Drug & Alcohol Rehabs in London

Alcohol Rehab London

The UK’s #1 ALCOHOL HELPLINE

Rehab 4 Alcoholism is able to match you to multiple drug and clinics in your area. As part of our alcohol rehab London services, we offer a free and comprehensive assessment to ensure your needs are best met throughout the process.

 

Are you fed up with needing alcohol or drugs every day? Do you want to get back in control of your thoughts and behaviours? Are you ready to start looking after your health and change?

2.4 million Londoners are drinking at harmful levels. [1] “In 2021/22 there were 45,730 drug offences recorded by the police in London”. [2] This, of course, only takes into account that which is reported. Drug use will be much higher than reflected in the offences recorded.

What this means is that you aren’t the only person struggling with substance issues. It’s actually more common than most realise. When a person develops an addiction, the best place to go is a drug and alcohol rehab in London.

There you’ll start the road to recovery by getting the care and treatment required to tackle the complexities of the condition.

Get alcohol and drug rehab and advice across London for addictions including binge drinking, alcohol addiction, benzodiazepine addiction, Buprenorphine addiction, cannabis use disorder, crack cocaine addiction, ketamine addiction, opioid use disorder, heroin addiction, cocaine dependence or cocaine addiction, any physical dependence or codependency, substance use disorder, and behavioural addictions such as gambling addiction and eating disorders.

To start your journey to recovery today by reaching out to our friendly team members at Rehab 4 Alcoholism. Call us on 0800 111 4108.

Alcohol and drug addiction treatment in London

Five people in a circle of armchairs, talking

There are quite a few options for you in terms of getting help for drug or alcohol misuse. It’s useful to be aware of these as well as your own needs.

Understanding the level of your substance use, being honest about your capacity to change, and knowing what professional and peer support is out there means that you’re more likely to have a successful first step.

At the mild end of substance use, there is educational advice and brief interventions that can be accessed for free in a more casual approach. At the other end of the scale, where severe addiction and/or dependency has developed, intensive treatment programmes provided at inpatient clinics are available.

Throughout London, there are peer support services, free NHS services, and private rehab options. You’ll get the majority of information you need on this page, though a chat with one of the Rehab 4 Alcoholism team will clear up any additional questions you might have and also get the ball rolling if you’re ready to enter rehab.

What is a substance use disorder?

A group of people saying cheers with various drinks

A substance use disorder is what occurs when a person uses a psychoactive substance and their use gets out of control. Alcohol and drugs alter how your brain functions, and how you think and feel, and for some people doing the substance again feels unavoidable.

People who develop substance abuse issues often have some of the following influential factors:

When a person starts to use a substance regularly, they’ll start to experience severely negative effects when they don’t use it; this can make it even more difficult to stop using. In some cases, the body comes to rely on the substance in order to function “as normal”.

The DSM-5 is one of the main psychiatric assessments used to diagnose addiction. It takes into account the development of tolerance, increasingly risky behaviours, the breakdown of relationships, and negative physical and mental health effects.

NHS outpatient services in London

A nurse in a mask and scrubs

As you might expect, the NHS provides an addiction treatment service. You can find out more through your local GP or search for free alcohol and drug services in your area in London to see which provider covers your locality.

At local drug and alcohol services, service users are assigned a substance misuse worker who will assess their level of addiction. Every week there are group sessions run at London clinics from 12 Step sessions, to SMART recovery groups, to Preparation for Change groups. You’re welcome to go to these as well as access drop-in clinics and needle exchanges.

Some people will have some one-to-one support from a member of staff depending on staff availability. It’s useful to keep in mind that NHS services are stretched.

The NHS also offers inpatient hospital care in London when people reach crisis point and have been admitted due to a dangerous symptom that could be fatal. This, of course, shouldn’t be relied on as a treatment option.

Other free organisations to consider

Below is a list of other free organisations offering support and advice for addiction in and around London:

1. Change Grow Live | Southwark

Address: 146 Camberwell Rd, London SE5 0EE

Telephone: 020 8629 2348

Website: https://www.changegrowlive.org/content/cgl-southwark

2. NHS CAMHS | Tower Hamlets

Address: 18 Greatorex St, London E1 5NF

Telephone: 020 7426 2375

Website: https://www.elft.nhs.uk/camhs/where-we-work/camhs-tower-hamlets

3. Turning Point | Westminster

Address: 32A Wardour St, London W1D 6QR

Telephone: 020 7437 3523

Website: https://www.turning-point.co.uk/services/daws

You can also reach out to a number of helplines, including NHS InformMind UKYoungMindsRethink Mental IllnessSamaritans and PapyrusSMART Recovery, National Association for Children of Alcoholics (Nacoa UK), Alcohol ConcernTalk to Frank or find an Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous or Cocaine Anonymous near you.

