these statistics represent individual tragedies and yet the deaths caused each year by drug and alcohol addiction are only the tip of the iceberg.
Many more people have their lives, health and relationships ruined by the scourge of addiction. Rehab in Bishop Auckland and other accessible areas can help you to face up to and beat your addiction, moving forward towards a new healthier life.
The dangers of addiction
One of the defining characteristics of addiction is that the addict will continue to seek out and use the substance despite knowing that this may have negative consequences. These consequences can include physical and psychological harm as well as affecting relationships, hurting loved ones and causing damage to society as a whole.
Physical effects of addiction
The physical effects of addiction can vary widely depending on the substance involved and other factors including the individual, their age, the length and heaviness of usage. Alcohol abuse can take a heavy toll on the liver for example, while sharing needles for intravenous drug use can increase the risks of hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS.
Other physical risks could include:
- Increased risk of certain forms of cancers
- Heart disease and irregularities
- Suppressed immune system leading to increased risk of infections
- Seizures, stroke and brain damage
- Abdominal issues
- Dental problems
Psychological effects of addiction
Again, the impact can vary depending on the substance and other factors. People who are addicted to drugs are twice as likely as others to suffer from mood and anxiety disorders and vice versa. There is a complex relationship and it can be difficult to unravel how much addiction leads to mental health issues and how much those conditions can fuel substance misuse and subsequent addiction.
What is certain is that people who are addicted to alcohol or drugs are more likely to suffer from short and long-term psychological and mental health issues such as:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Mood swings
- Insomnia
- Psychosis
- Other dangers
The longer you leave an addiction untreated the more chance there is that it will damage various aspects of your life. Addiction often leads to secrecy, lies and destructive behaviour and this can lead to damaged relationships with spouses, partners, children, parents and other family members. It can also affect other parts of your social circle, work or school.
Substance misuse can lead to reckless behaviour that could see you involved in violence or serious accidents. It is also linked to criminal behaviour and has a serious impact on society. The Children’s Society, for example, says that nearly a million children aged between 10 and 17 are living with alcohol-dependent parents, with all the problems that brings.
Can you fight addiction alone?
Some people choose to face their problems alone but, while this might be possible for comparatively mild substance misuse issue, it is highly unlikely to be successful when dealing with full-blown addiction. It is much more effective to seek relevant treatment programmes at drug and alcohol treatment centres.
There are a number of reasons for this. Addiction is a disease or brain disorder that alters the way your brain deals with pleasure, reward and behaviour control. As already noted, they will continue to compulsively use drugs or alcohol despite knowing that there will be negative consequences. This makes it incredibly hard for an individual to quit without extensive professional help.
Addiction can also get worse over time, as the user’s tolerance to the substance increases, meaning they have to use more and more of it. At the same time, the withdrawal symptoms when they do not have access to the substance will tend to get worse.
Going ‘cold turkey’ and quitting drugs or alcohol without the medical and psychological support of a detox clinic. The withdrawal symptoms and cravings can be overwhelming and many addicts find themselves on a merry-go-round of feeling that they should quit, trying to quit and self-recrimination when they fail.
Why choose a private drug and alcohol rehab
Rehab places for drugs and alcohol can help you to break free from that cycle once and for all. First of all, they will assess you to come up with a detailed and individually tailored treatment program.
A crucial step of this will usually be the detox process, which will be supervised by medical and other addiction treatment service professionals. This will be followed by a range of treatment options such as individual and group therapies aimed at helping you to make a lasting long term recovery.
Some drug and alcohol addiction treatments are available on the NHS but these are almost always outpatient-based, meaning you will be expected to attend sessions – which may be at different locations – while living your normal life and managing your addiction yourself. NHS resources are increasingly stretched in this area and there may also be long waiting times involved.
With a private residential rehab clinic, you can access the treatment you need when you need it. Residential treatment facilities, where you stay on the premises, allow you to concentrate on your recovery in a safe space away from the temptations and triggers that could be there under an outpatient programme.
You will of course have to pay for a private clinic but the costs of leaving an addiction untreated can far outweigh the investment you make when you enrol at a drug and alcohol rehab centre.
