The journey towards rehab for UK citizens often starts with a decision; go for state-funded treatment through the NHS, or private rehab. While we are fortunate enough to have access to state-funded rehab treatments, the reality is that many of these service suppliers are facing massive backlogs due to the than 310,000+ patients they see each year.
On the flip side, private rehab service providers, whether offering residential stays or focusing on day care, provide easily accessible and high-quality rehabilitation programmes, provided you have the financial means to pay for them.
Read on for our guide to getting into rehab, exploring both NHS and private options. This article focuses mostly on alcohol rehab, although drug rehab follows the same process.
Whether you’re seeking NHS support or private treatment, the process usually involves:
Although the NHS offers several different types of detox and rehab services, it does not directly provide residential rehab and treatment services – the first image that comes to mind when thinking of rehab.
It is technically possible to get NHS funding for privately run rehab clinics; however, in practice, NHS patients aren’t referred to residential rehab until other avenues have been explored. It can take months to years from the first consultation to inpatient admission; time that many looking for rehab simply cannot afford to spend waiting.
Accepting this, getting meaningful access to NHS rehab services requires an understanding of what rehab and support programmes are available and suited to your needs, and getting a GP referral.
Here is a breakdown of the different types of rehabilitation programmes available through the NHS:
Drugs, alcohol, and other abused substances may produce both mental and physical dependencies that cause pain, discomfort, and more. While the psychological effects of withdrawal are often uncomfortable, they typically don’t pose much threat to your physical well-being. Physical withdrawal symptoms for certain substances, on the other hand, may cause a wide range of painful, dangerous, and even potentially lethal symptoms.
The NHS, with a doctor’s referral, might prescribe certain medications for alcohol or opioid abuse to help both in- and out-patients deal with severe withdrawal effects. Ideally, medications such as methadone and buprenorphine (for the management of opioid withdrawal symptoms) would be administered and monitored in an inpatient setting; however, the number of people seeking treatment for substance abuse in the UK outnumbers the beds available for this purpose.
The NHS offers addiction counselling similar to the types of therapies used in private residential rehab facilities. However, due to the large number of people seeking treatment and the limited number of qualified personnel available, the delay between your GP referral and the start of treatment may last for several weeks or even months.
Depending on your needs and the NHS resources available in your region, addiction counselling could be provided in your own home. Addiction counselling could involve a treatment mix that includes elements of CBT and DBT therapies, family therapy, 12-step therapy, and group therapies.
The NHS works alongside hundreds of organisations, community groups, support networks, and other NGOs that support addiction recovery and rehab. These organisations are often a lifeline to those without insurance or who cannot otherwise access residential rehab services. NHS referrals could help open doors to:
By and large, when people talk about ‘rehab’, they are referring to private residential rehab. Private residential rehab typically involves four weeks of intensive therapy in a specialised facility and provides access to some sort of aftercare or secondary treatment programme.
Private clinics:
Although many of their patients are referred by GPs, private clinics do not all require referrals and often have their own staff capable of diagnosing and treating addictions and disorders.
Simply making contact by phone or email can lead to admission anywhere from within a few hours to just a few days.
See our full guide on how much private alcohol rehab costs for more detail.
Contact Gladstones today. Our discreet operators will gladly talk you through our streamlined admissions process.
| Factor | NHS Rehab | Private Rehab |
|---|---|---|
| Wait times | Weeks to years | 24–72 hours |
| Funding | Free but limited | Self-funded or insured |
| Access | GP referral essential | Direct admission possible |
| Therapies | Counselling, community groups, some detox | Full residential care with therapy, detox, aftercare |
When you have been admitted to a rehab programme, the focus shifts to recovery. Every clinic has its own approach to treatment, but most treatment plans in the UK follow a similar structure:
Once detox is complete, you’ll begin the core rehab programme. This typically includes:
Treatment doesn’t have to end when you leave the gates. Many quality rehabs (such as ourselves at Gladstones Clinic) provide aftercare programmes such as:
This combination of detox, therapy, education, and aftercare ensures you have the best chance of maintaining long-term recovery.
Many families wonder how to get a loved one into rehab. While you cannot force someone to attend rehab, you can:
At Gladstones Clinic, we understand how important family involvement is throughout recovery, and offer expert intervention services and family counselling to help families struggling with addiction cope. Explore our specialist services for more on how we can help you.
Getting into rehab in the UK starts with recognising the need for help and understanding your options. For some, NHS rehab may be the right path, but limited availability and long wait times can make it challenging. Private rehab offers faster access and tailored support, making it a strong alternative for those who need immediate care.
Whichever option you choose, the most important step is taking action now. The sooner you begin treatment, the sooner you can start your recovery journey.
If you’re ready to explore your rehab options, contact Gladstones Clinic today. Our admissions team can guide you through the process and help you take the first step toward lasting recovery.
Related pages:
The fastest way is usually through private rehab, where you can often be admitted within 24–72 hours. NHS pathways may take weeks or months.
Yes, but availability is limited and often involves community-based programmes before residential rehab is considered. Learn what to do if you can’t afford rehab.
No, many private clinics allow you to self-refer by contacting them directly.
As a specialist in addiction, mental health, and food disorders with a 20-year history of seeing our clients return to full and meaningful lives, Gladstones Clinic would like to congratulate you on taking the first step towards recovery. The sad reality is that many people suffering from complex disorders, including substance addiction, often never take this critical first step of seeking professional help, instead continuing on a downward spiral of an ever-decreasing quality of life and increased risk of morbidity.
Whether you choose Gladstones Clinic or someone else for your rehab or support needs, we wholeheartedly hope that you find the professional help you are looking for and see a full and speedy recovery.
Yours sincerely,
Wajahat Choudhry,
Founder, Gladstones Clinic
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