The first option you should consider if you can’t afford rehab is NHS-operated rehab. If you are a British citizen, you are entitled to NHS care for your addiction for free.
First of all, contact your GP and explain your situation – they may offer you treatment at your local practice or get you in contact with your local drug service. However, if you don’t want to speak to your GP, you may contact your local addiction treatment service yourself.
NHS detox generally takes the form of outpatient treatment – with outpatient services, you will reside at home and travel to your scheduled sessions from home. Through the NHS, you can receive ongoing rehabilitation support.
You may be given medication to help you through the withdrawal process. According to the Substance and Mental Health Services Administration, you may be given naltrexone, disulfiram or acamprosate when withdrawing from alcohol. This is not a cure for alcohol use disorder, but is effective in easing the withdrawal process.
Through the NHS, you can also receive mental health treatment. Your GP can refer to your local mental health services and ensure that you receive the treatment you need. This can involve counselling, group therapy, and other therapies to help you overcome your addiction.
There are, however, some downsides to NHS treatment. First of all, you may be placed on a long waiting list. This is because there is a high demand for drug and alcohol addiction treatment on the NHS – you could be waiting for months for NHS treatment.
Likewise, with the NHS, there may be little consistency in the location and practitioners that provide your care and support. If you’re looking for consistency and immediate care on an inpatient basis, private rehab treatment may be the best way forward for you.