Drug Addiction & Substance Misuse Treatment

Castle Craig Hospital is a leading drug addiction clinic situated in 50 acres of private land, near Edinburgh. Our qualified and experienced team of doctors, nurses and therapists have helped over 7,000 patients on the road to recovery from their drug addictions. Medical care is available 24/7 and therapeutic consultation is personalised and always discreet.

The structured drug addiction treatment programme at Castle Craig offers:

• Assessment
• Detoxification
• Specialised Therapies
• Educational Therapy
• Psychiatric Care
• Optional Extended Care Programme

For information 24 hours a day on admissions and drug addiction treatment and help available at Castle Craig contact us on +44 (0)1721 722763, or email enquiries@castlecraig.co.uk

Drug Use

Drug addiction is a chronic brain disease which causes mental and physical harm to the user. People start to take drugs for a variety of reasons, such as the influence of peer groups and stress, but many will become dependent. As addiction becomes established there are changes in the brain. These neurochemical changes affect the person’s self-control and decision making processes. There is a strong impulse to continue taking the drug despite the harm that drug use is causing. Addiction to drugs can take hold quickly, with the user requiring increasing amounts or stronger substances to achieve the desired effect, often turning to crime to fund the habit.

Those addicted to drugs will usually be in a state of denial about their addiction and unwilling to give up taking drugs. They do not see that they are addicted and will blame those around them for the problems that have arisen from their drug abuse. Sadly, drug addiction not only affects the user, but also their family and friends.

If you are close to someone who is addicted to drugs you may feel ashamed and reluctant to ask for help, you may feel that you have to offer excuses to other people because of their behaviour and you are likely to be suffering from emotional strain.

Effects of Drugs
Most psychoactive drugs fall into a number of categories. All these drugs are addictive, induce dependence and have different effects on the human brain and body:

• Stimulants
• Depressants
• Opioids
• Hallucinogens
• Cannabis
• Others e.g. solvents

Stimulants act on the central nervous system and are associated with feelings of extreme well-being, increased mental and motor activity. Examples include cocaine, crack cocaine, amphetamines (speed) and ecstasy (which is also a hallucinogen).

Depressants are chemicals that slow down the central nervous system and suppress brain activity causing relief from anxiety. The most common depressant is alcohol and others include barbiturates and benzodiazepines (e.g. vallium, temazepam).

Opioid drugs provide pain relief, euphoria, sedation and in increasing doses induce coma. Examples include heroin, morphine, opium, methadone, dipapanone and pethidine.

Hallucinogens cause changes in a person's perception of reality. These include LSD, ecstasy and psilocybin (magic mushrooms).

Signs To Look Out For:
Family members or friends may notice changes in the appearance and behaviour of a drug addict:

• Has their behaviour or personality changed recently? Are they withdrawn, irritable, anxious, apathetic?
• Have their eating habits changed?
• Do they seem to be neglecting their hygiene and appearance?
• Have they lost interest in activities which they used to enjoy?
• Do they socialise with a different set of friends?
• Are they running into financial difficulties?
• Are they getting into trouble with the law?

Drug Abuse – The Mental and Physical Effects
Drug use can have a variety of serious, negative, short and long-term effects on the brain and body depending on the substance used. These are just a few potential risks of different drugs:

• Psychological and physical dependence
• Brain damage and memory loss
• Cardiovascular disease / heart failure
• HIV and hepatitis
• Mental health problems
• Sleeping problems
• Extreme weight loss

In the short term some drugs have an intense 'come down' throwing users into depression with feelings of anxiety and paranoia.

Drug Addiction Recovery
If you have decided to get help then you are already on your way to recovery. Many who are dependent on drugs will require treatment in a residential setting where there is access to 24-hour medical care, supervised detox and a daily routine of individual counselling and group therapy sessions.

You should consult with your G.P and visit Narcotics Anonymous online. This self-help group which steadily grows in membership is similar to Alcoholics Anonymous but has a focus on other drugs of addiction. Your local Narcotics Anonymous groups can offer immediate help and support to persons who are addicted.

For information 24 hours a day on admissions and drug addiction treatment and support available at Castle Craig contact us on +44 (0)1721 722763, or email enquiries@castlecraig.co.uk