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This Page was last reviewed and changed on May 13th, 2022
Drug and alcohol rehab in Waltham Forest, London
Embarking on the road to recovery from addiction, such as drugs or alcohol, can be an emotional endeavour and you are likely to be faced with all sorts of options. In Waltham Forest, there are many different services, and it’s important to do your research to find the best service for you. We at UKAT have put together a guide to addiction rehabilitation in your area so you can make an informed decision in regards to planning your detox in London.
Frequently asked questions about rehab in Waltham, 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?
Rehabilitation involves detox and abstinence support through holistic therapies, enabling you to recover from addiction to drug, alcohol, gambling, and others. Professionals will help you to control your need for the addictive material, which may involve a medical detox in some cases. Rehab provides a safe environment to withdraw from substances and think about how to stay sober in the future.
The professionals who support you in rehab are generally able to draw on their own experience alongside their qualification to give you expert support and guidance. Staff include medical professionals and therapists, who run various group and private treatments to introduce a new way of thinking about your addictive behaviours and enable peer support.
Engaging in rehab aftercare is encouraged to enable sharing of experiences and access to ongoing support once treatment ends. If you have completed your rehab with UKAT, you will have automatic access to our online Alumni community, which brings together all aftercare resources in one place.
Is rehab free?
Rehab treatment is either privately funded or funded through the NHS. To access free services, you will need to self-refer via your GP. This will enable you to get involved with various treatment programmes including group therapy as an NHS outpatient. Residential services are usually privately funded, however, for those who don’t have this option, charities such as Turning Point can provide financial support for a limited number of people.
Free addiction treatment services in Waltham Forest
Please see below free services available in the Waltham Forest who may be able to provide further guidance and support.
Drug and Alcohol Service – Waltham Forest
strong>Address: 1 Beulah Road, Walthamstow, E17 9LG
Contact number: 0203 826 9600
Web Address: https://www.changegrowlive.org/drug-alcohol-service-waltham-forest/info
Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting – Waltham Forest
Address: 110 Mare Street, London E8 3SG
Contact number: 0300 303 2611
Web Address: https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/AA-Meetings/Find-a-Meeting/Waltham%20Forest
Unfortunately, the need for rehab treatment exceeds the services available, so many will find themselves on a waiting list if looking to access free rehab services. With limited government funding, programmes may not be run so often meaning that it takes longer to get accepted or complete a programme. Many people favour residential treatment; however, beds are limited, meaning that for some, outpatient programmes may be the only accessible option.
If available, private treatment enables you to choose your clinic and treatment programme which gives you to access specialist programmes as well as community aftercare. Private treatment includes full board and lodging for the duration of stay, which can be in the clinic of your choice.
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Types of addiction treatment and rehab programmes in Waltham Forest
Types of addiction treatment and rehab programmes in Waltham ForestThere are numerous options for choosing a treatment programme which is why it is important to do your research. This includes outpatient services (also known as ‘day rehab’) and residential services, both NHS or privately funded.
Outpatient addiction treatment (day rehab)
If you enrol in an outpatient programme, you will be required to visit a treatment centre regularly for planned treatment activities. You will live at home for the duration of your treatment, as you are only required to visit the clinic when you have an appointment.
- Can fit in around your day-to-day routine
- You can maintain responsibilities e.g. childcare as home life is not disrupted
- More funding options available
- This may be less effective for those with long-term addiction
- Possibility of being referred to clinic outside of your area
- Treatment can take many weeks to complete
- Harder to break unhelpful habits or avoid triggers
Inpatient addiction treatment
A residential rehab (also referred to as ‘inpatient’) dictates that you stay at the treatment centre for the duration of your chosen programme. Inpatient services offer you a safe environment to make the most out of your treatment programme.
If staying in private rehabilitation facilities, you are likely to experience maximum impact as the programme can act as a break from triggering life stresses which may be exacerbating your addictive behaviours. The programme also provides an opportunity for you to reflect and focus on your recovery journey.
How does residential (inpatient) rehab work?
It is essential you find the right rehabilitation programme to meet your needs, which may seem like an overwhelming task. Most residential rehab centres will have qualified professionals on hand to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Admissions
If looking to get admitted to free rehab services, you will need to visit your GP. They will assess your current needs and may refer you on to see a specialist who can then refer you to a treatment programme. It is important to consider that given the current climate, waiting times may be high and you may have to wait a long time to get an appointment.
