Drug and Alcohol Rehabs in Lambeth

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Drug and Alcohol Rehabs in Lambeth

Lambeth is situated in South West London, where alcohol and drug addiction is a serious problem.

In 2020, there were 2,470 drug crimes reported in Lambeth, which made it the fifth-highest London borough for drug crime (1).

For context, the borough with the most drug crime was Westminster, with 3,221 offences, and the lowest was Heathrow Airport, with just 40 (2).

We do have to keep in mind that there has been a decrease in drug-related crimes in Lambeth recently. In 2021, there were 2,179 drug offences reported, compared to 2,470 in 2020 (3).

That being said, the alcohol problem is certainly not improving. The under-75 mortality rate for alcohol is on the rise, and it was recorded as 12.3 per 100,000 between 2017-19 (4).

Furthermore, if we look at South West London as a whole, the drugs problem is severe.

10.8% of South West London residents (aged 16-59) claim to have used drugs at least once in their life, which is the highest figure for London (5).

What is the Cycle Of Drug Addiction?

The three accepted stages in the cycle of addiction are: bingeing, withdrawing, and preoccupation (6).

These stages occur across all addictions, whether it is a substance addiction or a behavioural addiction.

The binge

This stage is when the individual consumes the substance and experiences the short-term symptoms.

They are likely to experience a high, but they may also suffer from unpleasant symptoms such as nausea and low mood.

It is very rare for someone to become hooked on a substance the first time they consume it, but if they do this regularly or in high doses, they may feel a draw to keep consuming it.

At Rehab Recovery, we offer free advice from a team of non-judgemental professionals, many of whom are in recovery and understand how hard can be to change your relationship with addiction.

For more information about drug and alcohol rehab in Lambeth, reach out to our 24/7, confidential hotline on 0800 088 6686.

The drug withdrawal

The withdrawal stage is when the substance is leaving the system and the drug user is experiencing cravings.

Other negative symptoms of withdrawal will kick in at this stage, and they are physical and psychological.

Some examples are: flu-like symptoms, tremors, hallucinations, anxiety, and depression.

The painful experience of withdrawal can push people to return to their drug use, even if they have been sober for a long time.

They may feel as though it is easier to live with addiction than to live with the difficulty of withdrawal and staying sober.

The preoccupation

At this stage, the anxiety peaks and the individual is very likely to relapse, especially if they do not have access to professional help.

They may prioritise substances over everything else in their life, as they are constantly thinking about how they can access their chosen substance again.

What are the Different Models Of Drug Addiction?

There are many different models of addiction, but we are going to introduce you to the moral model, the disease model, the social learning model, and the genetic model.

These models have influenced how we view addiction in society, and how we believe it should be treated.

The moral model of addiction

The moral model of addiction was one of the first models, and therefore there has been plenty of change in how we view addiction since then.

According to the moral model, addiction is a flaw that some people cannot overcome.

This means proponents of this model argue that a lack of willpower is one of the main reasons that people develop an addiction.

This model was closely linked to religion, as it was believed that addiction was a ‘sin’ that needed to be defeated by establishing a closer relationship with God.

One advantage of the moral model of addiction is that it promotes the idea that recovery is possible if the individual is willing to put the work in.

However, this model can be very damaging as it fails to accept that we can be genetically predisposed to addiction, and it is conducive to drug users being blamed for their addiction.

The disease model of addiction

The disease model came after the moral model, and it centred around the concept that addiction is not a choice, but rather a disease that people suffer from.

According to the disease model, there can be many different causes of addiction, from genetics to environment.

The 12 step treatment emerged as a result of the disease model of addiction, as it acknowledges that addiction cannot be cured, so we need to submit to a supernatural power again and again in order to stay sober for the rest of our lives.

The disease model can be criticised by people who argue that moderate substance use is possible, and when people are encouraged to be abstinent, they may find it harder to control themselves and they could therefore end up bingeing.

However, this model has helped many victims of addiction to avoid feelings of shame, as they are taught that they did not do anything wrong to bring about their addiction.

This promotes positive mental health as it prevents people from developing low self-esteem about their substance use.

At Rehab Recovery, we offer free advice from a team of non-judgemental professionals, many of whom are in recovery and understand how hard can be to change your relationship with addiction.

