Alcohol Help

The Haven, London
Care home where people with chronic alcohol problems may live, long term, with dignity and respect.

About us:

The Haven is a registered care home where people with chronic alcohol problems may live, long term, with dignity and respect. We specialise in providing accommodation for those, who in addition to their alcohol problems, are cognitive impaired and dually diagnosed as suffering from Korsakoff?s syndrome, Werneke?s psychosis or other mental health problems.

It is recognised that, for most, rehabilitation is not a realistic goal and residents are free to consume alcohol in a comfortable communal lounge; their rooms or in the garden.

Harm Reduction at The Haven; A typical, although not exclusive, profile for residents will include experience of homelessness and history of involvement with the criminal justice system and emergency services.

Poor diet, untreated illnesses and injuries, and a pattern of alcohol binge and abstinence are also common.

Such factors constitute substantial harm to an individual?s mental and physical well-being.

Additionally, these factors may be compounded by the lack of attention to personal safety and hygiene, low self-esteem, and periods of isolation, particularly for those with mental health issues.

The Haven challenges this through providing a stable environment and sympathetic support to make real health and personal gains.

Through care plans and a risk assessment, keyworkers aim to enable residents to improve their overall quality of life, for instance through developing their family and community links, or through improved diet and personal care.

Who can live at the Haven? The Haven provides supportive environment for up to 20 residents usually over the age of 40, who are actively drinking.

We welcome men and women with an area reserved for women only. A number of rooms are set-aside for people with impaired mobility, however the Haven cannot cater for wheelchair users.

Facilities offered at the Haven; The Haven is a purpose built care home and is furnished to a very high standard with facilities ranging from a laundry to a landscaped garden. Each bedroom has a fully furnished bedroom with a key.

There are two lounges each with a television and video, one in which residents may consume alcohol.

An emphasis on individuals; Central to the practice of The Haven is that all residents are recognised for their individual needs, capacities and interests.

Through personal care plans and with the support of keyworkers, residents are encouraged to renew and develop their interests, community links and where appropriate, personal care.

Staffing; The Haven is staffed 24 hours a day, with a minimum of 2 Alcohol Support Workers on site at any time. The Alcohol Support Workers each keywork up to 4 Residents. We use a pool of experienced relief workers to supplement the project team in addition; two care managers, a Part-time

Housekeeper and ancillary staff manages and maintain the home.

Medication Needs; To ensure that residents receive the right medication at the right time, The Haven uses the Boots Monitored Dosage System.

Where appropriate, The Haven liases with primary healthcare providers and mental Health teams.

Making a referral; Referral forms are available from the Haven on request. The referring agency should complete the form with the client and return it for assessment. Potential residents, their families and support workers are encouraged to visit the Haven to see if we meet their aspirations.

The assessment process looks at personal, medical and psychiatric history, drinking patterns and support needs.

If accepted, the client will be able to move in as soon as written confirmation of funding is received from the relevant borough.

Contact Details:

The Haven
St Luke’s Centre
25a Wincott Street
Kennington
London
SE11 4NT

Telephone: 020 7587 5255

Freedom Recovery Centre, London
A wide range of services for alcohol & drug problems through day and residential programmes.

About us:

The Centre runs a flexible structured day programme that consists of a variety of topic related groups designed to support, educate and stimulate. People develop drug and alcohol problems for a number of reasons and FRC aims to provide a wide range of services through its day and residential programme. The centre offers a range of specialist counselling sevices such as family and relationship therapy,couple counselling and a range of topic groups. We also encourage and support the 12 step philosophy within our integrative and psychodynamic approach to addiction. In addition written assignments are an integral part of the learning process.

Service users preferably should have had a detox and should have some period of abstinence. Some understanding of the 12 step abstinance based aproach to recovery is helpful so that clients know what to expect and are ready to participate in the programme.
We will evaluate each client on an individual basis and previous history of treatment and relevant reports will be essential, our aim is to reach all sectors of the community in particular working with Afro Carribean and other ethnic minorities acknowledging cultural diversity and its associated issues with substance misuse. Clients with dual diagnosis will be considered via a Risk Assessment and reports from medical experts are essential.

