Finding the right alcohol or drug rehab options for you or a loved one can be overwhelming - at a time of greatest need. Many aren't aware of the right questions to ask, and how to compare more than one centre.
Our guide includes advice on how to weigh providers against each other, and a printable Q&A for when you speak with treatment clinics direct. Let's get started.
Step 1 - Understand What You Need
At the bottom of another binge it can feel all too easy to quickly commit to the nearest clinic offering a fast detox. But use your needs, and past experience, first and foremost, as your guide to what treatment will work best.
Detox, Rehab, Or Both?
Addiction treatment for alcohol or drugs usually starts with a detox, then therapy (rehab), followed by aftercare. But which of these is right for you?
- Have you tried treatment previously, without success? Or even, tried going it alone without professional help?
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.
Location, Location, Location?
Caught up in the need for detox, many will commit too early to a clinic as close as possible to home, without thinking ahead.
Looking farther afield can potentially mean finding a higher standard of care, for less cost.
Therapy levels vary wildly from clinic to clinic, and therapist to therapist. What feedback do you have on the clinic you plan to attend? Just a few minutes work here, can pay off down the line.
Previous/Complex Detoxes
Getting the right help means being picky about the support you'll receive while in treatment.
Multiple previous detoxes, or challenging liver issues, should mean you're extra careful that the clinic can accommodate your needs, both safely, and comfortably.
The medical team at a given clinic have the final say of course, but the admissions team for a provider should be well-versed enough to give you an idea of how your detox will proceed.
Ask around to find a clinic with professionals who have experience in detoxing your substance type specifically, e.g. a high dose methadone detox is complex, and should be undertaken only by professionals with substantial experience.
KEY QUESTIONS
- In your experience, would someone with my detox needs be better suited for hospital detox?
- What experience do you have in administering detox for individuals with my specific intake and frequency?
- My case is complex- what happens in the event of complications?
Step 2 - How Does Rehab Work?
What is day to day addiction treatment inside the clinic actually like?
You'll stay full time in a clinic, normally with a dedicated room and your own space, complete detox, and attend therapeutic sessions several times a week. Towards the end of your stay, the clinic should set up supports for the future. More about that later.
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.
What Is A Care Plan?
Reputable clinics will try to personalise the care you receive, as far as possible.
Most providers, at the start of your stay, will help you visualise personal goals and progress targets, in a specifically designed care plan.
Whilst not the most exciting part of the journey, this is a necessary means to help you monitor progress toward your long term vision. Make sure to take an active part in this stage.
KEY QUESTIONS
- Do I get an individualised care plan that I have input into?
- How do you help clients measure goals and progress?
- What input do I have in planning my care?
- How is care planning done?
A Day In The Life
What's the daily routine, inside a rehab, during treatment?
Short of actually admitting to treatment, we need to ask questions here that let us know what we should expect to see, hear, and feel, once admitted to a clinic.
In treatment, you should receive some form of agenda for each day of the week. This lays out the timetable of events, and what's expected.
Factors such as previous detoxes, history of relapse, amount and duration of intake, and others, will determine how long the detox stage of treatment takes. The pace of your treatment can vary. For example, for those with lighter intake levels, progression beyond the detox phase of clinic work can happen in just a few days. Sometimes it will take longer than this to get a clear head again. This level of variance between individuals is very normal.
Also, make sure to ask to arrange a visit to look around the clinic, first.
KEY QUESTIONS
- Do you have a virtual online tour I can take?
- Do you have sample daily agendas for treatment I can look at?
- How do I arrange to see inside the clinic, before admitting?
- When do you expect me to start taking part in the therapy process?
A Word About Covid-19
Few people successfully make it into long term recovery without the help of the bigger group around them.
Only with the support of others on the journey, can we hope to make a full recovery.
But recovery gains can only be made safely, with consideration to other health factors, in the bigger picture.
Step 3 - What Budget Is Available For Treatment?
Naturally, funding private rehab treatment in Robertstown is a concern for many.
