12 Minutes

Edited & clinically reviewed by THE BALANCE Team
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Drug and alcohol abuse has progressively increased in the last couple of decades, and addiction is wreaking havoc on individuals and families in the UK. Luckily, there are numerous programs in place to assist people in entering rehab in the UK. Some people feel that addiction just affects the person, but the truth is that substance abuse can have a wide range of negative consequences for families, friends, and society. Addiction harms everyone in the UK, from family members to hospital staff.

You can discover effective and economical drug rehab in the UK that is either government or commercially supported. In the UK, the National Health Service (NHS) provides a variety of treatments to aid in the treatment of addiction. Those who require more intensive treatment may benefit from a private residential rehab.

The Centre for Social Justice declared in 2013 that the UK was the “addiction capital of Europe” due to its high rate of addiction. This encompasses the use of legal substances, such as alcohol, as well as Class A narcotics including meth, heroin, cocaine, and hallucinogens. Each year, the UK spends £36 billion on treatment for alcohol and drug addiction. The UK has the greatest rate of Opioid addiction and the worst lifetime usage of Ecstasy, Cocaine, and Amphetamines in Europe at the time of releasing its study, titled No Quick Fix.

The National Health Service (NHS) is a government-funded healthcare and medical system. It is an administrative body that covers the majority of publicly financed services and health institutions in the UK, albeit the services available differ by region. All legal residents of the UK who require substance misuse treatment are eligible for NHS services.

If you want to get help for an alcohol or drug addiction through the NHS, you should first consult a general practitioner (GP) who can outline your options. The GP may provide therapy at their office or send you to a local addiction service after an evaluation. There are charity and commercial alcohol and drug organizations in the UK that can assist you to get into rehab and pay for some of the costs.

When you go for your initial drug addiction treatment visit, you will be asked a few questions about your drug abuse, job, relatives, and living conditions. A caseworker will be allocated to you and will be there to help you during your treatment. Your choice of addiction treatment will be determined by your situation and the drug being misused. Your caseworker can assist you in selecting the best plan for you.

The following are some of the local addiction services:

Talk therapy: This treatment requires you to communicate with a psychologist or counselor. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one form of talk therapy that can help you understand how your ideas and feelings affect your behavior.

Medication-assisted treatment: Those who are addicted to opioids like oxycodone or heroin and are experiencing withdrawal symptoms may be prescribed a replacement medicine like methadone. Medication-assisted therapies can help you enter addiction treatment without suffering from severe symptoms of withdrawal or purchasing illicit drugs that could lead to overdosing.

Detoxification: Detoxification, often known as detox, is a treatment that aids in the total cessation of opioid addiction. The goal of detox is to rid your body of all opioids while also assisting you in coping with withdrawal symptoms.

Local support groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous, may be recommended by your keyworker. You can meet other people who are going through similar things in these communities.

Staff at local drug treatment programs can assist you in reducing other hazards linked with your substance misuse. Diagnosis and treatment for HIV or hepatitis are among the primary prevention services available.

Most treatment programs are funded by the NHS and are provided as inpatient or outpatient services at a hospital. You may be sent to residential rehab in the UK if your substance abuse is serious or persistent. Although most recovery clinics are not supported by the NHS, your regional addiction rehab clinic may be able to help you financially. Those who have sought addiction therapy through their GP or a local center and are still struggling are frequently sent to residential rehab in the UK.

Despite the fact that alcohol is legal, it is one of the most serious substance abuse problems in the United Kingdom. In 2015, almost 8,000 people were killed or injured as a result of drunk driving, with 220 fatalities. Only about one-fifth of the projected 595,131 people in the UK who struggle with alcoholism obtain care. Four out of ten of those in the fifth percentile have been unable to finish their rehabilitation program.

Luxury Inpatient Rehab in London

Alcoholism affects hundreds and thousands of people in the UK; it is a major problem. Many people believe that something like this will never happen to them. This way of thinking, on the other hand, is impacted by alcohol and the stigma associated with addiction. Alcohol, in actuality, is an extremely addictive and mind-altering substance.

