My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Alcohol support

Can anyone recommend a alcohol treatment/rehab that is NOT AA based?

18 replies

SorryImKnew · 19/09/2020 19:12

My sister has had a long hard battle with alcohol and has now decided that she needs residential support to finally kick it as she is getting worse and her physical health is deteriorating rapidly with several hospital complications over the past 2 years due to alcohol related complications.
The problem is that all the treatment centres we can find are 12 steps based apart from two in the North of England. She is adamant that there is no point in her trying these as she has had no success with AA and the 12 steps. There is no point in her signing up for a treatment regime that she doesn't believe in as she is probably setting herself up for failure.
We have googled to the nth degree, but all the treatment centres seem to be 12 steps based.
Can anyone recommend a treatment centre that doesn't operate on the 12 steps? Google can find some in the US and some astronomically priced ones for celebs I guess, but her addiction support place will be funding it and they have budget limitations (don't know how much it is though).

Does anyone know of such a place preferably in or reasonable travel distance to London?

Thank you if you can advise. There doesn't appear to be a directory of them anywhere.

OP posts:
Report
SorryImKnew · 19/09/2020 19:15

She would also like a female only place ideally but it's not a priority. The priority is that it's not AA based. If there were such places that had a gym/pool or something to keep her occupied, that would be an absolute bonus, as she is a gym bunny when she is well.

OP posts:
Report
pluiedeprintemps · 19/09/2020 19:31

I have no idea - but wanted to wish you good luck for both you and your sister

Report
NomadNoMore · 19/09/2020 19:36

Have you tried the Priory group?

Report
pluiedeprintemps · 19/09/2020 19:39
Report
AbbieFB · 19/09/2020 19:42

What is it about the 12 steps she struggles with? If it is the ‘higher power’ element, this doesn’t have to be a religious god.

I know someone who used their much loved dog as their higher power!

Report
SorryImKnew · 19/09/2020 19:44

@pluiedeprintemps

I have no idea - but wanted to wish you good luck for both you and your sister

Thank you. We really want to try to capitalise on her willingness now as she has previously been unwilling to undergo residential treatment.

Just looked at the Priory website now and unfortunately "Addiction treatment at Priory is underpinned by the renowned 12-Step model, which is an abstinence-based approach that was first popularised by the organisation Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). " Thanks for trying though.
OP posts:
Report
SorryImKnew · 19/09/2020 20:06

[quote pluiedeprintemps]Have you come across this place ?

www.drugrehab.co.uk/non-12-steps-alcohol-and-drug-treatment-rehab-program.html[/quote]
Thank you! I rang them just now and they seem to tick all her boxes but their fee is 12k. She'll need to find out how much the budget is first. Forgot to ask if it was women only, but everything else sounded good. I've sent her the link and if the budget stretches to that, it might be a winner! Yikes, they're so expensive!!

OP posts:
Report
SorryImKnew · 19/09/2020 20:08

@AbbieFB

What is it about the 12 steps she struggles with? If it is the ‘higher power’ element, this doesn’t have to be a religious god.

I know someone who used their much loved dog as their higher power!

Everything about it I think! She is vehement about it. She was sober for short periods while attending them but then inevitably relapsed and then had suicide attempts because she felt that she had failed at her last chance saloon. She doesn't get it at all and doesn't believe in the higher power thing (which in fairness, if some higher power could do anything she wouldn't need AA!)
OP posts:
Report
Northernsoullover · 19/09/2020 20:11

Have you heard of SMART recovery? Its worth a look.

Report
SorryImKnew · 19/09/2020 20:13

Yes, she goes to Smart once a week but she needs something more I think at this stage.

OP posts:
Report
Northernsoullover · 19/09/2020 20:39

I'll pm you x

Report
AFitOfTheVapours · 19/09/2020 20:51

Hi OP.

Just a thought, but are you sure your sister is really up for recovery? I might be totally way off the mark, but it just sounds a bit like she might be putting up barriers. Like you say, rehab is horribly expensive and, much though I’m sure you will want her to try, it could be throwing a lot of good money away.

Anyway, when finding somewhere for my exH, I first found a local counsellor who specialises in addiction and had years of experience. They were endlessly helpful and knowledgable about the options and best places. Worth finding someone like that first?

The other thing I suggest is talking to some of the rehab centres. I don’t know how much personal advice you’d be able to get out of the big chains like the Priory, but I found the people who ran the independent rehab centres to be endlessly helpful. They are very often recovered addicts themselves and just keen to help. If they can’t help themselves, they may be able to give you recommendations.

Good luck!

Report
SorryImKnew · 19/09/2020 21:25

Yes, she seems desperate.

OP posts:
Report
AcrossthePond55 · 19/09/2020 21:29

Not sure how prevalent they are in the UK, but she could try Life Ring. My DB was very anti-AA. Life Ring saved him.

It's not a 'program' per se, but more a support group who believes that there are many roads to sobriety and offers mutual support to people traveling their own road.

Report
AFitOfTheVapours · 19/09/2020 22:02

Fingers firmly crossed for her then and sorry if I sounded too negative.

Another thought: it’s not right for everyone, but maybe intensive outpatient counselling could be an option if she’s really determined. Down side, of course, is not having that month locked away from temptation.

Report
SorryImKnew · 20/09/2020 11:19

AfitofVapours, thanks, she already attends an alcohol treatment place that has group therapy and such during the day. She goes there even while under the influence. Her physical health is getting bad, she has cirrhosis and gets other illnesses requiring hospitalisation. This is why she is now ready for inpatient treatment. Her body can't take anymore I think.

OP posts:
Report
AFitOfTheVapours · 20/09/2020 12:54

So sad. Really hope she gets the help she needs but also hope you are ok and getting plenty of help for yourself.

Report
Ccarlyle8 · 11/10/2020 22:11

Pls don't encourage her to go straight to rehab. She really needs some prep first.
There will be Nhs treatment services locally, and there is a non AA nationwide support group called Smart Recovery which is good.
As an alcohol specialist, I've seen so many families fork out for an intensive rehab when the 'foundation' work hadn't been done (and is free) and they leave early - and you don't get your money back).
Xx

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.