Alcoholics Anonymous follows the 12 steps, including giving yourself over to a higher power.

Other organisations that can offer you help for free include NHS Foundation Trust, Turning Point, We Are With YouChange Grow Live, Al-Anon and Alateen.

Rehabs and organisations are advised by the American Society of Addiction Medicine and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence so you are in safe hands with person-centered care.

You may also be offered sober living houses as part of your aftercare after you leave rehab in order to help you maintain your sobriety.

You will also receive treatment for any other effects of heroin after your heroin withdrawal, such as hepatitis.

To start your journey to recovery today by reaching out to our friendly team members at Rehab 4 Alcoholism. Call us on 0800 111 4108.

Residential rehab in London

For people with moderate to severe addictions, the most suitable place to go for help is a drug and alcohol rehab in London. Residential care is where you get the highest level of care from a team of specialists.

Every resident is provided with a unique plan which includes treatments that address physical, mental, and emotional health. All of this is essential if you’re to recover effectively.

You need to learn new ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving which is why so many different approaches are offered in private clinics.

Do I need to go to rehab? Is it the best option for me?

One man with his hand on another's shoulder in support

Many people who use alcohol and drugs spend months, in the majority of cases, years rejecting the idea that they require professional help for addiction.

This is usually for a number of reasons; firstly people often experience feelings of shame linked to their substance use, secondly, people compare their consumption to others who are “worse than them”, and finally because admitting there’s a problem means admitting you need to change. Change takes a huge amount of effort.

The denial stage of addiction can go on a long time. However, if you have any of the following symptoms, then it’s clear your substance use has gotten out of control and you need professional input:

  • Losing an interest in anything that doesn’t include using substances.
  • Increasing consumption of or mixing alcohol and/or drugs because you have built up a tolerance and need more to feel an effect.
  • Thinking about substances often and feeling as though you need them to face and get through a day.
  • Experiencing mental health conditions as more time has passed (i.e. feeling depressed or anxious a lot more than you used to).
  • Becoming violent or participating in risky behaviours (i.e. driving or having sex without using protection) when under the influence.
  • Lying about your substance use, and manipulating or stealing in order to get more of the drugs or alcohol.
  • Experiencing the breakdown of relationships and people expressing concern over your substance use.

Drug and alcohol rehab clinics; the admissions process

A woman taking a white pill

Before entering a rehab clinic, you need to find out which clinics there are, what they specialise in, whether they would suit your needs, and then decide which to go to. Rehab 4 Alcoholism can support you through this process.

When you enter a private clinic, you’ll meet with a member of staff who will show you around the place and introduce you to the rest of the staff and the residents. You’ll be shown to your bed or room and will settle in, unpack and probably have a cup of tea before having an initial assessment.

The assessment you have will explore your drug or alcohol addiction. There are questions that reveal its severity and how challenging it’s going to be for you to change behaviours. You’ll also discuss your past, your current living situation, your mental and physical health, and how you feel about sobriety and your future.

From the answers you give and the results of any medical observations, a treatment programme will be created especially to address you and the addiction you face.

To start your journey to recovery today by reaching out to our friendly team members at Rehab 4 Alcoholism. Call us on 0800 111 4108.

What happens at drug and alcohol rehab in London?

Rehab friends

As just mentioned, when you enter a private drug and alcohol rehab in London, you’ll have an initial assessment. From here your treatment programme will be set up.

It will include individual therapies, alternative therapies, group sessions, and various other treatments.

Each day you’ll wake early, have breakfast and have a bit of time to wake up before your first session. You might have a yoga session to start with, followed by a 12 Step group, a break, then a cognitive behavioural therapy session, after lunch an art therapy session, and a counselling session before the end of the day.

Therapy at a drug and alcohol rehab in London might include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, acupuncture, art therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, drama therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, group psychotherapy, motivational therapy, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, brief intervention, contingency management, coping mechanisms work therapy, equine therapy, family therapy, group therapy, individual therapy, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, music therapy, art therapy and talking therapies.

Recovery from addictions takes time, effort, energy, and a variety of approaches. With the team of therapeutic and medical professionals and other residents around you in the safest of environments, you’ll find a space of healing.

Keep in mind, the goal of private rehab is to achieve sobriety and to develop the skills that will ensure you remain so into the future.

How to support a loved one into long-term recovery…

Having a loved one with a substance misuse problem is a harrowing experience. It completely alters the dynamics of the relationship and takes its toll on your thoughts and emotional health. It’s exhausting and stressful.

Sadly, you’ll know only too well that even with the best will in the world you can’t force a person into doing something. This is especially true of a person with an addiction; you can’t force them to stop or be ready to change.

There are things though that help people towards being ready and importantly there are things you can do to help maintain a healthy relationship which is critical to your health as well as to the person you love.

