Residential Treatment Programme For Addictions

For patients with alcohol or drug addictions abstinence is essential. Treatment leads to a new direction in achieving a fulfilling and meaningful life. It is the beginning of a life-long journey in recovery with sober friends and strong support networks.

The model of treatment is described as the Minnesota Model and more recently as 12 Step Treatment. Within this model addiction is viewed as a disease and complete abstinence from all mind-altering drugs is neccessary for long-lasting recovery. Additionally the principles of the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous are integrated into the treatment approach. For more information about the 12 Steps click here.

Addiction treatment at Castle Craig includes the following components:

Assessment

All patients undergo a thorough and comprehensive assessment which begins before admission and continues during the subsequent few days following admission. Patients are assessed by the Consultant and by members of the multidisciplinary team. A specialist therapist trained in Family Therapy will arrange at least two family counselling sessions with the patient and family member.

Addiction Treatment Plan

Each patient has a comprehensive, individualised care plan which establishes objectives to assist him/her to understand the illness of addiction and to address relapse triggers. The weekly ward round and daily team meetings, supervised by the Consultant, monitor the patient’s progress.

The Patient’s Therapist

Upon admission each patient is assigned a focal therapist who will meet at once with the patient providing their medical condition is stable. The therapist will coordinate the assessments and treatment planning in conjunction with the medical and nursing staff. It is the therapist’s role to guide the patient through the first five steps of the AA programme and to prepare the patient for discharge. Personalised psychotherapy provides the opportunity to address the threats to addiction recovery for the patient and for the family.

Detoxification

Following admission the patient’s alcohol or drug detox requirements will be assessed by the Consultant; our staff are sensitive to the needs of patients during this difficult period, providing support, encouragement and easing discomfort.

Personal and Group Therapy

The personalised addiction treatment programme is intensively structured and there is an overall consistency and clarity of focus. Each patient is assigned a focal therapist (cursor) who will conduct individual psychotherapy. Group therapy sessions are held twice daily. Specialised group therapy includes:

• Relaxation therapy.
• Eating disorders group therapy
• Relapse prevention group
• Body image group therapy
• Cognitive behavioural therapy
• Relationship therapy
• Grief group therapy
• Cross-addiction therapy
• Coping skills therapy
• Equine assisted therapy
• Horticultural therapy
• Women’s group therapy
• EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)

Educational Therapy

The psycho-educational lecture component reinforces the group process and patients receive approximately 60 lectures during the six-week treatment period. The daily lectures by the clinical team cover a broad range of topics including:

• The illness of addiction
• Relapse prevention
• Assertiveness training
• The medical complications of addiction
• The Twelve Steps

Therapeutic Community

New admissions to our rehab programme will receive a warm and caring welcome, not only from staff but also from their peers. The family atmosphere at Castle Craig and positive peer influences help in the identification of feelings, problem solving and the process of change. A renewed sense of empowerment, hope and self esteem, lost during alcohol and drug abuse, results from shared experiences and openness between group members.

After Care and Discharge Planning

The importance of aftercare and discharge planning is emphasised throughout the treatment period. For some patients a period of time in our Extended Care hospital programme will prove invaluable. At the end of treatment the patient will be referred back to the general practitioner or any other medical practitioners involved in the patient’s care. When community addiction teams are involved, Castle Craig works in partnership with these referral bodies. Essential support networks include the 12 step fellowships and contacts within these fellowships will be arranged by the patient’s therapist. Castle Craig also provides an aftercare programme, assisting graduates to apply the new knowledge they have gained.

For further information on our 12 Step Treatment programme please contact Castle Craig on +44 (0)1721 722763, or email enquiries@castlecraig.co.uk