Drug and Alcohol Rehab Portugal

Compared to various other countries in Europe, Portugal has been very successful in addressing the problems that come with substance abuse. Portugal has the second lowest fatal rate of overdose in Europe and has very low statistics for substance abuse.

In this article, we will go over various aspects of attending a drug and alcohol rehab for addiction treatment in Portugal.

The Admissions Process For Rehab Treatments in Portugal

In Portugal, all healthcare for those with substance addictions is provided by the Referral Network for Addiction Behaviours and Dependencies.

This network incorporates some specialised public services which provide treatment to people who have become dependent on substances. These public services include three different levels of care – primary healthcare, differentiated care, and specialised care.

Specialised Care

This is given to patients on an outpatient basis. Outpatient treatments usually mean that the patient does not need to stay at the facility overnight. This is most suited to individuals who have milder dependency or for people who have recently gone through a treatment programme in a rehab setting.

This type of treatment can usually be arranged through a general practitioner. The treatment usually starts with a medical detox and then some daily or bi-weekly sessions for therapy.

Differentiated Care

This type of care is usually provided on an inpatient basis and refers to treatments that happen at the facility for some time. The facilities for this type of treatment can include specialised addiction centres and therapeutic communities.

An Overview of Rehab In Portugal

Rehab treatments in Portugal are offered for free to any individuals who are dependent on a type of substance and who want to recover from their addiction. If a person wants to take part in one of these types of treatments, they must contact the facility or talk to their general practitioner.

The Different Types of Addiction – Psychological Vs. Physical

Addictions may be both physical and psychological.

The consistent use of a certain type of substance can cause physical dependency. This physical dependency means that the person will not be able to function properly without the substance. When the person goes without the substance, they can experience a range of withdrawal symptoms.

Psychological addictions are ones where the person’s behaviour changes and they have compulsions to use the substance. The person will often use substances as a way of gaining a certain emotional or mental state.

It’s very common for people with psychological addictions to use the substance they’re addicted to as a way of alleviating certain mental health problems such as anxiety or depression.

The Detoxification Process For Addiction Recovery

For people who are struggling with addiction and who want to recover from it, the first step in the recovery process is usually a detoxification programme. Detoxing is a process where toxins and harmful substances are removed from the body. This gives the person a completely fresh start before they move on to work on their other recovery aspects.

When someone is dependent on a substance, they will rely on that substance in order to function in daily life. Removing that substance completely from the body can cause some very unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

Detoxing is a very important part of the rehabilitation process. However, it can be quite painful, and it’s usually a very difficult experience. The severity of the detoxification process and the level of withdrawal symptoms often depend on the type of substance involved.

The withdrawal effects when detoxing can range from mild to severe and may include things like anxiety, nausea, headaches, abnormal breathing and potentially seizures. There is also a range of other potential withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms will usually last for a few days but may sometimes last longer in more severe addictions.

When you go through detox in a rehab setting, you will be monitored constantly by medical staff. These members of staff can prescribe medication if they believe you need it to ease your withdrawal symptoms. This is by far the safest way to go through a detox. Choosing to detox yourself at home could be potentially quite dangerous, particularly if your addiction is quite severe.

What is Dual Diagnosis, and How Is This Different?

A dual diagnosis is when a person suffers from an addiction as well as a mental health condition such as anxiety or depression. When someone has both of these conditions, they can interact with each other in different ways.

For example, in some cases, a person might have a dependency on a certain substance, and this dependency may then lead to anxiety, depression, paranoia, or certain personality disorders.

Alternatively, in some cases, the person may already suffer from a mental health disorder, and they may turn to substances as a kind of coping strategy. This regular use of substances as a coping method can lead to an addiction.

The treatment for dual diagnosis will usually focus on treating both the mental health condition and the addiction. In some cases, the patient may be prescribed certain medications to help them deal with the mental health problem while they are in the process of recovering from their addiction.

How Long Will I Spend In Rehab In Portugal?

The length of time that you spend in rehab can vary depending on several factors, such as the type of substance involved, the severity of the addiction, and the type of treatment that is required.

Inpatient rehab treatments can range from 3 – 12 months and will be different for every person involved.

However, your stay in rehab may be extended depending on how you respond to treatments and the level of treatment that you need. The treatment programmes may be extended up to three years if this is deemed necessary for the person to recover properly and safely.

Additionally, there are some shorter types of treatments in rehab in Portugal. These treatments are usually provided as a specialised treatment programme to help a person deal with and get through their withdrawal symptoms.