SOUTH COAST PRIVATE ADDICTION RECOVERY PROGRAM southcoastprivate.com.au Your care in our hands
The abuse of alcohol and other drugs is common and widespread; affecting people from all walks of life. 1.0 DRUG ADDICTION ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCY The abuse of alcohol and other drugs is common and widespread; affecting people from all walks of life. It is often difficult for people who find themselves at the mercy of substances: legal or illegal; prescription or otherwise; to see that they are not alone in their fight against this common problem. Abuse and dependence of any substance affects not only the individual struggling with the grasp these substances have, but also family, friends, communities and society as a whole. Use of any substance can often begin as simple experimentation or social lubrication or even a simple means of coping with transient or chronic stress. However, it is not uncommon for people to find themselves developing patterns of use that start to creep into their lives. Impeding their functioning, worsening symptoms of underlying mental health problems, creating or worsening physical illnesses and causing problems in all areas of life. Managing abuse and dependency can be scary to do by yourself. Withdrawals from any substance can be unpleasant or even frightening. Underlying problems can arise when substances are not used. All of which makes it hard for people to go it alone in their journey to addiction recovery. A successful recovery program is designed with the knowledge of the complexities of substance abuse and dependency. It incorporates the medical, psychiatric, psychological, physiological and social aspects needed to address this debilitating problem. 1
SIGNS OF PHYSICAL ADDICTION TO ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS Physically, alcohol and other drugs cause changes to the body. With repeated use substances begin to lose their physical effects, so that the response when first taking the substance is diminished. As a result, more and more of the substance is needed to get the same effect. Sometimes, the body no longer experiences the initial effects of the substance. When this happens, people are described as having developed a tolerance to the substance. Along with tolerance, physical addiction creates symptoms of withdrawal. As the substance leaves the body (either by cutting down or going without), the body experiences a range of physical symptoms (that vary depending upon the substance) that are unpleasant, distressing and at times, frightening. The range of physical withdrawal symptoms includes: > Excessive sweating > Shakiness or tremors > Sleep disturbances > Agitation and irritability > Insomnia > Confusion > Seizures or blackouts > Appetite disturbances > Increased craving for the substance > Joint pains > Flu-like symptoms or fever > Mood swings You may experience some or all of the above symptoms of drug withdrawal. The time it takes for the body to detoxify from a substance varies from person to person, depending on what he or she has become addicted to. This is why it is safer to detox under professional care and supervision in a proper healthcare facility. SIGNS OF EMOTIONAL ADDICTION TO ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS Emotional dependence to a substance can happen quite easily. The signs of being emotionally dependent can be split into two categories: obsessional symptoms and compulsive symptoms. Obsessional symptoms involve spending large amounts of time obsessing or thinking about the following: > Using substances > How to get more substances > Feeling remorse or guilt for past behaviours > Behaviour while under the influence > How to quit or cut down substance abuse > The next hit or getting high > Justifying why it s okay to use substances Compulsive symptoms relate to the way a person may try to commit to cutting down or stopping substance use, yet still continue to use their substance of choice. The following symptoms are indicators of significant emotional dependence: > Loss of recreational interests > Loss of friendships > Inability to manage symptoms of mental health problems without the substance > Reduced ability to function socially or at work > Priority given to substance use over family or work > Relationship difficulties or conflict > Anger or rage outbursts > Paranoid thinking > Low self-esteem 2 3
2.0 DO I ABUSE, OR AM I DEPENDENT UPON ALCOHOL OR OTHER DRUGS? If you are unsure about whether your use of substances is a problem, take a few moments to read the questions below and answer them as honestly as you can. These questions are adopted from Narcotics Anonymous. 4 9. Has your job or school performance ever suffered from the effects of your drug use? 10. Have you ever been arrested as a result of using substances? 11. Have you ever lied about what or how much you use? 12. Do you put the purchase of drugs ahead of your financial responsibilities? 13. Have you ever tried to stop or control your using? 14. Have you ever been in a jail, hospital, or drug rehabilitation centre because of your using? 15. Does using interfere with your sleeping or eating? 16. Does the thought of running out of substances terrify you? 17. Do you feel it is impossible for you to live without substances? 18. Do you ever question your own sanity? 19. Is your drug use making life at home unhappy? 