Alcohol Help

Nelson House, Stroud
Care and support for people recovering from drug and alcohol addiction

About us:

Nelson Trust Registered provides care and support for people recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. It offers three components of care: abstinence treatment; education, training and employment; and resettlement. Collaboration and responsibility are key factors to success.

The Nelson Trust believes that with the right amount of care, support and encouragement, every person has the ability to change and to improve the quality of their lives. The Nelson Trust promotes change through timely psychosocial interventions that respond to the complexity of needs presented in our client group.

We believe that every client is different. That is why a wide range of interventions is made available. Clients with similar needs often require different interventions; our individual care planning system aims to meet those differing needs, through a comprehensive and integrated spectrum of therapeutic, educational and practical responses.

The Nelson Trust?s treatment philosophy is abstinence based. We believe that the emotional and psychological therapeutic work undertaken by the client, in addressing underlying issues, must be worked through during a period of abstinence. Therefore, all clients must commit to being abstinent, at least for the duration of the treatment programme.

Therapy groups and workshops are facilitated by qualified counsellors using an integrative approach. The style of group facilitation is based on the Yalom model of group work, adapted to meet the needs of the addicted population and focuses on interpersonal relationships. Counsellors use Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques and Person Centred (PS) skills to support and challenge as appropriate. We believe that given the opportunity and a safe environment, clients can develop and grow beyond their expectations and the hopes of their families.

Substance misuse and dependence can affect every aspect of a person?s life, as well as the lives of the people around them. Successful recovery therefore involves a holistic approach to treatment. The Nelson Trust offers a comprehensive and integrated programme of treatment, educational and training opportunities, as well as a resettlement and housing initiative.

We believe that by integrating these three components into a complete programme of care and support, The Nelson Trust can offer clients the best possible chance of maintaining the changes made in treatment. This can then lead to a healthy, independent lifestyle in the long-term future.

Contact Details:

Nelson House
Brimscombe Hill
Brimscombe
Stroud
Gloucestershire
GL5 2QP

Telephone: 01453 885633

Stepps Rehabilitation Centre: Gloucester
Independent, family owned residential care centre specialising in the treatment of Alcohol addiction

About us:

What is Alcohol Dependency?

Alcohol dependence is a progressive degenerative disease that is both physical and mental. When someone experiences an addiction to alcohol, they become dependent on it as the factor that starts to control all aspects of their life. It is characterised by the following four symptoms: loss of control, tolerance, physical dependence, and craving.

Many who experience an alcohol addiction find that it can be devastating and leads to numerous complications within their lives, including problems at work, catastrophic relationship troubles, issues with health and can even lead to engaging in illegal acts in order to ascertain money with which to acquire alcohol.

Understanding Alcohol Dependency

Alcohol addiction is an equal opportunity destroyer – while it effects more men than women and some races more than others, it impacts both genders, most races and both young and old people. Many individuals simply make the wrong choices and ended up becoming addicted to this substance. Many individuals have a genetic predisposition to developing an addiction of this nature. When a person experiences the demoralising disease of alcohol addiction, it lasts the entire lifetime. It does not disappear, but can be held in a state of remission.

Alcohol addiction perpetuates through the following vicious cycle – over time the sufferer turns to alcohol to cope with, or more accurately to numb, certain feelings that they find unpleasant and over time they become physically addicted to alcohol. The end result is that instead of having one problem, not knowing how to cope with undesirable feelings, they now have two problems – not knowing how to cope with undesirable feelings and a physical addiction to alcohol, each of which feeds the other.

Detox for Alcohol Dependency

At Stepps we view the detoxification programme as a Physical, Psychological and Spiritual process and, where good clinical practice allows, clients will be offered a variety of interventions using the very latest protocols.

The use of prescribed medication from our specialist doctors is only one part of this service. Our basic principals are to use a holistic approach to treatment, underpinned by proven research based methods and updated via Clinical Governance procedures to enable us to offer best practice for our clients and staff development.

For the majority of clients the detoxification process will take seven to ten days, although individuals who have been using certain substances may take longer to regain cognition for them to enter their Personalised Treatment Plan fully.

Medical Interventions for Alcohol Detox

Thiamine – To stimulate appetite, help repair the central nervous system, alleviate short term memory loss and help rebalance the body’s vitamin loss.

Carbamazapine – As a precaution, to reduce possible alcohol related fits.

Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) – Tranquiliser to reduce withdrawal symptoms. Sometimes clients have liver damage and are unable to tolerate Chlordiazepoxide. On these occasions, we would use Oxazepam.

Pabrinex Injections – Daily dose for clients with signs of Peripheral Neuropathy /Wernekes-Korsakoff Syndrome. We also use a variety of back up medication if needed i.e. Alcohol Dependant clients often need sleeping medication in the early stage of detox.

Complementary Detoxification Therapies

A variety of herbal teas, including Detox and Sleep, are provided for clients to enhance the detoxification process. All teas and coffees at Stepps are caffeine free.

We also encourage the use of Lavender Oil, Witchazel, Arnica and Methal Salisate to educate clients to take an active part in their recovery and not depend on ‘another pill or potion for any ailment’. Yoga, meditation, relaxation and guided fantasies are all other means of encouragement used at Stepps to set clients on their path to a healthier lifestyle.

In addition we will provide Auricular Acupuncture treatment, massage and reflexology, all found to benefit detoxification and relaxation, for those who would like it.

Treatment for Alcohol Dependency

At Stepps our approach to the treatment of addiction is significantly based on a collaborative process between the multi-disciplinary team and the client to devise a Personalised Treatment Plan (PTP) that will identify, maintain and resolve any underlying traumatic issues.