Client assessment begins at 10am after having been referred by social services or other external agencies. Then he/she is introduced to staff and peer group. He /she is invited to participate in a group session. After lunch a formal assessment is conducted by a member of staff, and involves full life history, substance/alcohol abuse and risk assessment. Successful assessments are notified within 24hrs and an admission date agreed. Admissions are on a Monday after an alcohol and drug test; all relevant documentation filled out with admin/keyworker. Induction process and buddy allocated. Client luggage is searched on admission. Residential clients are given room keys, welcome pack, terms and conditions. In the first few week clients are encouraged to limit their phone calls and family contacts to reduce distractions.

Additional admissions services; Prison and Service users out of London may qualify for a telephone assessment. Reports from relevant agencies or medical experts are essential before a decision can be given.

Discharge policies

Therapeutic Discharge: A therapeutic discharge is undertaken because the treatment has become counter therapeutic for the service user concerned, e.g. a service user’s mental suspension of the treatment due to a custodial sentence.

Disciplinary Discharge: A disciplinary discharge may follow the breaking of one or more of the House Rules or after failure to conform to a final contract.

Self Discharge: A self discharge occurs when a client decides to leave treatment.

Discharge occurs when:
-drugs or alcohol are used
-a client becomes involved in sexual relations with another client
-clients are violent
- if clients persistently disrupt their own or others treatment process (this will normally only happen following a system involving verbal and written warnings).

Harm reduction policies for clients leaving the programme early; The client care manager is informed of the potential risk of relapse and the client is given guidance on harm reduction techniques and steps.

Contact Details:

Freedom Recovery Centre
14 Pattenden Road
Catford
London
SE6 4NQ

Telephone: 0208 314 0333

Addaction Maya Project: London
The Maya is a residential rehab for women only.

About us:

Every aspect of the Addaction Maya Project programme is therapeutic. It constantly reflects and updates services according to clientele. It provides an abstinence-based, safe, caring and empathic environment. Addaction Maya Project helps women examine ways in which they can make positive changes in their lives, and supports them to be better equipped to deal with the challenges of life. It works alongside women and their families, addressing the underlying issues surrounding their addiction.

Assessment and admissions: Addaction Maya Project accepts self-referrals and professional referrals. Generally, the initial referral is by phone and a face-to-face assessment is arranged on-site unless the client is in prison, detox or hospital. If accepted after assessment, social services funding needs to be secured. Care plans and reports must be secured before admission.

Additional admissions services: The project offers a telephone assessment if a client is in prison, and is also willing to attend detox units and hospitals if the client can not attend. All clients who have an assessment at the project will be able to meet other residents.

Discharge policies: Discharge policies A client will be discharged if they:

*threaten or commit violence or intimidation
*use drugs on site
*harass others
*break the equal opportunities policy.

As well as immediate eviction, non-compliance with the programme and a positive drugs test may result in licence being terminated. Harm reduction policies for clients leaving the programme early All professionals will be informed immediately of any concerns, warning procedures and other interventions implemented.

If a client is asked to leave, an emergency review with professionals is arranged. Clients in this situation are given full access to a telephone and support is provided to find alternative accommodation. Resettlement / after-care services Addaction Maya Project provides aftercare for six months, which initially includes weekly visits, advocacy and urine sampling. All clients are encouraged to attend counselling, aftercare groups and NA meetings. The only charge is travel to aftercare support groups and some childcare. Treatment completion rate Catering and domestic Percentage of clients discharged for: Level of catering Self-catering. Completed 56% Domestic responsibilities Full Self-discharge 30% Disciplinary discharge 24%

Harm reduction policies for clients leaving the programme early: All professionals will be informed immediately of any concerns, warning procedures and other interventions implemented.

