Medical Detoxification, Group Therapy and Counselling

The Centre has been helping people rebuild and transform their lives for over 17 years and has successfully treated more than 1000 patients. As a member of the Covenant Healthcare group - you can be confident that you'll re ceive the very best care. The Centre is situated within Abbey Gisburne Park Hospital, which provides full hospital services. All patients therefore have full benefit of the care of the resident doctor and nursing team. We enjoy easy access by motorway and rail networks being one hour from Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool airports. As well as patients being able to refer themselves, we also see patients referred by GPs, Consultants and alcohol and drug specialists.

Substance Misuse: The Department of Health uses the term Substance Misuse to describe the taking of alcohol/drugs in a manner that causes harm to the individual, others in their lives or the wider community. Alcohol/Drug Dependence: A recognised condition and refers to a cluster of physical, behavioural, and mental occurrences. The use of alcohol/drugs takes on a much higher priority for a given individual than other behaviours that once had greater value. A key characteristic of alcohol/drug dependence is the desire (often strong, sometimes overpowering) to take alcohol/drugs despite experiences that advise the contrary. A return to alcohol/drugs use after a period of abstinence can lead to a more rapid reappearance of historic issues. Other characteristics are noted as:

• A strong desire or sense of compulsion to take alcohol/drugs
• Difficulties in controlling substance-taking behaviour in terms of its onset, termination, or levels of use
• A physiological withdrawal state when substance use has ceased or been reduced as evidenced by the characteristic withdrawal symptoms
• Evidence of tolerance, such that increased doses of the substance are required in order to achieve effects originally produced by lower doses (clear examples of this are found in substance-dependent individuals who may take daily doses sufficient to incapacitate or kill nontolerant users)
• Progressive neglect of interests because of substance use
• Increased amount of time necessary to obtain or take the substance or to recover from its effects
• Persisting with substance use despite clear evidence of overtly harmful consequences

Alcohol/Drug treatment involves an in-patient stay. It begins with a thorough assessment undertaken by members of the counselling team, nursing staff, doctors and Psychiatrist. During the first few hours', details of what can be expected from us and what is expected by you are discussed. A guided tour of the facilities and grounds follows. Belongings and personal effects are transported to the private en suite bedroom. Each patient is provided with an information pack that contains a timetable of events for the duration of their stay. An average day may include, for example, a one to one session with a member of the counselling team, relapse prevention, educational and therapy groups. A free after care service is provided*. This consists of three meetings per week at which all patients are welcome to attend. Daycare is also offered, at no extra cost, to all patients.

The focus of the treatment at the DependencyCentre is to help the substance dependent person achieve their goals:

In order to achieve these goals we aim to:

• Compassionately help the patient safely detoxify whilst helping them to recognise the severity of their condition.
• The team offer guidance and support throughout the treatment.

In order to achieve these goals we have set two treatment objectives:

• Objective 1: Compassionately help the patient safely detoxify whilst aiding them to recognise the severity of their condition.
• Objective 2: Offer guidance and support in recognising the need for help and that the condition can be put in remission.

The pursuit of these goals is not an overnight matter. In light of this we provide a comprehensive year long aftercare programme free of charge in-conjunction with the inpatient treatment. All Abbey treatment stems from validated research. It is understood that alcohol dependent people need help to achieve and maintain abstinence.

Patients can expect the following:

• Free initial assessment
• Medically managed Detoxification
• Group, individual and family counselling
• A dedicated service within a private acute hospital set in 200 acres of attractive parkland
• All single rooms with en-suite facilities
• Multidisciplinary team using abstinence based, integrated systematic approach
• Discretion assured

An increased ability to recognise individual potential and form meaningful relationships are considered vital in the recovery from alcohol/drug dependency.

Free 12 month Aftercare Programme

After leaving the Centre a support programme involving family and friends ensures that constructive encouragement is provided to help recovering patients. Those who are closest to the patient can therefore help continue the benefits of the Centre's intensive programme into everyday life.

Free Family Support/Educational Programme

• In conjunction with the treatment programme, the Dependency Centre provide a free weekly family support programme. This is facilitated by the highly experienced team of counsellors.
• As deemed appropriate by the counselling team.