Residential Rehab | Benefits and What to Expect

Between April 2021 and March 2022, 289,215 adults were in contact with some form of drug and alcohol service. Of these people, 14,105 (4%) were receiving treatment in a residential or inpatient setting. This suggests that the vast majority of people in England access support in the community. Whilst drug and alcohol services accessed in the community can be very useful, data suggests that residential rehab can be a very effective mode of treatment.

Residential rehab refers to a type of support that involves temporarily residing in an addiction clinic or centre. These centres are available across the country and can be accessed privately or sometimes via the NHS. The goal of rehab is to reduce an individual’s reliance on addictive substances or behaviours. Some centres specialise in assisting individuals with a substance (or chemical) addiction, whilst others also offer treatment programmes for people dealing with a behavioural addiction. Each individual’s experience of residential rehab will vary slightly, as addiction treatment is typically tailored to your specific needs. A specialist team will design a personalised package of therapies and holistic support for you.

Rehab centres are staffed with a range of clinical professionals, including:

• A rehab manager
• Healthcare professionals
• Mental health nurses
• Registered general nurses
• Nurses who specialise in addiction treatment
• Support workers

24/7 access to medical staff can be a reassuring feature of residential rehab. If you are particularly struggling with addiction and do not feel that you can safely or successfully recover from substance use alone, then residential rehab can provide peace of mind. The access to medical professionals makes residential rehab especially useful for individuals with a psychiatric comorbidity.

Of all the individuals starting addiction treatment between 2021 and 2022, 70% (93,380 people) stated that they had a mental health treatment need. Common dual diagnoses for those in contact with addiction services include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Borderline personality disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Schizoaffective disorder
• Schizophrenia

Unfortunately, many people develop addictions as they search for a means to cope with emotional distress. This means that individuals dealing with a mental health condition can be more likely to experience addiction. What this means is that addiction treatment needs to be multifaceted in order to take this into account. A multidimensional approach to treatment means addressing addiction whilst also managing underlying symptoms. In residential rehab, this can be achieved through medication, therapies, or a mixture of both.

It isn’t easy to give a clear answer on what your time in residential rehab will look like, as you will be able to develop a bespoke treatment programme with your admissions team. However, it is possible to give a general outline of what rehab can look like.

Following the initial enquiry, you will find that residential rehab can be broken down into four key stages:

1. Admission
2. Detox
3. Rehabilitation
4. Aftercare

Admission

Admission may sound daunting, but it just refers to the beginning of your treatment. Unlike an inpatient unit, once you enter residential rehab, you are able to leave whenever you like. There may be instances where leaving may not be advised, but ultimately, you are allowed to leave the centre when you wish.

An important part of admission is a health assessment. This allows the team who will be looking after you to get a clear sense of where you are, both physically and mentally. You will be asked to give any medications you may be prescribed to the clinical team. You will then be able to review your treatment plan before support formally begins. Following this, you will be able to tour the centre and ask any questions you may have..

Detox

Most stays in an addiction rehab begin with a detoxification. This allows your body to adjust to the absence of drugs and alcohol in your system and helps you to manage distracting cravings. The duration of detox will depend on the substance you are seeking support for.

Rehabilitation

The foundation of any rehab treatment is therapy. This begins during the detox phase. It is quite common to access up to two therapy sessions a day. These therapy sessions could take different shapes, including:

• 12-Step Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Group Therapy
• Art Therapy
• Holistic Therapy
• Skills based therapies

Aftercare

Recovery does not end when you leave rehab. In fact, some centres offer complimentary support for a full year following a residential treatment programme. This is typically accessed on an appointment basis and can be incredibly effective in helping you maintain active recovery whilst adjusting back to your new daily routine.

Addiction can have devastating effects. Residential rehab hopes to help you break the cycles before these effects become too overwhelming. Residential rehab can be life-changing, providing you with:

• Realistic goals
• Confidence and control
• Methods of distress tolerance
• New coping skills
• A support network
• Access to specialist support
• Responsibility
• Hope for a safer, healthier future

The rehab cost varies depending on the length and type of treatment you access. To find out more about costs, you can make a confidential no-commitment enquiry with a specialist addiction centre.

Finding a residential rehab near me

Linwood House is a specialist residential rehab located in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. To find out more about the support we offer – as well as the help available at our sister centres across the country – contact us for more information.