Rehab Directory Blog

Watching a partner or family member suffer with their addiction, day in day out, can be an extremely tough time. No matter how many comments you make about their unusual behaviour or attempts to stop their substance use, it can be difficult to persuade an addict that they have an addiction issue and require professional help. Staging an intervention is a vital part of a person’s recovery journey and if performed correctly, can convince your loved one to take steps in the right direction. We explain why an intervention is key for recovering from a drug or alcohol addiction and how you can stage a successful intervention.

What is an intervention?

An intervention is the first part of the recovery process and involves a planned meeting between family members or partners and the individual with addiction issues.

The main purpose of a staged intervention is to discuss their behaviour and how it a problem, how they can offer their support and how the individual can benefit from professional help.

The meeting is referred to as ‘intervening’ as it to prevent the individual’s drug or alcohol habit from becoming worse before it’s too late. An intervention is usually performed as a last resort for stopping a loved one’s substance misuse to improve their overall health and wellbeing.

Why is an intervention important for recovery?

An intervention is a vital part of the recovery process as it allows an individual to avoid the denial of their addiction and take construction criticism from people close to them.

It is common for people with a drug or alcohol addiction to deny that they have an addiction issue. This is usually the case as addicts don’t want to take any responsibility for their substance misuse or they feel a sense of shame that they don’t want to come to terms with.

Speaking to a family member about their issues in everyday situations can be looked over or forgotten about, especially if they are in brief or one-on-one environments where an individual is able to excuse their behaviour.

An intervention provides a safe space where a group of people can validate their shared opinions and experiences with the individual and provide constructive criticism that will help them take steps in the right direction for recovery.

Steps for a successful intervention

Speaking to your loved one during an intervention can be a difficult process, which can be made easier if you know what to do and what to say.

It’s important that you prepare the day, what you’re going to say and how you’re going to say it, as well as what the outcome will be.

Preparation for the intervention

To create a successful intervention for a loved one, it’s important to make sure that you are prepared beforehand.

Interventions can often be an emotional process, so it’s important that you plan ahead to avoid forgetting anything you want to say or approaching the situation the wrong way.

1. Make a plan – plan out important things that you want to say and make notes that you can refer back to during the intervention.
2. Speak to your family members or friends for support – speak to your family members or friends for support before the intervention. Ask them what they think and if they want to be at the meeting to speak.
3. Speak to a professional counsellor or therapist for assistance – speak to a professional counsellor or therapist to see if they have any advice or support about staging the intervention. Some may be able to sit in on the intervention to be a part of the process.
4. Find a rehabilitation centre and treatment programme – it can be helpful to identify a rehabilitation programme at a centre going in to the intervention, to mitigate any sort of discussion about rehabilitation and speed up the process after the intervention has completed.

During the Intervention

1. Use notes to plan out what you have to say – use the notes that you’ve planned before the intervention to remember key things that you want to say.
2. Let everyone at the intervention speak about their experiences – allow family members or friends to speak about their thoughts.
3. Reassure them that you’re on their side – reassure them that you’re not there to single them out and that you want the best for them.
4. Don’t be forceful – don’t talk to them like you’ve made the decision for them, as this will encourage resistance.
5. Ignore confrontation – interventions can spike anger or confrontation. Avoid retaliating at all costs and highlight that this behaviour is a contributing issue.

Prepare for the worst

Interventions aim to move towards getting the help that they need for their addiction issue; however, this isn’t always a guarantee.

It’s important to prepare for the worst outcome of the intervention to avoid disappointment or feeling like a failure if they don’t want to receive help. It’s common for individuals with addiction to refuse help during the first intervention processes as it is as scary for them as it is for you.

There’s plenty of evidence to support that long-term use of cocaine can cause significant symptoms physiologically, often impacting an individual’s key organs and leading to life-threatening conditions such as heart attack and stroke. As well as physiological impacts, cocaine use can develop psychological impacts to the brain and create behavioural changes in an individual’s personality. We discuss whether cocaine is a key cause of psychosis, common symptoms of psychosis and how it can be treated to prevent symptoms from worsening over time.

What is Psychosis?

Psychosis refers to a condition where an individual experiences reality differently to what is happening around them, often causing a delusional state where they can experience various symptoms such as hallucinations, or disorganised thoughts.

Psychosis is a serious condition that can alter an individuals’ brain chemistry and change their personality indefinitely as the condition worsens over time.

