WHAT WE TREAT
At Paracelsus Recovery, we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach to treating drug addictions. While we provide a medically-supervised detoxification period and help you find ways to overcome the withdrawal symptoms, our priority is to treat the root causes of your drug addiction using an approach rooted in pragmatism.
Due to the complex effects drugs have on the brain and the complications, such as anxiety and depression, that can occur during withdrawal it is essential to seek professional support at a residential drug treatment centre to successfully overcome a drug addiction. Through our combination of medical, psychological, and personal care, we are proud to be the only residential drug treatment centre in the world that addresses co-occurring conditions and every possible root cause of your suffering.
We become addicted to a drug when we are no longer able to control our use. Instead, we feel compelled to consume the substance, for fear of the sadness, anger, and physical sickness symptoms we believe we will feel without it. Those symptoms can be very real, such as in the case of withdrawal from opioids or nicotine, or they can be psychological; such as the panic that can set in when we are unable to find a ‘bag’ or get to ‘that party’.
There are an array of emotional, physical, and social root causes of drug dependency which span emotional, physical, and social factors. What underpins substance abuse is the search for dopamine hits that create certain patterns of thinking and feeling. When we are struggling with unprocessed traumas, self-esteem issues, undiagnosed mental health issues, anxieties, boredom, and on that list can go, it drains our brain of feel-good neurochemicals. We start to feel exhausted, unsatisfied, and craving ‘something’. Drugs then start to fill that ‘something’ hole.
If your substance abuse is negatively impacting your life and relationships, you could have an addiction and require treatment.
Symptoms of drug addiction include:
- Feeling a lack of control over your substance abuse.
- Ever-increase tolerance levels.
- Intense cravings for the substance, often to the point where you will use the drug despite its consequences on your relationships, career, and life.
- Withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, sleep disturbances, muscle aches, nausea, and mood changes.
- A growing sense that you are losing connection with who you really are.
Additional symptoms include:
What are the psychological symptoms of drug addiction?
- Intense cravings for the substance, even after short periods of abstinence.
- Irritability or mood swings, often accompanied by bursts of aggression.
- Anxiety or paranoia, sometimes escalating into delusions.
- Impaired judgement and difficulty making decisions.
- Restlessness or agitation that disrupts your ability to relax.
What are the physical symptoms of drug addiction?
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure, raising the risk of heart attack or stroke (depending on the substance).
- Physical symptoms like nausea, sweating, or trembling during withdrawal.
- Changes in appearance, such as weight loss, bloodshot eyes, or poor hygiene.
- Fatigue or exhaustion following substance use.
- Damage to specific areas of the body associated with the substance (e.g., nasal damage from snorting drugs).
What are the behavioural symptoms of drug addiction?
- Frequent and unexplained absences from work, school, or social commitments.
- Risky or impulsive behaviours, such as unprotected sex or driving under the influence.
- Financial difficulties from spending large sums on substances.
- Neglect of responsibilities, relationships, or personal well-being.
- Using drugs in secret or lying about substance use to others.
If these signs sound familiar, we can help guide you toward recovery.
understanding your dependencies
Types of drug addictions we treat
It’s not uncommon for individuals to develop dependencies on more than one substance. If anything, it’s more common.
We are fully equipped to manage even the most complex, multi-layered addictions. With a team of some of the most experienced specialists and pharmacologists, we can provide a safe, personalised programme designed to help you overcome each dependency you’re facing, at your own pace.
We understand unequivocally that pain is universal, but recovery has to be personal.
When we are addicted to cocaine, we often feel like a witness to our own lives. We watch as we go through the motions; feeling completely detached and as though we have no control over how we are moving through the world. However, it does not need to be this way. We can help you live a life free of this stimulant. Our personalised approach blends medical care, therapy, and holistic support, helping you heal deeply and sustainably.
Meth addiction brings with it serious risks that extend far beyond the immediate high. The longer someone uses meth, the more it can damage their physical health, including heart problems, cognitive decline, and severe emotional instability. The consequences can be life-threatening, affecting relationships, careers, and overall well-being. At Paracelsus Recovery, we focus on addressing these risks head-on.
Crack cocaine addiction is a dangerous cycle that quickly takes control of a person’s life. The intense, short-lived high is often followed by deep lows, leading to a constant need for more of the drug. Over time, this can cause severe physical and mental health issues, including heart problems, paranoia, and depression. Our comprehensive, personalised approach means that we can address both the immediate and long-term risks of crack addiction.
We understand how overpowering a heroin addiction can be. We also know how difficult, or even dangerous, it is to try and tackle that beast alone. There is no such thing as moderation when it comes to heroin addiction, and while going to a residential drug treatment centre for heroin addiction is never an easy decision, it is one of the most important acts of compassion you will ever make towards yourself.
Morphine addiction can quickly take control of your life, overshadowing everything else. Seeking professional help is an essential step towards healing; it’s not a sign of weakness but a courageous decision to prioritise your health.
At Paracelsus Recovery, we can help you overcome your fentanyl addiction, no matter how challenging that may feel. By adopting a uniquely holistic and pragmatic approach, our tailored treatment programmes are centred on providing a safe, expert-managed withdrawal from fentanyl, addressing your subsequent cravings, and helping you to live a life that does not require you to rely on such dangerous escapism in order to live it.