Reach out to our 24/7, confidential hotline on 0800 088 6686.

The social learning model of addiction

This model promotes the idea that addiction is a learnt behaviour, which is why it is more common in people with family members or friends who are using substances.

Treatment that focuses on the social learning model encourages the patient to establish a strong support network and to distance themselves from people who use substances, or who enable the use of substances.

It is believed that spending time with people who are sober, or who are not dealing with addiction, would make long-term recovery possible.

An advantage of this model is that it accepts that the individual is not at fault for their addiction, as it is something they have been exposed to and therefore they cannot easily avoid.

Yet, it does not acknowledge the potential genetic causes of addiction, which could be problematic given that some people engage in this behaviour despite not being exposed to it in childhood or adulthood.

The genetic model of addiction

As the name suggests, the genetic model states that addiction is a matter of DNA, and some people are simply more prone to addiction than others.

In fact, the argument is that up to half of an individual’s risk of developing a drug addiction is decided by their genetics (7).

On one hand, this model could be criticised for removing all responsibility from the drug users.

Some people may argue that this could cause the user to become complacent, and to be completely unmotivated to recover (as they believe they do not have the power to battle their genetics).

However, the genetic model has helped us to understand how we can better treat addiction through medication.

It also helps us to not blame people who are suffering, and this does not mean that they cannot make the choice to recover despite being prone to addiction.

At Rehab Recovery, we offer free advice from a team of non-judgemental professionals, many of whom are in recovery and understand how hard can be to change your relationship with addiction.

Reach out to our 24/7, confidential hotline on 0800 088 6686.

Signs You Have a Drug Addiction or Alcohol Addiction

There are some signs that are universal across all addictions, and we are going to discuss these today.

If you want to know the signs of a specific addiction, have a look at our articles on specific addictions e.g. cannabis, methadone, codeine, and alcohol.

Firstly, one sign of addiction is that you are neglecting important parts of your life as a result of prioritising substance use.

This looks different for everyone, but some examples are: getting into debt due to spending all your money on drugs, losing friends due to isolating yourself.

This can also involve damaging relationships because of behaving negatively when you are under the influence, and being criticised at work for not completing tasks as well as you normally would.

Secondly, a common sign of addiction is secrecy. If you find that you are doing all you can to prevent your loved ones from finding out that you use drugs, it is a sign that you may be addicted.

This also applies if they already know about your substance use, but you are hiding the extent of it.

Some examples of secrecy are: hiding substances when people visit your home, distancing yourself from family members or friends, spending more time at home, and pretending to be sober when you are under the influence.

Finally, tolerance is another sign of addiction. This means you find that you are not getting the same effects from consuming the substance that you used to, which often leads to you consuming higher doses of the substance.

Tolerance happens because your body adapts to the amount of drugs or alcohol in your system, which is also a sign that it is growing to rely on the substance, and therefore you will experience withdrawal symptoms if you try to get sober.

Alcohol and Drug Detox at Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Lambeth

Detoxing is necessary if you are addicted to a substance that causes physical dependency.

This applies to: benzodiazepines (diazepam, lorazepam); stimulants (cocaine, amphetamines); and opiods (codeine, morphine, heroin), and alcohol.

If you do not partake in a controlled detox, your body will still have to adapt to your sobriety, but this could be dangerous.

If you go cold turkey, your body could go into shock and you could put yourself in great danger.

Some people have been known to die as a result of trying to detox without medical intervention.

Detoxing at drug and alcohol rehab in Lambeth is much safer, as you withdraw from the substance gradually, and this means you are less likely to suffer from serious withdrawal symptoms.

You will also receive medication to make the experience less dangerous and challenging.

At Rehab Recovery, we offer free advice from a team of non-judgemental professionals, many of whom are in recovery and understand how hard can be to change your relationship with addiction.

Reach out to our 24/7, confidential hotline on 0800 088 6686.

Addiction Therapy at Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Lambeth

Your physical health is just one part of your recovery, but when you are suffering from addiction, it is essential that your mental health is also treated.

This is particularly true if you have a dual diagnosis, which means that you are diagnosed with a mental health condition and you are also suffering from an addiction.

To an extent, the treatment for mental health and addiction go hand-in-hand at drug and alcohol rehab in Lambeth.