Many families adopt the CRAFT approach which is a family intervention that equips you to communicate with your loved one in positive ways, to establish boundaries, and encourage your loved one towards recovery in a more subtle way.

Other families adopt a traditional approach where they implement an ultimatum meaning the person has to enter alcohol and drug rehab.

It’s beneficial to learn a bit about the substance your loved one uses so you can identify if and when emergency services need contacting.

Alcohol detox at a private rehab in London

Women talking 1-1

For people who have alcohol addiction, inpatient treatment is imperative, especially when the condition is severe. Alcohol is a severely addictive substance and at its most powerful leads to physical dependence.

When this occurs it’s imperative a person enters alcohol rehabilitation to at least get a medicated detox.

A detox is where you’re supported off the alcohol using a medication, Librium that eases the symptoms of withdrawal. It lasts between seven and fourteen days.

Over this time, the medication is reduced to the point you’re medication and alcohol-free. It’s the safest way to wean a person off alcohol.

Alcohol dependence can be confirmed fast and efficiently using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, DSM-5 or CAGE questionnaire.

Dependent drinkers will have built up a strong tolerance to alcohol, and experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms (, alcohol withdrawal symptoms) or alcohol withdrawal syndrome when they stop drinking, so these symptoms need to be managed carefully.

To ensure that the risk of seizures is curtailed our medical team prescribe patients with Chlordiazepoxide, brand name Librium, as they undergo detox as this has been shown to offer more protection against the risk of seizures.

A medically-assisted detox (alcohol detox) is needed in order to try to prevent the effects of alcohol, including encephalopathy (Wernicke encephalopathy) and delirium tremens.

To start your journey to recovery today by reaching out to our friendly team members at Rehab 4 Alcoholism. Call us on 0800 111 4108.

The dangers of alcohol withdrawal

A woman reading a book

Despite its legality and how easy it is to get hold of, alcohol is one of the most powerful and damaging psychoactive substances available. It alters brain chemistry and physically changes the balance of the GABA amino acid.

What this means is that when you drink regularly, the brain stops producing as much of this amino acid. Therefore when you stop drinking your brain reacts because it has come to depend on the alcohol.

This is what triggers the following symptoms:

The seizures that can occur are what make alcohol withdrawal so dangerous because at their worst they can be fatal. It’s why a medically-assisted detox is so important.

There are clinics that specialise in detox. Others provide a detox but then place emphasis on the psychological healing of the addiction to provide the skills and self-development that lead to long-term sobriety.

Inpatient rehabs for cocaine addiction in London

An intervention - people sat in armchairs

Over the last ten years, cocaine use has increased vastly throughout the world and the UK has also been hit by this. More people use it in the UK than in most other places in Europe.[3]

While it’s often viewed as the “glamorous” substance due to its association with the rich and famous, it introduces seriously unwelcome health, financial, and social effects.

The health effects of cocaine:

  • Nose problems including inflammation, sneezing, cartilage erosion
  • Skin sores
  • Increased colds and flu
  • Impaired immune system
  • Anxiety and panic attacks
  • Sleep problems
  • Cardiovascular and heart problems
  • Increased likelihood of cancer

More people are entering drug and alcohol rehab in London seeking the treatment of cocaine and crack-cocaine addiction. While this is a psychological addiction, many users report that it feels physical too which is likely due to the substance’s physiological effects.

Staff will provide you with a treatment programme to suit. Cognitive behavioural therapy is often very helpful for cocaine users because of how it targets your automatic thoughts and the compulsive thought patterns linked to cocaine use need addressing.

You’ll learn tools and develop alternative strategies to regain control over your thoughts and behaviours.

Residential Treatment for heroin addiction in London

A group of men in therapy

Many people associate heroin use with street use but actually, it’s widely used by business people. Being a depressant, relaxes you and people often feel it takes away stress as well as provides an escape.

Though it’s widely known for the physical dependence it causes and severe withdrawal, it also has a severe impact on cognitive functioning because of how it affects the grey matter in your brain.

The sooner you quit and take in a balanced diet filled with essential vitamins and nutrients the better for brain power as well as physical recovery.

Heroin withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Shaking
  • Profuse sweating
  • Runny nose
  • Fluctuations in temperature
  • Sickness and nausea
  • Diarrhoea
  • Severe pain through the body and deep in the bones
  • Extreme anxiety and feelings of overwhelm
  • Insomnia

A drug detox is essential in order to ease the physical symptoms of withdrawal and make the process easier for you to go through. This begins as soon as you enter the clinic when a doctor will assess how much of the medication, Subutex, you need.

The prescription lasts up to fourteen days and reduces as time goes on so by the end of the period you’re free of all opioids.

From this point, your attention will be focused on healing the psychological part of your addiction. You’ll learn new ways of being in your internal world and develop healthy coping strategies so that when faced with triggers, you make positive choices.