Third sector organisations providing full stack care (detox, therapy, aftercare) under one roof are few and far between, but worth investigating in your area.
Like most things in life, it's tempting to go for simply the cheapest cost provider.
Cheap providers often involve minimal rooms or living conditions, and poor therapy. Look instead for smaller providers, with more personal attention.
Call round a few providers, using our cheatsheet if needed - and get a feel for pricing, and whether they can meet your needs comfortably. Don't commit to anything just yet.
Options Beyond Rehab
Local Mutual Aid Meetings
12 step support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are usually available in most locations, although meetings have largely shifted towards online now, in the wake of covid issues.
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.
AA, NA, and the big book groups have millions of followers and attendees, and have been very successful over the years. But at the early stages, it's important to get safe and comfortable professional help to detox.
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.
Eligibility for short term detox is slim, and is usually restricted to only a handful of cases.
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 Impartial Consumer Reports
Opinions on different clinics' standards of care are ten a penny on the internet, but how do you know who to trust?
Arm yourself from the outset, with the *only* truly impartial consumer report available for private clinics - the Care Quality Commission (England & Wales) and/or Care Inspectorate (Scotland) inspection reports.
These regulatory bodies complete inspections to ensure a minimum level of service is met.
This includes feedback on staffing, care and support levels, management, and environment.
Clinic Inspections - What You Need to Know
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 - Decide On A Provider
At this point, you've got enough info to decide on one of the clinics you've seen.
Normally, the provider will take you through a few initial questions, when you call, to make sure you're a good fit, and will work well together.
A telephone assessment might last up to 30 minutes, after which the provider will likely request you to pay a deposit towards treatment, so that they can progress further with your admission.
If you’re paying via an insurance policy, this is the time that will get sorted out also.
Step 6 - Paying For Rehab
Most clinics will expect payment of a deposit, toward the full balance of treatment, prior to admitting.
Depending on total costs, your deposit could be anywhere from £500 - £3,000 or more.
Not many clinics remain, who offer finance payment plans, directly.
Ask for an email confirmation of booking, and get clarity on when the admission details will be finalised, and your date of admission confirmed.
Remaining Balance
Clinics will normally expect payment of the remaining balance of treatment, upon arrival and admission to the clinic, so be prepared to make a payment at this time.
Interest on late payment for a significant sum like this can be significant, so it's worth getting this done on time.
Step 7 - Get Started
Now it's time for the practical stuff of admitting. Double check you have a note of your confirmed date and time your due to admit to the clinic.
Pack enough essentials for your treatment duration, like:
Check your booking confirmation for advice about mobile phone usage, internet access, visits, leisure facilities, and any special arrangements for covid-19.
Most clinics have a busy schedule and making sure you arrive on time is important. Getting your means of transport to the clinic organised ahead of time, will ensure things are effortless, on the day.
Now, enjoy your recovery!
The Top Questions To Ask
Thank you for reading the ultimate guide to finding the right rehab treatment for Robertstown.
You'll find all the right questions to ask a treatment provider in our printable checklist.
Download it on our main guide page here (direct download - no sign up required). You can download it here.
Thanks so much for reading our buyer's guide.
Abbeycare operate UK clinics providing help for alcohol or drug addiction for those in the Robertstown area.
Since 2005, we've been helping thousands to overcome addiction, comfortably, and safely.
In our 15 years, we've worked with even the most complex detoxes, needs, and issues.
We can even arrange to assist with transport to the clinic (some extra charges do apply).
How did we do with inspections from regulators? Check our reports, available on our clinic pages, here: Abbeycare Scotland, and Abbeycare Hygrove.
Our admissions team will help you navigate the treatment options.
Our medical team can assist you to detox, safely, and comfortably.
Our therapeutic team can help you identify the issues behind addiction, and stop the pattern in your life.
Our clinic team - many of them in recovery personally - are ready to get you started.
The only question is - are you ready?
We'll help get things moving. Ring us direct, on 01603 513 091.
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