Alcohol & Drug Detox

At Abbeycare clinics we provide multiple detox options for alcohol and drugs. All detox programs can be customised with a tailored aftercare solution specific to your needs.

Cannabis

Cannabis (otherwise known as marijuana, weed, pot, dope or grass) is the most widely used illegal drug in the UK. Often perceived to be socially acceptable, a government study in 2014 showed that cannabis was used by 13.5% of adults between the ages of 16 and 59 in the previous 12 months.

Research shows that more than 10% of regular cannabis users become dependent on it and the risk becomes higher if you use it every day. Your body can develop a tolerance to cannabis which means you need to take more each day to achieve the desired effect.

Negative Side Effects of Cannabis

• You may feel faint or sick
• It can make you sleepy and lethargic
• It can affect your memory
• It can make you feel confused, anxious or paranoid
• You may experience hallucinations or panic attacks

Risks of Cannabis

• People who smoke cannabis are more likely to suffer from bronchitis.
• Cannabis smoke also contains cancer causing chemicals
• If you mix tobacco with cannabis you risk getting tobacco related lung diseases such as lung cancer, COPD.
• Regular cannabis use increases the risk of developing a psychotic illness such as schizophrenia
• Cannabis may affect your fertility and regularly smoking cannabis with tobacco increases the risk of your baby being born small or premature
• You are more likely to be injured in a road traffic accident as it interferes with your ability to drive safely. Drug driving, like drink driving, is illegal

CHEMSEX

Chemsex is a common term used by gay or bisexual men to imply they are about to participate in sexual activity while under the influence of stimulant drugs. Typically this can involve several participants.

It’s important to note that it is distinct from other drug use which later leads to sexual activity. Chemsex is where men take a certain drug or drugs because they are about to have sex.

Chemsex normally involves one or a combination of the following drugs:

Mephedrone (also known as m-cat or meow meow). This was previously a legal high but has now been categorised as a Class B drug. It acts similar to amphetamine in that it can make users feel euphoric and affectionate, but can also overstimulate your heart and nervous system causing lasting or potentially fatal damage.

GHB/GBL (also known as ‘G”). These Class C drugs can have a relaxing and anaesthetic effect which can reduce users inhibitions. However, they can be very dangerous when mixing with depressants including alcohol.

Methamphetamine (also known as Crystal Meth). This is a Class A Drug which makes users feel energised. This drug is particularly addictive but research has suggested that over time this can cause neurological damage.

Chemsex is particularly dangerous because you are putting a variety of substances into your body and this can increase or decrease your heartrate. The use of drugs, particularly at parties, can make unprotected sex more likely as drugs act as sexual disinhibitors. This significantly increases the risk of being diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection or blood borne virus such as HIV.

COCAINE

Chemsex is a common term used by gay or bisexual men to imply they are about to participate in sexual activity while under the influence of stimulant drugs. Typically this can involve After Cannabis, the next most commonly used drug in the UK was powder cocaine (otherwise known as Blow, Charlie, Dust, Flake, Sniff, Snow or White). 1.9 percent of adults between the age of 16 and 59 in 2014. Cocaine is a Class A illegal drug which means it is a drug that can cause the most harm to either the user or society when it is misused.

Despite its dangers, cocaine use among the UK population continues to increase. Some people use the drug in a misguided attempt to enhance performance or meet an end goal. Since it temporarily decreases the need for sleep, other people will misuse cocaine in order to stay awake or alert for long periods such as studying or completing strenuous tasks.

Negative Side Effects of Cannabis

• You may feel faint or sick
• It can make you sleepy and lethargic
• It can affect your memory
• It can make you feel confused, anxious or paranoid
• You may experience hallucinations or panic attacks

Risks of Cocaine Use

• People who use cocaine are increasing the risk of heart disease, hypertension, respiratory problems and infectious diseases
• People who misuse are more prone to heart, stomach and lung problems

CRACK COCAINE

Crack cocaine’s popularity is in part due to the appeal for drug users seek an inexpensive, ultra-potent, fast acting high. The effects are quick and generally wear off after five or ten minutes. When the effects wear off, the user can feel the need to smoke more crack to stop the negative side effects of agitation, paranoia, restlessness or irritability.