To start your journey to recovery today by reaching out to our friendly team members at Rehab 4 Alcoholism. Call us on 0800 111 4108.

Rehab facilities for cannabis abuse

Cannabis

In London and the surrounding areas rehabilitation centres are increasingly supporting people to quit using cannabis. This might seem unexpected, especially considering its increasing use in the medical field.

However, over the past twenty years, THC strains of cannabis have become extremely strong.

THC is a psychoactive chemical in cannabis. It’s also what makes strains illegal in the UK. (Note: CBD strains are legal and products on the high street are derived from these.)

Due to illegal production, the super skunk has developed but with this, there are more worrying effects for those who develop an addiction.

The effects of severe cannabis use include:

  • Anxiety, paranoia, and panic attacks
  • Sleep disruption (and nightmares when trying to quit)
  • Impaired memory
  • Disruption to appetite and metabolism
  • Loss of interest in doing things and becoming socially isolated
  • Development of psychosis and schizophrenia

There are various addiction treatment options at rehab. The focus of these is on helping you to break the psychological addiction, improving mental health, and building resilience and social skills.

There are many holistic therapies that come in really handy for those who use cannabis. This is often because they provide a relaxed space of inner peace which people who use cannabis are often seeking.

Types of therapies at private rehab clinics

Support

When you enter a drug and alcohol rehab in London for treatment, you get all the best approaches on offer in the addiction field. The private sector offers more because you pay for a higher standard and quality. (More on the cost coming up.)

You will undergo a psychiatric assessment by a trained psychologist who will see if you require any psychiatric treatment.

Your personalised treatment plan will include some or all of the following:

  • Cognitive behavioural therapy is what will give you skills to identify triggers, reframe thoughts, and alter your behaviour. This is key for people who have compulsive behaviours and is a therapy used to address many types of mental health issues.
  • Motivational interviewing was developed especially to treat the ambivalence people experience in relation to quitting substances. It’s a common state. Through conversation, you explore all your feelings and eventually reach a point where you feel deeply motivated to change.
  • Dialectical behavioural therapy is really helpful for people who have experienced trauma, and for those who don’t have skills around emotional regulation. It teaches you how to process emotions in healthy ways which is of course helpful in managing triggers. This has the knock-on effect of reducing the risk of relapse.
  • Counselling is where you’ll develop a deep relationship with a therapist who supports you to come to understand the Self and who you are at a deep level. You’ll grow in self-confidence and start to identify how you want to live that suits your authentic self.
  • Holistic therapies are provided as a way of creating calm and giving you a space for mental and emotional health. Many residents continue with these practices on leaving rehab. You might try equine, music therapy, art therapy, ear acupuncture, reiki, or massage, as well as yoga and tai chi. All have a place in supporting you in healing and supporting the mind-body connection.
  • 12 Step and SMART recovery groups also take place throughout the week. Recovery is much more likely to occur where people are supported through peer support groups as well as in professional treatments.

Dual diagnosis; addiction and mental health treatment on a rehab programme

A woman in a hat smiling, behind her the sun is setting

As a client at a residential drug and alcohol rehab, you can be treated for co-occurring disorders. This is when two conditions exist at the same time.

It’s actually very common for people to experience mental health disorders alongside alcohol and drug misuse issues.

Substance use causes such an imbalance in brain chemistry that it can lead to mental health symptoms, and those who have mental health conditions, they can quite often use drugs and alcohol to try and regulate their emotions.

If you’re in this situation, the rehab staff will create a programme that supports you to improve in both areas. That being said, it’s well-reputed that when you start to heal in one area, the other starts to get easier too.

There will be therapies that lead you to develop skills that help you recover and manage both areas.

To start your journey to recovery today by reaching out to our friendly team members at Rehab 4 Alcoholism. Call us on 0800 111 4108.

The cost of private treatment at an inpatient facility

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It’s highly likely you’re wondering what the cost of rehab is. It goes without saying that high standard care and expert professional treatment come with a price.

There are a few factors to consider in this area because actually, the cost of rehab varies between the clinic and in-house options.

In the UK, you can expect to pay between £1,000 and £10,000 a week for private clinical treatment. There are both budget and luxury rehab clinics that provide excellent care.

Whether you have a single occupancy or multi-occupancy room will affect the overall cost, as well as factors linked to medication and the duration of your stay.

Many people fund their places through their private health insurance policies. If you’re considering this then make sure to keep in mind a claim will increase future premiums. Some people self-fund and might have financial support from family and friends.

Finally, other residents access government funding through their local council; to be eligible you need to be in regular contact with NHS drug and alcohol services and from a low-income household.