When you speak to a therapist about your mental health, it is very likely that your addiction will dominate the conversation, and that the coping mechanisms you learn will be useful for your addiction.

However, it is essential that the therapy you have is focused on addiction, otherwise it will be harder for you to recover.

Some common types of therapy that are beneficial for people with addiction are: brief interventions, dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioural therapy (DBT), motivational enhancement therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, contingency management, and family addiction counselling.

If you are struggling with your mental health in a severe way, you may be asked to hold off on attending rehab until you are in a better place.

However, this does not mean that anyone with a mental health condition cannot go to drug and alcohol rehab in Lambeth; it is very common for patients to be diagnosed with a mental health condition.

How Can I Secure a Place at Drug Rehab and Alcohol Rehab in Lambeth?

When you get in touch with Rehab Recovery and tell us about your addiction, we can help you to secure a spot at a drug and alcohol rehab in Lambeth. As we deal with private rehabs, there are no long waiting lists to endure. You could enter rehab in as little as a few days if this is your preference.

We do not advise you to go ahead with this if you don’t feel ready to get sober yet. You need to be committed to giving up substances, otherwise it is very likely that you will relapse when you come out of rehab.

What’s more, if you are not dedicated to recovery while you are in rehab, it will not be a good time for you or for the staff, and it may end up being a waste of your time and money.

At Rehab Recovery, we offer free advice from a team of non-judgemental professionals, many of whom are in recovery and understand how hard can be to change your relationship with addiction.

Reach out to our 24/7, confidential hotline on 0800 088 6686.

How Can I Admit a Family Member to Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Lambeth?

The same advice applies here: do not push a family member to attend drug and alcohol rehab in Lambeth if they are not prepared to step away from their addiction forever, otherwise it will be a pointless exercise.

However, in some situations, people have family members who are in an extremely dangerous position due to their drug use, and they may be risking serious illness or death if they do not get treatment.

We would recommend that these people stage an intervention with their loved one, and we can help you to do this if you reach out to us. It generally involves gathering the close friends and family of the drug user, and asking them to write a letter detailing how the individual’s addiction is affecting them.

It may even be possible for you to stage an intervention for an employee at your workplace, and this would involve gathering the colleagues who have a close relationship with said employee.

Many people find that hiring an interventionist is the best way to ensure the intervention goes smoothly.

This is not a necessary requirement, but it is often worth the money as it helps the environment to be calm, and it ensures a professional is always there to step in if the family aren’t handling things correctly (i.e., they are shaming the individual rather than supporting them).

If you have had a failed intervention in the past, do not give up. Often, changing your intervention model can be the key to a successful intervention.

Other times, the individual simply needs to hear your plea several times in order to feel a desire to make a change.

Unfortunately, if you continue to stage interventions and none of them work, it is not possible to refer your family member to a drug and alcohol rehab in Lambeth.

However, this doesn’t mean you should give up hope, as many people come to the realisation that they need treatment, but they need to make this decision for themselves.

Why Should I Recover from Addiction in Lambeth?

If you live in Lambeth, one advantage of recovering here is the familiarity. Attending rehab is already a big change, so to avoid being overwhelmed, it may be better to stay in your local area.

This means that you do not have to think about travelling a long distance to the treatment centre, so your first and last day will be less intense.

What’s more, if you have a supportive family, it could be beneficial to attend drug and alcohol rehab in Lambeth as you can connect with them throughout your recovery process.

Some treatment facilities offer weekly family visits, and some offer family therapy sessions that would give you a chance to see your family on a regular basis and strengthen your relationships with them.

On the other hand, if you do not feel comfortable seeking treatment at a drug and alcohol rehab in Lambeth, you can just as easily secure a place at a rehab clinic in a different part of the country, or even abroad.

The only difference is that you would have to figure out the cost of travelling to the treatment centre, and you would of course have to keep in mind that local patients may be getting regular family visits.

However, there are plenty of things to do at rehab, so you would be able to get involved with other things while family visits are taking place e.g., playing sports, walking around the grounds, reading, relaxing in your room, or heading to the common room.

Frequently Asked Questions About Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Lambeth

What is the most dangerous drug addiction you see at drug and alcohol rehab in Lambeth?

The answer to this question depends on how we define ‘dangerous’. Some people may argue that the most dangerous substances are the most addictive substances, and these are: heroin, alcohol, nicotine, and cocaine.