  • Initial interview on phone call. During this time, the healthcare professional will be able to guide you on the best detoxification and rehab options for your specific situation. The cost of your stay will be determined by this. Addiction evaluation plans are also available for free.
  • Individualized care plan and strategy, including the therapeutic approach in detail.
  • Detox – Professional medical support given over a number of days or weeks to help with urges and symptoms of withdrawal, making treatment more comfortable.
  • With rapid assistance, group treatment, including the 12 step approach and CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), allows you to identify the fundamental difficulties with the initial screening procedure.
  • Keywork meetings with your case manager, which involve a 12-step progress of work and target setting, serve to reinforce the progress made in therapy.
  • Aftercare planning that is personalized to you, including exposure to ongoing support groups.
  • Holistic treatments like reiki, reflexology, or massage
  • Regular family support sessions for clients’ families are held on a weekly basis.
  • Aftercare CBT outpatient therapy is available as an option following discharge.

Alcohol misuse, as opposed to alcoholism, is discussed extensively in NHS regulations. They categorize alcohol abuse as a spectrum, with varying degrees of severity based on why and how much a person drinks. If you are worried about your personal drinking habits, the NHS recommends that you seek assistance. Treatment might range from brief intervention counseling to full-fledged residential rehab in the UK.

Alcoholism detox in the UK as per NHS 

Your levels of alcohol dependency will decide where and how you should undergo detoxification. The NHS web resources state that you can usually detox at your home without using medicine in minor cases because your symptoms of withdrawal should be mild as well.

It may be feasible for you to detox at home using medicine to assist ease symptoms of withdrawal if your alcohol consumption is high (over 20 units a day) or you have already experienced symptoms of withdrawal. This is commonly done with a tranquilizer called chlordiazepoxide.

If your alcohol dependence is serious, you might need to detox in a hospital or rehab clinic. This is because the withdrawal effects will be intense and will almost certainly necessitate medical attention.

The cost of a residential treatment in Great Britain varies based on the duration of stay and locality. In the UK, residential rehab is normally paid for out of pocket, however private healthcare insurance may be used to help pay for it. When local community-based treatments are insufficient, the NHS or social services may help you pay for your term at a residential facility.

Most programs need you to go through detox and be drug-free before being accepted. The average length of a 12-step program is three to six months, however, some 12-step programs can run up to a year. When selecting a residential treatment facility, it is critical to inquire about the treatments available and try to determine which options fit best. There are different kinds of services, but most of them fall into one of the following categories:

  • Therapeutic communities: Residents in these organizations work through a hierarchical framework centered on an intensive treatment program.
  • Minnesota model: Linked with 12-step programs such as Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous. Long-term abstinence is the goal of this type of treatment, which often involves spiritual and practical support.
  • General House Programs: These programs emphasize individual and group therapy.

Faith-based residential programs: Such as Christian treatment centers are available. They are generally operated by Christian employees and may have religious obligations in order to be admitted.

You have seen the many types of rehab centers, what the NHS covers, treatment programs, and so on. We can now consider the expense of rehab in the UK.  As previously said, putting a single figure on the costs is impractical. We can, however, provide you with some average recovery prices.

The expense of live-in treatment starts at £1,000 a week, according to our research. If you choose a standard 28-day program, the 4 weeks of recovery treatment will cost you roughly £4,000.

The cost of treatment varies, with many high-end rehabs in England charging upwards of £10,000 a week. To save money, many people choose to go for fewer weeks of rehab treatments.

When it pertains to recovering from or coping with addiction, there are numerous advantages to employing private facilities. You will be handled with respect. The clinical team will work hard to figure out what works best for you. If you feel better while listening to music or participating in fitness classes, your treatment plan will reflect that.

Another important aspect of rehabilitation is nutrition. Many persons who struggle with addiction have poor eating habits. Diet is crucial in private practices. If you have an existing medical problem, you may find that modifying your diet is therapeutic.

