Choosing Public or Private Drug Detox Services

The first port of call for those with a drug addiction is usually a detox facility. People who want to overcome their drug addiction will usually sign up for a private drug detox programme run by a charity organisation.

Detox from a drug addiction is a necessary part of recovery because it is vital that those who want to get better abstain from drugs before attempting drug treatment. However, it is important to remember that detox is just the first step on the road to long-term sobriety. In order for those with drug addiction to get better, they will also have to sign up for a programme of drug rehabilitation.

Turning Lives Around

Not everyone can afford private drug detox and rehabilitation clinics, and this is why there are a number of charity organisations and NHS-run programmes in existence. Here at Recovery.org.uk, we work alongside many treatment providers, both in the private and public sector, to ensure that as many individuals as possible get the help they need to recover.

Those who work in addiction services do so because they want to help addicts to overcome their illnesses. Many have been through recovery journeys of their own and are now dedicated to passing on what they have learned so that they can help others to turn their lives around too.

One such addiction service is the Reach Out Recovery Centre in Hartlepool. This drug and alcohol rehab facility has just recently received word from Hartlepool Council that it can go ahead with expanding its base in the former Whitby Street church.

Increasing Demand for Services

Reach Out Recovery applied for permission to turn the old church into a rehabilitation centre and to make various alterations that would allow for more people to access the service. Despite some objections to the plans, the council gave the go ahead. Reverend Colin Satwell said, “It means we can take more people in and help more people by taking them out of the situation they are in. It is fantastic.”

He added that there was an increasing demand from those who were dealing with drug and alcohol issues and who were also living on the streets of the city. The plan is to renovate the building to create more rehabilitation facilities, such as extra bedrooms, bathrooms, a shower room and communal rooms so that more people can be accommodated.

Objections

Unsurprisingly, there were objections from those living in the surrounding areas. Addiction is a misunderstood illness, and many people are of the opinion that those affected are ‘bad’ or dangerous individuals who will put other’s safety and well-being at risk. Sadly, the stigma attached to addiction, and, in particular, drug addiction, means that many view drug addicts as people to be avoided.

Some of the objections to the renovation of the church on Whitby Street included such things as the fact that customers and businesses would not want to come to the area and fears for the safety of female workers in the area.

Stigma of Addiction

Rev Satwell said, “We have been here for seven years, but nobody knew what we were doing until we put in for a change of use. There have been no incidents.”

Addicts are often stigmatised for no reason other than they have an illness that others do not understand. Many fail to realise that these people did not choose to become addicts and that they need help. They also fail to understand that addiction is an illness that can affect absolutely anyone, regardless of where that person came from or his/her circumstances.

Nevertheless, Rev Satwell was keen to point out that those who attend the Reach Out Recovery programme are only accommodated if they stay off drugs and alcohol, and they must register with a GP. He added, “All our staff are above qualified I would say. We have helped save hundreds of thousands of pounds from people not ending up in court or getting in trouble with the police. We have had great success. There’s a lot of education goes on here. We teach life skills so they can go back and function in society.”

Beating Addiction

Those who suffer from addiction often just need someone to take a chance and give them the opportunity to turn their lives around. Thankfully, there are many options available, including private drug detox and rehab, and programmes run by local groups and charities.

One thing that people need to realise is that, as a society, more needs to be done to help those affected by addiction. This is an illness in the same way that cancer, diabetes and dementia are illnesses, and those affected need to be treated as ill.

The only way to beat a drug or alcohol addiction is a programme of detox and rehabilitation. With the support of qualified professionals, even those with the most severe addictions can recover. For more information on how to access public or private drug detox and rehabilitation programmes, contact us here at Recovery.org.uk.

Source: Rehab centre wins council approval (Hartlepool Mail)