Rehabilitation and Detox should not be confused as they are two completely different processes.

A detox is the gradual removal of a chemical substance from an individual’s body. This process is necessary where a physical dependence has developed and needs to be withdrawn.

Rehabilitation is the process that comes after a detox or once the person has stopped the chemical they have become emotionally or physically dependent on. In some cases the addiction is not to a substance and can be to a specific behaviour, such as shopping, gambling, gaming or sex. In all instances the addiction must be stopped before rehabilitation can begin.

What Is Rehabilitation?

Rehabilitation is the therapeutic process that is designed to treat the psychological aspect of addiction / alcoholism. Without a rehabilitation the individual’s chances of staying abstinent after a detox are slim to none. This is not so much a bold statement but a fact known throughout the drug and alcohol treatment field both on the NHS and in the private sector.

Rehab aims to achieve key goals for the individual’s recovery, such as:

  • Addressing specific issues underpinning the addiction, for example, anxiety, depression or trauma
  • Relapse prevention
  • Introducing the individual to a different, happier and healthier way of life
  • Helping the individual to process and move on from past events
  • Introducing a spiritual as well as holistic approach into the individuals life
  • Challenging unreasonable or incorrect thought processes
  • Building self-esteem
  • How to deal with stress and emotions
  • Showing the individual how to build stronger and healthier relationships
  • Encouraging the individual to voice what they are feeling
  • Showing the individual how to have better impulse control and make better and informed decisions.
  • Accepting responsibility for ones actions
  • Self-nurturing and self-care

Each individual’s rehabilitation is slightly different, depending on their individual treatment needs. A Counsellor at the clinic will discuss and agree with you your individual treatment plan and regularly review the plan put in place. Rehabilitation is a process of constantly evolving and recovering to a sane and stable state of mind. body and spirit. This process does not end when adiction rehab treatment finishes and many continue to rehabilitate and evolve once they have returned back home.

How Long Does Rehabilitation Take?

This is a difficult question to answer as each individuals treatment needs are different. Rehabilitation in an addiction rehab clinic is intensive, and gives the individual a firm foundation to continue recovering and rehabilitating once they have left.

Many clinics offer different lengths of rehabilitation/ treatment programs. The shortest program starts at 28 days. There is no cap as to how long an individual should stay in treatment, but the general opinion is that it would be unhealthy to become too institutionalised. For this reason many rehabs offer secondary and tertiary care to help the individual to integrate back into day to day life in the community. Primary programs can last for as long as 12 weeks, and in many cases this is what is needed to stabilize and rehabilitate the individual enough for them to return to the community. The general consensus is that most individuals benefit from a 6-8 week primary care program at the very least. It has been repeatedly shown that individuals who stay longer in rehab have a better chance of long term recovery.

Who Will Be in Charge of My Rehabilitation During Addiction Rehab?

The staff at the clinic will oversee your rehabilitation for the duration of your stay. The staffing teams at rehab clinics generally consist of a range of qualified specialists including a Doctor, mental health professionals, a Psychiatrist, a Psychologist, Lead Counsellor, Counsellors specializing in CBT and addiction treatment, a holistic therapist, a nutritionist, art therapist, a relaxation and meditation teacher (often also qualified in Yoga therapy), Peer support workers and volunteers.

Each rehab clinics treatment team is slightly different and an additional specialist may be sourced to help treat individuals needs where required.

Rehabs offer specialist treatment and therapies, delivering a range of therapies to help you or your loved one rehabilitate from addiction. This kind of intensive, pooled treatment is not available on the NHS or in the community. So by going into an addiction rehab clinic you can be confident that you will be getting the best treatment available for your money.