Rehab in Birmingham

Drug and alcohol addiction is an issue which is affecting more and more people each year. If you are suffering from an addiction, it can be easy to feel like you are totally alone, as knowing which way to turn for help is difficult. However, there are some fantastic rehab centres in Birmingham which can help. For alcohol rehab and drug rehab, these centres can help you get the treatment and support you need. Drug and alcohol rehab in Birmingham has already helped so many people, and by reaching out to these centres, you will have already taken the first step.

Types of addiction treatment and rehab programmes in Birmingham

There are various treatment centres available to you, and so the first decision you will need to make is between inpatient treatment in Birmingham and outpatient treatment in Birmingham. Both approaches are available at different treatment clinics in the city, so it is important that you understand what they involve.

Outpatient addiction treatment (day rehab)

A lot of people automatically choose outpatient treatment because they think it will be the most convenient treatment approach. Outpatient treatment, or day rehab as it is also known, allows you to stay at home and only attend the clinic for treatment. While this may seem like it will enable you to live your normal life while receiving treatment, it is not always very effective. Drug and alcohol addiction works best when accompanied by holistic treatments which address how to healthily address emotions. Through day rehab, you will still have access to addictive substances, hindering your recovery process.

Inpatient addiction treatment (residential rehab)

So that you can make a clean break from addictive triggers, inpatient treatment at a residential rehab centre is usually the best option. There are many fantastic rehab centres in Birmingham offering a wide range of different therapies in a residential rehab setting. The inpatient treatment programme offered may vary from centre to centre, but you will be able to discuss your programme with the professionals at each centre and decide on the best course of action for you. They will have dealt with many people in the same position, so will be able to advise you.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to look at the accommodation options offered and find the addiction treatment centre where you think you will be most comfortable during your stay. Residential rehab is usually paid for privately by the client whereas many outpatient services are available for free through the NHS.

Why inpatient rehab?

Being able to escape your addictive triggers during your rehab programme makes inpatient treatment the most effective starting point for recovery. Outpatient treatment does not provide the same holistic approach, which limits the potential for positive, long-term results. Staying at the clinic as a resident enables you to totally immerse yourself in your recovery, which isn’t possible with NHS outpatient treatment. You can take a few weeks to forget about everything else going on in your life and just focus purely on yourself.

Care Quality Commission ratings

As Birmingham rehab clinics have so many different options available, choosing the best clinic can be difficult. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is an independently operated organisation which assesses addiction treatment centres and gives them a rating based on a range of criteria from client safety to staff numbers. These CQC ratings can be very useful in helping you to make an informed choice, as they are unbiased so you will be able to trust their findings.

Mixture of therapies

The most effective addiction treatment programmes use a mixture of therapies to ensure that all clients have the best chance of a successful recovery. These therapies will include both individual and group therapies which will be customised to suit you. At a Birmingham residential rehab clinic, you will be able to discuss your individual programme with the expert staff. This level of customisation is only available through residential rehab, which is another reason why it is more effective than outpatient treatment.

Family support programmes

The toll which drug and alcohol addiction can take on family is huge, and so a very important part of effective treatment involves extra support for your loved ones. Most Birmingham inpatient treatment centres offer family support programmes, which guide and assist family members through each step of the recovery process.

Conjoints

As well as offering family support programmes, residential rehab centres – such as Sanctuary Lodge and other UKAT facilities – also offer conjoints to clients and their families. These are special sessions which are designed to provide a safe place for family members to share their thoughts. Many families have attested to the effectiveness of these conjoints in helping to rebuild relationships that were damaged as a result of addiction.

What should I expect from a detox in Birmingham?

Detox is the process of removing all addictive substances from the body so that therapy can begin. Effective recovery begins with a full detox so that you start with a clean slate. As detox can cause serious withdrawal symptoms, it is safest when done in coordination with a medical professional.

