Addiction is an illness that can tear a family apart; it is also an illness that does not go away without treatment. If you or someone you love is affected by addiction, it is necessary to take action as soon as possible. However, before even considering the issue of how to choose an addiction treatment centre, it is necessary to admit the problem exists in the first place. This is where addiction treatment often faces a huge obstacle though.
Many of those affected by addiction are reluctant to admit it. There are many reasons for this. It could be that they actually do not believe they have an addiction and that their loved ones are exaggerating the problem. Perhaps it is that they would prefer to pretend that everything is okay rather than admitting the truth and face the disappointment and judgement of others.
Denial is a huge barrier to addiction treatment and can prevent many affected individuals from getting the help they desperately need to get better. If you are struggling to come to terms with the fact that you might have an addiction, you will probably not be in the right mindset to even think about how to choose an addiction treatment centre. Nevertheless, the fact that you are here now reading this article indicates that you may be at least open to the idea of help.
Do You Need Addiction Treatment?
If you are worried that you may have an addiction to a mood-altering substance such as alcohol, illegal drugs, or prescription medication, it is crucial that you seek help. Nonetheless, accepting that your use of such substances has reached a problem stage could be something you are currently struggling with.
It is important to consider your use of the substance you are potentially abusing and whether you have full control of your use. If you find that once you start using you cannot stop, it is likely that you have a problem. You might also have recently noticed that you are using more of this substance than you once did. If this is the case, it is likely that you have built up a tolerance to it.
An increased tolerance for a chemical substance means that your body is producing fewer feel-good chemicals when you use it. The result of this is that you are unlikely to be achieving the feelings you desire. In order to achieve the desired result, you are likely to be using more alcohol or more drugs to compensate. However, the more you use, the higher the likelihood that you are going to develop a physical dependence.
If you have tried to quit but found that you were unable to, it is a probable conclusion that you are already addicted and are therefore unable to resist the urge to use. At this stage, it is more than likely that you will require professional help to get your life back on track.
Choosing the Right Addiction Centre
There is certainly plenty of choice when it comes to treatment for addiction. Your first port of call might be your local GP, who will refer you to an NHS treatment clinic if appropriate. Nevertheless, because of the demands placed on the NHS, you may be left facing a lengthy delay for treatment.
Unfortunately, the NHS is under immense pressure and one area that is severely underfunded is the treatment of addiction and mental health problems. If you want immediate treatment for such problems, you will probably need to consider paying for a private rehab programme.
Paying for treatment means you can access a programme immediately and not have to wait for many months before being treated. You can also access inpatient programmes that are condensed over the course of a few weeks and that will give you the opportunity to get well in the shortest space of time. Most NHS-run programmes are outpatient based and subsequently run for a much longer period.
You may now be wondering about how to choose an addiction treatment centre, especially as there are quite a few to choose from! The good news is that we can help. Addiction.org.uk is a referral service that liaises with many different treatment providers across the UK. We can help you find the one that is right for you based on your situation and requirements.
What to Consider When Choosing a Treatment Provider
You can look for a treatment provider yourself, or you could work with us to find the one that is right for you. Most people who try to find a rehab provider for addiction will struggle because they do not know what their needs are, nor do they know what to look for in a good treatment centre.
A referral service such as Addiction.org.uk can find a treatment provider to suit your needs. We will provide a full assessment that will involve a question and answer session with one of our fully trained advisors. We will ask questions about your current and past substance abuse. We will want to know about the type of substances you have been abusing, how often you use these substances, and how long you have been struggling with addiction.
We will also ask about your personal situation, as the answers you provide will enable us to gauge what type of treatment programme will be most suitable to you and your situation. For example, you might have a severe addiction that will indicate a need for a residential programme. Nonetheless, if you have a young family and would struggle with childcare, for example, a residential programme might not be the best solution for you. In this situation, it will be better for you to attend an outpatient programme that can fit around your home life.
What to Look for in a Good Treatment Provider
If you are keen to find a treatment programme yourself, then there are a few things to think about that will help you to find the right one. Below are a few examples:
- A Patient-First Approach – It is important that any provider you choose has a philosophy of putting patient care above all else. The needs of the patient must be first and foremost and must come before the convenience of staff and financial issues.
- A Medical Approach to Addiction – A good treatment provider will know that addiction is an illness and should therefore it should be treated as a medical issue. It is important that patients are seen as sick and are given the care they need to get well again.
- Detox Facilities – Although not all treatment providers offer detox facilities, if you need a detox, you might want to look for a provider that can offer both detox and rehab. Continuity of care is often seen as vital when it comes to beating addiction. If you can complete your detox and rehab with the same provider, it can help to reduce any conflicting issues or confusion in terms of your care.
- Quality Staff – Those who are caring for you should be fully trained. A good clinic will have a mix of fully trained professionals and recovering addicts who have experience of the recovery process and who are now dedicating their life to helping others.
- Tailored Treatment Programmes – Your plan of care should be tailored to your requirements. Good providers will take your needs and circumstances into consideration and design a programme that will work effectively for you.
As you can see, there is much to consider when considering the issue of how to choose an addiction treatment centre. If you would like more information on what you should be looking for, or if you would like us to find a treatment programme for you, please do not hesitate to get in touch today.
You can call our freephone Addiction Helpline. It is available 24-hours a day and staffed by friendly advisors who can find a programme to suit your circumstances. Our service is completely confidential, and you are under no obligation to begin treatment until you are ready. Please call to find out more about how we can help you overcome your addiction once and for all.