Can Cocaine Cause Drug-Induced Psychosis?

There have been studies that indicate that cocaine-induced psychosis is a type of mental illness that is worsened by extensive cocaine use.

According to the National Institute of Health statistics, psychosis such as hallucinations or delusions are reported by 29% to 52% of cocaine users and can be related to an imbalance of dopamine in the body.

What are the Symptoms of Cocaine Psychosis?

During cocaine-induced psychosis, individuals can experience a range of symptoms whilst in a delusional state including:

• fluctuating confusion
• sweating and blood pressure changes
• paranoia
• depression
• hallucinations
• agitated behaviour
• suspiciousness

Ways to Prevent Cocaine Psychosis Symptoms

There are a few ways in which withdrawal symptoms can be eased and prevent from worsening over time.

First and foremost, withdrawing from cocaine is the most effective method for reducing psychosis symptoms, However, to reduce the intensity of withdrawal symptoms this must be done when supervised by medical professionals, Doing this without professional assistance can be difficult and lead to relapse and continuous drug use.

If symptoms persist following withdrawal from cocaine use, it is suggested that medication can be used to help reduce delirium such as haloperidol, a dopamine blocker.

You wake up on a Sunday morning, your head is hurting from drinking too much alcohol and again, you can’t remember what happened the night before. Does this sound like a regular occurrence to you? Blacking out after drinking alcohol is a major sign of excessive alcohol consumption and can be dangerous for both your body and your mind, causing serious long-term effects for your overall health and wellbeing.

What is the definition of a Blackout?

The phrase ‘blackout’ is used to refer to a temporary loss of memory, where an individual is unable to remember what happened over a period of time. It is usually mentioned when referring to alcohol activities and is caused as a result of over alcohol consumption.

How Long Does a Blackout Last?

The duration of alcohol blackouts can vary, depending on the individual and the amount of alcohol that they consumed. It can last from hours up to days, but this can depend on a number of factors affecting the duration.

What are the Causes of Blackouts?

It’s no secret that the one main cause of alcohol blackouts is…alcohol consumption, however there are other factors that can affect blackouts from occurring and the intensity or duration of the alcohol blackouts.

When a person drinks a certain amount of alcohol, the body is unable to store memories in the brain so the more a person drinks, then the longer their alcohol blackout is likely to last.

It’s common for individuals suffering with an alcohol addiction to experience blackouts and prolonged periods of memory loss due to the regular misuse of alcohol.

Factors affecting the cause of blackouts

Alcohol affects everyone differently, as we are all wired differently and have different tolerances to alcohol. Factors that can change the effects of alcohol are:

• The amount of alcohol consumed
• The weight of the individual
• The individual’s physiology
• How much the person has eaten that day

The Link Between Alcohol Addiction and Blackouts

It’s common for individuals suffering with an alcohol addiction to experience blackouts and prolonged periods of memory loss due to over consumption.

How to Prevent Blackouts from Happening

There are preventions that you can put in place to stop blackouts from occurring and putting yourself at risk of causing harm to your body. This includes:

• Monitoring how much alcohol you drink
• Eating a large meal before drinking
• Drinking water between alcoholic drinks
• Have a night off and give your body a rest from alcohol!

What are the Health Impacts of Blackouts?

Over consuming alcohol and causing temporary mental blackouts can impact an individual, causing effects on both their body and their mind including:

• Vomiting
• Dry mouth
• Diarrhoea
• Headaches
• Delayed reactions
• Slurred speech

 

If experiencing regular blackouts, then there can be detrimental long-term effects. Alcohol misuse over months and years can cause damage to the frontal lobe of the brain, causing long term memory loss, and altering their ability to perform activities and decision making.

Painkillers, such as Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Nurofen or Aspirin, are easily accessible for the UK population, as they can be bought in shops and supermarkets or prescribed by local General Practitioners without strict regulations.   As they are so easily accessible and can be purchased within minutes, this has led to a growing painkiller addiction issue in the United Kingdom which has caused devastation to many individuals and their families.   We talk about how painkiller addictions can begin, signs that may suggest you have a painkiller addiction and how you can overcome it.

How Can a Painkiller Addiction Begin?

Painkiller addictions are concerning as they can easily affect anyone, due to the normality of taking painkillers in day-to-day life. Designed to treat illness symptoms, such as headaches, a banged toe or sore throat, or major injuries such as a broken leg, painkillers are commonly used as effective short-term pain prevention, however their addictive tendencies can make them a slippery slope.

