Expert help for drug addiction in Cheshire

Our Cheshire based team of highly qualified psychiatrists, therapists, nurses and other mental health professionals, possess unrivalled clinical experience in delivering bespoke private drug addiction rehabilitation, and are also able to offer medical intervention and prescribe medication to assist in the process, if this is required.

As well as our experienced consultants and therapists, patients at Altrincham also have access to our dedicated peer supporter network throughout their drug addiction treatment journey. Our peer supporters are ex-patients who have been through the Addiction Treatment Programme themselves, and are now in recovery. These individuals choose to return to the hospital and take part in current addiction therapy groups in order to offer empathy, hope, and inspiration to our current patients.

Drug addiction can take many forms, and people can become addicted to a broad variety of substances, ranging from legal prescription drugs, to illegal drugs such as cocaine, crack cocaine, ecstasy/MDMA and heroin. Prescription drug addiction usually develops as a result of individuals taking the drug for a genuine medical reason, whilst illegal drug abuse may develop as a result of curiosity or peer pressure.

Some of the drug addictions that we are able to treat at our specialist drug rehab clinic in Cheshire include:

• Prescription drug addiction - prescription drugs are usually prescribed by medical professionals as a means of providing short-term pain relief following an operation or an injury. However, as well as having painkilling properties, these drugs can also cause individuals to experience feelings of euphoria, pleasure and relaxation, which many people can find very addictive
• Cocaine addiction – cocaine is a dangerous illegal substance which is most commonly snorted in powder form, although it is also possible for it to be injected. Cocaine results in individuals experiencing intense euphoria, which can be highly addictive and as such, may induce people to take the drug over and over again until they develop a tolerance to this and a harmful addiction
• Crack cocaine addiction – also commonly referred to as simply ‘crack’, crack cocaine is the crystallised form of cocaine, which takes its name from the characteristic cracking noise that this substance makes when it is exposed to heat. Crack cocaine is usually smoked, and the onset of euphoria is much more rapid when compared to cocaine, although the effects of this drug typically peak quickly and subside after a few minutes
• Ecstasy addiction – ecstasy, which is also widely known as ‘MDMA’, is a potent stimulant drug. Ecstasy is usually swallowed in tablet form, but this substance can also be snorted as a powder, although this is less common. Ecstasy causes the brain to release the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, which are widely regarded as the brain’s ‘feel good chemicals’, due to the fact that they cause individuals to experience feelings of intense happiness, closeness and intimacy, and extreme euphoria and energy. These effects have resulted in ecstasy being common amongst club-goers, and as such, this drug has become widely regarded as being one of the most popular ‘club drugs’
• Heroin addiction – heroin is a dangerous and highly addictive opiate drug which is usually injected directly into a vein, although it can also be smoked or snorted. Heroin is derived from morphine, and as such, has extremely strong painkilling properties, along with causing users to experience euphoria and pleasure. These effects often mean that individuals want to take more and more of the drug, causing a tolerance and a harmful addiction to develop very quickly
• Cannabis addiction – cannabis, a substance which is taken from the cannabis plant, has become one of the most widely misused drugs in the UK. Cannabis is usually smoked, although it is becoming progressively more common for this drug to be cooked in various foods, or even brewed into tea. Cannabis is known to cause users to relaxed and peaceful – effects which can be highly addictive to some people, and cause them to want to consume cannabis over and over again
• New psychoactive and illicit substance (legal high) addiction – new psychoactive substances, which are also widely referred to as ‘legal highs’, are psychoactive substances that are made up of a whole host of unknown chemicals that haven’t undergone the necessary testing to understand the effects that they can have on the human body and brain. Illicit substances are substances that are relatively easy to obtain and can cause psychoactive effects when they are abused e.g. sniffing glue and solvents. New psychoactive and illicit substances are usually designed to mimic the effects of illegal drugs and can cause addiction, serious impairment and fatality. One of the most commonly abused new psychoactive and illicit substances is a drug known as spice
• Ketamine addiction – ketamine, also known as ‘ket’, is a powerful anaesthetic and hallucinogenic drug which was initially designed to be used in hospitals or veterinary surgeries in order to provide pain relief during human and animal operations. Ket can come as a white, grainy powder which can be swallowed or snorted, or it can also come as a liquid which is usually injected
• Amphetamine addiction – also widely referred to as ‘speed’, amphetamine is a stimulant drug that typically comes as a powder and looks like small crystals. Amphetamine causes individuals to experience extreme energy, euphoria and confidence, and can be ingested via a whole host of different methods, including smoking, snorting, injecting it directly into a vein, or dabbing it onto the gums

As well as consuming drugs on a regular and ongoing basis, the following are all common signs and symptoms that you, or someone that you know, may be struggling with a dangerous drug addiction:

• Finding that you need to take more of the drug(s) in order to experience the desired effects, due to developing a tolerance to the substance
• Experiencing withdrawal effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or excessive sweating, if you haven’t taken the drug(s) for a certain amount of time
• Taking the drug(s) for stress relief
• Ensuring that you have a constant supply of the drug(s)
• Focusing more and more time on obtaining and using the drug(s)
• Spending lots of money on the drug(s), even if you can’t afford this
• Driving or engaging in other risky behaviours when under the influence of the drug(s)
• Lying to loved ones about your drug use
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Increased anger and irritability
• Sleep problems, including insomnia
• Social withdrawal

Read more about the signs and symptoms of drug addiction.

You don’t have to struggle with drug addiction; call our drug addiction treatment clinic today on 0800 840 3219, send us an email or arrange your free drug addiction assessment.