Important things to consider
Once you have decided to find help for an addiction to alcohol, drugs or gambling, you’ll need to look into choosing a rehab facility that will meet your unique needs as a person.
Many of the people we have helped have started their journey with us feeling anxious and hopeless. We are here to help.
We work closely with families to ensure that even after treatment is completed, loved ones and sufferers know the essential coping methods to deal with and overcome their problems.
If you feel like you have lost your sense of control and alcohol and drugs are detrimental to your life, it can be challenging to know where to begin when it comes to getting help.
If you have decided to attend a rehab centre, you are no longer in denial and have completed half of the battle.
Need help? Speak with one of our senior admissions advisors today on 0808 274 5168 – lines are open 24/7.
The effects of depression, anxiety, stress, grief and burnout
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Although there are varying scales of addiction, many of us use substances to avoid how we feel or cope with the everyday stresses in our lives.
This becomes a severe problem when we start to feel powerless over these habits, and drinking alcohol (for example) becomes a necessity rather than a choice.
Typically we think of addiction in its most extreme form, as a disease that is easily identifiable in those who suffer since it will drastically impact their ability to carry out everyday activities, mental health, career and relationships.
However, addiction exists in many subtle and varying forms, and the most successful and seemingly happy people may be suffering in silence.
If you are unhappy and your goal is to be free from substance dependency, or you have identified with anything else mentioned above, several treatment methods are available.
Take the self-assessment quiz here.
Getting better
By choosing to attend rehab, you commit to the belief that there is a solution to getting better, and you are willing to accept the support provided to guide you towards peace, free from the grip of addiction.
The standard of rehab centre you choose will dramatically impact the pace and quality of your recovery.
What to consider when looking at potential facilities:
The treatment approach offered
Treatment methods vary based on the facility and individual’s needs but can include:
- Alcohol and drug detox (not necessarily treatment, but a required step in recovery)
- 12 Steps
- Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)
- EDMR Therapy
- PTSD Therapy
- Specialised therapy (eating disorder treatment, smoking cessation etc.)
- Art Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Mindfulness, Meditation & Relaxation
- Family Therapy
Often, one treatment does not work alone, and the fastest and most successful treatments are those which incorporate several methods from the list above.
See the Treatments offered by Castle Craig in Edinburgh we offer.
Things to consider when choosing a rehab clinic
- Waiting times: Do you have to wait to be admitted, or can you be permitted immediately? Going through the NHS often means long waiting lists and delayed treatments.
- Do you have any underlying conditions: Do you need to be treated for depression, anxiety, grief, stress, trauma, as well as an addiction problem?
- Detox: Does the clinic have 24/7 doctor onsite, and a 24/7 nursing team?
- Therapy: What is the ratio of therapists to patients? How many one-to-one therapy sessions will you receive each week? Can you purchase additional therapy sessions?
- Group Therapy: Is it facilitated by a therapist?
- Treatments: What treatment models will you receive? Is the 12 Step programme included? What holistic, experiential or CBT therapies are on offer?
- Payment: Will you be able to be covered by private medical insurance? Are you able to pay privately? How long is the NHS waiting list for funding?
- Are there any hidden extras? Look out for clinics that additionally charge for extra services and treatments. If possible, it should be preferable to choose a clinic that offers all-inclusive treatment, like Castle Craig for example.
- Accreditation: Is the rehab facility accredited by an external source such as the Care Commission or Health Improvement Scotland?
- Location: Where will the treatment be based? You want to consider opting for places that get you away from the pressures of everyday life. Escaping to the countryside, for example, is a good place to begin because you will be isolated from old bad habits and temptations and will be able to fully focus on your recovery.
Questions to ask before you begin:
- Does the programme offer medication to ease withdrawal symptoms?
- Will my case be reviewed by a Consultant Psychiatrist?
- Are the staff equally qualified to deal with mental health issues as well as addiction?
- Is the treatment plan tailored around the individual?
- What will a typical day look like in rehab?
- Is there a gym and personal trainers?
- Is there an onsite shop?
- What shall I advise my family to do while I’m in treatment?
- Are you able to provide the patient’s rights and responsibilities in writing?
Treatment model / ethos
The centre must offer a transparent, structured recovery model since you will need something to structure your recovery and guide you through difficult days even after leaving the facility.
The 12-step programme is a popular and effective method that most addiction facilities utilise in one way or another.
Research shows that abstinence-based treatment works – the 12-step philosophy used by AA and NA has helped millions of people worldwide recover.
Alcohol and drug addiction are chronic illnesses and abstinence from these mood-altering substances is considered necessary for a complete and long-lasting recovery.
The programme provides a guide that you can follow, a blueprint to help you through your process.
Does the facility offer residential rehab or outpatient only?
For those affected by addiction, residential rehab can be the most productive way to target these issues quickly and help you regain your life back. See success rates.
Residential rehabilitation centres offer continual support within an environment where you are supported by professionals 24/7, whereas outpatient treatment usually consists of daily or weekly meet-ups with an individual therapist or a support group.
How qualified are the staff?
Ensure the facility has accredited medical and mental health professionals and check the testimonials on their website for further evidence of how reliable the centre is.
Meet Castle Craig’s team of specialists.
What is the environment like?
Your surroundings drastically impact your mental health.
Often, drug and alcohol dependency can begin from a feeling of the need for some kind of “escape.”
If possible, you should prioritise finding a rehab centre located in an area where you will feel most comfortable, with access to the outdoors and open spaces.
How long will I stay there?
The duration of treatment is highly dependent on the individual case, but generally, treatment is between 4-6 weeks.
How much does it cost?
The Executive Rehab is committed to helping families and those struggling with depression, anxiety and substance abuse.
We offer many different ways to pay and our programmes have dedicated aftercare services to ensure long-lasting and safe recoveries.
What is post-treatment support?
Involvement of family/friends so you can fully be supported when you return home.
We are not treating just the patient but the whole family, help develop an aftercare plan so that you can be supported after you leave Castle Craig.
We are here as an ongoing resource in your life; you can come to talk to your therapist, aftercare groups, and reunions; we care about recovery and want people’s lives to improve.
See our Rehab Comparison Guide for choosing the best rehab in the UK.