Genetic factors

Painkiller addictions can be caused by genetic factors for individuals with family members with addiction tendencies, which can make them more susceptible to being addicted.

Environmental factors

Alternatively, painkiller addictions can also be caused by environmental factors such as consistent health or injury issues. It is common for athletes to be addicted to painkillers due to their repetitive pain symptoms from sports activities.

How Addictive are Painkillers?

After long-term painkiller use, the neurotransmitters in the brain can become dependent on the substance and requires higher doses for the body to function properly. It can take just a matter of weeks for this dependence or addiction to painkillers to occur, which is not a long time.

What are the Signs of a Painkiller Addiction?

Spotting the signs of a painkiller addiction can often be hard for an individual to self-evaluate or a loved one to spot due to the normality of ingesting them. Millions of people in the United Kingdom take painkillers for genuine reasons, whether they have a banging headache from a cold, or hit their knee on the car door. However, it’s important to spot signs that suggest that someone is taking painkillers due to their reliance, such as:

• Faking injury or illness to family members or GP
• Withdrawal symptoms such as low energy
• Poor work performance
• Lack of interest in social activities

How Can You Get Help for a Painkiller Addiction?

If you think you may be showing signs of a painkiller addiction, then it’s important that you are honest with yourself and not in denial. Once you admit that you have an issue, then you should seek help from people around you.

Speak to a GP

If you are suffering with a painkiller addiction, then it’s important that you get help from those around you. Firstly, it’s important that seek medical advice from your local General Practitioner who will be able to provide you with an accurate diagnosis of your addiction.  They will be able to speak to you about your behaviour and what your best course of action is.

Speak to Family Members

It’s also important that you get help and are open with your family members about your painkiller addiction. You should be able to speak to them about how you feel, and why you think you may be addicted to painkillers.

Visit Rehabilitation

If you want to stop your painkiller addiction for good then it will be beneficial to attend rehabilitation, where you will have the opportunity to safely detox and receive therapy that will prevent future relapse from occurring.

Although Stress Awareness Month is well established and has been held every April since 1992, now more than ever stress levels are higher than ever in the United Kingdom, given the current climate regarding Covid-19 and subsequent lockdowns.  

Stress Statistics

According to the Mental Health Foundation, 74% of adult in the United Kingdom have experienced stress level so high they feel overwhelmed and unable to cope. With the main proportion being women and people aged between 18-24 years old. As a result of increased stress, 32% of adults in the United Kingdom have said to experience suicidal feelings and 16% have resorted to forms of self-harm to try and alleviate these feelings of stress. This is not a healthy coping strategy for stress; or any other mental health issue. So we have compiled some healthy tips and coping strategies to help you relieve your feelings of stress.  

How to cope with stress?

There are a number of coping strategies for stress but here are a selection of techniques to try. It is important to remember that these ideas may not remove all of your stress, but over time you will begin to see the benefits of the following activities and techniques.   Physical Activity Fitness has been scientifically proven to reduce negative emotions. There are a number of ways exercise can alleviate stress, both physically and psychologically. Physical exercise boosts your body's capability to use oxygen, in turn improving blood flow, which can have a significantly positive effect on your overall mood. The repetitive action of exercise can also be a positive distraction as you are more focused on your body, rather than your mind. This singular focus can cultivate energy which in turn can improve optimism. Increased physical activity can also improve your heart health, which again can help with your overall stress levels.   Build A Strong Support Network Although this can be difficult given the current stay at home orders, connecting with people can be really beneficial for stress levels. Spending time with people we love can be a great distraction and there is a great truth in the phrase 'a problem shared is a problem halved'. Sharing how you are feeling with people you trust can lower stress levels immediately, even if they don't have a solution to the issues you are experiencing. It is important to not rely on social media to build these relationships though, as it is really easy to become overly reliant on texting. But video-chat apps can be really good to connect with people as it is a normal conversation and can be done during the current lockdown orders.   Start A New Hobby It can be very easy whilst we are stuck at home to just binge-watch television or turn to bad habits like substance or behavioural addictions. Learning a new skill or hobby can reduce stress by increasing self-confidence and self-esteem. Hobbies can also create a sense of purpose and help to connect with others that share the same passion. But it is important to remember not to take a new hobby or skill too seriously and expect to be perfect at it straight away. You also shouldn't feel the need to take an organised class or exam. Enjoy learning something new and as soon as you stop enjoying it, find something else.   Practise Mindfulness  Mindfulness and self-care can be very beneficial to reducing stress, as scientists have learnt that mindfulness practices influence the stress pathways in our brains, helping to regulate the parts of the brain that deal with attention and emotions. Mindfulness, similarly to physical activity, draws your attention away from your negative thoughts and on to one main focus, again leading to a reduction in stress levels.  

