Understanding Addiction

Across the United Kingdom, addictions cripple and drastically alter the lives of individuals.

Many believe that addictions are easy to overcome; however, this is not true.

Addictions are chronic brain diseases that require professional treatment for physical and psychological side effects.Left untreated, addictions can be deadly.

Understanding addiction can be somewhat perplexing, especially when there are various types of addictions and numerous influencing factors contributing to the likelihood that an individual will suffer from one.

If you are silently battling an addiction, or know someone that is, you may find yourself hoping to find out more the types of addictions that are commonly treated in the United Kingdom and the professional support available.

If this resonates with you, you may find this article somewhat helpful.

Understanding Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addictions overwhelm 1.6 million people in England alone each year. However, only a fraction of those combating alcohol addictions seek treatment from a rehab facility.

To gain an understanding of alcohol addictions, it is crucial to consider that various influencing factors lead to addiction. Psychological factors including anxiety, stress and depression can increase the likelihood of alcohol addictions being present, as can genetic, environmental and social factors.

It should also be noted that it is common for alcohol addictions to stem from alcohol abuse. This includes binge drinking or regularly consuming alcohol to unwind. Consuming an increasing amount of alcohol has the potential to gradually see individuals become reliant on substances.

Over time, this has a lasting impact on our brain cells, causing them to alter. This eventually interferes with behaviours and emotions and sees individuals suffering from heightened moods and reduced capabilities to deal with everyday life on their own.

Understanding Drug Abuse and Addiction

Across the United Kingdom, it is reported that drug abuse and addictions sabotage the lives of approximately one in ten adults. According to a study carried out by Public Health England in 2019, the most prominently used drugs include Cannabis, Opioids, Cocaine, Benzodiazepines, MDMA, Ecstasy and Ketamine.

While many believe that drug abuse and addictions are similar, this is not true. Individuals that abuse drugs do not rely on drugs to function, nor do they consume them regularly.

Contrasting this, those suffering from drug addictions will depend on substances to perform basic daily tasks. They will also display symptoms of withdrawals if they are unable to feed their addiction.

Similarly to alcohol addictions, drug addictions can be the result of various influencing factors including stress, mental health disorders and traumatic events. As a result, drugs including Cocaine and Cannabis are used to alleviate any negative associations or feelings.

While relief is provided for a short period, research determines that influencing factors will intensify as the side-effects of drugs wear off.

Understanding Gambling Addiction

Contrasting drug and alcohol addictions, gambling addictions do not see users consume a substance. However, they have disastrous ramifications on individuals and those surrounding them.

When an individual consistently gambles and fails to comprehend the consequences of doing so, it is believed that a compulsive gambling addiction is present. Compulsive gambling addictions are commonly related to an increase in financial stress and see individuals gamble regardless of the repercussions that may be experienced.

Those battling severe compulsive gambling addictions are likely to gamble with an increasing amount of money. In worst-case scenarios, addicts have been known to gamble with physical items such as their homes, cars and family heirlooms.

Just as alcohol and drug addictions have physical and psychological implications, gambling addictions can also lead to an increase in mental health disorders.

Individuals will also experience withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, headaches and insomnia if they are unable to obtain professional support.

How Step 1 Recovery Can Help

Regardless of the addiction that you are battling, you must seek professional support as early as possible. Not only will this aid a long-term recovery, but it will prevent your addiction from spiralling out of control.

Leaving your addiction untreated will not only have a detrimental impact on the quality of your own life, but it will also impact those around you.

At Step 1 Recovery, we provide in-patient drug and alcohol rehabilitation treatment to individuals across the United Kingdom and Europe that have unfortunately found themselves paralysed by addiction.

We appreciate that no one addiction is the same, which is why we create bespoke treatment programmes. We take the time to gain an understanding of an addict’s behaviour and provide treatment accordingly.

Not only does this help those suffering from addictions to recognise where their addiction stems from, but it aids them through abstinence.

Being away from your loved ones can be daunting, especially as you receive treatment and withdraw from substances. As a result, we have created a home away from home.

Not only do our rehab centres boast leading treatment facilities, but they feature en-suite rooms, on-site chefs and a serene backdrop to help you focus on your recovery.

How to Help Someone with an Addiction

We understand that if your loved one, friend or even colleague is battling an addiction, you will want to do everything in your power to help them. Understanding addiction is often the first step in doing so.

However, you must not try to take matters into your own hands. This can cause addictions to become more severe and can have a destructive impact on your relationship with the person.

At Step 1 Recovery, as well as supporting those battling addictions, we can support you. From helping you to understand addictions and what your loved one may be going through to staging an intervention, we would encourage you to contact us.

Take the First Step in Treating Your Addiction Today

Whether you are seeking treatment for yourself, or wish to refer a loved one, contact us today. We will provide you with all of the help and support you need.

If you are based in the United Kingdom, call us on 0330 107 2950.

If you are based in Spain, call us on +44 (0) 330 107 2950.