20. Have you ever thought you couldn t fit in or have a good time without drugs? 21. Have you ever felt defensive, guilty or ashamed about your using? 22. Do you think a lot about drugs? 23. Have you had irrational or indefinable fears? 24. Has using affected your sexual relationships? 1. Do you ever use alone? 2. Have you ever substituted one drug for another, thinking that one particular substance was the problem? 3. Have you ever manipulated or lied to a doctor to obtain prescription drugs? 25. Have you ever taken drugs you didn t prefer? 4. Have you ever stolen substances or stolen to obtain substances? 5. Do you regularly use a substance when you wake up or when you go to bed? 26. Have you ever used substances because of emotional pain or stress? 27. Have you ever overdosed on any substances? 28. Do you continue to use despite negative consequences? 29. Do you think you might have a substance problem? 6. Have you ever taken on a substance to overcome the effects of another? 7. Do you avoid people or places that do not approve of using substances? 8. Have you ever used a substance without knowing what it was or what it would do to you? These questions when honestly approached, may help to show you how using drugs has made your life unmanageable. The actual number of Yes responses is not as important as how you felt inside and how addiction has affected your life. If you are an addict, you must first admit that you have a problem with drugs before any progress can be made towards recovery. 5
3.0 SOUTH COAST PRIVATE S APPROACH TO ADDICTION RECOVERY CORE PRINCIPLES Ending your drug dependency requires good support. A successful detoxification needs to combat the emotional and physical stresses of withdrawal and deal with the deeper issues that go with drug abuse. Our patients can take with them the recovery skills they learn during their time with us and use these skills their entire life to better their way of living. At South Coast Private, we base our treatment on several core principles: > Offering patients a safe and supportive environment to detoxify > Detoxification under the expert supervision of medical professionals > Recognise that a patient s addiction may go beyond drug use and may involve co-occurring mental health problems > Treat the whole person, taking into account their personal circumstances such as family, work, relationships, medical history and past issues > Fit treatment options around the patient s everyday routines. South Coast Private offers extended overnight inpatient stays and day and evening programs BENEFITS OF OUR TREATMENT PROGRAMS South Coast Private s Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment programs have been designed to help our patients to explore their issues around drugs and gain an understanding of why they feel the way they do. Our programs will help you to learn the following life skills as you begin your road to recovery: > Gain skills in managing thoughts, recognise and correct distortions in thinking and change debilitating personal beliefs > Gain skills in managing increased anxiety or distress > Pactice mindfulness: the selfawareness of thoughts, feelings and physical well being COMMON PROGRAM ELEMENTS The Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Programs run over a three week inpatient cycle after a period of detoxification (if required). Each patient is assessed by the multidisciplinary team so as to tailor an individual s intervention to their need. The three week inpatient program is predominantly group-based, but may also involve individual intervention from a psychologist, dietitian, exercise physiologist; alongside the medical management from our psychiatrists and general practitioners. The period of inpatient stay is then followed up with an eight week cycle of Day Programs, aimed to further the recovery achieved in hospital and manage problems if they arise in the community. > Improve relationships and communication skills 6 7
4.0 NEXT STEPS SUPPORT At South Coast Private, our number one priority is to provide patients with a safe and supportive environment for treatment. We take pride in providing the highest quality of patient care under the supervision of experienced medical professionals. Prior to being admitted to South Coast Private, you will need to obtain a referral from your doctor. You will then need to arrange your admission by contacting our admissions officer over the phone on 1800 250 000 or in person. You will need to provide us with your referral, your private health insurance details and completed booking forms. If you require further information on the types of addiction and methods of treatment, our experienced team will be happy to answer any questions you might have. 8
FOLLOW South Coast Private on FIND South Coast Private on Governors Ln Regent St Princes Hwy Denison St Railway Parade Rawson St Waters Pl 112 Burelli Street Wollongong NSW 2500 Free call: 1800 250 000 info@southcoastprivate.com southcoastprivate.com.au Crown Ln Wilson Parking Keira St rinces Hwy Princes Hwy Findlay Pl Gladstone Ave Wollongong Station Dean St Auburn St Station St Burelli St Atchison St Burelli St Kenny St Kings Parking Operations Burelli St Keira St Your care in our hands TRANSLATING AND INTERPRETING SERVICE Phone 131 450 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) SCP0001 REV0 AUG2014