Professional Help For Stress

If you have tried the above methods for reducing stress and you are still struggling with high-stress levels, reach out for professional support. We have a number of clinics listed on this site that can assist with mental health issues, including chronic stress. Especially if you are turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as drugs or alcohol, it is important you participate in either inpatient rehabilitation or outpatient support if drug or alcohol use is becoming uncontrollable. Remember you are not alone and there are dedicated facilities and highly trained staff that can assist you in any way you need.   Source https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/news/stressed-nation-74-uk-overwhelmed-or-unable-cope-some-point-past-year https://www.healthline.com/health/heart-disease/exercise-stress-relief https://journals.lww.com/psychosomaticmedicine/Abstract/2019/04000/Mindfulness_Training_and_Physical_Health_.2.aspx

Although Stress Awareness Month is well established and has been held every April since 1992, now more than ever stress levels are higher than ever in the United Kingdom, given the current climate regarding Covid-19 and subsequent lockdowns.

Stress Statistics

According to the Mental Health Foundation, 74% of adult in the United Kingdom have experienced stress level so high they feel overwhelmed and unable to cope. With the main proportion being women and people aged between 18-24 years old.

As a result of increased stress, 32% of adults in the United Kingdom have said to experience suicidal feelings and 16% have resorted to forms of self-harm to try and alleviate these feelings of stress.

This is not a healthy coping strategy for stress; or any other mental health issue. So we have compiled some healthy tips and coping strategies to help you relieve your feelings of stress.

How to cope with stress?

There are a number of coping strategies for stress but here are a selection of techniques to try. It is important to remember that these ideas may not remove all of your stress, but over time you will begin to see the benefits of the following activities and techniques.

Physical Activity

Fitness has been scientifically proven to reduce negative emotions. There are a number of ways exercise can alleviate stress, both physically and psychologically.

Physical exercise boosts your body’s capability to use oxygen, in turn improving blood flow, which can have a significantly positive effect on your overall mood.

The repetitive action of exercise can also be a positive distraction as you are more focused on your body, rather than your mind. This singular focus can cultivate energy which in turn can improve optimism. Increased physical activity can also improve your heart health, which again can help with your overall stress levels.

 

Build A Strong Support Network

Although this can be difficult given the current stay at home orders, connecting with people can be really beneficial for stress levels. Spending time with people we love can be a great distraction and there is a great truth in the phrase ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’. Sharing how you are feeling with people you trust can lower stress levels immediately, even if they don’t have a solution to the issues you are experiencing.

It is important to not rely on social media to build these relationships though, as it is really easy to become overly reliant on texting. But video-chat apps can be really good to connect with people as it is a normal conversation and can be done during the current lockdown orders.

 

Start A New Hobby

It can be very easy whilst we are stuck at home to just binge-watch television or turn to bad habits like substance or behavioural addictions.

Learning a new skill or hobby can reduce stress by increasing self-confidence and self-esteem. Hobbies can also create a sense of purpose and help to connect with others that share the same passion.

But it is important to remember not to take a new hobby or skill too seriously and expect to be perfect at it straight away. You also shouldn’t feel the need to take an organised class or exam. Enjoy learning something new and as soon as you stop enjoying it, find something else.

 

Practise Mindfulness 

Mindfulness and self-care can be very beneficial to reducing stress, as scientists have learnt that mindfulness practices influence the stress pathways in our brains, helping to regulate the parts of the brain that deal with attention and emotions.

Mindfulness, similarly to physical activity, draws your attention away from your negative thoughts and on to one main focus, again leading to a reduction in stress levels.

Professional Help For Stress

If you have tried the above methods for reducing stress and you are still struggling with high-stress levels, reach out for professional support. We have a number of clinics listed on this site that can assist with mental health issues, including chronic stress. Especially if you are turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as drugs or alcohol, it is important you participate in either inpatient rehabilitation or outpatient support if drug or alcohol use is becoming uncontrollable.

