Private medical detox... any insights?

[BananaHammock23]

DB is a drug addict and alcoholic. Despite various stints in rehab over the years, he's having what I would describe as a psychological breakdown, exasperated by an intense alcohol relapse. He's been drinking heavily everyday for a month - around 2l of spirits a day, sometimes beer too. I'm surprised he's still standing, but he is.

He was admitted to an NHS hospital on Friday night for withdrawal symptoms and given medication to sedate him enough to ride out the first three days, but on day three he ordered vodka to the ward and has been drinking again. Now the Drs cant medicate him (understandably!) because of seizure risk. There is no care pathway on the NHS now and they are discharging him into the hands of my parents, who quite frankly - and again, understandably - are ill-equipped to deal with him.

I've found a private medical detox at a rehab centre a few hours away. It's a 10 day programme with the option to extend if needed (i presume it will be tbh). Does anyone have any experience of this? Will he be able to discharge himself? He's willing to go, but I fear when day 3-4 comes around he'll be right back out to the nearest pub.

It's relentless. 10 years of this and tens of thousands of pounds on rehabs and nothing seems to work.

Hey, really sorry for what you’re all going through. Have any of you accessed support for families effected by addiction such as Drugfam - they can be a good support.

would a more intense / longer lasting rehab be an option as opposed to a detox with option to extend (not sure how long the extension could be or if he has done these in the past)

There’s numerous places that offer up to a years placement that have phases, with counselling, therapies, work placements and move on accommodation etc. Obviously these can be an issue if he is working or doesnt want to leave an area or commit to something so long but in my experience working with those effected by addiction detoxs are great but dont always address the route causes and people can relapse quick because of the lack of wraparound support, if they offer the support such as counselling etc that’s great.

Your local drug and alcohol agency if he is engaged with any can also be a good place to start, and he can self refer, have a keyworker and they can sometimes aide with detoxs. and some also have funding to send places to rehab (but with cuts this is becoming increasingly less)

Im not sure of your location but Yeldall Manner in Berkshire is great, they also have a “good samaritans fund” if funding can be an issue.

Also ARC in southsea area offer detox and then a longer programme.

If he is there (or any rehab) he would be able to voluntarily leave if he is there voluntarily. Sometimes it does take people a few cycles and stints in rehabs and treatments etc, a friend of mine it took 5 stints and is now 7 years sober and clean.

hope that all makes sense!