The benefits of addiction treatment at a drug and alcohol rehab in London

A man looking fraught

When you’re treated at a private drug and alcohol rehab in London, you experience many benefits:

  • Treatment for behavioural addictions (i.e. gambling addiction) and for prescription drugs as well as alcohol and illegal drugs.
  • A programme that addresses a dual diagnosis so that your mental health issues are looked after too.
  • A wide range of addiction therapy options offers deep emotional healing and practical strategies to manage thoughts and addictive behaviours.
  • Aftercare services are free for 12 months after leaving the clinic. This hugely reduces the chance of relapse.
  • Finding a clinic that suits your personality, tastes, and recovery needs. This improves your recovery journey and gets it off to the best start.
  • A medical detox process for those who have physical dependencies so that you’re as safe and comfortable as possible during withdrawal.
  • Nutritious and well-balanced meals to support physical healing.
  • 24-hour care in a safe environment by specialists and experienced staff.

Aftercare services provided by a drug and alcohol rehab in London

Group discussion around a table

During your stay at a drug and alcohol rehab in London, there are sessions about relapse prevention. These are instrumental to your ongoing success with recovery.

Speaking in an honest way about triggers, your environment and those things that encourage substance use means you can plan around them.

On leaving the clinic, you’ll be supported through aftercare services. This might include some outpatient care (i.e. monthly counselling or online group sessions) and will also mean you have a relapse prevention plan to follow.

This plan will outline who to contact when you’re struggling, how to manage relapse, and how to approach healthy steps to keep you focused on sobriety.

Where else can you go for help with drug and alcohol abuse in London?

Woman with head on clasped hands, eyes closed

As well as private clinics, there are a few other places you can go to for support around addiction to drugs and alcohol. Knowing what these are, is useful if you’re thinking about change but aren’t quite ready to quit right now.

1. 12 Step programmes

Throughout London there are Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous groups. It’s highly likely you’ll have heard of the 12 Steps. It’s a process where at the first step you admit that you have an addiction and give yourself over to a higher power.

People work through the steps with the aim of sobriety, though some people will stay on step one for years. The point of the 12 Steps is that people connect to others and find an environment to go to without judgement.

For those who want to heal, they’ll work through the steps and participate it social connection to others as a space of recovery.

Many private clinics offer 12 Step groups as part of their programmes because of how effective they are. While you don’t need to be religious to participate, you are encouraged to find a higher power to draw strength from, whatever that means to you.

2. SMART Recovery

Many NHS addiction services offer SMART recovery sessions, though some are run independently and also you can find some sessions online.

This approach is focused on the behaviours linked to addiction, rather than on the substance or an idea of “powerlessness”.

It’s a practical way to begin recovery where you learn about addiction and gain tools that empower you to manage yourself effectively.

3. A home detox

Some people opt for a home detox. This is where a doctor will oversee a prescription of detox medication (i.e. Librium or Subutex) across the detox period (around fourteen days). The doctor will be in regular contact to ensure your symptoms and health are managed effectively.

It’s a treatment that can be useful if you’re already in outpatient services, or for some reason need to remain at home.

What’s important to keep in mind, though, is that it’s ongoing and deep psychological therapies and group sessions where you do the mental work that brings psychological control. This is how you learn to manage cravings, so inpatient care is usually advisable where possible.

4. Outpatient treatment through the NHS

As mentioned further up the page, the NHS also offers drug and alcohol services. These are outpatient clinics that are accessible to anyone in the community who self-refers. For those with mild substance use or those who aren’t ready to quit yet, it’s a healthy environment to connect to.

To start your journey to recovery today by reaching out to our friendly team members at Rehab 4 Alcoholism. Call us on 0800 111 4108.

Understanding Treatment Options in London

A hand out stretched to a horse's mouth

Looking for alcohol rehab in London? Look no further. We offer admission to alcohol rehabilitation centres in London within as little as 24 hours after your initial call.  Our objective is to match your needs with the most experienced centre in the area.

We make sure your long-term recovery goal gets off to a winning start.

Rehab 4 Alcoholism offers rehabilitation services in London and in surrounding areas. Our admissions team is based in North London. We work with a number of rehabilitation centres in the area.

Our advice is independent of the wider rehabilitation industry.

We work with a number of insurance companies including AXA, Aviva, Prudential, Cigna, BUPA, and Standard Life. Paying privately or going through your medical insurer means you skip long waiting times experienced through the NHS.

Our alcohol rehab London services are here to help you get the help you need.

What Are My Treatment Options in London?

A woman staring sadly out of an office window

There are rehab facilities in every section of London available to help you or a loved one with the treatment for addiction to drugs or alcohol. Alcohol rehab London centres that only assist with the recovery of alcoholics are also available as options if a general treatment facility does not feel like the right fit.