This approach delivers maximum impact and aims to create a willingness in the client to attempt significant life changes, taking into consideration each individuals motivation and readiness for change.

Group therapy and one-to-one counselling are surrounded by the LIFE Skills programme, an eclectic experience of mental and physical wellbeing workshops which rapidly break down defence mechanisms in a non-threatening manner, helping to reveal hidden pain and destructive behavioural patterns.

Aftercare for Alcohol Dependency

Stepps provides an aftercare service to support clients once the primary treatment phases have been completed. Together, the client and key workers will create a value orientated life plan which aims to build self esteem, develop new LIFE skills and strengthen the road to recovery in both the short and long term.

Stepps prides itself on its sympathetic understanding of each individual within its care and its wide variety of aftercare treatments includes specialised workshops, group sessions and relapse prevention.

Stepps offers an annual renewal programme to allow former clients the opportunity to deepen their understanding of lifelong recovery and share their experiences with others.

Aftercare at Stepps is a free 12-month service for all clients who have completed their full treatment programme.

Next Steps…

Take a positive stride to a new beginning. At Stepps, our assessments and expert knowledge of alcohol rehabilitation enables us to give honest, caring and objective advice.

When you contact Stepps, a member of our expert team will discuss the alcohol problem with you, assess the situation and explain the treatment options available. Stepps work with you to make the best arrangements possible for you or your loved one.

Contact Details:

Stepps Rehabilitation Centre
Ley Courts
Ley Lane
Minsterworth
Gloucester
Gloucestershire
GL2 8JU

Telephone: 01452 750599

Inishfree, Stroud
Safe accommodation, training and support for people recovering from alcohol and drug addiction.

About us:

Inishfree has established a small community project in Gloucestershire that provides supported living for individuals addressing their addiction problems after they have completed a detoxification programme elsewhere. An individual can sign up to the Inishfree housing programme for as long as 2 years, receiving different levels of support and training to prevent relapse and returning to the cycle of addiction.

Inishfree is a unique service in this country because it provides opportunities to develop skills and expertise in vocational trades after completing a significant amount of time to stabilise. It individualises the programme to meet specific needs and supports an individual to fulfil their potential whilst in the safety of a drug and alcohol free environment ensured by 24 hour staffing cover.

The client group are referred to as Trainees and are attracted to the Inishfree programme because it provides an innovative approach to address emotional problems while building up confidence and self esteem. This provides the emotional stability and foundation to go on to develop their aspirations for the future. In the main the programme is focused around cooking and catering, using the kitchen garden as a means of education into diet, health and ultimately a sense of wellbeing that was missing in their lives before.

Inishfree hopes to satisfy the individual needs of each human being on three different levels:

1. Physical level – Work
2. Emotional level – Therapies
3. Social level – Community life

1. Physical level – Work:

Physical exercise such as gardening, building and decorating can provide when achievable, a positive distraction from cravings, a clear purpose and goal in daily life, and a self motivated contribution to the community, a feeling that one is needed, which was not present before.

2. Emotional Level – Therapies:

Counselling and biography group work will also be central to the recovery process, but in a way that enables people to digest the process rather than be overwhelmed by it. Looking back over one’s life would of course be part of the counsellor’s input, but only after a time of stability, and when the trainee is ‘ready’ to take hold of it more fully.

3. Social Level – Community Life:

Living together in a supported environment, where others know exactly where you are coming from is fundamental. For some who have lived in virtual isolation from the world, community life can help to address those feelings of isolation.

The programme has been developed in such a way that it covers 5 phases over a period of 2 years. Each phase is designed to accommodate the changing body, mind and emotional needs in the early and later stages. Physical illness, panic, anxiety, shame and cravings, are very strong in the beginning, from the obvious distress experienced in the withdrawal of poisonous substances. As time goes on this becomes less prolonged and less intense. Slowly through the activities the emergence of a renewed sense of self outweighs the earlier symptoms.

Contact Details:

Inishfree
Roseclive
Rooksmoor
Woodchester
Stroud
Gloucestershire
GL5 5NE

Telephone: 0845 458 9904

The Nelson Trust, Stroud
Offering people with alcohol & drug dependencies a continuum of treatment, support & resettlement.

About us:

The Nelson Trust is one of the longest established treatment centres in the UK and has always been at the forefront of innovation in the treatment of addiction field, supporting people to full recovery and independent living – a life beyond addiction.

The Nelson Trust offers a programme of medium to long-term treatment to people who have completed detox and need support, encouragement and time to help them through the early stages of recovery and towards rebuilding their lives. It’s an abstinence-based programme that typically lasts for six months.

Collaboration and personal responsibility – these are key to the success of our treatment programme. At every stage of the treatment process, participants work in partnership with others taking part in the programme; care managers, the clinical team and (where possible) family members, to create a system of care tailored specifically to individual needs. This collaborative approach helps us continually refine and adapt our care programme to address the issues that matter most to the individual. And while the person will receive ongoing support, they will be taking gradual ownership and responsibility for their own treatment, preparing the groundwork for a life of independence in the future.

The treatment programme is made up of a combination of daily group therapy sessions and one-to-one counselling that takes place once or twice a week. We also run regular special interest workshops. These are tailored around specific issues that may be important to clients, and take place whenever they feel the need to address a particular concern. The workshops cover topics such as parenting, anger management, relapse prevention or relationships.

Contact Details:

The Nelson Trust
Port Lane
Brimscombe
Stroud
GL5 2QJ

Telephone: 01453 885633