Rehab Options For NHS Patients
Everybody is entitled to medical care in the UK through NHS services, and this includes addiction treatment. Not everybody can afford private rehabilitation – it can cost thousands of pounds to receive addiction treatment from private rehab clinics.
This is why many people apply for NHS rehab funding – and some people attend free NHS rehab services in their local area. Despite the fact that the NHS (National Health Service) is underfunded, help is still available to people who need it.
The key difference between NHS rehab and private rehab is the residential aspect. Many private rehab centres are residential rehab clinics, meaning you’ll receive treatment on an inpatient basis.
However, NHS rehab is typically on an outpatient basis, meaning you’ll reside at home and travel to your treatment sessions when needed.
Regardless of your addiction history, your background, or who you are, money shouldn’t stop you from getting the help you need – you can find help for addiction for free.
Read on to learn more about NHS treatment for drug or alcohol addiction, whether it be alcohol addiction, illicit drug addiction, or prescription drug addiction.
We’ll be exploring NHS-operated drug and alcohol detoxification, as well as larger treatment plans. We’ll also inform you about how our team at Help4addiction can help you find the right private rehab or NHS rehab for you.
NHS-Operated Drug or Alcohol Detox
Sometimes detoxification is part of a larger treatment plan – but if you’re looking for a drug detox or alcohol detox without therapy or secondary treatment, you can find it through the NHS.
Although it’s possible to detox at home with the support of loved ones, this is only recommended if you have a mild addiction. Withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable and debilitating – and generally speaking, the more severe the addiction, the more severe the withdrawal symptoms will be.
In some cases, you may benefit from a medical detox. During a medical detox program, medical professionals may administer detox medication to ease the withdrawal symptoms, or to prevent you from consuming alcohol or taking drugs.
In very severe cases of addiction, you may be required to detox from drugs or alcohol in a 24-hour medically supported unit
The length of time it takes to detox from drugs or alcohol can depend on a range of factors – for example, your height, weight, and addiction history. Withdrawal symptoms will usually peak within three days, but you may find that milder symptoms last for weeks.
Withdrawing from alcohol or drugs can be difficult, and you shouldn’t have to do it alone. That’s why, at Help4Addiction, we can get you in touch with the right rehab centre to undergo detox, whether it be via the NHS or a private rehab clinic.
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NHS-Operated Intensive Alcohol and Drug Rehab
Detoxification alone isn’t always enough to break your addiction. Detoxification aims at dealing with physical addiction, but there is more to addiction than just physical dependence. Often, people have a psychological addiction to substances.
This is why drug rehab clinics and alcohol rehab clinics often offer more than just a detox program. They also offer addiction therapy and secondary treatment, often in the form of outpatient treatment as opposed to private residential rehab treatment.
There is a range of therapies available through the NHS that can benefit those with substance use disorders. Therapy isn’t just for those with mental health conditions – it can teach you valuable coping strategies which is key to relapse prevention.
CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) is a form of talking therapy based on the idea that your thoughts, actions, and feelings are linked.
As well as being an effective treatment for mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, panic disorder, borderline personality disorder, and phobias, it can also be effective in managing alcohol misuse problems.
Transitioning from rehab back to your everyday life can be daunting, which is why many NHS rehabs offer secondary treatment. Secondary treatment (also known as aftercare) can ease the transition, providing you support throughout your recovery journey.
An intensive rehab plan is best for people with a severe drug addiction or alcohol addiction, or for those who have received treatment for their addiction in the past that hasn’t been successful.
Local authorities are generally responsible for rehab treatment services through the NHS. In many cases, you’ll need to apply directly to the local services for NHS funding.
You may also have to undergo a secondary assessment to determine whether you’re eligible for funding for your rehab treatment.
Waiting lists can be long for intensive rehab treatment – especially as the NHS is currently under strain. If you don’t think you can wait to receive a place in NHS rehab, you may wish to look at private rehab options. Read on to learn more about private rehab.