Through our combination of medical, psychological and personal care, we are proud to be the only clinic in the world that addresses co-occurring conditions and every possible root cause of GHB addiction. In so doing, we can help you recover in a matter of weeks rather than years or months.
Stimulant drugs like Adderall, Ritalin, and Concerta are prescribed to treat ADHD, enhancing focus and attention by increasing brain activity. However, when misused, they can lead to addiction, causing dependence, anxiety, and physical health issues. However, over time, misuse almost always leads to dependence. If you are there, we can help you break the cycle and live a stimulant-free life.
Prescription depressants, such as benzodiazepines (e.g., Xanax, Valium) and sleep medications, are commonly prescribed to manage anxiety, insomnia, and other conditions. However, misuse or prolonged use can lead to addiction, causing sedation, memory problems, and physical dependence. When mixed with other substances, depressants are often life-threatening.
We can help you break free from prescription depressant addiction.
Prescription opioids, like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine, are commonly prescribed for pain relief. However, misuse or dependency on these drugs can be deadly. Over time, they can cause respiratory depression, overdose, and even death. Opioids are also highly addictive, both physically and psychologically, making the cycle even harder to break. At Paracelsus Recovery, our medically supervised detox and personalised treatment plan can help you finally break free.
Cannabis addiction is similar to alcohol addiction insofar as while some people can smoke cannabis in moderation and never encounter an issue, this is not the case for everyone. And, for those of us who find ourselves struggling with a cannabis dependency, it can take an enormous toll, both psychologically and physically. Through our combination of medical, psychological and personal treatments, we can address each and every root cause of your cannabis addiction.
At Paracelsus Recovery, we can help you overcome a bath salts addiction, no matter how challenging that may feel. Our holistic and pragmatic treatment programmes are designed to support you through a safe detox from bath salts, address each underlying cause of the addiction, and restore your health.
Synthetic cannabinoids, often sold as “Spice” or “K2,” are lab-made substances designed to mimic the effects of marijuana. However, they are much more unpredictable and dangerous, causing severe psychological and physical reactions like anxiety, paranoia, and even heart problems. Our personalised treatment plan addresses synthetic cannabinoid addiction, combining medical care, therapy, and holistic approaches to help you regain control of your life.
We can help you overcome your kratom addiction. Our bespoke treatment programmes are designed to support you through a safe detox from kratom and address each underlying cause of the addiction. Because people become dependent on both the stimulant and opioid effects of the drug, holistic and comprehensive treatment methods like ours are essential to fully recover from a kratom addiction.
Ketamine is a powerful substance often used as an anaesthetic, but when misused, it can lead to addiction, causing confusion, memory loss, and physical harm. At Paracelsus Recovery, we understand the deep impact ketamine addiction can have on your life. Our approach is personal, compassionate, and holistic, combining expert medical care with therapy and support to help you heal, regain clarity, and move forward with a balanced, healthier life.
Nicotine is among the most addictive substances globally, altering the brain’s reward system and fostering a strong dependence that can be extremely challenging to overcome. Its hold on both the body and mind triggers intense cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and serious long-term health risks. At Paracelsus Recovery, we recognise the difficulties of nicotine addiction. Our approach integrates the latest medical advancements and therapeutic techniques to help you not only break free from dependency but also rewire your relationship with nicotine, liberating you from one of the most toxic influences in your life.
bespoke treatment
How we treat drug addiction
We can’t tell you exactly what your four-week stay will involve because every patient’s journey is unique. As part of your drug addiction rehab at Paracelsus Recovery, we believe in a personalised approach, and each client receives a bespoke treatment plan, with every day thoughtfully structured to incorporate a range of therapies designed specifically for you.
While our approach includes cutting-edge medical care and therapeutic modalities, we recognise that recovery is different for everyone. Therefore, our approach is pragmatic and we do not require total sobriety as the sole measure of success. Instead, we support you in making gradual, sustainable progress towards healthier coping mechanisms.
Our approach considers the whole person: mind, body and soul
We do not adopt a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to drug addiction. Instead, we tailor each programme to your unique needs. While our approach integrates cutting-edge modalities and holistic care, your personal challenges guide the path we take together.
Alongside a carefully managed withdrawal process, a core aspect of our treatment is intensive testing to uncover all underlying causes of your drug dependency. This information shapes a highly specific treatment programme designed to help you understand the root causes of your addiction and how to break free from it.
We don’t just address the causes of addiction but also the consequences, from neurological to physiological damage often caused by substance abuse. These are treated in parallel with the underlying factors driving your addiction. Our treatments typically involve intensive psychotherapy, biochemical restoration, and complementary therapies, all aimed at reducing stress and supporting your recovery.
15+ team members, all dedicated to your health and well-being
A dedicated team of over 15 professionals made up of world-renowned doctors, therapists and specialists will provide unparalleled care throughout your stay. The around-the-clock treatment they provide includes supervision of your medically safe withdrawal from drug(s) if deemed necessary. A live-in therapist will be a crucial member of your team who is there to provide you with emotional support 24/7. No matter the unique blend of treatments you receive, they will be delivered with the Swiss medical excellence we are known for.
Comprehensive programmes as unique as you are
While the exact treatments will vary, one constant amongst all of our programmes is the unwavering support of our team of experts. We can provide treatment for drug addiction and any co-occurring dependencies and mental health conditions at our residential drug treatment centre in Zurich.
FURTHER READING
