They are changing, their habits are not the same. Your loved one is struggling to make ends meet, although they have the same salary as last year but seem to spend less on clothes, food, healthcare, going out. You are worried.
Addiction is a complex disease that requires a multi-disciplinary approach from health professionals, but it can be managed effectively if we all work together. This guide aims to help you understand addiction and how it affects people, as well as what treatment options there are for those struggling with an alcohol or drug problem.
Hence it has also been seen that most people questioned is addiction a family disease. Well, the answer is no, we can say it is a disease, but it has its treatment which takes specific time and effort.
Recognizing the Signs of Addiction
Family members can play a vital role in helping someone overcome their addiction. They can assist with getting clean needles, providing financial assistance, offering emotional support, and even taking part in counseling sessions with the addict.
If your loved one is struggling with addiction, getting them into rehab is the most beneficial thing you can do. If the patient likes non-residential programs and wants constant support from their loved ones, many rehab centers like WhiteSands treatment in Tampa offer outpatient treatment that offers personalized therapy and individualized care. These programs also provide an addictions counsellor to the patients’ families to help them better cope with the situation.
In most cases, it will take several years of sobriety before a person can completely recover from their dependence on drugs and alcohol. During this period, family members will have to work hard to maintain their loved one’s sobriety. This means that they must continue to show patience, understanding, and compassion towards their addicted relative.
It is surprisingly easy to misjudge a medical condition such as depression or anxiety with the social side-effects of addiction. However, the help needed from a person who is living through a depressive episode and one who is struggling with drug addiction is very different. This is why you need to make sure that what you are witnessing in your loved one is in fact a consequence of them misusing substances.
Here are the signs and symptoms of drug abuse:
• A change in personality
• Poor hygiene
• Lack of motivation
• Loss of interest in hobbies and interests
• Losing weight without trying
• Changes in sleeping patterns
• Irritability
• Anger outbursts
• Mood swings
• Anxiety attacks
• Difficulty concentrating
• Increased aggression
• Depression
• Suicidal thoughts
• Abrupt mood changes
• Constant craving for alcohol or drugs
• Drinking or using alone
• Using when drunk or high
• Relapse after previous attempts
• Continued use despite negative consequences
• Feeling trapped
If you ask questions about your loved one’s health, they might change the subject. You could also see physical symptoms like excessive sweating, shaking, vomiting, weight loss, or insomnia. Another sign of addiction is spending too much time online.
If you notice any of these signs in someone you know, then it’s time to seek professional help. You should never try to deal with addiction yourself. There are professionals available who can provide support and guidance to those suffering from substance dependency issues. If you suspect that a friend or a family member has an addiction problem, don’t hesitate to get help.
What are the treatment options in the UK?
In the United Kingdom, we have two options for finding help for addiction: private residential treatment providers and NHS-funded outpatient help.
When it comes to NHS addiction treatment, the National Health Service (NHS) offers three types of help to those who need them. These include:
• Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centres – : Addiction Rehab Center provides access to specialist care where people can receive medical advice and support. They also offer counseling and therapy services, including detoxification.
• Community Rehabilitation Teams – this service provides intensive follow-up care after leaving the hospital following a stay at a rehab center. It focuses on helping patients return home safely and successfully.
• Local Authority Substance Misuse Services – these services are run by local councils and aim to prevent and treat substance misuse problems. They usually offer information about safe drinking levels, free needle exchange programs, and drugs education classes.
While the NHS does work with inpatient facilities, they are not fully NHS-funded and are in fact a third-party provider who works within the NHS programs.
The biggest downside of looking for help through the NHS is the waiting time with some people in need of urgent addiction help having to wait more than a month to receive it.
What are the benefits of residential treatment programs, what do they include?
Residential addiction treatment programmes allow users and their families to find help within a nurturing, safe environment with 24/7 access to medical and psychological help. The main benefit of residential treatment over other forms of addiction help is that participants learn practical skills such as coping strategies and relapse prevention methods while recovering.
Most residential rehabilitation facilities are based in purpose-built buildings, which are often located away from major cities. In many cases, the location allows residents to live close to family members. Residents may be given tasks around the house, such as cooking meals or doing laundry, and they may also attend meetings with other residents.
Some residential recovery programs offer additional recreational activities like sports, art, music, exercise, and yoga. These activities are important because they encourage social interaction and give people something to look forward to during long days of treatment. It places restrictions on visitors, meaning that friends and relatives cannot come to visit unless approved by staff.
Costs of Addiction Treatment
To get the best value for money when choosing an addiction treatment program, you should consider your personal budget. Some treatments cost thousands of pounds per week, whereas others can be much cheaper depending on how far you’re willing to travel.
If you have insurance, check whether you qualify for any discounts. Many insurers will cover certain addictions treatment costs if you meet certain criteria. For example, you might be able to claim back up to 80% of the cost of residential treatment if you’ve been diagnosed with drug use disorder or alcohol dependence.
Also read about A quest for optimal health and wellness
You could also try contacting your GP surgery or private health insurer to see if they offer any financial assistance. If you don’t qualify for a discount but still want to pay less, you could ask your doctor to write a letter of recommendation for you. This will show that you’re receiving professional care and that your addiction has become serious enough to warrant a referral to a specialist facility.
It’s possible to find cheap addiction treatment through charities and non-profit organizations. However, this type of treatment isn’t always suitable for everyone. You may not be eligible for free services if you’re already getting support from another organization.
It’s also worth checking whether there are any local alternatives to expensive rehab centers. For instance, you could contact your local council to see if they run any drop-in centers where you can go without paying upfront.
Many people choose to stay at home rather than go to a center. While this is perfectly fine, it’s important to remember that staying at home doesn’t mean you won’t receive any support. You can still call a helpline if you need advice about what to do next.
In some cases, you can also take part in self-help groups online. There are plenty of websites offering peer support, including Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and Alateen.
Whatever you and your loved ones are going through at this stage can be treated. Finding the right treatment may ask for time or more finances, but receiving it is vital, maybe even life-saving, and certainly relationship-saving for you and your family. This is why seeking help is vital. Look for the signs, and if you notice them, call a hotline and ask for advice on how to proceed. One thing is very important at this stage – do not confront them, mentally, emotionally, or physically without asking for advice on how to do it or if it is even okay to do it in the first place.
Some users are using the denial of their loved ones as a safety net, and if you suddenly take it away from them, they will feel left out, attacked, hated. Look for interventionists and ask them for advice before doing anything rash.