There are both inpatient and outpatient options available. Below we discuss each option in further detail:

1. Inpatient

The majority of addiction treatment takes place at inpatient rehab facilities, and the rate of success is significantly higher. There are several reasons for this, but primarily it comes down to the lack of negative influences as well as 24/7 access to professionals who are there to help.

The risk of waiting for the perfect time to get treatment could lead to financial or personal instability so reach out today to get more information from your local centre about what help they have to offer for you or a loved one struggling with addiction.

2. Outpatient

When you choose an outpatient option then there are programmes that are attended during the day over the course of several months, but nights and evenings are spent at home.

There are generally workshops, group therapy, individual therapy, and doctor appointments to assess overall progress.

Outpatient is less successful because it is harder to escape the negative environment or influences that encouraged drug use in the first place. This makes it very tempting to begin using it again.

To start your journey to recovery today by reaching out to our friendly team members at Rehab 4 Alcoholism. Call us on 0800 111 4108.

What are the Benefits of Going to Rehab in London?

A married couple with rings holding hands over coffee

If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol addiction, inpatient treatment in the London area is by far the most effective and safest method of treatment.

Detoxification under the watchful eye of the medical team is the first step when you are admitted into a London rehabilitation centre. Prescription medications are offered in order to lessen withdrawal symptoms.

Once initial detoxification is complete you are provided with therapy and counselling sessions. Sessions tackle the psychological dimension of addiction. Coping strategies will be taught to allow you to remain in recovery without fear of relapse once you leave the centre.

There will be complete removal of temptation from the immediate environment which will make it easier to focus on recovery. There will also be both other people there and medical professionals so you will be able to get and share encouragement during support groups and in individual therapy sessions.

Your social and work responsibilities will not interfere with your treatment, which decreases stress overall. There is also an encouragement to use controlled therapy to repair family relationships that may have been damaged by addiction behaviours.

The Importance of Medically-Assisted Detox in London

Withdrawal from alcohol is a serious process which can be fatal if treated incorrectly. Choosing an inpatient facility is not only more beneficial towards your overall recovery, but it also ensures your safety throughout the process.

Below we have listed some vital aspects to highlight why coming to us for alcohol detox is your best option.

These include:

1. Safety

Being in a controlled environment with medical professionals allows for immediate assistance to any unexpected symptoms or responses to withdrawal

2. Medication

Medical professionals are available 24/7 to provide medications that can help with symptoms like nausea, dizziness, or tremors. These will be administered to you based on your individual needs

3. Alleviating Discomfort

Complete medical support to counteract any withdrawal symptoms through proper nutrition, therapy, and medication

4. Therapy to Cope

Therapists are available at any time to assist with overcoming cravings, anxiety, depression, or negative emotions during rehabilitation. We offer individual therapy, family and group therapy, CBT, DBT, and much more

5. Relapse Prevention

A complete lack of negative influence or temptations in a supportive, encouraging space. Techniques are provided to prevent you from returning to old habits once your treatment is complete

What Does a Typical Day at a London Rehab Clinic Look Like?

Writing in a notebook

There is usually a rigid structure each day to make it easier for the participants to relearn positive habits.

Below is a breakdown of a typical day at a rehab facility:

Morning

  • Wake-up and medication dissemination
  • Breakfast
  • Morning session to get an emotional check-in (generally small group)

Noon

  • Lunch
  • Individual therapy
  • Group therapy
  • Exercise
  • Workshops to regain healthy life/coping skills

Evening

  • Dinner
  • Support group to check on daily progress
  • Movie or free time

Night

  • Lights out are at a set time (sleep is vital to recovery)
  • Medications are given out as needed

Acute Alcohol Withdrawal and Treatments

Man with his head in his hand, eyes closed, in a gesture of pain

For severe alcoholics, the symptoms of withdrawal can be deadly without proper care as they tend to involve acute alcohol withdrawal.

They have been drinking for so long or to such a degree that their entire body – including their kidney, liver, and brain – are affected.

Severe withdrawal symptoms, as listed previously include the following delirium and seizures in addition to erratic thinking patterns and behaviours.

Treatments often include benzodiazepines or barbiturates to assist with counteracting the worst symptoms temporarily.

To start your journey to recovery today by reaching out to our friendly team members at Rehab 4 Alcoholism. Call us on 0800 111 4108.

The Dangers of Detoxing Alone

Woman in striped light of shutters, lying in bed at night

Costs associated with rehab services often lead people to think that a home detox or a self-detox is their only option.

While private home detoxes are available, we strongly advise against detoxing alone. No matter how much research or preparation you think you have done on the topic, detoxing from alcohol without a specialist level of supervision and medication is a recipe for disaster.

