What happens in treatment for drugs and alcohol
What happens when you start treatment and who will support you.
Starting treatment
Someone from the service will meet you and you'll have a conversation about your current situation and if you want to make changes.
They will ask you about your drug or alcohol use, your support network, your housing, your employment, your physical and mental health and your interests.
Find out what it's like to start treatment (video).
Developing a plan
After the assessment, you will meet your key worker, and together you will develop a plan that you can work through together.
Everyone's goals and journeys are different. Depending on your situation, your plan may include the following.
Psychological and social support
This is core to drug and alcohol treatment. You can access one-to-one support from a key worker, groups to build skills and learn, mutual aid groups, and psychological therapy. Key workers can also help you with other aspects of your life such as housing, income and relationships.
Medication
If you're dependent on opioids, including heroin, you may be offered a substitute medication to aid your treatment and recovery. If you're dependent on alcohol, you may need medication to support your detox.
Recovery support
This can include starting or keeping up education, training and employment, alternative therapies like art therapy and reflexology, peer support groups and finding new hobbies and ways to spend your time. You could also help others by becoming a peer mentor. Find out about recovery communities in Islington.
Residential rehab and inpatient detoxification
Better Lives can support residents to access residential rehabilitation for free and help you detox safely.
Who will support you
People working in drug and alcohol services have a range of skills and experience. Some of the people who might support you are recovery practitioners, key workers, nurses and doctors, psychologists, pharmacists, and peer coaches and mentors.