Finding the right alcohol or drug rehab options for you or a loved one can be overwhelming - at a time of greatest need. It's easy to end up paying too much for a treatment clinic that underdelivers.
If you're considering expensive rehab treatment - read our need-to-knows before taking the plunge.
Step 1 - Detox .v. Rehab
Having newly made the life changing decision to get help can feel rejuvenating....as well as more than a little vulnerable. But considering first, what your treatment needs truly are, can help you pay for rehab just once, and not twice.
Detox .v. Rehab
A normal stay for alcohol or drug treatment would include the three stages of detoxification, rehabilitation, and aftercare planning. But there's no point in spending more than you have to.
- Do you need detox, or rehab? It's important to be clear on this.
Be honest with yourself here, as going the detox-only route initially, when underlying work is truly needed, often ends in paying for treatment twice, not once.
When Is Close To Home, Too Close To Home?
Thinking of treatment nearby? It's a natural response when feeling low.
Make comparisons instead, against level of care, support, and independent reviews from The Care Quality Commission (England & Wales) or The Care Inspectorate (Scotland).
Detox can be found in many places, but a strong rehabilitation programme with excellent therapy can mean much greater progress in the long term. We're getting to the real questions here about standard of care delivered, instead of just the bare minimum.
See all the locations Abbeycare serve, here.
Detox Requirements
You should know: your progress in treatment can depend heavily on the strength of the clinic staff around you, and the support of your peers.
Multiple previous detoxes, or challenging liver issues, should mean you're extra careful that the clinic can accommodate your needs, both safely, and comfortably.
While an admissions team or sales team can give an indication of likely detox methods, this is of course finalised and decided upon by the supervising medical professionals present.
Likewise for therapeutic help, what specialist qualifications in addiction do the team have? Ask here about issues that have been sticking points for you in the past, and their suitability to help.
KEY QUESTIONS
- Are you a rehab clinic, or a hospital?
- What experience do you have in administering detox for individuals with my specific intake and frequency?
- If I have questions about my specific detox needs, who would I speak to?
Step 2 - What Does A Stay In Rehab Actually Involve?
What is the typical admission process?
For in-patient treatment stays, you'll have your own room in the clinic, where you stay, live and sleep, for anywhere from 7-84 days or more (28 days is the average stay).
The clinic you enquire with, have to make sure they can look after you and your needs for detox and rehab. They'll ask some standard questions about your usage, and history with addiction. This is normal, and it's important for them to rule out extreme cases where their environment may not be safe, or provide a comfortable detox experience.
Mapping Out Needs And Treatment Goals
Clients are normally encouraged to actively monitor their progress towards recovery treatment goals and outcomes.
Most providers, at the start of your stay, will help you visualise personal goals and progress targets, in a specifically designed care plan.
Together you'll map out key milestones, while accounting for past addictive patterns and behaviours. Make sure to take an active part in this stage.
KEY QUESTIONS
- Do you provide a written plan for me to follow, during treatment?
- How do clinic staff know they're doing a good job at helping clients achieve recovery?
- What input do I have in planning my care?
- How is my treatment regimen communicated between staff members?
What Actually Happens Inside A Clinic?
What Is Day To Day Life Like, In Treatment?
Asking some key questions before admitting to a clinic can help you get a sense for what life is like in treatment, before committing.
Since residential rehab is a group environment, most clinics provide each client with a daily agenda, every night for the following day. This will give a clear indication of what activities happen when, where, and what's expected of you.
Detox from alcohol or substance misuse in a clinic can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on multiple factors. Getting clear of the physical effects of alcohol or substance misuse in detox could take 3-6 days, for lighter use cases. Sometimes, detox will last much longer. Clinic staff understand this.
Arranging a visit to the clinic, before committing any funding, can help reassure you of standards of care, and avoid a costly mistake. Ask about this.
KEY QUESTIONS
- Do you have a virtual online tour I can take?
- Do I take part in daily activities even during detox?
- Is it possible to arrange a pre-admission visit, to look around? Is there any charge attached?
- How quickly after detoxing can I get started on the remainder of the programme elements?
Does Covid-19 Affect My Rehab Treatment?
Rehab is almost always a group exercise, even at higher end clinics.
Gains achieved during treatment can be amplified by the help of the peer group around you.
But making headway in your recovery, at the expense of other health factors, won't help anyone.