Because of all of the above, there is an increased risk of developing a tolerance, dependency or addiction.

Negative Side Effects of Crack Cocaine

• Nausea
• Odd behaviours
• Paranoia
• Anxiety and panic
• Hallucinations

Risks of Crack Abuse

• Risky Sexual Behaviours
• Violent Tendencies
• Cardiovascular issues that could include heart attack and stroke
• Cognitive decline
• Malnutrition due to sever weight loss
• Damage to lips, mouth and teeth
• Depression and anxiety
• Seizures

CRYSTAL METH

The crystal form of methamphetamine, sometimes called Crystal Meth or Ice is an extremely powerful and addictive substance. Like crack cocaine, it is smoked and gives the user an intense high followed by an extremely severe comedown. The high can last from anything between four and twelve hours when you are not in control.

Methamphetamine is a Class A drug so it is illegal to be in possession of it, whether it is for your own use or not. Possession of methamphetamine can result in a prison sentence of up to seven years.

Risks of Crystal Meth Abuse

• Severe Psychosis
• Potential brain damage
• Sexually transmitted infections due to lowered inhibitions
• Anxiety and panic
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure

ECSTASY

Ecstasy, also known by its chemical name MDMA is often seen as the original designer drug because of its links to the dance music culture in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. Night clubbers would often take ecstasy to feel energised and happy, to stay awake and dance for hours at a time. The effects would last for anything up to 6 hours followed by a gradual comedown.

Between 1996 and 2014, there were 670 deaths in England and Wales to which ecstasy use was recorded on the death certificate.

Negative Side Effects of Ecstasy

• Tightening of the jaw muscles
• Raised Body Temperature
• Increased Heart Rate
• Lethargy and Depression
• Dehydration

Risks of Ecstasy Use

• Long term users can suffer from memory problems, depression and anxiety
• The use of ecstasy has been linked to liver, kidney and heart problems
• Anyone with a pre-existing heart condition, blood pressure problems, epilepsy or asthma can have a very dangerous reaction

HEROIN

Heroin is a drug made from morphine which is extracted from the opium poppy. Historically, opium was used to treat pain, sleeplessness and diarrhoea. Heroin is used by tens of thousands of people in the UK each year and is highly addictive.

Heroin can be injected, smoked or sniffed. A small dose of heroin gives the user a feeling of warmth and wellbeing while bigger doses can make you sleepy and relaxed. The effects of heroin can last for a number of hours.

Negative Side Effects of Heroin

Slowed Breathing

Nausea and Vomiting

Drowsiness

Clouded mental functioning

Risks of Heroin Use

• Respiratory failure leading to coma or death
• Bad teeth and guns
• Muscular Weakness
• Constipation
• Loss of memory or intellectual performance
• Depression
• Menstrual disturbance (in women)
• Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or HIV (for those who inject)

HIPPY CRACK

Hippy Crack or Nitrous Oxide (also known as laughing gas) is one of the most recent drugs to be ruled as illegal under the Psychoactive Substances Act. The end of 2017 saw hundreds of people arrested and 50 dealers prosecuted, some of who were jailed.

Originally synthesised in 1772, it had been used for centuries as a pain killer by dentists and doctors, sometimes used during childbirth.

However, more recently, party and festival goers have become more interested in its euphoric effects. Nitrous Oxide canisters, from which gas is pumped into balloons before being inhaled, litter festival sites and town and city centre pavements all over the UK.

Negative Side Effects of Hippy Crack

• Dizziness
• Difficulty in thinking clearly
• Hallucinations
• Extreme headaches

Risks of Hippy Crack Use

• Nitrous oxide can cause dizziness or affect your judgement, which might make you act carelessly or dangerously and put you at risk of hurting yourself,
• Particularly in an unsafe environment.
• Unconsciousness or death from lack of oxygen. This occurs when the available oxygen for breathing is effectively pushed out by the nitrous oxide. The risk is greater if the gas is consumed in an enclosed space or if a plastic bag is used that covers both nose and mouth.

