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Last Updated:
December 2nd, 2024
Residential Rehab | Benefits and What to Expect
For individuals dealing with very high-risk substance use and potential dependency, residential rehab is often the safest treatment option. Residential rehab facilitates access to around-the-clock care from a team of medical and social care professionals. This type of support is most appropriate for those dealing with addiction, substance dependency and comorbid mental health issues. However, the thought of residential rehab can be very daunting. A common misconception of residential rehab is that it functions similarly to inpatient care. This preconception is likely at the heart of some of the fear around residential support. We aim to provide an overview of how residential rehab functions to dispel some of the myths about what this type of support may look like. In doing so, we intend to reduce barriers to addiction intervention and, therefore, reduce the unmet treatment need for residential rehab in the UK.
Residential Rehab
Between April 2021 and March 2022, 289,215 adults were in contact with some form of drug and alcohol service. Of these people, 14,105 (4%) were receiving treatment in a residential or inpatient setting. This suggests that the vast majority of people in England access support in the community. Whilst drug and alcohol services accessed in the community can be very useful, data suggests that residential rehab can be a very effective mode of treatment.
What is it?
Residential rehab refers to a type of support that involves temporarily residing in an addiction clinic or centre. These centres are available across the country and can be accessed privately or sometimes via the NHS. The goal of rehab is to reduce an individual’s reliance on addictive substances or behaviours. Some centres specialise in assisting individuals with a substance (or chemical) addiction, whilst others also offer treatment programmes for people dealing with a behavioural addiction. Each individual’s experience of residential rehab will vary slightly, as addiction treatment is typically tailored to your specific needs. A specialist team will design a personalised package of therapies and holistic support for you.
Supporting diverse needs
Rehab centres are staffed with a range of clinical professionals, including:
- A rehab manager
- Healthcare professionals
- Mental health nurses
- Registered general nurses
- Nurses who specialise in addiction treatment
- Support workers
24/7 access to medical staff can be a reassuring feature of residential rehab. If you are particularly struggling with addiction and do not feel that you can safely or successfully recover from substance use alone, then residential rehab can provide peace of mind. The access to medical professionals makes residential rehab especially useful for individuals with a psychiatric comorbidity.
Of all the individuals starting addiction treatment between 2021 and 2022, 70% (93,380 people) stated that they had a mental health treatment need. Common dual diagnoses for those in contact with addiction services include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Schizoaffective disorder
- Schizophrenia
Unfortunately, many people develop addictions as they search for a means to cope with emotional distress. This means that individuals dealing with a mental health condition can be more likely to experience addiction. What this means is that addiction treatment needs to be multifaceted in order to take this into account. A multidimensional approach to treatment means addressing addiction whilst also managing underlying symptoms. In residential rehab, this can be achieved through medication, therapies, or a mixture of both.
Luxury rehab centres
Residential rehabs can vary greatly, with some centres boasting luxury options. It is common for rehab clinics to be located in a pleasant environment with relaxing views and attractive grounds. Luxury centres can often additional extras such as:
- Swimming pools
- Gyms
- Personal trainers
- Yoga and meditation
- Art and adventure therapy
- Leisure activities and trips
Not all residential rehabs offer luxury options – for some people, the luxury additions can provide them with an additional level of relaxation. For others, luxury options can sometimes be a distraction or make the adjustment back to life outside of rehab quite difficult. You can discuss the options available with a service provider in order to get a sense of what might work best for you.
Residential addiction rehab: What should I expect?
It isn’t easy to give a clear answer on what your time in residential rehab will look like, as you will be able to develop a bespoke treatment programme with your admissions team. However, it is possible to give a general outline of what rehab can look like.
Following the initial enquiry, you will find that residential rehab can be broken down into four key stages:
- Admission
- Detox
- Rehabilitation
- Aftercare
Admission
Admission may sound daunting, but it just refers to the beginning of your treatment. Unlike an inpatient unit, once you enter residential rehab, you are able to leave whenever you like. There may be instances where leaving may not be advised, but ultimately, you are allowed to leave the centre when you wish.
An important part of admission is a health assessment. This allows the team who will be looking after you to get a clear sense of where you are, both physically and mentally. You will be asked to give any medications you may be prescribed to the clinical team. You will then be able to review your treatment plan before support formally begins. Following this, you will be able to tour the centre and ask any questions you may have..
Detox
Most stays in an addiction rehab begin with a detoxification. This allows your body to adjust to the absence of drugs and alcohol in your system and helps you to manage distracting cravings. The duration of detox will depend on the substance you are seeking support for.
Rehabilitation
The foundation of any rehab treatment is therapy. This begins during the detox phase. It is quite common to access up to two therapy sessions a day. These therapy sessions could take different shapes, including:
- 12-Step Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Art Therapy
- Holistic Therapy
- Skills based therapies
Aftercare
Recovery does not end when you leave rehab. In fact, some centres offer complimentary support for a full year following a residential treatment programme. This is typically accessed on an appointment basis and can be incredibly effective in helping you maintain active recovery whilst adjusting back to your new daily routine.
The Benefits of Residential Support
Addiction can have devastating effects. Residential rehab hopes to help you break the cycles before these effects become too overwhelming. Residential rehab can be life-changing, providing you with:
- Realistic goals
- Confidence and control
- Methods of distress tolerance
- New coping skills
- A support network
- Access to specialist support
- Responsibility
- Hope for a safer, healthier future
How much does residential rehab cost?
The rehab cost varies depending on the length and type of treatment you access. To find out more about costs, you can make a confidential no-commitment enquiry with a specialist addiction centre.
Finding a residential rehab near me
Linwood House is a specialist residential rehab located in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. To find out more about the support we offer – as well as the help available at our sister centres across the country – contact us for more information.
Frequently asked questions
(Click here to see works cited)
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6876438/#:~:text=The%20term%20%E2%80%9Cpsychiatric%20comorbidity%2C%E2%80%9D,to%20other%20drugs%20as%20well.
- https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/substance-misuse-treatment-for-adults-statistics-2021-to-2022/adult-substance-misuse-treatment-statistics-2021-to-2022-report
- https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/substance-misuse-treatment-for-adults-statistics-2021-to-2022/adult-substance-misuse-treatment-statistics-2021-to-2022-report
- https://cdn.ukat.co.uk/assets/brochures/LWH_Brochure.pdf?_ga=2.224877530.1736594210.1718019804-1277355538.1718019804
- https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/substance-misuse-treatment-for-adults-statistics-2021-to-2022/adult-substance-misuse-treatment-statistics-2021-to-2022-report
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6876438/#:~:text=The%20term%20%E2%80%9Cpsychiatric%20comorbidity%2C%E2%80%9D,to%20other%20drugs%20as%20well.