Private Rehab UK: Is It Worth The Cost?

Is private rehab in the UK worth the cost? When deciding, it’s important to consider the cost of addiction treatment and what price you put on your health.

Rehab doesn’t need to be expensive.

If you make an informed choice you can achieve excellent, cost effective care that won’t break the bank.

Making rash decisions will cost: in more ways than one.

There are high end centres, functional low cost options and a whole lot in between.

Cost of Addiction Treatment: Why Do I Need Rehab?

Addiction is a very serious illness with a high mortality rate. As with other chronic diseases, there will be periods of remission and periods of flare up.

Treating addiction isn’t just about taking pills. Indeed, not everyone needs medication.

Recovery is about four aspects: Detox, therapy, relapse prevention and aftercare.

If you try and bypass one of these aspects, relapse becomes almost inevitable.

Detox

You may need one and, if you do, it can save your life.

When you drink alcohol and take drugs, your brain adjusts to their presence on receptors.

The chemistry of your brain will change: Over time.

Slowly, but quite noticeably, the more you take the more you will need. This is known as tolerance.

You will need to take ever increasing amounts of whatever it is you are taking to have the same effect as the amount you started taking.

If you stop, suddenly (or reduce too quickly) , the brain simply will not be able to cope. Incorrect chemical messaging occurs leading to physical symptoms: This is known as withdrawal.

In actual fact, the amount of time it takes the substance to clear the body will be far shorter than the amount of time you will experience symptoms. It is a common myth that withdrawals is about the body ridding itself of drugs and alcohol.

Some substances do not require a detox but do require a short course of medication to prevent a medical emergency.

The brain will not respond to therapy while you are using drugs and alcohol. A detox without therapy won’t work, either. This is why the majority of home detox’s fail.

Therapy

Addiction is not a choice.

No one wakes up one day and decides to be an addict.

People use drugs and alcohol to try and cope with problems they are facing and/or thoughts that are distressing and debilitating.

Drugs and alcohol can, in the short term, dampen down the stress, the anxiety and fears. Due to the way they affect chemical messaging in the body natural feel good chemicals are released. Thus, in time, the only way you can experience feelings of pleasure is through drug use.

Therapy helps you to explore your thoughts, challenge your negative beliefs and deal with underlying issues.

If you don’t deal with the reasons why you are drinking and taking drugs you are going to relapse: Fast.

Relapse prevention

Rehab is a place of unconditional support, love and acceptance.

Everyone’s route to addiction is different and so are there experiences when they are caught up in it.

When you complete rehab, you will be full of energy with a new sense of renewal. You will want to make up for lost time and push forward with your life.

In rehab there are staff on hand 24/7 to support you. At home, you may be on your own.

If you had treatment for alcohol addiction you will find it still on sale in the corner shop, supermarket and local petrol station. They are not going to stop selling it just for you. Perhaps you had treatment for cocaine or heroin addiction? Your dealer is going to try and entice you back as a customer.

Old friends, who still use, call you and invite you to a party. Your bus goes past a club you used to use at. If you went to the moon and wanted to use you would find a dealer and an off licence.

Knowing how to deal with these situations is vital.

Relapse Happens

Relapse happens: FACT. It is not a sign of failure.

Addiction is a serious chronic illness just like diabetes or asthma.

As with any chronic illness, there will be periods of remission and periods of relapse.

If you know how to deal with relapse, you are much better placed to get yourself back on track.

Aftercare

Therapy doesn’t end when you leave rehab.

Sure, you have very strong foundations but recovery is a lifelong process.

All centres offer a minimum of a years aftercare. This is usually a weekly support group and regular telephone check in.

If you are struggling, there will be a dedicated number to call for help.

Local support groups are available to all. 12 STEP/ SMART: It matters not.

Cost of addiction treatment: What Am I Paying for in Rehab?

Rehab centres cost money to run. It is not a hotel.

Clinicians, therapists, support staff, medications, hospitality and catering staff, housekeepers, maintenance. It all adds up.

From the moment you arrive to the day you stop using their aftercare service, everything you need to recover is provided.

A clinician to assess you, draw up a treatment plan and prescribe medication.

Nurses to monitor you and dispense medication.

Support staff on hand or when the going gets tough.

Therapists to lead groups and provide individual sessions.

Restaurant quality meals served by staff incorporating your religious and dietary needs.

Housekeeping staff to keep everything pristine.

Maintenance people to ensure everything works.

Cost of addiction treatment: Are There Low Cost Options?

Absolutely.

The cost of rehab doesn’t need to be excessive.

Most of the time the easiest way to reduce cost is to travel a little bit further.

For example, a months treatment in London can cost nearly £30,000.

If you travel just outside London you can reduce this amount by over 50%.

Cost of addiction treatment: What do High End Centres Offer?

Nothing that you can’t get anywhere else!

High end centres offer luxurious suites and grounds with high end catering.

Additional therapies are on the schedule and some offer cutting edge virtual reality assisted treatments.

Do I Need These?

No!

These therapies have their use but are, in no way, essential.

The core components of addiction recovery haven’t changed and never will:

Detox, therapy, relapse prevention and aftercare.

Where Can I Go For Free Impartial Advice?

As experienced addictions clinicians we know what you need : And what you don’t.

We work in rehabs but are not tied to any particular one.

It matters not to us where you go for help, as long as it is safe and cost effective.

Our advice is free, confidential and wholly impartial.

We only signpost to legally registered centres.

Our database is ultra secure and we are registered with the Information Commissioners Office. We only retain your details if you ask us to.

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