KETAMINE

Hippy Crack or Nitrous Oxide (also known as laughing gas) is one of the most recent drugs to be ruled as illegal under the Psychoactive Substances Act. The end of 2017 saw hundreds of people arrested and 50 dealers prosecuted, some of who were jailed.

Originally synthesised in 1772, it had been used for centuries as a pain killer by dentists and doctors, sometimes used during childbirth.

However, more recently, party and festival goers have become more interested in its euphoric effects. Nitrous Oxide canisters, from which gas is pumped into balloons before being inhaled, litter festival sites and town and city centre pavements all over the UK.

Negative Side Effects of Ketamine Use

• Self-injury can be caused without realising until the effects wear off
• Bladder problems
• Stomach cramps
• Temporary Paralysis
• Hallucinations
• Vein damage (if injected)
• Anxiety
• Depression

Long Term Risks of Ketamine Use

• Long Term Bladder and Urinary tract issues
• Incontinence
• Serious long term injury
• Memory Impairment
• Breathing Difficulties

LSD

LSD is a powerful hallucinogenic drug which means that users are likely to experience a distorted view of objects and reality, which could include seeing and hearing things that are not actually there (hallucinations). Time and Movement can either slow down or speed up and colours, sounds and objects can become distorted. This is often referred to as a “trip”.

A “bad Trip” can make you feel agitated and confused and can be affected by the mood you are already in.

LSD is sold on the street as tablets, capsules or gelatine squares. It is sometimes added to absorbent paper which is decorated with colourful designs or cartoon characters

Negative Side Effects of LSD

• Loss of appetite
• Sleeplessness
• Tremors
• Significant change in body temperature
• Significant change in blood pressure

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Prescription drug abuse and addiction is one of the most poorly recognised types of drug dependency. A prescription drug is any medicine that requires a doctor’s prescription before it can be obtained. Prescription drugs generally work by either suppressing or promoting chemical reactions in the brain.

Three different classes of prescriptions are most susceptible to abuse:

• Stimulants: most commonly prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• Opiates: most often prescribed to treat severe or chronic pain
• Tranquilizers / sedatives: frequently prescribed to treat anxiety disorders or sleep disorders

Drug-seeking behaviours are the primary warning signs of prescription drug abuse, regardless of the chemical make-up of the medication.
These behaviours include:

• Frequent requests for refills from physicians
• Losing prescriptions and requesting replacements regularly
• Crushing or breaking pills
• Stealing or borrowing prescription medications from family members, friends, or co-workers
• Consuming prescriptions much faster than indicated
• Visiting multiple doctors for similar conditions
• Inconsistent answers to questions about prescription usage
• Stealing or forging prescriptions
• Consumption of over-the-counter drugs for the same conditions that a doctor has prescribed other medication
• Ordering prescription medications over the internet

Prescription drug addiction can be very serious. Reducing the use of certain prescriptions can involve serious medical complications, including death.
Detoxification from prescription drugs should not be attempted at home.

SPICE

Spice (sometimes known as Black Mamba) is a brand name for synthetic cannabinoids – chemicals that are made to act like the active part of cannabis, a substance called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Synthetic cannabinoids are usually sold in ‘herbal’ smoking mixtures. Sometimes these smoking mixtures have been found not to contain any synthetic cannabinoids at all.

Spice is sometimes referred to as a legal high but selling it is actually illegal under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2015.

The chemicals used in Spice can make it extremely difficult for users to concentrate or coordinate their movements. In 2017 there was a sudden increase in Spice use with national news outlets reporting people walking the streets in a “zombie-like” state or simply falling onto their faces without realising.

Negative Side Effects of spice

• Increased heart rate and hypertension
• Vomiting
• Hallucinations
• Paranoia
• PanicAttacks
• Severe Anxiety

Risks of Spice Use

• Heart Damage
• Renal Damage
• Seizures