Addiction is a complex illness that can take many different forms. For example, you may be struggling to control your use of a particular mood-altering substance such as alcohol, drugs, or prescription medication. Or perhaps you are addicted to a specific activity such as shopping, sex, gambling or even eating? A suitable addiction treatment programme can help you regain control.

Addiction is an illness of the brain, meaning that is classed as an uncontrollable pattern of behaviour that has negative consequences and interferes with daily life. Moreover, while it can be treated, it cannot be cured. The risk of relapse will always be something that you need to be alert to, even after an extensive treatment programme. So, what is addiction treatment, and do you need it?

Do You Have an Addiction?

Before considering the question of what addiction treatment is, it is important to have a good look at your situation to determine if it is something that you need. Many people bandy the term ‘addiction’ about when describing something that they like to do. For example, someone might say that they are addicted to shopping because they enjoy this activity so much. However, they will not have an uncontrollable urge to shop and will not shop when they do not have the money to do so. This is the difference.

Someone might also believe that he or she is addicted to chocolate because he or she likes to eat it, but someone with a food addiction will be unable to control their eating at times. This person may binge on large quantities of food in a short space of time and will not be able to stop until becoming physically sick.

An addiction is a mental health disorder which means that those affected are unable to control their urges. It is for this reason that it is important to consider your own behaviour carefully to see if you do indeed need treatment.

Just because you drink alcohol or take drugs does not necessarily mean you are an addict. But if you use them to excess, even when knowing that it is likely to have negative consequences for you and your loved ones, it might be the case that you need some help with your problem.

You also need to think about how your behaviour has changed in recent times. Are you becoming preoccupied with a particular substance or activity? If so, you may be neglecting the important things in life such as those you love, your responsibilities at home and at work, and any activities or hobbies that you used to enjoy. If this is the case, addiction treatment might be something you could benefit from. However, what is addiction treatment like?

What is an Addiction Detox?

If you have an addiction to a mood-altering chemical substance such as drugs or alcohol, you will more than likely require a detox. Nevertheless, this will depend on the type of substance you were abusing and whether you have a physical dependence on it or not.

A detox is a process whereby your body will eliminate the toxins and chemicals that have built up in your system because of your substance abuse. When you quit the substance you were addicted to, your body automatically begins expelling whatever is left in an effort to restore normality. This process can be unpleasant, and it can result in certain withdrawal symptoms.

If you do require a detox, you will need to weigh up your options to decide the best way to proceed. You have the choice of detoxing at home or detoxing under supervision in a dedicated facility. Most affected individuals are advised to detox in a dedicated detox clinic because it is the safest place to complete the process. The fact that it is impossible to tell which symptoms you might experience or how severe the detox will be is one of the reasons that a supervised detox is very important.

Detox generally lasts for between seven and ten days, at which point the worst of the symptoms should have subsided. Having said that, not everyone experiences a detox in the same way. You may experience one or two symptoms that pass quite quickly, or you could experience a whole range of symptoms, with some lingering on for weeks or even months.

Nonetheless, after around one or two weeks, you should be ready to get started on your addiction treatment. When it comes to this, the type of programme that will suit you best will depend on your individual requirements and particular situation.

What is Addiction Treatment Like?

The question of what is addiction treatment like is one that many addicts worry about. The fear of the unknown can often prevent some people from reaching out for help. Furthermore, if you have no experience of addiction treatment, you might be afraid of what it will mean for you.

The good news is that addiction treatment is your chance to turn your life around. It will give you the opportunity to deal with the issues that have caused your illness and will prepare you for a life that is no longer dictated by an overwhelming need to give in to a particular urge.

Addiction treatment can take place in a residential clinic or on a day care basis, depending on how severe your illness is and what your preferences are. In a day care clinic, you will attend regular counselling or therapy sessions as agreed with the provider. You will then go about daily life while dealing with recovery simultaneously.

In a residential programme, you will leave regular, daily life behind and move into the clinic for a period of up to twelve weeks while you are treated for your addiction. You will be immersed in the recovery programme and there will be no distractions from the outside world.

What Treatments are Used?

Rehab providers have a huge arsenal of treatments at their disposal when it comes to helping affected individuals overcome their particular addiction. It is impossible to predict what treatments will be used for you and your situation as it will depend on the type of addiction you have, how severe it is, and a range of other factors. However, you can expect the treatment plan to include elements of the following:

• Individual counselling
• Group therapy
• Dialectical behaviour therapy
• Psychodynamic therapy
• 12-step work
• Motivational enhancement therapy
• Cognitive behavioural therapy
• Psychotherapy
• Contingency management
• Family therapy

As well as the above psychotherapeutic treatments, your bespoke treatment plan may also include some holistic treatments. These are used to enhance recovery and improve the chances of long-term success.

Holistic treatments can help to improve mood and reduce stress levels. They are also thought to help with reducing cravings and can, therefore, be implemented into your recovery maintenance when you return home. The use of holistic therapies will improve your overall wellbeing and can help to prevent a relapse. Holistic therapies include:

• If you would like more information about addiction or addiction treatment, please contact us here at Addiction Helper. The question of what is addiction treatment is one that we can help you with. We can explain in more detail what you can expect once we speak with you, and we can get a clearer idea of what you are dealing with.

If you would like help finding a treatment programme to suit your needs, we can assist. We work with various organisations including the NHS, charities, and private clinics. It is our mission to ensure that anyone who contacts us can access the help that he or she needs to get better. We will explain the various treatments that might be used for your illness as well as how these can help you get your life back on track.

If you are ready to get started on the road to recovery, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us today.