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Date Published: 21/06/2024

Dealing with alcohol rehabilitation and addiction when living in Spain

Rehab – full name, rehabilitation – is a process in which an individual learns to overcome, manage, and treat their addiction while in a safe and monitored environment.

Rehabilitation is always suggested for individuals who are struggling with addiction - the dependence on a substance or activity to alleviate and/or manage different factors in the individual's life.

This is because rehabilitation will help an individual to learn to live with their addiction; addiction can never be truly treated or cured, meaning that, instead, individuals must learn to cope with their addiction in the long-term through various treatments, therapies, and interventions.

When an individual is living in a different country i.e., different from their home country, then the process of choosing, entering, and committing to a rehabilitation programme can be even more daunting (and sometimes stressful) for those involved.

However, this does not need to be the case; the care available is much the same, regardless of where in the world an individual chooses to enter care.

Drug and alcohol statistics in Spain

Research has found that over 55% of individuals in Spain have consumed alcohol in their lifetime, and over 12% have consumed cannabis at least once, with the study concluding that Spain has a high rate of alcohol and drug consumption (1).

Though consumption does not directly correlate to addiction, the more people that are consuming these drugs on a regular basis, the more likely it is that some will develop addictions.

Most individuals in the same study (over 80%) also concluded that regular consumption was a health risk, showing that there is still general concern for those who consume large quantities of substances on a regular basis.

Although, again, these statistics do not directly correlate to addiction statistics, it still shows the general consensus of those in Spain, their drug use, and attitude toward drug use.

Addiction is a non-discriminatory disease, meaning that it can affect individuals from all different backgrounds, highlighting the need for support in a variety of locations and environments.

Why recover from addiction in Spain?

Even if an individual was not born in Spain or is a Spanish resident, there are still many reasons why someone may choose to attend rehabilitation in Spain rather than their home country.

The following points cover some of the most common reasons why this may be the case:

Immigration: Individuals who migrate to other countries (sometimes called expats) may require addiction treatment and/or rehabilitation while in Spain, even if it is not the country that they have lived in for a long period of time.
Removing distractions: In some serious cases of addiction, an individual may need to completely remove themselves from the situation in which their addiction is developed, sometimes meaning moving to an entirely new country or just attending rehabilitation in their chosen country.
Privacy/high-profile: Similarly, individuals who require or demand privacy during rehabilitation may also often choose to attend care in a country different from that in which they are known. By attending rehabilitation away from the country in which they normally reside, these individuals have a lower risk of being seen i.e., by paparazzi etc., as well as getting access to the care they need.

The following subheadings outline some of the key features that an individual may experience in rehabilitation, anywhere in the world, but also specifically in some residential rehab centres in Spain, too.

1. Luxury accommodation

In most residential rehab centres, individuals will have the option to reside in private, modern, and luxury suites.

Although these accommodation options may be more costly than shared rooms, for example, it can be beneficial for some individuals to keep their personal space intact, maintain privacy, and have their own space to relax and unwind in between rehab programmes, for example.

Depending on the centre, these rooms may have ensuites, their own rehabilitation facilities e.g., space for yoga etc., and many other features common in luxury accommodation.

In most cases, these rooms will also have care available 24/7 and support of all kinds available at the push of a button, though this is common across all residential accommodation options.

2. Holistic approach

Through some residential rehab centres in Spain, an individual may be more likely to come across more alternative treatments. This includes holistic treatments – those that are outside the traditional scope of therapies etc.

Below are some examples of common holistic treatments offered in some residential rehab centres in Spain (as well as elsewhere in the UK):

Yoga
Art therapy
Music therapy
Equine therapy
Aquatic therapy
Meditation

Though not all of these forms of holistic treatment may be available in all centres (as many require specialised and dedicated spaces), these types of treatment can be especially effective when an individual is not reacting well to traditional treatment styles.

Some countries may be more or less receptive to this style of rehabilitation, often depending on that country's overruling beliefs and morals.

For example, Thailand's rehabilitation system heavily relies on holistic treatments within their centres, citing that the mind, body, and spirit must all come together to overcome addiction, often referring individuals to programmes such as yoga and meditation (2).

3. Family engagement

In many rehabilitation programmes, individuals are encouraged to connect and recover with those around them, as addiction is known to have a serious impact on many individuals associated with those struggling with addiction, especially close friends and family.

Based on this theory, many centres offer family therapy or family drug support, helping those around the individual struggling with addiction to voice their own concerns, struggles, and the way in which their loved one's addiction has impacted them.

When overcoming addiction, as well as the many issues that are associated with it, many individuals often cite that those around them can be some of the most supporting and contributing factors to their overall recovery.

This is also true in similar cases. For example, one study found that those who had been incarcerated previously stated that family interaction was one of the most motivating factors when it came to re-entering society and not reoffending (3), suggesting that this could also be true for rehabilitation.

4. Aftercare support

After leaving rehab, individuals are never left by themselves to deal with the aftermath of rehabilitation. Although they will be equipped with techniques and coping mechanisms, it can still be a shock to the system when residential care ends and an individual must return to their daily lives.

This is why most residential centres offer aftercare systems – often including the continuation of various treatment programmes and therapies long into the future to support the individual's ongoing progress and recovery.

