Rehab centres are not just for celebrities, despite what gossip magazines might lead you to believe. Rehabilitation centres help those with drug or alcohol addictions to detox safely, undertake counselling and prepare for a life without drugs or alcohol.
Rehabilitation clinics are staffed by medical professionals who can offer support, therapy and sometimes medication.
Rehab centres aren't the only way to beat an addiction to drink or drugs, but for many they help because it takes them away from their everyday life and the addictive routines and behaviours they have become used to. A spell in rehab also gives you the time to think and relax while you stop drinking or taking drugs.
In addition, staying in a residential clinic can help the family and close friends of an addict as it provides them with a break and peace of mind that their loved on is getting professional help.
Who will be at a rehab centre?
The professionals who will work with you in rehab include:
Therapists
Counsellors
Doctors
Nurses
The staff members will have a specialism in working with addiction and this can often make it easier to feel comfortable around them.
Will rehab work for me?
Rehabilitation is not a silver bullet for beating addiction. It will still require lots of commitment on the addicted person's part if they are to curb their reliance on drugs or alcohol. However, there is a good chance that a rehab centre will help you quit drink or drugs.
The break a residential clinic offers can make it easier to quit than if you were also trying to maintain your everyday lifestyle. However, it is a temporary measure and you'll need to be able to cope in the real world. That's why it's important to understand from the outset that rehab is not about a quick fix but about long-term change.
The cost of rehab
Residential rehab clinics are not cheap. However, do your research before you dismiss the idea. Remember that in some cases there may be help available for treatment from the NHS or other means-tested funding.
What happens in rehab?
Obviously you will not be allowed any drink or drugs in rehab. You will probably be searched on arrival and you will have to sign an agreement that you will not drink or take drugs.
You may be prescribed medication to ease symptoms of detoxing such as nausea, shakes and sweating.
You will receive therapy and counselling on a regular basis and in many cases it's possible that your family can also be involved in this process if that is what you want.