Another important thing to consider is the passage of time. When you use public healthcare services, you will be given a time slot. What if you require additional time to discuss a problem?

It’s possible that the session will have to terminate, and you’ll have to wait months for your next visit. When it relates to addiction treatment, addressing the problem as soon as possible is critical.

It’s also important to consider your surroundings. When receiving treatment at an NHS institution, you may be placed in a room alongside people who have a variety of medical issues. Having someone to talk to who is going through the same thing as you will be beneficial.

Regardless of which center you go to, the length of time you stay in recovery affects your fees. The primary elements that determine prices are listed below:

  • Location of rehabilitation center: Some treatment centers are more expensive than others simply because of their location.
  • Specialist treatments: If luxury rehab in the UK provides specialized treatments, such as holistic therapies, they will charge a higher fee.
  • Emergency assistance: the quickness with which you receive assistance can have an impact on the cost.
  • Level of luxury: We believe that this is the most important aspect in deciding how much rehabilitation costs. Some private centers will provide luxurious living quarters with a variety of recreational amenities such as pools, tennis courts, and gardens. It can feel like you’re staying in a 5-star hotel!
  • The staff: this refers to the level of luxury and specialty treatments available. Staff in places that place a premium on luxury may be far more qualified and experienced. As a result, the price rises.

Alcohol and drug admissions are handled by qualified personnel who will build a personalized care plan to assist you to manage the challenges that have arisen as a result of your addiction.

We know that mental health issues frequently precede or follow addictions. Addiction to drugs and alcohol can be successfully cured at treatment centers through rehabilitation provided by specialized and experienced staff. Individualized treatment is available to ensure that you have the best possible chance of recovery.

People from all throughout England can use Alcohol Rehab England’s residential treatment centers. Treatment centers are available to you regardless of where you live in the country.

Referrals for alcohol or other drug admissions frequently necessitate a four to six-week stay at one of the residential treatment centers. This type of admission, we consider, gives you the highest opportunity of being successful on the path to recovery. This keeps you away from any distractions or people who may have played a part in the emergence of your mental health or addiction issues.

We assist you in continuing on the road to recovery once you have completed successfully the therapy provided by the skilled specialists. In complement to your time at the residential treatment center, we strongly advise you to join a non-profit organization like Alcoholics Anonymous that can assist you in continuing your recovery once you return to your home. In this manner, you can try your best to avoid reverting to the harmful behaviors that may have led to your condition.

You must see your GP in order to receive free treatment. If you tell them you have a problem with alcohol or drugs, they will recommend you to a nonprofit organization. This will save you money, but there are some disadvantages.

Counseling and support may be provided, and your doctor may prescribe medications to help with symptoms of withdrawal. This may be enough for some people to stop using drugs, but we’ve found that it’s usually only helpful for people who realize they are hooked early on.

It is indeed uncommon to have your rehabilitation paid for by the government in a treatment center. It isn’t impossible, but you’ll need to go through your doctor, undergo free counseling and group therapy for at least six weeks, and verify that nothing else is working for you. Your regional addiction experts may then refer you to a rehab clinic for addiction treatment. Often, you will have to pay for your own individual treatment.

For those who are concerned, going to rehab preserves your rights. Even if you purposefully overdose, you retain your treatment rights. All rehab centers, doctors, and medical experts in the UK are obligated to treat you.

The length of your stay in a rehab center can range from 14 to 28 days or longer. This will be determined by a variety of factors, including your previous experience with administering medications, current consumption level, physical and mental health difficulties, and other details. When you contact, the various factors could be analyzed with you carefully to determine a length of stay and related expenses.

Nobody should feel all alone in their fight against alcohol or drug addiction; treatment experts can assist in discussing possibilities. When it comes to rehab in the UK, there are a variety of choices available, ranging from support networks to medication-assisted treatment to residential programs and high-end luxury rehab for addiction treatment. Most of the time, the NHS can help pay for community-based care. However, a more focused strategy might be required. If you would like to learn more about your rehab options in the UK, speak with a healthcare provider who can walk you through them.

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