Below we have listed some of the main reasons to not detox from alcohol alone:

1. Severe Withdrawal Symptoms

  • Irritability, restlessness, and increased anxiety
  • Tiredness and inability to sleep
  • Stomach issues including cramps, vomiting, nausea, and
  • High heart rate and blood pressure
  • Dilated pupils lead to vision problems

2. Extreme Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

  • Acute Alcohol Withdrawal (AAW)
  • Delirium tremens
  • Seizures
  • Unexpected, dangerous behaviours

3. Lack of a Support Structure

Extreme mood swings accompanying the physical symptoms are entirely normal during detox and can lead to unsafe actions when someone is left alone

Facilities have 24/7 professional care, supportive and encouraging therapists, and support groups so people can share their struggles and successes during detox

4. Statistically Likely to Relapse

Approximately half of the people who attempt rehab will relapse, but that number is far higher for those who choose to go through it alone and outside of a facility

Medications to Help Treat Alcohol Withdrawal

Pills

Drugs are administered by doctors and nurses at our alcohol rehab London centres to alleviate symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.

Below we discuss these medications in greater detail:

1. Benzodiazepines 

  • Chlordiazepoxide
  • Clorazepate
  • Diazepam
  • Oxazepam

2. Barbiturates

Assists with treating the worst symptoms like tremors. They are used to treat anxiety, depression, and insomnia which are common during alcohol withdrawal.

3. Disulfiram (Antabuse)

An enzyme that metabolizes alcohol and causes strong adverse physical reactions to alcohol consumption. Taking this drug alongside alcohol presents a variety of negative side effects, including dizziness, nausea and vomiting.

4. Acamprosate (Campral)

Balances the central nervous system and assists with reducing the urge to drink (can be used if you have liver disease or hepatitis.) This medication does not prevent withdrawal symptoms but affects the way in which the brain works to avoid urges to drink.

5. Naltrexone (Vivitrol, Revia)

Reduces the urge to drink (should not be used if you have liver disease or hepatitis. This medication only works on people who have completed the alcohol detox process.

To start your journey to recovery today by reaching out to our friendly team members at Rehab 4 Alcoholism. Call us on 0800 111 4108.

How Long is Alcohol Rehab?

Phone calendar

Several programme lengths are seen at different facilities, which include the following:

There are also special programmes that include sober living facilities, halfway houses, or treatments that allow for tailor-made lengths to ensure the highest chance of success.

When choosing which is right for you or your loved one it is essential to keep in mind if longer times away from their home would be a benefit or disadvantage to their recovery.

How Do I Prepare for Rehab in London?

Men chatting at a table with their backs turned

If you are currently working make sure that you take the time to address things with your direct supervisor and, if necessary, co-workers who may need to know you will not be able to complete specific tasks before deadlines.

Communicate with your employer about it and be honest, if possible. Ensure all of your tasks are delegated so that nothing gets left incomplete.

Make sure all your personal and social obligations are taken care of. Do you have appointments or other commitments you can postpone or rearrange? Do you need to arrange alternative childcare or care for an elderly relative?

How Do I Tell My Family I Have Decided to Go to Rehab?

Two women hugging

Having family support can help with the success of treatment, so being open and honest when communicating with them is encouraged.

The three rules of thumb to follow include the following:

  1. Tell those you feel closest to, which can be friends if you are closer to them than your family
  2. Be honest with any children in your life. They will be able to see you taking steps to get stronger
  3. Be open about what is happening. Sharing is a big part of therapy and recovery

How Do I Help a Loved One To Rehab?

Three friends smiling against a remote backdrop of foggy mountains and trees

Drug addiction actually rewires a person’s brain which makes it incredibly hard to stop or even think of stopping on one’s own.

Below we have outlined a few steps to help you reach out to your loved one:

  1. Research addiction and educate yourself about what your friend or loved one is going through so that you can give fact-based information
  2. Have an intervention that involves their entire close group of family and friends. This is often the only way to show them how much their addiction is affecting everyone in their life. You can even involve professional interventionists so that there are no unexpected adverse reactions.
  3. Support and encourage them even before they choose to attend rehab. This will show them that you genuinely have their best interest at heart. However, do not enable the addiction by providing excuses or money so they can keep abusing drugs

To start your journey to recovery today by reaching out to our friendly team members at Rehab 4 Alcoholism. Call us on 0800 111 4108.

How Much Can You Expect to Pay for Addiction Rehab?

First, it is important to understand that addiction is very expensive in many ways including purchasing substances, loss of employment, and loss of other life stabilities.

Rehab will help regain gainful employment and will teach life skills. That means there is already an inherent value to rehabilitation to counteract any cost.

Alcohol rehab London treatment options can help you reach sobriety before it becomes more severe. Both alcoholism and drug addiction are progressive, which means the longer they continue, the higher the physical, mental, and financial risks.

While the final price of addiction treatment is determined by which program and centre are chosen there are a few generalizations that can help you determine how much it could potentially cost. The most common inpatient choice is 28-day programmes, and they generally cost between £4,000 and £6,000.