If you are able to fund private treatment, admission can be arranged as quickly as it is needed; in some cases, from 24 hours from the first phone call. A personal on-suite will be prepared and when you arrive you will meet with a psychiatrist who will sit you down to discuss what you are looking to get out of treatment.
If being admitted to a residential treatment centre, the following items may be useful. It is important to bear in mind that different centres may have different rules.
Items you might like to bring:
- Toiletries
- Nightwear
- Exercise gear
- Comfortable clothes
- Outdoor clothes
- Medication
- Umbrella
- Pictures
- Mobile phone
- iPod or radio
- Laptop
The use of laptops and mobile phones is advised against to enable your best recovery journey.
The following items are not allowed:
- Illicit alcohol/ 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
Medical detox can be defined as prescribing medication to aid your body to withdraw and subsequently detox from any relevant substance, such as drugs or alcohol, safely and with minimal side-effects. This process can be challenging, so to make it easier, it is essential to do this in a safe and supportive environment with regular monitoring from a medical professional.
Rehab programme
There are several treatment approaches to choose from, so is important to do your research and find what works for you. Some choose to start a 12-step programme whereas others choose a particular therapy-based approach. You may feel you benefit more from individual therapy, or you may prefer the social aspect of a group setting. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a popular treatment model used for drug and alcohol addiction treatment. However, types of psychotherapy such as art or drama therapy may be available in a few places.
Choosing the right programme
All treatment centres of high quality will prioritise inclusivity and celebrate diversity as it is understood that your comfort is important. If you would like to discuss your religious practice, existing health conditions, disability, or any other needs or requirements, you can speak an adviser in your chosen treatment centre to ensure you get find the programme which works best for you.
You may have heard the phrase ‘dual-diagnosis’ used by professionals. It means both addiction and mental health difficulties being measured at the same time. Mental illness such as anxiety or depression is extremely common for those with addiction, as triggers for mental illness and addictive behaviours are the same. This shouldn’t make finding a suitable programme more difficult; however, it may be helpful to get advice on which treatment programme may provide the most support for you.
If you would like to assess the quality of your chosen treatment centre, you can look at the Care Quality Commission’s ratings (covering safety, effectiveness, caring, responsiveness and leadership) on the CQC website. CQC govern and inspect health facilities around the UK to ensure they provide an acceptable quality of care. A treatment centre with a rating of ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ rating is considered to be of high quality.
You can find all of UKAT’s CQC ratings on this page.
Family support programmes
Addiction rarely just affects the individual; as you may be aware, they can also have a substantial impact on people closest to you. Most programmes consider it important that loved ones are included in a rehab programme as well as being able to access specialist support to keep things in check. Support may include group or individual sessions with family members to encourage learning and open communication about issues of addiction.
How long does rehab last?
Treatment programmes often last from four to twelve weeks, although there may be some differences between rehab centres. It is generally acknowledged that the longer a person stays in a treatment programme, the easier it is to stay sober.
Most professionals advise booking a treatment programme which is longer than eight weeks to achieve the best results.
The benefits of residential rehab
- Restricted access to temptations and triggers
- Continued access to medical support
- Opportunity to meet others in the same situation
- Comfortable accommodation in a pleasant living space
- Planned meals giving you more time to focus on your recovery
- Access to aftercare
What happens after rehab?
Completing a treatment programme deserves a celebration – however, the road to recovery doesn’t end there. Ongoing support is needed to help you through any bad days and keep you focused on recovery.
Aftercare programmes
Almost all residential treatment centres offer aftercare activities including access to support groups and other valuable resources to help you stay clean and sober.
If you complete a programme with UKAT, all patients have optional access to group therapy for a maximum of a year. UKAT patients also have instant access to the online Alumni community, which enables people to keep in touch and access support after their stay.
Support groups
It may be helpful to research support groups in your local area, for example: Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA) and SMART Recovery. These are free services providing long-term support before or after treatment.
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Long term recovery from addiction
Long term recovery from addictionThe road toward recovery from addiction may look different for each person who walks it, so it is important not worry about how long it takes. Some people may find some parts of treatment more helpful than others; some need to do programmes again whereas others achieve results first time. Finding the right treatment for you is an essential part of starting the journey and UKAT will support you every step of the way.
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.
