Addiction clinics in London

brokensoul

A family member of mine is an alcoholic. He has admitted that he has a problem and needs help, but so far he has not been able to stop drinking.

He went to a doctor on Friday and they told him that he would need a programme to help him stop drinking, and that it would be dangerous for him to stop cold turkey. He is now waiting for word on an NHS programme, but my understanding is that there may be a waiting list for same.

We are quite happy to pay for him to go somewhere private to dry out and to begin a treatment programme but I have no idea where to start.

Does anyone know how you get in contact with residential treatment programmes in the UK?

Any guidence would really be appreciated.

LegacyUser

I do not know of any places in London but you can look elsewhere in the area. But I do suggest that it is better to send someone away from home. Addictions is very hard to contend with and the farther you send someone the more apt they are to complete the programme. I have seen quite a few leave during treatment where I work because it was very easy to do so. So, my suggestion to you is look away from the home environment. This gives them the time and space needed to focus on their recovery and not have the temptations, urges and distractions of home get in the way of treatment.

You need to find another GP that is comfortable working with someone that will suffer with AWS (alcohol withdrawal syndrome). They need to prescribe some medications (either Librium or Depekene) to prevent the shakes and seizures. Dosages and frequencies will depend on the severity of alcoholism and the amount your family member drinks per day. Please keep looking around because I do not like the fact that a GP sends someone home without any medication, suggestions or referrals. This is not only careless but downright irresponsible and dangerous, in my opinion.

I cannot tell you what is good in London but I know Castlecraig is excellent and they are located in Scotland. I work in the Belfast area and work at a government funded centre. But I will swear to anyone that this is one of the best facilities in the UK. I got to know the clinical staff there very well and even had the opportunity to spend the week there to observe. I only refer people to places that I am familiar with and had the opportunity to visit the facility. So as far as London ones, unfortunately I do not have a clue. The ones I referred to Castlecraig and who completed the programme have all told me that they were very satisfied with their course of treatment and therapy. Two of them have been to many other treatment facilities and have told me that Castlecraig was the best out of all of them.

I am sorry that I cannot be anymore help to you. Good luck to you.

LegacyUser

Hi OP, Think there's a place in Newry; http://www.cuanmhuire.ie/

Scruffles

OP,
look into phoenix futures- http://www.phoenix-futures.org.uk/our-services/our-residential-services/are-you-eligible-for-our-rehabs/
the sis is a councilor for them,they run a lot of different services for both drug and alcohol addiction and are commonly used by doctors,the government,courts,and prisons as the go to for addiction help now.
as for costs,it can be funded,or paid for privately,this page has the costs-
http://www.phoenix-futures.org.uk/prices-and-payment-options/

speak to gp or social services about the possibility of getting funding if he can wait that long,as that will be some fair amount of money being taken away for private,they shoud be able to say how long the process will be.

another well known but private service for addiction,is the priory hospitals,they have them all over the UK and they usualy get associated with celebrities going in for rehab.
however,a friend of sisters whom had also known for years had developed an eating disorder and borderline PD and was sucessfuly treated in a priory in cheshire,her mum and dad were very rich so god knows how much it costs for inpatient services,but if have got the money its another option to research.