Step 3 - Rehab On A Budget
Naturally, funding private rehab treatment in Broadfield is a concern for many.
There are few half way house providers that exist generally, between public providers, and private treatment, so get clear from the start on which you need.
Like most things in life, it's tempting to go for simply the cheapest cost provider.
Working with minimalist care, in a clinic with spartan conditions is not conducive to personal breakthroughs. Instead, look for alternative providers with smaller programmes, headcount, and overheads, to strike the right balance.
By calling and comparing a few treatment providers against each other, this step should give you a sense of what rehab will cost.
Options Beyond Rehab
Local Mutual Aid Meetings
Most locations hold local Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings which can assist in the mutual aid and social elements of recovery.
Whilst mutual aid plays a big part for many, later in their recovery journey, those at the start will need professional help to detox safely.
Thousands benefit from local community groups every week. But for short term help for detox, you'll need professional assistance.
NHS/Public Funding Options
Immediate help to detox from NHS services is usually not possible. It's more common to receive a referral to a local Drug/Alcohol support team, and begin weekly meetings with a keyworker.
Usually, only the more complex cases with a long history of addiction are considered for placement into specialist detox units.
More often, where a genuine need for short term detox exists, it's more common to see loved ones and family pulling funds together to help someone get help.
Step 4 - Get Independent Reviews
Assessing a provider's standard of care is important - but can be tricky for the layman.
The industry regulators - the Care Quality Commission in England & Wales, and the Care Inspectorate in Scotland, publish the only independent reporting on standards available, for private rehab clinics.
These two regulatory bodies inspect rehab clinics on a regular basis (usually annually) and produce written reports on their findings.
Treatment providers are graded against standardised performance measures like environment, care standards, and support provided to clients.
Regulatory Reviews - The Need To Knows
Inspections can be "announced" (the clinic is aware in advance) or "unannounced" (inspection teams arrive without warning) - so for the best insight into everyday care levels, check for unannounced reports.
Step 5 - Finalise The Details
Now is the time to come to a decision about where you're completing treatment.
The clinic team will ask you to complete a telephone questionnaire, to make sure they can meet your needs.
After the assessment is complete, the clinic will start making preparations for your stay - to do this, they'll need some commitment from you, in the form of a deposit payment - this holds the room in your name, and allows the team to start making arrangements.
Take the opportunity at this point to arrange payment via insurance policy, if applicable.
Step 6 - Arranging Payment
As mentioned, an initial deposit payment is usually expected.
The deposit could be anywhere from £500 - £3,000, depending on specifics. Most clinics accept payment over the phone by card.
A few offer payment plans to help spread the cost of rehab, although nowadays this is less common.
You should expect some kind of booking confirmation from the provider, usually by email, after any deposit or balance payment is made.
Outstanding Balance
Treatment providers will expect payment for the remainder of the balance of treatment, upon arrival the clinic.
To avoid excess charges later, it's best to settle this on time.
Step 7 - Admission Into Treatment
If you don't already have it, contact the admissions team and confirm your date and time of arrival.
Bring along a few supplies with you, like those below. You should be able to arrange for anything else, after arrival.
Rules re mobile phone and device usage varies from clinic to clinic - it's worth checking before you set off - how many devices are allowed, and what the internet usage policy is. Many clinics have a restricted use policy, to keep clients on track.
Make sure to finalise transport arrangements a few days in advance, to ensure you attend the clinic on time, and avoid any surcharges on delays on treatment.
From this point on, your recovery journey has begun!
Are You Asking The Right Questions?
Thanks for reading our guide.
Thanks for reading our ultimate guide to finding treatment help in Broadfield.
Abbeycare operate UK clinics providing help for alcohol or drug addiction for those in the Broadfield area.
We've helped thousands overcome their addiction to alcohol or drugs.
In these last 15 years, our experience has gone from strength to strength.
Our team can even get transport organised too, if needed, from your location (with an extra charge).
Our inspection reports from the regulators, are available on our clinic pages, here: Abbeycare Scotland, Abbeycare Gloucester.
Our admissions team will help you navigate the treatment options.
Our medical team can assist you to detox, safely, and comfortably.
Our therapists are ready to help you get the insights you need, to stop the pattern of addiction, and reclaim your life.
Our clinic team are ready to help you get started.
Are you ready?
If you're ready for help, call our admissions team direct, on 01603 513 091.
