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Last Updated:
October 21st, 2024
A guide to drug and alcohol rehab near Hillingdon, London
Hillington is home to a range of addiction treatment options, and we’re confident that this guide for drug and alcohol treatment will help you decide where to start your recovery. Making the decision to get treatment through rehab and detox can be an emotional and stressful time, and we’re here to help you understand the best treatment options in London.
Frequently asked questions about rehab near Hillingdon, London:
- Are rehabs open in London during the Coronavirus outbreak?
- Do free rehabs exist in London?
- How do I pay for rehab?
- Can I get funding through the NHS?
- Can you force someone to go to rehab?
- Which drug addictions can be treated in rehab?
- How long should I go to rehab for?
- Is rehab confidential?
- Can I visit a loved one during rehab?
What is rehab?
A supportive, caring and compassionate environment is an important part of the recovery process, and rehab aims to provide this for those who are suffering from addiction. Rehabilitation programmes strive to help individuals live free from the use of addictive substances by providing detox and holistic therapy.
Therapists who themselves have been through rehabilitation for drug addiction, alcohol addiction and gambling can draw on their experiences, as well as their qualifications, to provide guidance to those starting out on the recovery process. They provide group and private therapy in an effort to understand the underlying causes of addiction. Medical professionals can assist you to withdraw from an addictive substance safely. In some cases, a medical detox can be provided using specialised medicine.
Every good rehab should also include an aftercare service that helps to maintain a meaningful life free from the use of addictive substances. Every clinic carries its own aftercare benefits, and at UKAT we offer access to our Alumni network so that you can continue to build a supportive network of like-minded people once your treatment has ended.
Is rehab free?
Some free addiction services are NHS funded and provide an alternative to treatment at a private clinic. Charities such as Turning Point offer a small number of beds for residential care, but the vast majority of free treatment takes the form of outpatient care, group counselling and, in severe cases, detox programmes. All free services are accessible through self-referral.
Free addiction treatment services in Hillingdon
Addiction Recovery Community Hillingdon
Address: Old Bank House, 64 High Street, Uxbridge, Greater London, UB8 1JP
Number: 01895 207 765
Web Address: https://www.wdp.org.uk/hillingdon
ARCH Hillingdon
Address: Old Bank House, 64 High Street Uxbridge, Greater London, UB8 1JP
Number: 01895 207 777
Web Address: https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/services/mental-health-services/adult-and-older-adult
Some private treatment centres offer a choice of both inpatient and outpatient programmes that are available quickly and conveniently, whereas free treatment services often take a few weeks to access. There is limited funding available for addiction treatment, so residential spaces are difficult to get hold of. This leaves outpatient services as the main free treatment option.
Types of addiction treatment and rehab programmes near Hillingdon
Types of addiction treatment and rehab programmes near HillingdonHillingdon has access to a range of local treatment options, including both private and free programmes. Most NHS funded treatments are on an outpatient or day rehab basis, whereas private rehab centres offer a range of inpatient (residential) programmes.
Outpatient addiction treatment (day rehab)
If you opt for outpatient treatment, you can receive treatment whilst living in at home, only visiting the rehabilitation premises when you have a scheduled treatment session. You can head home once the treatment session is finished, which is convenient for anyone with day-to-day commitments that they cannot work around.
- Flexible for those that have childcare and work commitments
- You can remain in control of your home routine
- Cheaper than private care
- Not ideal for those with severe addiction
- People may be referred to a clinic far from home
- Recovery may be affected by life distractions
- Takes longer to complete
- Does not guarantee a safe space to stay during detox
- Does not guarantee a dedicated therapist
- Not able to share the experience with like-minded residents
Inpatient rehab
A rehabilitation programme in which you live at the premises is known as residential rehab, or inpatient addiction treatment. On-site professionals provide round-the-clock care and support, so that you can focus all your attention on starting a life free from the use of addictive substances. The comfort, safety and stability of on-site residence is a key benefit of being an inpatient at a private rehab centre.
There is also the added benefit of living with people going through similar experiences to you, which means you spend time with people who understand what you are going through, you can express yourself without judgement and can build bonds with those who have the same recovery goals.
Many UKAT workers and therapists have been through addiction and know what the process is like on a first-hand basis, so can empathise with every stage of the process.
How does residential (inpatient) rehab work?
The following will describe what can be expected from inpatient rehab programmes, so you can decide whether it’s the best treatment option for you.
Admissions
A referral from your GP is the first step toward accessing free treatment. Once your GP has assessed your situation, they will forward your case to a specialist who can offer a range of treatment options. Unfortunately, this process can be slow, and you will often be left waiting for a few weeks before an appointment is scheduled. Because the delay can put you or your loved ones at further risk from the dangers of addiction, private treatment provides a valuable alternative. Within 24 hours of contacting a private clinic, you can be set up in a specialised facility where a licensed psychiatrist will be available to explain your treatment options and answer any questions about the rehab process.