As these substances cause physical and psychological dependency, users can find it exceptionally hard to withdraw from them and embrace a sober lifestyle. This means they may be trapped in the cycle of addiction for many years.

Another way of looking at it could be which drugs cause the most deaths in London. These are opiates and cocaine (8).

Can you go to addiction rehab for behavioural addictions?

Yes, you can enrol for inpatient treatment at a drug and alcohol rehab in Lambeth if you have a behavioural addiction. Some examples are: an addiction to shopping, sex, the internet, television, gambling, video games, plastic surgery, or food.

Some people worry that they will be the only one at rehab who is dealing with a behavioural addiction, but this would be very unlikely.

Either way, the cycle of addiction plagues people with substance addiction and behavioural addiction alike, so all patients can relate to the shared experience of being addicted to something.

What happens if I can’t afford drug and alcohol rehab in Lambeth?

It is no secret that private drug and alcohol rehab in Lambeth is not always cheap. This is especially true if you have a private room with an ensuite, and if you select a treatment centre that is top-of-the-range.

To make inpatient treatment affordable, one thing you can do is broaden your search for rehab centres by not only settling for the highest quality clinics.

There are treatment centres that are budget-friendly and still boast great success rates year after year.

An obvious choice in terms of keeping costs low is to attend a local drug and alcohol rehab in Lambeth. This means you won’t be spending money on travelling to and from your chosen destination.

You could even decide to stay at home and attend a rehab facility on an outpatient basis, though this should be avoided if you are dealing with a serious addiction and/or if you have many triggers in your home environment.

At Rehab Recovery, we offer free advice from a team of non-judgemental professionals, many of whom are in recovery and understand how hard can be to change your relationship with addiction.

Reach out to our 24/7, confidential hotline on 0800 088 6686.

How is my family affected by my drug addiction?

The only way to find out exactly how your family is affected is to ask them. This is a very difficult thing to do, as it is bound to bring up negative feelings for everyone involved.

However, it is worth it as it may give you more motivation to recover, and help you to support your loved ones whilst they are supporting you.

We can explain the general ways family members are affected when their loved one is experiencing addiction.

They may experience intense anxiety as they worry that you are destroying your physical and mental health by using drugs, and this could cause them to struggle to function day to day.

They may experience the breakdown of their other relationships if they are trying to conceal your addiction from other people, as this secrecy can lead to a lack of trust. This could result in them feeling very lonely and isolated.

Finally, they may be experiencing intense fear if your behaviour becomes unpredictable when you are under the influence, especially if they live with you or spend lots of time with you.

Feeling on edge in their own home could cause them to struggle to sleep, lose interest in things they would usually enjoy, and become depressed.

Get Help Today

At Rehab Recovery, we offer free advice from a team of non-judgemental professionals, many of whom are in recovery and understand how hard can be to change your relationship with addiction.

Our team are here to help you find a place at a drug and alcohol rehab in Lambeth, or somewhere else in the UK.

If you decide that a home detox or outpatient would be more suitable for you, we can also help you to organise this.

Our goal is to relieve you of the stress of arranging treatment, and allow you to focus solely on your recovery.

If you have specific requests to bring to the table, please don’t hesitate to inform us of these over the phone.

The more information we have about your treatment needs, the better we can perform our role of pairing you with the ideal drug and alcohol rehab in Lambeth.

Reach out to our 24/7, confidential hotline on 0800 088 6686.

References

[1] Drug Crime: Statistics for England and Wales https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9039/CBP-9039.pdf

[2] Ibid.

[3] State of the Borough – 2022 https://beta.lambeth.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2022-08/lambeth-state-of-the-borough-report-2022.pdf

[4] Ibid.

[5] Reducing Drug Deaths in London – London Assembly Health Committee https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/london_assembly_health_committee_-_report_-_reducing_drug_deaths_-_final.pdf

[6] The Cycle of Alcohol Addiction https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/cycle-alcohol-addiction

[7] Genetics and Epigenetics of Addiction DrugFacts https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/genetics-epigenetics-addiction

[8] Deaths related to drug poisoning in England and Wales: 2020 registrations https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/deathsrelatedtodrugpoisoninginenglandandwales/2020