Menu
Drug
Addiction
Drug addiction and
drug rehab explained
There are many kinds of legal and illegal drugs which can be highly addictive and unfortunately drug use and drug addiction is on the rise. According to the 2023 World Drug Report, there has been a 23% increase in drug use over the last 10 years and in 2021 there were 296 million people worldwide using drugs. Of those, there were 39.5 million people diagnosed with drug use disorders in 2021, an increase of 45% over the last 10 years. Sadly, of those people who were deemed to be addicted to drugs, only 1 in 5 were in treatment.
It is vital to ensure that more people with drug addiction get the help and treatment they need. Sadly, drug addiction ruins lives and robs many young people of a bright future, as well as often leading to loss of life through overdose. Treatment for drug addiction is highly effective and gives the addicts and their families a second chance. Our luxury drug rehab in Marbella offers bespoke and holistic drug addiction treatment programmes and we have a very high success rate for long-term rehabilitation and recovery. If you, or a loved one is struggling with drug addiction, please contact us and find out how we can help.
Young People
and drugs
The World Drug Report made particular note of how vulnerable young people are using drugs. We all know that this is a difficult time to resist peer pressure and drugs are often closely linked to having fun or hanging out with friends. Drug use starts at a surprisingly young age, with those aged between 15 and 16 having an annual prevalence of cannabis use of 5.34 per cent, compared with 4.3 per cent for adults.
Drug use is also particularly harmful to young people. As adolescent brains are still developing, they are more prone to experiencing acute effects of drugs and they are more vulnerable to developing addictions. Young people with drug use disorders tend to struggle at school, experience mental and physical health problems and have difficulty with forming and maintaining relationships. Sadly, their addictions will often lead to crime and time in prison, which will then limit their options for the future.
We see too many people in our luxury drug rehab, whose problems with drugs started out at a very young age and escalated, ruining their lives. We also hear too many stories of young people developing mental health problems due to drug use, which leads them to take their own lives, or die through overdose. These very sad stories make us more determined than ever to offer highly effective drug addiction treatment and spread the word that there is a way out of drug addiction.
We would encourage any parent or care giver who suspects a young person has a drug addiction to try to help them get help as soon as possible. You could book them an appointment with their GP to discuss the problem and get a referral, contact Narcotics Anonymous, or reach out to a drug rehab facility like ours. Whichever route you choose, the important thing is to get them help, before the problem gets too severe and their options for a successful life are limited.
Mental Health
and drugs
The report made special note between the link between drug use disorders and other mental health conditions. These are interconnected and contribute to each other. Mental health conditions increase the risk of developing drug use disorders, and drugs pose the risk of exacerbating mental health problems if taken outside medical supervision.
Most drugs lead to anxiety and paranoia, and in many cases depression. With children and teens also more at risk of dying by suicide, as well as using more drugs and being more vulnerable to addiction, we must take this connection very seriously and get our young people help as a matter of urgency. Sadly, suicide is the second leading cause of death for children and young people from 15 to 24.
It’s key that our young people don’t confuse the loosening of legislation on certain types of drugs, with the feeling that they are not dangerous or addictive. Self-medicating for mental health problems with illegal drugs, will usually exacerbate the problem and can lead to fatal consequences.
We’ve seen excellent results with clients who have come to us with addiction and mental health problems. The therapy and treatment we provide for the addiction, will also help with addressing the underlying mental health conditions, which may well have contributed to the addiction in the first place. Once the client is clean and sober, their anxiety or depression can immediately decrease, as it is not being triggered by the substance itself. They can also think more clearly and we can then help them to address their fears and emotions through group and one to one therapy sessions and counselling. Confronting trauma, grief, pain and all those difficult emotions, alongside a trained professional is liberating and empowering. Through the therapy process, the client can deal with these issues and feelings and be equipped with the tools for dealing with those emotions or difficulties should they occur again, without turning to drugs.
Addictions to
prescription drugs
A more surprising, but no less common route to drug addiction can be an accident, injury or insomnia. People go to their doctor for diagnosis and treatment and are often given pain killers or sleeping tablets for a short period of time. Unfortunately, these are highly addictive and even when the injury has healed, and the pain has subsided, the need for the drug remains.
