Understanding Drug Addiction
Drug addiction is a serious problem that can have wide-ranging and devastating effects on your health, relationships, finances and emotional wellbeing. Recognising the signs can be difficult, and for many individuals, being vulnerable or feeling out of control prevents them from seeking help.
Common Signs include:
- Increased Drug Use – An increase in the frequency and amount used to achieve the same ‘high’. Substance abuse leads to tolerance over time.
- Isolation – People with drug addiction often become isolated from their family and friends as they focus more on drug taking. You may also find yourself avoiding social situations and activities that used to be enjoyable.
- Changes in Appearance – People with drug addiction often neglect themselves which can lead to physical changes such as weight loss or gain, or changes to skin appearance.
- Financial Problems – Drug addiction can have a huge impact on finances, as you find yourself spiralling into debt due to increased drug usage to help cope with life.
- Risky Behaviour – Compulsions from drug misuse may have desensitised you to the risks and responsibilities of life. You or someone you love may be engaging in behaviours including drug driving, or attending work under the influence of substances.
- Denial – Although not always the case, many with a substance abuse issue will lie or downplay how often they are taking drugs, often resorting to being defensive when questioned.
If you are unsure as to whether you need to seek help, our trained substance abuse counsellors provide a free assessment to help you decide.
Making the First Step
Drug rehabilitation is the medical and therapeutic treatment process that helps individuals overcome substance abuse. The first step towards recovering from drug addiction is accepting that a problem exists. This is the hardest part for many people because they are fearful of how others will perceive them. In reality, addiction is an illness like any other, and seeking treatment is a brave first step.
Drug Addiction Treatment
In a Safe & Caring Environment
At Providence Projects, we offer comprehensive treatment at our rehabilitation centre in Bournemouth. Our programme includes everything you need to overcome your addiction to drugs, and while you may feel like there is no way out from the cycle of abuse, we know from first hand experience that recovering from drug addiction is possible, no matter how dire things may feel right now.
I GOT HELP
Dave's Drug Addiction Recovery Story
Dave discusses the effects that his drug addiction and relapses had on him and his family.
He has now been sober for over 2 years following his treatment at the Providence Projects.
Free Assessment
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We provide a free and immediate assessment for those seeking drug addiction treatment. These assessments take no longer than 40 minutes, and are carried out either over the telephone or face-to-face. It is an opportunity for us to assess an individual’s suitability for treatment, but also for potential clients to see if we are the right fit for them.
- Current and previous drug use
- Previous drug detox/rehab attempts
- Medical history
- Family history
- Physical health
- Mental health
- Goals you would like to achieve
These consultations are completely free of charge, and our dedicated team will answer any questions you may have about rehab, hopefully alleviating any fears too.
The assessment process can be arranged immediately, and will cover a range of topics such as:
Treatment Stages
There are 4 stages of treatment at Providence Projects; induction, detox, therapy & aftercare.
Induction
On the day of admission at Providence Projects, you will complete a full assessment and induction with one of our specialist addiction counsellors. They will help you settle in, explain how the rehab programme works and run through any paperwork with you. The final stage of the assessment and induction process will involve a consultation with one of the GPs from our partners at The Providence Surgery.
Seventeen years ago staff and peers at The Providence Project walked with me through the first six months of my sobriety. I have nothing but gratitude for the honesty, kindness, and patience shown to me during that time.
Si Mack
April 14th
Detox
Before detox can begin, you or a loved one will run through a general health check with particular focus on drug use so that any potential detox regimes can be agreed.
Each and every person is unique, so depending on the nature of drug use and the type of substance you are struggling with, withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to severe. Our priority is to ensure that you or a loved one remain safe and comfortable throughout the detox phase.
Upon completion of detox, primary treatment involves therapy designed to break the cycle of addiction.
Primary Treatment
The next phase of your drug addiction recovery involves therapy which will be provided by our team of experienced counsellors here at Providence Projects.
Primary Treatment Includes
- A Comprehensive treatment plan using the latest evidence-based therapies including CBT, DBT & motivational interviewing and 12 steps.
- Therapy for family and loved ones
- A host of holistic treatments and exercise classes
- Relapse prevention therapy
- Workshops building interpersonal skills and strong support networks.
Workshops cover a range of topics such as:
- Relationships
- Self-esteem
- Stress management
- Anger
- Families and significant others
- Confidence
- Assertiveness
- Health & wellbeing
- Boundaries
Secondary Treatment
Some people wish to remain in treatment for longer than the initial 28 day programme. Depending on your requirements, you may look to move on to secondary treatment with us. For some, this may not be an option due to other commitments but for others this is an essential part of strengthening the foundation made in the primary treatment programme.
During this second stage of treatment, you will continue to engage in the therapy programme and explore the issues identified during primary treatment in greater depth.
As well as resolving these issues, which many clients may have experienced for many, many years, there will also be an on-going focus on relapse prevention. The rolling relapse prevention programme explores triggers to relapse, coping mechanisms, high risk situations, thinking errors, drink and drug refusal and much more.
There is also a focus on reintegration and most clients will look to visit home during the secondary treatment phase. Secondary treatment is designed to soften the reintegration phase and ensure the smooth transition back to normal life.
View costs for drug addiction treatment at Providence Projects
Life After Rehab
It is a huge achievement to successfully complete drug rehab. You will be equipped with a toolbox full of coping mechanisms to help you avoid relapse and maintain your recovery.
You should be incredibly proud of the steps you have taken to overcome drug addiction, and it’s important to remember that recovery is a lifelong process. It requires sustained effort, discipline and honesty to remain clean and sober, and there will undoubtedly be challenges and obstacles ahead.
Life after treatment can provoke fear and anxiety in individuals, as they adjust to life without the safety, structure and routine of a structured rehab programme. That’s why our team of addiction counsellors work with every client to develop a strong recovery plan prior to them leaving, as well as offering a variety of bespoke aftercare provisions to suit their needs.
Our aftercare services are there to provide additional support during the early stages of drug addiction recovery:
- Ongoing therapy & support
- Sober coaching and recovery services
Support for Loved Ones During Treatment

Drug addiction is a family issue and the healing process in many ways, depends on the family unit coming together. Addiction can damage relationships at home and cause distrust, which can often leave family members feeling angry and hurt.
We place a lot of emphasis on the family unit, and long-term recovery requires collaboration, honesty and trust. Throughout the treatment process, we remain in close contact with loved ones and invite them to our family day events. It is important for families to heal from the pain of addiction, but it’s also vitally important that consistent boundaries are put in place post-rehab.
This service is available to everyone throughout the UK. If distance is an issue we can arrange online family support workshops with our therapists.

NHS Support Services
Contrary to popular belief, the NHS does not provide residential drug addiction treatment. However, the NHS does provide local outpatient services.
For more information around funding or free support services, please click on one of the below links.
GOV.UK – Funding for Drug Treatment
Public Health England – www.gov.uk
Narcotics Anonymous – https://ukna.org/
NHS Drug Support – https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/addiction-support/drug-addiction-getting-help/