Alcohol Help

City Roads, London
A place of safety, high level of staff, focus on the current problems and solutions.

About us:

City Roads excludes clients: Whose alcohol or benzodiazepine use/dependency is too high for rapid detoxification and increases the risk of complications.

City Roads aims to resolve the immediate danger and crisis the client is experiencing in the community. This is done by using a model of crisis intervention – a place of safety, high level of staff and a focus on the current problems and solutions. During a client’s stay, they will take part in a group programme and one-to-one sessions which will provide information on harm reduction and the processes of their treatment. A discharge and treatment package will be planned on an individual basis and clients will have an opportunity to begin to explore their drug use and related issues.

City Roads’ programme is designed to respond to those with complex needs. However, in regard to dual diagnosis, we have registered mental health nurses who can assess and deliver care and access to a locum consultant psychiatrist who will provide mental health assessments.

City Roads is an open access service. Clients may self-refer, with or without the support of a worker in the field or a healthcare professional. All referrals are made by telephone and there are crisis helplines specifically for this purpose. A detailed assessment will be taken to assess that the individual is in a crisis in regard to their drug use and is in danger due to this. If this is the case, the individual would be suitable for immediate admission to City Roads and we would aim to admit as soon as possible.

Due to availability of bed spaces a client may not be able to be admitted at the point of referral. The client needs to keep in contact with City Roads at least on a daily basis to ensure that as soon as a bed is available they can be admitted.

A further assessment, completed in person, would take place at a local hospital to check that the client is safe and suitable for admission. The client would be immediately brought to City Roads if this assessment is unproblematic. Clients are seen by a nurse and doctor on admission and settled into the house by a member of the admissions team.

Discharge policies: City Roads will discharge clients who:

*jeopardise the safety of the service for the other residents or staff
*use drugs or alcohol on the premises
*are suspected of using
*try to get drugs onto the premises
*show intimidating or aggressive behaviour towards others – staff will work with challenging behaviour and have to assess the risk associated with the behaviour displayed
*are violent.

No sexual relationships.

Harm reduction policies for clients leaving the programme early:

There is a warning system which is used to work with people’s behaviour and challenge this. People may be discharged if they are not addressing their behaviour despite being made aware of this by staff.
If treatment is withdrawn, clients will be informed of the risks in regard to reduction in tolerance. Clean injecting equipment can be given if people are planning to use on discharge. Information is given to people on local services in their area and they are informed of the re-referral policy at City Roads.

Resettlement / after-care services:

As part of the care plan at City Roads, clients are looking at a discharge package from the day of admission. Clients’ needs, choices and options are explored and staff will facilitate and advocate for an ongoing plan of care. Contact will be made with Community Care Assessors and treatment providers. Clients may move on to further residential care of community treatment options depending on individual need.

Contact Details:

City Roads
352-358 City Road
Camden
London
EC1V 2PY

Telephone: 020 7843 1640