Drug and alcohol rehab in Manchester

It can be really hard to acknowledge an addiction to substances, but taking the first step by seeking help can be life-changing. Rehab centres in Manchester offer a range of treatments to help people begin their recovery, and they have supported many people in their darkest times.

Drug and alcohol rehabs in Manchester provide services to help you address your substance addiction by offering professional help in a non-judgemental, therapeutic environment. In this guide, you can find out more about drug rehab and alcohol rehab to help you decide on the best rehab centre for you or your loved ones.

Types of addiction treatment and rehab programmes in Manchester

There is a choice of two treatment services that both offer some form of therapy, detox and peer support, but use varying methods. These services are inpatient rehab in Manchester and outpatient rehab in Manchester. Choosing the most appropriate treatment centre will depend on your circumstances and funding options.

Outpatient addiction treatment (day rehab)

You can receive outpatient treatment for drug and alcohol addiction whilst continuing to stay at your own home. This can be a good option for people who have other responsibilities because it causes less disruption to your routine. You receive your addiction treatment by visiting the treatment centre for scheduled appointments; this is also referred to as day rehab. However, this can make treatment much more difficult because your lifestyle pressures are likely to be still active during your treatment. Outpatient treatment can be provided as a free service through the NHS but is it not something that Recovery Lighthouse offers, as we focus on connection and teamwork to support one another through recovery.

Inpatient addiction treatment (residential rehab)

Inpatient treatment tends to be the most effective because you can remove yourself from your lifestyle triggers. It is also known as residential rehab because you live in the treatment centre to receive your treatment. The duration of your stay at residential rehab will depend on your treatment programme, but we advise to book in for at least 28 days. Recovery Lighthouse, and other UKAT clinics, offer residential rehab centres near Manchester with a therapeutic environment and team of professionals to guide you through your recovery journey. You will live with others also completing treatment at the addiction treatment centre, providing you with peer support. A stable and comfortable environment with all the necessary facilities for you to focus on recovery is the biggest benefit of inpatient care, as you are not exposed to triggering environments and can build healthier connections.

Your loved ones can also visit you at the treatment centre, playing an active role in your recovery. Rehab centres in Manchester offering inpatient treatment are privately funded, as you have the flexibility to tailor your treatment length and select your preferred centre.

Why inpatient rehab?

Inpatient rehab is regulated by the CQC, who regulate all health and social care services in England. This gives people assurance that high-quality care is being provided, and can help you choose a rehab programme because you can access the CQC ratings yourself. There is usually a mixture of therapies offered in the treatment programmes at inpatient rehab. These include a detox, group and one-on-one therapy, family support and holistic treatments like mindfulness, yoga or music therapy.

Part of the one-to-one therapy includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). CBT is a talking therapy that aims to change your behaviour by discussing how you interpret your thoughts and feelings. Family support programmes are also offered to address the negative impact that addiction has had on your loved ones. At Recovery Lighthouse, you have the choice of meeting with your loved ones as part of family support, facilitated by a trained professional, which can help recover significant relationships by sharing your feelings openly. These meetings are called conjoints.

What should I expect from a detox in Manchester?

A detox is offered as the first part of the treatment to wean your body off the addictive substance. This is an essential part of the recovery programme and often the most challenging. You may feel some uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms during your detox, which is your body responding to change.

Medical detox

A medical detox can be offered as part of a drug detox or alcohol detox for higher levels of addiction. Medication is administered with a medical detox to ensure a safe withdrawal from addictive substances. The trained professionals will help you to determine whether you will need this type of detox when you first embark upon treatment.

A medical detox is available for inpatient and some outpatient treatment programmes. However, for outpatients, it may be impractical to have a medical detox due to safety reasons. As an inpatient, you will receive ongoing support from medical professionals throughout your medical detox. The increased monitoring and support will help you during the withdrawal symptoms providing you with reassurance, so you will not be alone. Anybody who is considering a detox should seek advice from a medical professional to ensure that they withdraw from the addictive substance safely and with full support.

Drug and alcohol rehab programme

Treatment programmes vary depending on the treatment centre that you choose. You can select your favoured treatment programme to match the recovery approach to suit you. Recovery Lighthouse uses the 12-step programme, which is a popular approach to addiction treatment. Alongside this, we include a mixture of one-to-one therapy, group therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and other holistic treatments, offering spiritual peace and positive change. Our inpatient drug and alcohol rehab programmes usually last between seven days and three months, and our support continues when you leave rehab.

The non-12-step programmes which are offered by different providers focus on medical and psychiatric approaches and individual responsibility. This allows you to work on thought processes, but does not address the underlying issues behind the addiction and does not provide principles which everyone works to by supporting and learning off one another in treatment. This connection with others is at the heart of Recovery Lighthouse’s approach.

Is rehab free?

Unfortunately, not all rehab is free. There are some free addiction treatment services that can be accessed through the NHS. This is mostly outpatient treatment, with some offering detox programmes, but are likely to have long waiting lists with less flexibility for preferences.

You can speak to your GP and make a self-referral, or they may refer you to the charity Turning Point. Turning Point has limited funding for detox programmes, but do include some inpatient beds. Inpatient treatment is mainly accessible privately or through private insurance, as it offers a higher level of service with a greater chance of recovery.

Free addiction treatment services in Manchester

While you are waiting for NHS addiction treatment to become available, you can attend support groups to meet new people and seek extra support. You can find a link below of all the upcoming AA meetings in Manchester.
AA Meeting Greater Manchester
https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/AA-Meetings/Find-a-Meeting/manchester
Telephone: 0113 245 4567
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

The downside to free services

We understand that not everybody has the means to access private rehab, but if this is a possibility for you, it is highly recommended. NHS services are increasingly difficult to access due to cuts in government spending. This has led to waiting lists becoming longer and reduced service offerings. Free treatment programmes are mostly outpatient, which may not suit people with severe addiction, as a medical detox may not be offered. It can be hard to abstain from substances at the start of your treatment, so the change in environment offered with inpatient treatment can be crucial for a successful recovery.