Aftercare and Continuing Support for NHS Patients in Rehab
Aftercare and continuing support are vital components of the rehabilitation process for NHS-funded patients.
Once you complete your initial rehab programme, transitioning back to everyday life can be challenging. Aftercare services provide ongoing support and resources to help you to maintain your recovery and ultimately prevent relapse.
Aftercare programmes assist you in developing personalised relapse prevention plans. These plans involve identifying triggers, learning coping strategies, and creating a support network to navigate potential challenges in recovery.
Ongoing counselling sessions, both individual and group, play a crucial role in aftercare. They provide a safe space for you to discuss your progress, address any ongoing concerns, and receive guidance and support from experienced professionals.
Depending on your needs, aftercare programmes may offer ongoing therapy options – for example, talking therapies such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), or family therapy. These therapy sessions can help you to address underlying issues, strengthen coping skills, and foster healthy relationships.
As an NHS patient, you may also benefit from participating in support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA). These groups provide a sense of community, understanding, and peer support, allowing you to share your experiences and learn from others who have walked a similar path.
Aftercare programmes often provide educational resources on addiction, relapse prevention techniques, healthy lifestyle choices, and self-care practices. These resources can empower you with knowledge and tools to make informed decisions and maintain your recovery.
Follow-up care is important when you complete your rehab programme. Aftercare programmes typically include regular check-ins and follow-up appointments with healthcare professionals to monitor progress, address any concerns, and adjust treatment plans as needed.
Aftercare and continuing support services provide NHS patients with the necessary tools and assistance to navigate the challenges of post-rehab life. By promoting ongoing support, relapse prevention strategies, and a comprehensive approach to recovery, these programmes contribute to long-term success and sustained sobriety.
What About Private Rehab?
Both private rehab treatment and NHS-operated treatment are effective options – however, privately owned rehabilitation clinics may offer more facilities.
It’s important to know what to expect before committing to a treatment option – how much does private rehab cost, and how is it different to options available via the NHS? Read on to find out.
It’s important to consider the cost when browsing private addiction treatment options. The cost can vary from clinic to clinic – however, a 28-day treatment plan can cost upwards of a few thousand pounds.
In both private rehab and NHS rehab, you should have access to a support team – typically consisting of nurses, doctors, and trained addiction counsellors.
However, private alcohol and drug treatment options will often have more therapy options available – for example, holistic therapies, mindfulness, and arts and crafts therapy. Although both options provide the same basic facilities, private rehab tends to be more opulent and luxurious. At Help4Addiction, we can connect you with a quality luxury rehab clinic that suits your needs.
Finding Rehab For Drug and Alcohol Addiction
At Help4Addiction, we can find the right place for you to receive rehab. We are in contact with addiction treatment organisations located all around England and Wales and can find the best local drug or alcohol rehab clinic for you and your circumstances.
It’s important that you make an informed decision regarding your recovery and care, which is why we’ll discuss your options beforehand to ensure you know the best way forward.
Whether you’re looking for a drug or alcohol detox program or a larger treatment plan, we can help. We can also get you in contact with the right UK addiction treatment group for you.
With both NHS and private rehab, you’re sure to receive the support you need to break the addiction.
We’ll talk through both options with you to help you come to an informed decision on the treatment plan moving forward. We’ll also inform you about the rehab process so you know what to expect during rehab.
We’re only a phone call away if you wish to utilise our drug and alcohol services – call us on 0203 955 7700 today to talk with one of our consultants. The first steps toward recovery can be scary, but our experts will be by your side.
About Author
Nicholas Conn
Nicholas Conn is a leading industry addiction expert who runs the UK’s largest addiction advisory service and is regularly featured in the national press, radio and TV. He is the founder and CEO of a drug and alcohol rehab center called Help4addiction, which was founded in 2015. He has been clean himself since 2009 and has worked in the Addiction and Rehab Industry for over a decade. Nick is dedicated to helping others recover and get treatment for drug and alcohol abuse. In 2013, he released a book ‘The Thin White’ line that is available on Amazon.
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