Each rehab centre operates with its own rules, but this is a list of essential items that you should bring with you for your treatment:
We recommend that you bring:
- Toiletries
- Nightwear
- Exercise gear
- Comfortable clothes
- Outdoor clothes
- Medication
- Umbrella
- Pictures
- Mobile phone
- iPod or radio
- Laptop
You may be limited to how often you can use your laptop and mobile phone during treatment, to increase your chances of recovery.
The following items are usually not permitted:
- Illicit alcohol or drugs
- Any form of weapon or dangerous object
- Sharp objects such as knives, scissors, needles, and razor blades
- Non-prescribed medication
- Aerosols or perfume
- Mouthwash with alcohol contents
Medical detox
Drug and alcohol detox describe the time and safe space provided by rehabilitation centres to give your body time to rid itself of harmful substances. If you have become physically dependent on drugs or alcohol, then a medical professional may suggest the need for detox medication to gradually wean you off the addictive substance. This is known as a medically-assisted detox. A sudden decrease in the volume of an addictive substance in the bloodstream can cause a shock to the body that is lethal in severe cases. For this reason, it is recommended that detox is completed in a residential setting where staff are on-hand to accurately assess withdrawal symptoms and health complications. A specialised treatment centre can safely and comfortably provide the best environment for detox.
Rehab programme
12-step programmes, one-to-one-therapy, group therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) are all examples of recovery approaches offered as part of rehab. They are all treatment options with a unique range of benefits.
Choosing the right programme
A well-equipped and competent rehab centre should provide inclusive treatment options for each individual, to ensure all religious, personal and disability needs are catered to.
Recovery should ideally include family therapy, individual therapy and group therapy, and a certified psychiatrist will utilise a proper evaluation in order to provide a dual diagnosis option. This provides the necessary support for anyone seeking treatment with a mental health condition, otherwise known as a compound disorder.
It is also important that a rehab provides satisfactory access to medical staff, who provide exemplary care throughout the recovery process.
If you are interested in the rankings of a clinic, The Care Quality Commission (CQC) provides a compulsory rating system to help you establish how safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led a clinic is. This information can be easily accessed by searching on their website. For example, all of our UKAT clinics have achieved a ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ CQC rating.
Family support programmes
The behavioural aspects of addiction can be the most difficult for friends and family to deal with. Often, addictions to drugs and alcohol present a great challenge for family and loved ones, so it’s important for positive changes to be made together. A supportive rehab programme will include family sessions to ensure that everyone is empowered to communicate effectively.
How long does rehab last?
We recommend booking into a rehab for more than eight weeks, because spending more time at a treatment centre increases the likelihood of staying in recovery once the rehabilitation process has ended. Most programmes last from four to twelve weeks, and those who initially book for a shorter period of time commonly ask to extend their stay. Longer treatments allow plenty of time to adjust to life at rehab, go through the detox process with minimal discomfort and build important friendships with your peers, which will serve invaluable after treatment is complete.
The benefits of residential rehab
- Removing you from any temptations and life distractions
- On-hand medical specialists and support staff
- Opportunity to meet and share experiences with like-minded residents
- Luxurious and comfortable grounds to stay in during your detox
- Schedule and meals set up for you, giving you time to focus on recovery
- Immersive aftercare programme
What happens after rehab?
Because the process of recovery will continue long after you have left the rehab clinic it’s important that you have access to aftercare, which will be an invaluable tool during the recovery journey.
Aftercare programmes
Free aftercare is an essential component of a quality residential rehab programme, and regular sessions should be provided to assist in your long-term recovery. At UKAT, we provide all our patients with access to our Alumni community, where they can receive continual support from their peers at various events and activities. Building and maintaining positive friendships with others in recovery is a powerful asset when living a life free from addictive substances.
Support groups
Addiction support groups are separated into specific types of addiction, offering a focus on substance abuse. They can be attended during or after your addiction treatment, and they provide an environment in which you can share your experiences and support others as they go through similar trials and successes.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA) and SMART recovery all offer free services to anyone suffering from addiction. They are a highly recommended part of the recovery process.
Long term recovery from addiction
Long term recovery from addictionIt requires a great deal of focus, dedication and hard work to maintain a life in recovery. Those in early recovery may be vulnerable to the triggers and stresses of life outside of the rehabilitation centre, where alcohol, drugs and other temptations are readily available. It is imperative that you make full use of the available aftercare services, and build a supportive network of peers to assist you during long-term recovery, which UKAT will help you to build from the very first step.
Frequently asked questions
Many private rehabilitation companies, including UKAT, accept BUPA insurance. However, be sure to check with your insurance company that your claim is covered.
The longer the length of stay in rehab the higher the success rate for staying sober, as you spend more quality time in therapy and in a sober environment, away from temptation.
Private rehabilitation is completely confidential and does not sit on your medical records.
Family support groups take place every week at each of our centres and anyone who has a close connection to the patient can join. Not all rehabilitation centres offer this option, so this needs to be checked on their website.