The benefits of residential rehab in Manchester

  • Fast admission with immediate access to treatment
  • Choice of clinic so that you can be closer to your loved ones
  • Choice of treatment programme to best suit your needs
  • Support from a team of qualified staff with lived experience of addiction
  • Access to a medical detox
  • Therapeutic environment away from distractions that may lead to relapse
  • Peer support and therapeutic groups with others who face similar challenges to you
  • 1:1 counselling to work through your problems
  • Family support programmes to provide a stable home environment
  • Option to have conjoint meeting to repair relationships
  • Aftercare programme to help you complete your 12-step programme

What happens after a rehab programme?

You should feel extremely proud upon completing a rehab programme, but recovery does not end there. Aftercare is provided to ensure that you can maintain the growth that you have achieved in rehab. This will provide continued support for you in your normal life through connection with peers and professionals.

Aftercare programmes

Adjusting to your lifestyle change can be difficult, which is why aftercare is provided. It helps you to continue your recovery journey and transition to your newly found peace. Recovery Lighthouse and other UKAT clinics provide free group therapy for a year after leaving the programme. We also encourage you to stay in touch with those you meet in rehab, as peer support can help both you and others to inspire progress in difficult periods. UKAT offers you comfort in the Alumni community too, for everybody that completes an addiction treatment programme.

Support groups

As well as our aftercare, you can also go to local support groups. These are groups of people who are also on their own recovery journey and are found to be extremely helpful. Some community support groups include Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA), and SMART Recovery.

Long-term recovery from addiction

Recovery from long-term addiction is hard, so don’t be disheartened at any slow progress. There is no time limit on recovery, and some people utilise support groups indefinitely. Remember how far you have come as you continue your journey. Everyone at Recovery Lighthouse will be behind you as you achieve every success for your future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are rehabs open in Manchester during Coronavirus lockdown?
Rehabilitation centres in Manchester are open during the Coronavirus outbreak, as healthcare facilities are classed as essential businesses. This includes private rehab clinics, provided they follow the safety regulations implemented by the government.
How much does alcohol/drug rehab cost in Manchester?
Depending on the provider you choose, a standard 28-day treatment can cost between £4,000 and £12,000. The price range is based on the quality of the provider and the range of services the programme offers. Shorter and longer programmes are also available in some centres. On specific insurance policies, this is covered by private insurance.
How do you sign up to a rehab?
To sign up for private rehab, you need to contact your chosen centre, who will discuss your needs and organise the details for you. For NHS rehab, you must contact your GP, who will make a referral if you meet the requirements. 
How can I pay for a rehab?
Rehab can be funded privately, or subsidised through private insurance in some cases. Check with your provider to determine which rehab options are covered.
What rehab programmes are there?
The 12-step method is the most common programme, which is used by the majority of providers. However, some companies offer a mixture of holistic therapies, such as yoga, mindfulness, CBT and others, alongside the 12-step sessions, for the opportunity to trial a range of recovery tactics.
Can you force someone to go to rehab?
You cannot force someone to go to rehab; it must be their choice. However, there are ways of encouraging someone to attend rehab, including honest discussions, visiting the centre before committing to treatment and organising interventions.
Can I sign up for rehab for someone else?
You cannot sign up for rehab on someone else’s behalf. For recovery to be successful, the person must be willing to accept help and be open to thinking of addictive substances in a different way. Unless they are open to change, rehab will not be successful.
How long does a rehab process take?
Treatment programmes often last from four to twelve weeks, although it is generally acknowledged that the longer a person stays in rehab, the easier it is to stay sober.  

Shorter stays are available, but a minimum of four weeks is usually recommended.

What is treated in rehabs?
Rehab can treat anything an individual is addicted to, including alcohol, drugs, gambling, gaming, porn, internet, sex and food. Recovery Lighthouse also treats eating disorders and handles dual-diagnosis and co-dependency.
Which drug addictions can be treated in rehab?
Any drug addiction can be treated in rehab. This includes all illegal drugs, prescription drugs, legal highs, sleeping pills, stimulants and alcohol.
Is rehab confidential?
Privately funded rehab is entirely confidential. Free treatment through the NHS will require admittance through your GP, which means it will sit on your medical record. However, this cannot be accessed by anyone outside the medical field without permission.
Can I visit a person who is in rehab?
At Recovery Lighthouse, visits are organised every Sunday for those that wish to see loved ones. However, during the Covid-19 pandemic, visiting hours have been put on hold to prevent the risk of the virus spreading into our centres. We are in the process of reintroducing these sessions as safely and quickly as possible.
Are there free rehabs in Manchester?
There are a number of free clinics in Manchester which can help you with alcohol or drug abuse. However, these are predominantly outpatient programmes, which mean you cannot stay within the centre during the recovery process.
Can I get rehab funding through the NHS?
It is possible to receive rehab funding through the NHS, although it is a lengthy process in which many applications are denied. Applications can be made through discussions with a GP.
Why is going to a rehab important?
Rehab provides each individual with the tools to tackle their addiction and remain sober, which is both difficult and dangerous to do alone. Private rehab also introduces you to lifelong contacts and aftercare that will support you through a successful recovery process in the long-term. 
What is the difference between rehab and detox?
Detox deals with the physical aspect of dependence, whereas rehabilitation works with a person’s attitude towards addiction.

Detox is the process of withdrawing the body from any harmful substances, such as drugs and alcohol. Rehab involves therapy and recovery principles to help someone change the way they think about addictive substances and prevent them from using.