Daniel Gerrard: “I sat down and thought, I just want to build rehabs that people would be okay putting their kids into”.

As the CEO of UK Addiction Treatment Centres (UKAT), my personal journey has shaped the core values and mission that drive this organisation. For years, I battled with addiction, relapsing repeatedly and finding myself back in rehab, supported by my family, who never gave up on me. It’s because of that struggle, and the realisation of what it takes to truly overcome addiction, that UKAT exists today.

I know firsthand the devastating grip addiction can have on a person’s life. My own story with addiction began at a young age, and for many years, I was caught in a painful cycle of relapse and recovery. It was an experience filled with darkness, paranoia, self-doubt, and guilt.

However, no matter how many times I faltered, my family was there as I kept returning to rehab, holding onto the belief that recovery was possible. This constant battle led me to one undeniable truth: the importance of willpower and self-determination in the process of staying sober. Support systems, like family and friends, are invaluable, but ultimately, recovery hinges on a deep, personal commitment. That internal drive, the ability to wake up each morning with the resolve to remain sober is truly the foundation of long-term recovery.

One quote that has become my personal mantra is:

“Get your head on the pillow clean and just try again tomorrow”.

These words are more than just motivation. They are a daily reminder that every moment counts in recovery, and that each day presents a new opportunity to choose a life free from addiction.

After years of personal struggle and observing the experiences of others battling addiction, I came to a critical realisation. While therapy and counselling play a pivotal role in recovery, I found that becoming a therapist wasn’t the right path for me after completing a therapy course. But that didn’t mean my desire to help others had diminished. In fact, it only intensified. I wanted to do something bigger, something that could impact more lives in a meaningful and lasting way. That’s how the idea behind UKAT was born.

I envisioned creating a network of rehabilitation centres that would not only provide high-quality care that would also be accessible to all people but would be a space where families could feel comfortable sending their children and loved ones. Starting with just one rehab centre, we have grown to nine, including a specialised clinic in London focused on the unique challenges of co-occurring mental health issues and addiction. Addiction is not just an individual problem, it impacts everyone around them. When someone enters rehab, their family is often left behind, worrying about their safety, their progress, and whether or not they’ll return healthier.

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I wanted UKAT rehab facilities to be a reassuring and trustworthy place to begin people’s recovery journeys. Our centres are not clinical, cold institutions, but compassionate, supportive environments where people can feel at ease.

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Families can take comfort in knowing that UKAT is a community, not just a treatment centre. This community is built by professionals, support staff, and clients, all working toward the same goal. Over 50% of UKAT’s staff is made up of people in recovery, which allows us to provide a unique level of understanding and empathy to those entering treatment. It’s important because our staff members have experienced the struggle firsthand and can connect on a level that truly resonates with our clients, providing not only clinical care but understanding, support and guidance.

We believe recovery is a collaborative journey and involve families throughout the process by offering education, counselling, and support so they can participate in their loved one’s recovery. My own experience has taught me that while support is critical, the most important factor in recovery is the individual’s resolve to change. That’s why we don’t just focus on detoxing or treating the physical symptoms of addiction. We focus on equipping people with the tools, knowledge, and resilience they need to stay committed to their sobriety long after they leave our centres. Programmes like the 12 step initiative, which I personally found extremely beneficial, are used to understand triggers, develop healthy coping mechanisms that will serve you for life and emphasise the importance of self-awareness.

As CEO of UKAT, my mission is simple: to help those struggling with addiction and mental health. My personal experiences fuel this mission every single day. I know what it’s like to feel trapped in the cycle of addiction, and I also know the incredible freedom that comes from breaking that cycle. Recovery is possible for everyone, and I’ve made it my life’s work to help others find that freedom.

UKAT was built on the principles of compassion, affordability, and quality care. It exists because I believe that everyone deserves a chance to recover, regardless of their financial situation. It exists because families deserve a place where they can trust their loved ones will be cared for with dignity and respect. And it exists because I believe in the power of human determination, the power we all have within us to change, to heal, and to live a life of purpose and sobriety.

Just as I am committed to my own sobriety, I am committed to ensuring that UKAT is a place where others can find the strength and support they need to embark on their own journey to recovery.

Together, we can overcome addiction.