Does the NHS Provide Alcohol Detox Treatment?
The NHS offers advice and intervention counselling if you have had an accident or injury related to alcohol use or are concerned about your drinking. You may be prescribed medication to assist you if you are detoxing at home.
You will regularly see a nurse or another healthcare professional, either, at home, your GP practice, or a specialist NHS service. You will also be given the relevant contact details for other support services should you need additional support (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alcohol-misuse/treatment/)
In some cases, the NHS may provide a medical detox within a hospital unit, this is reserved for those with severe alcohol dependence who may be at risk of serious injury or organ failure.
Preventing an Alcohol Relapse
Following successful completion of your detox, a continued rehabilitation program may be recommended to allow further work toward recovery and relapse prevention.
Services that may be included as a part of a comprehensive treatment plan for alcohol use disorders are:
Therapy
Addiction therapy can be provided both privately (residential rehab or private counsellor), or via the NHS and/or charities included “Turning Point”.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: this type of therapy helps you recognize your reactions to environmental and emotional stresses by focusing on learning new ways to cope with the stresses and triggers in your life without alcohol.
The Matrix Model: A 16-week treatment approach that combines the above behavioural therapy, a 12 step facilitation programme, family education, counselling, and promoting activities that are not alcohol-related.
The NHS has options in every local area that can help you with support during treatment, NHS Choices maintains a searchable directory of local drug treatment services.
Group Support
You may find it useful to attend meetings at your local Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) here you will find support as you follow a 12-step programme where you will be able given a safe place to admit you’re powerless over alcohol and your life has become unmanageable, admitting you’ve acted wrongly and, where possible, making amends with people you’ve harmed.
Family Support
There is an increasing recognition that drug misuse affects the entire family and the communities in which these families live.
There has been a growth in carer organisations, most notably Adfam and Families Anonymous
The Adfam website (https://adfam.org.uk/help-for-families/useful-organisations) is very useful and has a list of different organisations that you can contact for support for your family through treatment.
Families Anonymous (http://famanon.org.uk/) is a self-help service based on the 12-steps plan and is aimed at helping families affected by drug use and behavioural problems.