If you’re experiencing negative consequences because of your drug usage, it’s time to start taking a deeper look and accept the possibility that what you have is an addiction. Once you accept that, you’re already on the road to recovery. The next stage is to figure out how you’re going to become sober.
Residents of the UK have the option to either privately fund their addiction treatment or opt for NHS-funded ones. With the growing burden on the NHS, it’s important to highlight which treatment is suitable for your particular circumstances. So let’s look into the substance rehabilitation options.
NHS Drug and Alcohol Rehab vs Private Rehab
When considering the benefits and drawbacks of private treatment vs NHS rehab, it’s important to remember that an NHS drug and alcohol rehab doesn’t exist.
There are only private institutes that have rooms assigned for individuals who get funding from the NHS. Those who obtain NHS rehab support receive the same care and therapy as those who pay for their treatments privately.
These days, the NHS is cutting down on funds. This is owing to significant reductions in alcohol and drug services. These changes have also affected private rehabs that rely on patients funded by the NHS to occupy a specific proportion of their beds.
Why You Should Seek Addiction Treatment at a Private Facility
A quarter of all CQC-registered centres throughout the UK tragically shut their doors indefinitely due to significant government budget cutbacks for addiction treatment services.
The closing of rehabs throughout the United Kingdom has exacerbated the problem, leading to an increase in drug and alcohol-related mortality. Unfortunately, those who are most defenceless depend on NHS care. They are the ones who took the blow.
Ideally, government-funded alcohol and drug addiction centres should be left for the most destitute and underprivileged. This is why many started looking for private rehab for substance addiction. Opting for private addiction treatment can make way for those who don’t have this option.
What to Expect at NHS-funded Treatment
To begin with, this programme is completely free of charge and fully finances at least one primary care therapy for individuals suffering from addiction. So, if you don’t have the financial means to pay for private addiction help, don’t despair.
Patients undergo a process by local drug and alcohol services to physically and mentally prepare themselves for entering the facility before admission. If primary care treatments are effective, NHS-funded secondary care therapies are easily granted.
NHS-funded treatments usually require individuals to detox and attend support groups before allowing them treatment to demonstrate their willingness. However, due to the shortage of funds and a large number of individuals who seek treatment through the NHS, waiting lines are exceptionally long for NHS funding.
You may be alongside people who are attending programmes and meetings at the local DAT (drug and alcohol team) because of a court order requiring them to do so. Some of these individuals are still in the early stages of their journey. Others may have little desire to change, causing friction and disturbance in healing and recovery spaces.
What to Expect at a Private Rehab
In many respects, a private addiction treatment facility may be more useful than NHS-funded therapy. There are no waiting lists, and in most cases, same-day admission is possible. Individuals who enrol in private treatment programmes have the option of selecting the best rehab at a facility of their choosing.
Rehabs can offer you anywhere from bespoke treatments, luxury programmes, and state-of-the-art facilities to budget options tailored to you. Patients at private rehabs may either work with their families and professionals to ensure a smooth admittance and transition, or they can self-check.
Money isn’t the only commodity that you put on the line when you seek treatment. You invest your psychological well-being and time. Therefore, opting for a private treatment facility can be an investment that opens up more choices for your recovery journey.
Summary
Private treatment seems to be the best way forward for most people looking to get help for their addiction. To summarise the information, and give you a quick recap of the points made in the article, we made a short list of facts:
- Due to cutbacks, the NHS is overwhelmed.
- NHS alcohol and drug rehabs are simply rooms at a private rehab mandated by the government.
- Private treatment centres provide tailor-made care for your individual needs.
- Waiting time, detox, DAT meetings, and pre-admission detox (often with a different provider) are the cons of NHS rehab programmes.
- Private rehab offers 24/7 expert supervision and treatment within the same facility, with dedicated therapists.
