to ask if anyone has been in alcohol detox in England?

[Minorityreports]

Just a few questions:
Are you allowed visitors?
Are you allowed your phone?
Are you allowed to smoke?
What are the staff like?
What's a typical day like?
Probably have a million more questions but those for now.

Thanks to anyone who knows someone who went in or who has been in (don't have to share if it was you or someone you know).

TIA for any help.

Is there somewhere to do laundry?
Do you need cash?

Oh and what would you recommend as essentials to bring in apart from usual toiletries/books I'm assuming If no phone allowed.

My friend who went in wasn't allowed visitors, but he only had adult children.

He was allowed to smoke and make phonecalls.

A typical day was a bit like being on a psychiatric ward, from what he said.

There was group work, freetime and organised stuff, if you wanted it. Some of it you had to do as part of the process.

Yes there was somewhere to do laundry. There was the facility to get sweets etc.

Treat it like a hospital stay.

I think it will depend on the centre. The one I visited certainly allowed visitors, phones and smoking outdoors. The staff were friendly and the food was great. Handily it was right opposite a pub

It will vary tremendously from place to place. They won't all be the same. If you or a loved one are being referred somewhere, or are thinking about asking for a referral or booking in privately, just call the place you have in mind and ask them all these questions.

A colleague of mine went into rehab for alcohol. No idea if she was allowed a phone but she was definitely allowed visitors, although I think only after she'd been in for a while, not at the beginning, and I think it was only specific people she was allowed to see (ie not a constant stream of random mates). They were allowed outside for walks and fresh air and stuff so they must have been able to smoke outdoors - apart from anything, they probably wouldn't try to make anyone go cold turkey from booze and fags at the same time.

Handily it was right opposite a pub hmm

PMSL don't say that or it will be the first thing I'll have scoped out lol

This one is in London. narrows it down a bit, can pm the name if anyone thinks they might know it.

SE London..........

Visitors and phone - usually after a period of time, like 7 days
Smoking - yes
Staff - usually ex-addicts
Day - group therapy, time to write short papers on topics, presenting what you're learning etc
Night - attend local AA
Laundry - yes you can wash stuff there
Cash - yes bring some, you can visit the shops for sweets etc (have to be tested when you get back)

Good luck

I think I may know it, happy to speak to you if I’m correct. Apologies if I’m wrong. @Minorityreports do drop me a line as I have both personal (Family member) and professional experience.

Don’t go until your norovirus has cleared up.