Medical detox

If the extent of a client’s addiction is particularly serious, there may be concerns about the severity of the withdrawal symptoms they are likely to experience when they go through drug or alcohol detox. In this case, medical detox will be offered. This will be done under the constant supervision of a medical professional, and with the assistance of specially prescribed detox medication. When you enter residential rehab, you will be assessed and a decision will be made if you require this assistance for your alcohol or drug detox. The most severe withdrawal symptoms can include dangerously high fevers, hallucinations and tremors, and so medical supervision is incredibly important. Due to the levels of care needed, medical detox is only available in residential rehab and is not possible as an outpatient treatment. Day rehab clients usually have to wait for a bed to become available if they require medical detox.

Drug and alcohol rehab programme

The recovery approach taken at Birmingham rehab centres will offer some combination of therapies and treatments, based around a 12-step programme or a non-12-step programme. The treatments will include both group therapy and one-to-one therapy, as well as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). It takes around a month to complete the first steps of a 12-step programme so you are advised to stay in rehab for at least four weeks. The combination of therapies is designed to have the maximum effect for different clients, as some people respond best to individual therapy and others to group sessions.

Is rehab free?

As noted above, there are free addiction treatment services available on the NHS but unfortunately these are all outpatient treatment programmes. The waiting lists for these services can be very long and as some clinics will not accept self-referral, you will need your GP to refer you. Some GPs prefer their patients to try alternatives such as a detox programme rather than rehab, so it may be very difficult to get the help you need. If you are interested in inpatient treatment but you are unable to fund it, speak to the charity Turning Point, who may be able to help.

In our UKAT facilities, including Sanctuary Lodge, we accept private insurance as payment for private rehab. Be sure to check with your provider if this is covered for you.

Free addiction treatment services in Birmingham

As well as NHS outpatient treatment, there are other free services which can help your recovery. Try reaching out to your local Alcoholics Anonymous to get invaluable guidance and support.

The downside to free services

Many of the problems of free NHS day rehab come from a lack of government funding. This has led to huge issues with availability and many people waiting months to access treatment. In addition to a lack of places on treatment programmes, there are also limited appointment times for clients, meaning that it can be far more difficult than expected to schedule treatment around your normal everyday responsibilities. Furthermore, it is not possible to undergo medical detox as an outpatient, so you will have to wait for an inpatient bed to become available before you can start detoxing.

The benefits of residential rehab in Birmingham

Caring and experienced support staff – care from people who have been in your shoes
Immersive addiction treatment – escape from addictive triggers
Top-notch accommodation – your comfort a top priority
Choice of therapies – client input into treatment programmes
Around the clock medical detox supervision – ensures your safety at all times
Full family support – conjoints and family support groups to help loved ones through the process
A diverse range of therapies – designed to help every type of client make a lasting recovery
No waiting lists – you can receive admittance immediately
Independent CQC ratings – to help you choose the right rehab centre for your treatment

What happens after a rehab programme?

Completing a drug or alcohol rehab programme is a huge achievement and a massive first step on the road to recovery. After your time in rehab is over, your Birmingham addiction treatment centre will continue to guide and support you in achieving your recovery goals and overcoming your addiction long-term.

Aftercare programmes

A massive part of this continued support are the aftercare programmes provided to all clients after completing their rehab treatment. This will usually involve some future group therapy sessions, as well as the opportunity to connect with different support groups where people in recovery are able to support each other.

Support groups

There are many of these local support groups, and they can be hugely beneficial for clients who have completed their stay in residential rehab. Try connecting with some of these groups and you will see the support they offer: Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA), SMART Recovery.

Long-term recovery from addiction

Long-term recovery from addiction is an ongoing process but once you have taken that first important step and checked into rehab, you will have already overcome the biggest obstacle. After that, the UKAT’s Alumni network and councillors will be alongside you as you begin your new life.

How do I tell my family I’m going to rehab?

If you have made the courageous decision to enter rehab, you may be anxious about telling your loved ones. This can be a difficult conversation to have with friends and family, but the most important thing to remember is why you made the decision in the first place. Sit down with your loved ones and explain the benefits of addiction treatment and your goals for the future.

Once you start your treatment, the family group sessions and conjoints provided to your family can give them the advice and guidance they will need to support you through your stay in rehab.

How do I help get a loved one into rehab?

If someone in your life has an addiction problem, you may be wondering how to broach the subject of rehab with them. Sit down in a comfortable environment and discuss your feelings, explaining the benefits of rehab and their options. Although you cannot force anyone to seek help, it may just be the most important conversation of their life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are rehabs open in Birmingham during Coronavirus lockdown?

