Addicts in prison?

[whateveryousay]

Hi, I am trying to support a friend whose early 20’s age DS has gone completely off the rails. He finally has a court date, following which he will go to prison. Even his solicitor says this.
Her DS is addicted to drugs, no idea what, most probably deals, and drinks heavily too. He is not a ‘nice person’. However, he is still my friend’s DS, and she is worried sick about what will happen to him in prison? Will he get any help with his addiction, or will he be left to go ‘cold turkey’? Does anyone have any experience of this? Or can point me to anything on the internet? Google is not being very helpful.
Many thanks.
She has tried her best to get him support over the last few years, btw, but he refuses to engage with GP/counsellors etc.

Not any personal experience but from my brother in law's tales, if they have severe withdrawal symptoms they can be treated at the prison infirmary or given a prescription for methadrone (probably spelt that wrong) or other medicine to manage the symptoms of withdrawal and monitored closely. It depends on each person individually, the drug they're addicted to and their level of dependence plus the prisons own policies.

Hi- I work in this area. Each prison has a healthcare provider who oversees Mental health and physical health including substance use. On arrival to prison he will be screened in reception. It’s here nursing staff/GP will pick up his substance use needs and place him in the appropriate pathway for clinical
support to manage his addiction/symptoms/withdrawals. There will also be an additional substance use charity/service who will offer psychosocial support. This is ongoing 1:1 and group support to address the ongoing addiction needs and prepare them for release, onward referrals to community services.

Whilst this is certainly true, I'm afraid I'd have to tell you that it is not remotely difficult to get drugs in prison. If he is in such a bad way, he'll find the people who deal them, and likely come out more of an addict / criminal than when he went in. The people who turn their lives around in prison are few and far between, and have to really want to do it.

Yes he will , he'll be assessed on arrival and seen by the substance misuse team to see what the issues are and what is appropriate medication to get him through

He can also engage with them and the mental health team to detox from substances to improve his lifestyle on release

If he refused to engage with a drug and alcohol treatment program in order to reduce his sentence then it’s not looking that hopeful for his prison stay.

Drug misuse is very common in prisons. Forms of synthetic cannabis are most frequently used as well as opiates
, cocaine to name a few.

If this is genuine, Your friend can find out about drug support services in prison online. PrisonDrugsStrategy.gov.uk

It's easy to get hold of drugs in prison, easier than the streets. Very unlikely he'll get off them.

Thank you all. I’m very worried that if he won’t engage now, then he won’t engage later either, and will indeed come out even worse than he will be going in. Good to know that help is available to those that will take it though.