If a client is asked to leave, an emergency review with professionals is arranged. Clients in this situation are given full access to a telephone and support is provided to find alternative accommodation.

Resettlement / after-care services: Addaction Maya Project provides aftercare for six months, which initially includes weekly visits, advocacy and urine sampling. All clients are encouraged to attend counselling, aftercare groups and NA meetings. The only charge is travel to aftercare support groups and some childcare.

Contact Details:

Addaction Maya Project
PO Box 48407
Peckham
London

SE15 6BN

Telephone: 020 7639 8625

New Cross Service, London
A flexible service to those who are seeking help with their alcohol use.

About us:

Opening times
9.30am – 12.30pm (Daily)/2.00pm – 5.00pm
(by appt Mon, Weds and Friday)

What we offer

* Assessment: This assessment identifies client’s needs and finds a suitable support programme that meets them.

* One-to-one support: Staff work closely with clients on an individual basis to help them reduce harmful drinking or to prepare clients for detox.

* Day Programme: This structured six–week course provides an alternative to residential rehab. Individuals wanting to take part must be alcohol/substance free for the duration or the programme. A combination of group work and one-to-one sessions with trained staff aims to help people to make positive life changes.

* Groups: A programme of topic-based group sessions, such as relapse prevention, are repeated regularly throughout the year for people who are alcohol free on the day. The groups provide an opportunity for clients to share their experiences and strategies on coping with their alcohol problems.

* Advice and access to other services: We can refer individuals on to specialist support such as inpatient detox or counselling.

* Housing and resettlement services: If homeless, we can refer clients to our housing services or if they are at risk of losing their home, as a result of their drinking or drug misuse, we can refer to individuals to our floating support services.

* Complementary therapies – Acupuncture and meditation is available to registered service users.

Accessing the service

You can register for help by phone or visiting us between 9.30am–12.30pm.

If you want to be assessed on the same day it is best to arrive early. If we are unable to assess you on the same day, we will offer you an appointment as soon as possible.

Contact Details:

ARP – New Cross Service
318 New Cross Road
New Cross
London

SE14 6AF

Telephone: 020 8691 2886

Elephant & Castle Service, London
Flexible and holistic approach that enables people to understand and resolve their alcohol problem.

About us:

Opening times
9.30am – 12.30pm/2.00pm – 5.00pm (Monday – Friday)
Closed: 12.30pm – 2.00pm (& Tuesdays pm)

What we offer:

* Immediate assessment: This assessment identifies a client’s needs and finds a suitable support programme that meets them. Assessments take place between 9:30am to 11:30am

* One-to-one support: Staff work closely with clients on an individual basis to help reduce harmful drinking or to prepare them for detox.

* Day Programme: This structured six–week course provides an alternative to residential rehab. Individuals wanting to take part must be alcohol/substance free for the duration of the programme. A combination of group work and one-to-one sessions with trained staff aims to help people to make positive life changes.

* Groups: A programme of topic-based group sessions, such as relapse prevention, that are repeated regularly throughout the year for people who are alcohol free on the day. The groups provide an opportunity for clients to share their experiences and strategies on coping with their alcohol problems.

* Counselling: Providing a confidential and safe environment, with a qualified counsellor, to explore concerns in clients’ lives and how these issues relate to their alcohol use.

* Advice and access to other services: We can refer clients on to other specialist support such as inpatient detox.

* Housing and resettlement services: If homeless, we can refer clients to our housing services or if they are at risk of losing their home as a result of their drinking or drug misuse we can refer individuals to our floating support services.

* Complementary therapies: A range of therapies offered to complement the above services are available to registered clients.

ARP Elephant & Castle Direct Access has disabled access to the ground floor and hearing loops.

Contact Details:

ARP – Elephant & Castle Service
68 Newington Causeway
London

SE1 6DF

Telephone: 020 7403 4077