This can be engaged in as little or as often as the individual feels is necessary, with the added support of an aftercare support officer or addiction support officer to monitor their ongoing progress and advise if the individual must re-enter residential care or a different form of treatment.

4. International setting

Sometimes, just being in a different country can provide the individual with the motivation and right attitude toward recovery, often supported by the professionalism, friendliness, and level of care that an individual will receive by being from a different country.

Often residential rehab centres in Spain, for example, may be especially mindful of individuals who are in their care but have come from overseas, as they will understand the difficulties of this decision.

Combined with the struggles of overcoming addiction in general, it is more than understandable that these individuals may struggle and therefore may require additional support, care, and advice.

5. Embracing diversity

Building on the point above, rehabilitation centres, like addiction itself, are non-discriminatory, meaning that individuals will be recovering alongside individuals from all different backgrounds, areas of the world, and walks of life.

Not only does this improve a number of other factors, but this can also be extremely beneficial for individuals recovering within residential centres.

For example, all these different backgrounds and experiences can lead an individual to learn more and more about their own addiction, building on principles they have already understood, but improving their experience in general.

While in a different country, however, it is vital that individuals also respect the traditions, customs, and ways of the country that they are choosing to rehabilitate in.

Although Spain may not appear to be overly different from the UK, for example, there are many concepts that an individual should research and understand, instead of 'going in blind'.

Alcohol rehab Spain

During alcohol rehab in Spain, an individual will usually be subject to a far more complex detoxification process than other substances.

Though this is not always the case, alcohol is a physically addictive substance (like heroin), meaning that, when withdrawing from the substance, it can have serious health risks – many of which can be life-threatening if not correctly and suitably managed.

Additional substances, such as Librium, may be administered in order to reduce the harmful physical effects that an alcohol withdrawal can have on the body, but this will always be discussed with the individual before anything is administered.

Drug rehab Spain

For drugs other than alcohol, the process will always be different during rehabilitation, but this is not to say that the two forms of rehabilitation do not overlap.

For example, all individuals entering rehabilitation will be encouraged to undertake a detox session, though this will often vary in length, complexity, and severity depending on the substance the individual is withdrawing from as well as the individual themselves.

Cannabis, for example, is not a physically addictive substance, but can have serious mental health impacts if the individual does not withdraw safely from the substance.

This, among all other unique effects of drug consumption, are considered heavily during the different forms of rehabilitation, as well as the location, timeframe, and situation in which rehabilitation occurs.

How to recognise the signs of Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

Addiction is presented differently within each individual. This is due to individual differences, the type of substance the individual is consuming, and the regularity and history of this.

This means that detecting an addiction in yourself or someone you know can be extremely difficult, as it may not always be concurrent with research or experiences that have been displayed to the individual beforehand.

This is why it is always suitable to speak to a medical professional about the issues faced by the individual, as well as the effects that they are experiencing.

Where one individual may begin to withdraw from activities that they may have previously engaged in with enthusiasm, others may begin to overcompensate for how they are being affected by their addiction, sometimes becoming overly engaging in activities or trying overly hard to pretend everything is as normal.

Helping a loved one enter treatment in Spain

If you know someone that may be struggling with addiction but is unsure about how best to begin their care, then it is only natural to feel as though you must help them.

This may not always be suitable, however, due to the ways in which an individual can present their addiction or the ways in which they are affected by it.

Some individuals, for example, may be in denial about their situation, sometimes denying help and support from those closest to them out of embarrassment or shame.

In these cases, it may be suitable to set up an intervention, though this should always be advised and/or attended by a medical professional to offer solutions to any issues that are brought up during these sessions.

Treating a dual diagnosis at a drug and alcohol rehab in Spain

As a final note, it is important to note that individuals should seek rehabilitation programmes that have a dual diagnosis approach.

This refers to the treatment of multiple mental health issues – not just the addiction itself. Often, individuals struggling with addiction are also struggling with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, as well as other disorders such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

By treating both of these mental health issues, an individual will feel as though their treatment was more comprehensive, and the likelihood of relapse is reduced.

Without this approach, individuals may be left with unsolved issues, ongoing mental health concerns, and a greater risk to their future health and wellbeing.

Looking for more information?

To learn more about specific addiction treatments, programmes, and general advice, individuals should research the options close to them, what they can access, and the support which they may receive while undergoing these various rehabilitation routes.

Often, individuals can find information concerning drug and alcohol rehabilitation through their local councils, but support is also available through private referral systems, and the individual’s medical centre, for example.

Addiction is a serious disorder that can quickly worsen if not treated as soon as possible, meaning that it is vital that individuals seek care, even if they believe their issues to be too trivial, or even too serious for others to assist with effectively and in a non-judgemental manner.

This is never the case through dedicated rehabilitation services, as all staff in professional rehabilitation settings are trained to deal with these situations in the most helpful and efficient manner possible, meaning that individuals should never be afraid to seek help, even if it is a daunting task at the start.

Sources

[1] National Library of Medicine; Drug and alcohol use in Spain: consumption habits, attitudes and opinions; September 1997; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9308374/#:~:text=Alcohol%20had%20the%20highest%20lifetime,of%20alcohol%20and%20drug%20use.

[2] Dupuis, W., 2015. Holistic Healing.

[3] Mowen, T.J. and Visher, C.A., 2015. Drug use and crime after incarceration: The role of family support and family conflict. Justice Quarterly, 32(2), pp.337-359.