Rehab centres to treat addiction are deemed to be essential healthcare and so have remained open during the Coronavirus lockdown. While some private addiction centres in Birmingham may have closed on a temporary basis, Sanctuary Lodge and all clinics run through the NHS are open and operating under the government’s safety guidelines.

How much does an alcohol/drug rehab cost in Birmingham?

There are various factors which determine how much an addiction treatment programme costs, such as how long you stay in rehab and who is providing the treatment. You can pay anything from £5,000 to £13,450 for a 28-day stay in private rehab. Some of this cost can be subsidised, however, if you have private insurance.

How do you sign up to a rehab?

If you want to apply for NHS rehab, you will need your GP to refer you for treatment. Private rehab on the other hand can be accessed through self-referral. The treatment centre which you choose will then arrange a full assessment and take care of all of the details for you when you are ready to be admitted.

How can I pay for a rehab?

You will need to pay privately for rehab if you choose not to access it through the NHS, but if you have private health insurance, your policy may cover the costs. Contact your policy provider and see whether all or part of your rehab treatment will be covered under the terms.

What rehab programmes are there?

There are various addiction treatment programmes available, including in the 12-step method and other holistic therapy options. Most clinics follow the 12-step programme but will also offer supplemental treatments and activities such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, mindfulness and yoga practice.

Can you force someone to go to rehab?

You cannot and should not force a loved one into going into rehab. For the person to make an effective long-term recovery, they need to first recognise the need for rehab, and then take active steps to change their behaviour.

Can I sign up for rehab for someone else?

Unless someone recognises the need to change and is willing to do what it takes, then addiction treatment in rehab will not be successful. This means that signing up for rehab on someone else’s behalf is not an option. If you do this, you could end up making their addiction worse, or cause them to become more isolated.

How long does a rehab process take?

Addiction treatment programmes can take anything from a week to three months, depending on how severe the addiction is. When entering rehab, there is usually a period of detox to start. Therefore, a minimum of four weeks is usually recommended to get used to the new environment and build positive relationships with staff and other clients.

What is treated in rehabs?

Rehab can be effective in treating every kind of addiction such as alcohol, drugs, gambling, internet use, pornography and compulsive gaming. In addition, Sanctuary Lodge also treats clients suffering from eating disorders, and can help support co-dependency and dual-diagnosis.

Which drug addictions can be treated in rehab?

Addiction to every kind of illegal and prescription drug can be effectively treated in rehab and this includes sleeping pills and stimulants. The most common addiction is to alcohol and this can be treated either as an isolated dependency, or alongside treatment for other drugs.

Is rehab confidential?

When you access rehab through the NHS, it will come as the result of a GP referral, and so will be entered into your medical records. It is, however, illegal for anybody to access these records except for medical purposes. If you choose to enter private rehab, your stay will be 100% confidential.

Can I visit a person who is in rehab?

The majority of clinics allow family visitations at various stages of the programme. At Sanctuary Lodge, these visitations take place every Sunday. Unfortunately, it was necessary to temporarily freeze visiting hours during the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure that the virus was unable to spread into our addiction centres.

The process of restarting visitation sessions is ongoing, with the safety of clients, staff, and visitors our top priority.

Can I get rehab funding through the NHS?

There is the possibility of securing NHS funding which will require a conversation with your GP. It is important to note, however, that securing funding can be a lengthy process and very few applications are ultimately approved.

Why is going to a rehab important?

Rehab does not just focus on the physical aspects of an addiction, but rather looks to address the underlying causes of it. This approach helps people to develop healthy coping mechanisms and learn how to apply them in difficult situations when their cravings may flare up.

Private rehab centres offer clients medical detox, and provides invaluable aftercare through access to a support network which helps former clients support each other on their road to long-term recovery.

What is the difference between rehab and detox?

Detox is the period when you stop taking addictive substances like drugs and alcohol, to give the body the opportunity to heal. While this is necessary for physical recovery, rehab focuses on the emotional side of addiction. It uses therapy and other recovery techniques to help people overcome their dependency on a harmful substance.