Remember you are not alone and there are dedicated facilities and highly trained staff that can assist you in any way you need.

Sources:

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/news/stressed-nation-74-uk-overwhelmed-or-unable-cope-some-point-past-year

https://www.healthline.com/health/heart-disease/exercise-stress-relief

https://journals.lww.com/psychosomaticmedicine/Abstract/2019/04000/Mindfulness_Training_and_Physical_Health_.2.aspx

Accepting you need help for a drug or alcohol addiction is one of the biggest decisions you can make. But once you have decided you need help how do you pick the right rehabilitation centre. To help you during this difficult time we have created our top 5 tips to consider whilst selecting the right rehabilitation centre.  

1. Inpatient vs Outpatient

There are many advantages and disadvantages to both inpatient and outpatient treatment. Inpatient can be slightly more expensive but you are removed from your home environment which many find to have a higher success rate for long-term recovery.  And although the success rates may be lower it does allow you to maintain a ‘normal’ routine.  

2. Location

Location is important when deciding on the right rehabilitation centre. Do you want to be close to home? This option can be beneficial during the aftercare phase of treatment as you will be able to return to the centre. Or would you prefer to be further away? Distance from home can be very helpful to other people as you are removed from your home environment which can give you some clarity to help with your recovery.  

3. What Type of Treatment and Therapy Do You Want?

Once you have decided if you want an inpatient or outpatient experience and where you want to go, you can then consider the type of treatment and therapy. There are a number of psychological and physical options available from different rehabilitation centres.

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
• Group Therapy Sessions
• Art and Music Therapy
• Holistic Treatments
• Alternative Addiction Treatments

 

4. How Much Does It Cost

Although it is important to prioritise your care requirements, the cost is obviously important. A lot of rehabilitation centres offer payment plans and a range of treatment packages to fit any budget. If you are unsure if you can afford a particular provider, contact them, they may have an option available for you.  

5. Aftercare Options

An important step in your recovery is relapse prevention planning and aftercare, each rehabilitation centre will offer a different type. During your treatment most rehabs will create a relapse prevention plan with you; this will give you tips and tools to recognise your relapse triggers. And the majority of rehabilitation centres will offer some form of aftercare. These are maintenance sessions to reinforce your recovery and increase your chances of long term sobriety.  

I’m Still Unsure

If you have worked through these 5 tips and are still unsure of what you want, contact us and we can discuss your current situation and what you want from your recovery journey.

Accepting you need help for a drug or alcohol addiction is one of the biggest decisions you can make. But once you have decided you need help how do you pick the right rehabilitation centre. To help you during this difficult time we have created our top 5 tips to consider whilst selecting the right rehabilitation centre.

1. Inpatient vs Outpatient

There are many advantages and disadvantages to both inpatient and outpatient treatment. Inpatient can be slightly more expensive but you are removed from your home environment which many find to have a higher success rate for long-term recovery.  And although the success rates may be lower it does allow you to maintain a ‘normal’ routine.

 

2. Location

Location is important when deciding on the right rehabilitation centre. Do you want to be close to home? This option can be beneficial during the aftercare phase of treatment as you will be able to return to the centre.

Or would you prefer to be further away? Distance from home can be very helpful to other people as you are removed from your home environment which can give you some clarity to help with your recovery.

 

3. What Type of Treatment and Therapy Do You Want?

Once you have decided if you want an inpatient or outpatient experience and where you want to go, you can then consider the type of treatment and therapy. There are a number of psychological and physical options available from different rehabilitation centres.

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
• Group Therapy Sessions
• Art and Music Therapy
• Holistic Treatments
• Alternative Addiction Treatments

4. How Much Does It Cost

Although it is important to prioritise your care requirements, the cost is obviously important. A lot of rehabilitation centres offer payment plans and a range of treatment packages to fit any budget. If you are unsure if you can afford a particular provider, contact them, they may have an option available for you.

 

5. Aftercare Options

An important step in your recovery is relapse prevention planning and aftercare, each rehabilitation centre will offer a different type. During your treatment most rehabs will create a relapse prevention plan with you; this will give you tips and tools to recognise your relapse triggers.

And the majority of rehabilitation centres will offer some form of aftercare. These are maintenance sessions to reinforce your recovery and increase your chances of long term sobriety.

 

I’m Still Unsure

If you have worked through these 5 tips and are still unsure of what you want, contact us and we can discuss your current situation and what you want from your recovery journey.