With NHS hospital admissions for drug-related mental health and behavioural disorders at 8,621 for the period 2015/16, it is no surprise that help is needed urgently for this devastating illness. In England and Wales, there were 2,479 drug-related deaths in 2015. This showed a forty-eight per cent increase on the figure for 2005 and highlights the fact that drug misuse is an ever-increasing problem that needs to be tackled. But one of the obstacles facing those with addiction is that there continues to be a stigma around addiction meaning many people affected never get the help they need. In fact, many do not know where to get drug addiction help and, as such, will continue on a downward spiral of addiction that could result in poor health or even premature death.

What are the Negative Impacts of Drug Addiction?

Drug addiction is a problem that affects entire communities and the economy as well as the individual with the problem. It is all too easy to assume that those who abuse drugs are only harming themselves, but this is rarely the case.

In the first instance, drug addiction will have a negative impact on the life of the individual. However, as drug abuse continues, the behaviour of the affected person will almost certainly change. It is common for drug addicts to quickly adapt in order to get what they need. This means that they are likely to develop certain characteristics that will enable them to satisfy their need for the drug they have come to rely on. Selfishness and manipulation are common among addicts, and as you might imagine, this has a knock-on effect on the people closest to them.

Relationships with friends and loved ones usually suffer when drug addiction affects one family member. Every other family member will react in their own way to the individual’s illness. Some will become angry or upset with the addict while others will try to ‘fix’ them. There may be some who will practice denial because they are unable to accept that their loved one has such an illness. In whichever way they react though, the impact can be devastating and could result in the breakdown of relationships.

It is important to also remember that drug addiction has a much wider impact. It is rarely localised to within the family unit. Those affected by addiction might get to the point where they have exhausted all sources of funding within their own family and then resort to criminal activity out of sheer desperation; this is quite common. There is a strong link between addiction and crime, and as such, there is a negative impact on the police and criminal justice system. Many hours are spent on the policing and prosecuting of crimes committed by those under the influence of drugs.

There is also a massive impact on the health service in the UK. The NHS is already under immense strain dealing with an ever-aging population, but it must also deal with drug-related illnesses and injuries. In addition, treatment programmes for those affected by addiction are also provided by the NHS, but many people do not know where to get drug addiction help.

Where Can You Go for Addiction Help?

As previously mentioned, the effects of drug addiction are far-reaching and cause devastation for countless people. As well as programmes provided by the NHS, there are many other organisations offering superb treatment programmes, such as local support groups, charities, and private clinics.

For most, the first port of call will be their own GP, where they are likely to be given help and advice and may receive a referral to an NHS programme. Nevertheless, while these programmes are excellent and are helpful when it comes to treating addiction, there tends to be a long waiting list for NHS treatment and many are left struggling on with their addiction as they wait for a place on a rehab programme.

This can be devastating for the addict and their family members as all too often the affected person will struggle to maintain his or her desire to change. The longer they are left waiting, the higher the likelihood that he or she will change their mind about getting help. By the time a place becomes available, the addict may very well have decided that he or she does not want to give up drugs after all.

Following on from this, it is evident that timing is key when it comes to beating drug addiction. It can take many years of begging and pleading on the part of family members to get a loved one to finally accept that addiction is a problem, and one that needs to be treated. Once the addict has decided that he or she wants to get help, it is essential that that help is available as soon as possible. For many affected people, a programme provided by a private clinic is the perfect solution.

Private clinics can often offer residential places within 24-48 hours of enquiry. This means that the addict has little time to change his or her mind before treatment begins. And despite most assuming that private clinics are out of their reach due to financial restrictions, the truth is that many of these organisations offer payment plans to make it easier to fund treatment. There are even a number that accept government funding.

What to Expect from Drug Rehab

For most, drug rehab will not begin until they are free from drugs. This means having to complete a programme of detoxification before beginning treatment. Detoxification starts when the patient quits drugs. The body will then begin to eliminate all traces of chemicals and toxins, which can often be quite complicated. It is safer and more comfortable to detox in a supervised facility than to do so at home.

After detox, a rehab programme can help with the psychological impact of addiction. With the assistance of professional counsellors and therapists, those affected by addiction will learn the cause of their addictive behaviour and will be given tools to help them avoid a return to this behaviour in the future.

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction and have often wondered where to get drug addiction help, contact us here at Recovery Lighthouse. We can help you or your loved one to overcome this illness once and for all.