There are a lot of different treatment centres and various costs, but determining a programme based on how much you pay may not be the best way to choose as the cheapest opportunities often do not accommodate long-term sobriety.

What Happens After I Leave a London Rehab Facility?

To stay sober you will want to take part in multiple support options such as 12-step programmes, support groups, individual therapy, group or family therapy, and continued medical check-ups with your doctor.

Creating a new social structure with new hobbies and events is also vital for moving forward by replacing negative influences with positive ones.

Questions to Ask When Choosing a Rehab Centre in London

A group therapy session

Below we have listed some of the most common questions people should consider while contemplating which treatment option is best for them:

1. How does the centre determine successful treatment?

Every programme marks success in a different way (e.g., completing the programme, remaining sober for a certain length of time, regaining employment, or simply participating).

You want to make sure that your expectations match up with those of the programme.

2. How long is the programme?

A typical length is 28 days however you may want to look into longer programmes. Some have treatment plans tailored to your needs, others last six months or longer.

3. Are there drugs being used during treatment?

Significant numbers of rehab programmes are not designed to create sobriety at all but focus only on harm reduction. They do this by replacing the illicit drug with prescription drugs.

If you want yourself or a loved one to get sober, then avoid these harm reduction treatments and look for a programme that aims for sobriety.

4. If so, are the other drugs addictive or dangerous?

Some treatments use heavy drugs to help patients through initial withdrawal effects, but other programmes focus on building up health. The latter option is best as it allows for a clear head, the ability to focus on the therapy treatments, and an overall healthier body and mind.

5. How are physical cravings dealt with by the programme?

If the facility uses nutrition, detoxification, and other positive forms of health modification to deal with cravings then the participant is more likely to succeed. However, many programmes simply use drugs to counteract the cravings which can cause problems later down the road.

6. Is nutritional consideration included in treatment?

When nutrition is included in the treatment and the goal is on creating a healthier lifestyle then there is a higher likelihood for success. Most people who struggle with addiction arrive in poor health, so nutritional considerations are vital during treatment.

It has been shown that even though a small number of facilities offer this aspect of therapy they are 80% more likely to lead to sobriety.

7. Does the treatment involve teaching patients sobriety life skills?

The lifestyle of those addicted to alcohol includes self-destructive behaviours designed to support their addictions. Without learning new life skills to remain sober, the likelihood of relapse is higher.

8. Does the treatment facility expect multiple relapses before sobriety is achieved?

It is a good idea to ask the facility if they actually believe long-term sobriety is a likely outcome of their programme. Surprisingly, a lot of them believe relapse after rehab is typical. It is best to ask and remove them from your list of options to save time if sobriety is your actual goal.

9. Is there a cure listed by the facility or do they offer treatments that logically seem too good to be true?

Dangerous, unsubstantiated, or unethical treatments can promise miracle cures (e.g., complete sobriety in two weeks using electric shock aversion therapy).

If it sounds too good to be true then it no doubt is, so you need to be careful. Ask pointed questions about their cure and then get a professional, outside opinion.

To start your journey to recovery today by reaching out to our friendly team members at Rehab 4 Alcoholism. Call us on 0800 111 4108.

Frequently Asked Questions

A doctor typing on a keyboard with a stethoscope to her side

Below, we list a number of other resources that you may find useful in your search for quality and suitable rehab treatment in the UK:

Get the help you need today

Our service is unbiased and independent of any particular rehabilitation service provider. Your best interests are paramount throughout the process from the first call you make to the after-care you receive.

If you seek rehabilitation for your alcohol addiction within the London area we draw your attention to the postcode finder below which locates a London centre for you.

To find a reputable rehab facility that suits your needs and personal preferences, contact the Rehab 4 Alcoholism team.

Every drug and alcohol rehab must be registered and regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England and Wales, or the Care Inspectorate in Scotland.

Our staff support people throughout the London area to find the right private drug and alcohol rehab in London for them. Whatever questions you might still have, we can answer them. It’s also our job to support people up to the point of admission to the clinic, which is really helpful in keeping you focused.

To start the recovery process, call or message us now.

Rehabs are available across London in BarnetBeckenhamBrent CrossBromleyCamdenCroydonEnfieldHackneyHarlowHarrowHounslowIslingtonChelseaLambethLewishamMertonNewhamOrpingtonRedbridgeSouthwarkUxbridgeWandsworthWatford and Westminster.

Further Reading

References

[1] https://www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/health-and-wellbeing/tackling-alcohol-misuse-london#:~:text=Alcohol%20is%20a%20major%20issue,placing%20them%20at%20increasing%20risk.

[2] https://www.statista.com/statistics/864747/drug-offences-in-london/

[3] https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jan/30/the-white-stuff-why-britain-cant-get-enough-cocaine

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