The Delamere blog

Glamorised, demonised and often exaggerated, drug addiction is portrayed in many ways in the media but rarely is it accurate or helpful. Most representations of people who abuse drugs and alcohol are overly negative or so far-fetched they create a skewed image of what drug addiction is actually like. These inaccurate portrayals mean substance abusers…

Read More

It might be a term of endearment in Latin America, but “la flaca” means something entirely different in the international drug world. Spanish for ‘pretty, skinny girl who charms all she meets’, Flakka is a highly addictive designer drug known for its ability to make people go crazy. Horrific stories of Flakka addicts displaying bizarre behaviour including running through the streets naked, gaining superhuman strength and engaging in violent acts, have led to…

Read More

Abuse and misuse of prescription painkillers is a growing problem. In fact, it’s estimated up to 12% of people who take strong opioids misuse them and as many as 29% develop an addiction. Known by the brand names Roxicodone®, Oxynorm® and OxyContin®, oxycodone is an opioid usually prescribed for severe or chronic pain following an accident, surgery or for advanced cancer. As well as delivering effective pain-relief, it also provides a euphoric effect, which can put users at high risk of developing an oxycodone addiction.   Dependence…

Read More

With Black Friday sales surging to record-breaking numbers once again in the UK, it’s clear that the country’s obsession with shopping is as prevalent as it has ever been - and it’s not going away anytime soon. Whether we’re looking for the latest gadgets, the fanciest new food trends, a chic new outfit or a…

Read More

Many people aren’t aware their partner, friend or family member is drinking too much. Secret drinking is a warning sign that someone has a problem with alcohol when a social lubricant slips into a destructive habit. If you’re worried that you, or someone you know, is secretly drinking, there is help available. Residential clinics, like…

Read More

Codeine withdrawal symptoms - like withdrawal symptoms from most drugs - can be a pretty nasty experience. Withdrawal symptoms are the effects felt by a substance-dependent individual after a prolonged period without the substance in their system. It’s their body’s response to not getting what it needs to function as a result of the dependency…

Read More

We all have a different relationship with alcohol. For some, it’s a means of loosening up after a hard week’s work or celebrating big life events. For others, alcohol can become something much more destructive. Some people are more susceptible to becoming substance dependent than others and people can build a dependency on alcohol for…

Read More

Most of us are guilty of spending too much time on our mobile phones. In our ‘always-on’ society phones have become a lifeline for work, leisure and social activities. But when does a bit of harmless scrolling become a phone addiction? Google Trends report that 95% of android users pick up their phones every six minutes and are alerted every seven. Over the past…

Read More

Christmas time can be a daunting period in recovery. Especially if it’s your first. A time full of celebrations, parties and festive fun can offer various challenges for your recovery and can feel like a minefield of opportunities for relapse. Although you may feel like avoiding Christmas altogether, it’s important for you to socialise, spend…

Read More

What is Dry Drunk Syndrome? Dry Drunk Syndrome is described by members of Alcoholics Anonymous as “the presence of actions and attitudes that characterised the alcoholic prior to recovery”. A ‘dry drunk’ will typically start turning back to destructive habits and ignoring the positive mantras they have developed to aid their sobriety. Dry drunk syndrome is…

Read More