Doctors are now more careful with prescribing these addictive medications, but none the less, addiction to prescription drugs is common. Once the doctor stops prescribing the medicine, the addict will be desperate to replace it and often they will turn to illegal drugs. However, it’s important to know that there is lots of help out there for addiction to drugs, whether they are legal or illegal. There is no shame in asking for help and your addiction is no reflection on you as a person. This is an illness and requires treatment, the same as other illnesses and conditions, so please reach out and ask for help if you, or a loved one needs it.
Drug addiction
treatment options
A good place to start if you need help for drug addiction is by visiting your GP and admitting you have a problem. They will assess the extent of your addiction and have the ability to refer you to other medical professionals such as therapists and in some cases prescribe medicines to help you to come off drugs.
If you don’t feel comfortable with speaking to your GP, then don’t worry. There are Narcotics Anonymous groups operating all over the world, running regular meetings for people who are addicted to alcohol. They follow the 12-Step programme which has been proven to be a highly effective recovery method for people addicted to alcohol and drugs, but offer specific support and guidance and a strong recovery community who understands what you’re going through.
In the case that your drug use is out of control and your behaviour and habits are dangerous to yourself and others, or that you cannot stop taking drugs when you’re at home, or in your community, residential drug rehab is an excellent option. Many drug users are at extreme risk of overdose, and need a safe place to come off drugs in a supervised setting, where there is no access to drugs and no temptations to cause their recovery to fail. Residential drug rehabilitation centres are designed to provide the optimal setting for recovery and intense drug addiction treatment programmes to improve the odds of success.
Our luxury drug rehab in Marbella offers highly effective drug addiction treatment programmes in comfort, with total discretion. We only take up to five people at one time, so that we can offer personalized and holistic treatment and an intense programme of therapy, counselling and activities to build up your strength in body and mind.
If you aren’t able to stay away from home, we also have dayhab options, and online addiction treatment programmes, to make it easier to receive the treatment you need around your other commitments. When you contact us, we can discuss your needs and the extent and severity of your addiction and advise on the best option for you. The most important thing is to seek help and commit to making lasting change and break the destructive cycle of drug addiction.
There is hope of living a better life, without drugs dragging you down and limiting your potential. The results of our highly effective programmes are really exceptional.
How we’ve helped others
and how we can help you too
“We sent our son to The Bridge for his out of control drinking and drug taking. Aside from this, his anti-social behaviour was spiralling. He was manipulative, controlling, had no drive.
We absolutely know he wouldn’t have received the same level of care anywhere else, but as parents we were anxious about sending our child away and The Bridge held our hands every step of the way.
They kept us in the loop throughout our son’s extensive stay, and without giving details of his treatment, we were informed how he was doing, and how we could best support him.
The best advice they gave was for us to seek help for ourselves. Addiction really is a family issue, and there was no point in our son changing if we were going to remain the same.
Our son is now back with us after 4 months at The Bridge and he is absolutely thriving.
Thank you so much!!”
16-year-old JC came to us for treatment for addiction to cocaine and alcohol after being suspended from school. His school threatened him with expulsion if he didn’t get treatment, and he stayed in our residential rehab for 10 weeks. As you can see, the time he spent here was very positive and he’s returning to school with a very different outlook and we hope that the treatment he’s received at this early age will set him up for success and for a happy life ahead.
“Thank you very much to the team at The Bridge.
After my time here I feel much better physically and mentally. More healthy, more focused and with a much more positive view of life.”
This 24-year-old client took the brave decision to give rehab a try and after a three month stay, she is ready to start a new life, leaving addiction behind.
“My time at The Bridge has changed my life. I have learnt so much and I am so grateful to everyone here for the support and kindness I’ve been shown. I never could have imagined how much my stay has helped me.
I’m so glad to have found such a wonderful place to start my recovery. I will carry with me what I’ve learnt here for the rest of my life. The Bridge saved my life and I am eternally grateful.”
Please contact us to start your recovery today.
