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Rehabilitation and detox

Rehabilitation and detox from alcohol and drug misuse is a lengthy and life-changing process. It requires considerable preparation and investment from yourself and the services supporting you.

Community rehabilitation

Your assessment and care plan may identify community rehabilitation as the best service for your needs. A Care Manager will work with you to help deal with your alcohol or drug use. This involves working on the reasons that led you to become dependent on drink or drugs. Learning healthier ways of coping with those issues and how to control any cravings you experience.

You may be referred to other members of the Aberdeenshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) for their specialist support. Medications may be prescribed to help with opiate or alcohol dependence.

You may also be offered additional community support:

  • 1 to 1 support, such as motivational interviewing; cognitive behavioural therapy; confidence or self-esteem building
  • structured programmes or referral to appropriate counselling
  • therapeutic groups
  • support groups, such as SMART recovery; Alcoholics Anonymous (AA); Narcotics Anonymous
  • support from an Employment Development Officer to help you back into employment
  • leisure activities
  • alternative therapies, such as acupuncture or mindfulness
  • directing to other council services, such as Housing or Education
  • advice on alcohol or drug misuse issues and related topics
  • advocacy

Recovery and abstinence from alcohol or drug misuse is often more manageable if you have supportive people around you. Local peer support is available from our community forums, contact details are on the ADP website.

Community detoxification

If you struggle to reduce alcohol or drug use, a clinical detox may be possible. Your suitability for this will be assessed. It may take place at home or as a short inpatient stay in a community hospital. Programmes can last up to 2 weeks for inpatient detox.

This service is done in partnership with one of our clinical colleagues. They will prescribe and monitor medications, if needed, to help you withdraw safely from  alcohol or drugs. One of our Support Workers will help with your wellbeing and with techniques to help avoid future use.

Residential rehabilitation

If community rehabilitation doesn’t work you may be considered for residential rehabilitation. Your Care Manager can make a referral if your needs would be best met by a residential rehabilitation programme. Your name is added to a waiting list until a suitable programme is available.

Before going to residential rehabilitation, your Care Manager works with you to prepare you for rehab. Often over several months. This involves:

  • identifying the right programme for you
  • completing a financial assessment
  • dealing with any childcare, medical, legal or housing issues
  • motivational work to make sure you are ready and willing to take part in the programme
  • making sure you know what to expect from the programme
  • helping with practical needs such as making your tenancy safe as you may be away from home for several months
  • informing relevant agencies who deal with your Council Tax or benefits
  • reducing consumption to minimise detox risk and withdrawal effects, many places won’t take you unless you are on 30 mls of methadone or less
  • help with transport arrangements to the rehabilitation unit
  • consulting with your employer before admission so you get time off for treatment

The work aims to prepare you for the programme you are going into. Making sure you have every chance of success.

Family members will be involved in the preparation, if appropriate. They will be told how much contact they can have with you during the rehabilitation period, and how to support you afterwards.

Funding may be available if you can’t pay for this treatment.

Once your residential treatment starts, your Care Manager will keep in regular contact with you and the agency providing your rehabilitation. They will review your progress until your discharge. Residential rehabilitation can take between 6 weeks and 12 months.

After residential rehabilitation, we will continue to support your reintegration back into the community. Your Care Manager continues to support you for as long as needed. You’ll be encouraged to continue to rebuild your life through activities such as education or training programmes and joining supportive groups.

Some people choose to relocate after completing treatment. If you decide to move to a new area, we will help you to arrange access to local services in that area.