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David Taylor BSc. (Hons), FDAP (Accred.), MCMI
Addictions Therapist |
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T: 0845 313 8478
E: enquiries@lifelongrecovery.co.uk |
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Private Services
Initial Assessment and Care Plan
For clients who choose to utilise private (chargeable) services provided by Lifelong Recovery, an appointment is made with Addictions Therapist David Taylor to conduct an Initial Assessment. This is usually conducted in the client's home, however, can be carried out in another suitable environment if the client so wishes.
This assessment, which includes an evaluation of potential risks to the individual and others, will help to inform the Initial Care Plan, which will detail the client's immediate needs, the actions which will be taken to start addressing them, and who will be responsible for carrying them out. These actions are usually concerned with reducing or eliminating immediate risks, and/or preventing deterioration of the current situation.
The Initial Assessment will usually last approximately 1 hour, and the Initial Care Plan will be either emailed or posted to the client within 48 hours of the assessment. This will be followed by a supportive telephone call from David to answer any questions and discuss any concerns.
Comprehensive Assessment and Care Plan
Shortly after the Initial Assessment has been completed, David will undertake a Comprehensive Assessment with the client. This is an essential element of the therapeutic process, providing David with a detailed picture of the client, their problems and the context within which they exist.
The Comprehensive Assessment will usually last approximately 1½ hours. Information from the assessment will be used to formulate the Comprehensive Care Plan, which will detail the client's current and ongoing needs, set goals to address them, and determine how the goals will be accomplished and measured over the short, medium and long-term; typically one, six and twelve months. Crucially, this is a process which is undertaken with, rather than to, the client.
The Comprehensive Care Plan will be reviewed regularly during the ongoing therapeutic process, and adapted, modified and extended as required. The Comprehensive Care Plan will be either emailed or posted to the client within 7 days of the Comprehensive Assessment.
Harm Reduction
Lifelong Recovery believe that, for the majority of clients with substance misuse problems, stable lasting recovery is best achieved through abstinence from alcohol and drugs.
However, we also understand and appreciate that not all clients are ready to take this step, therefore, we are happy to work with clients to reduce the negative consequences they and those close to them are experiencing, and thereby help to minimise the risks associated with continued substance use.
This approach may include helping clients to reduce or control their consumption, and/or helping clients modify or eliminate risky behaviour. The overall aim being to support, advise and motivate clients throughout this phase of their recovery, until they are ready, willing and able to consider abstinence as one of their recovery goals.
Detoxification
For clients who are physically dependent on either alcohol or drugs, a detoxification, or detox, may be required to assist them as their bodies physically adjust to being without alcohol or drugs. This is usually achieved through the use of prescribed medication to reduce the withdrawal symptoms, and typically lasts about 7-10 days; however can be considerably longer for certain drugs.
A detox can often be conducted in the client's home, if the assessment phases of the treatment process indicate that it is safe to do so. In such cases, Lifelong Recovery will usually recommend and coordinate the services of a Specialist Home Detox Nurse, to ensure that the client is as safe and comfortable as possible during the detoxification. We guarantee that clients will never knowingly pay more, and may possibly pay less, than other private clients receiving the same service/s from the same Specialist Home Detox Nurse.
In certain circumstances, the client's GP may be willing to prescribe the necessary medication to the client directly, in which case Lifelong Recovery are happy to work with the GP to support the client, and those close to them, during this phase of the recovery process.
If it is thought that a home detox will not be suitable, usually on the grounds of medical safety, then an inpatient detox will be arranged. Which ever is thought to be most appropriate, Lifelong Recovery will coordinate the process by liaising with the relevant professionals, and providing information and support to the client and their family. If a client chooses to go to residential rehabilitation, then a detox is often provided as part of this service.
A detox alone is rarely a solution in itself to alcohol and drug misuse problems. As many of those who are achieving long-term recovery will undoubtedly tell you, "It's not the stopping, but the staying stopped that is most difficult". This is why, in addition to therapeutic preparation and support before, during and after the detoxification process, Lifelong Recovery offer addictions therapy, relapse prevention, aftercare and long-term 'recovery coaching', to help clients achieve their recovery goals.
Residential Rehabilitation
For some clients, residential rehabilitation, or rehab, may be suggested and/or chosen, therefore, will feature in their Comprehensive Care Plan as an important element of the recovery process. Lifelong Recovery work with a range of rehabs throughout the UK, and together with the client, will select the most appropriate one to meet the client's needs.
Not all rehabs are the same; they can vary in size, treatment approach, programme duration, treatment outcomes and cost. Lifelong Recovery has the clinical knowledge and experience to be able to recommend rehabs that are most likely to be suitable, effective and value for money. Price is not always a good indicator of effectiveness!
All rehabs that Lifelong Recovery refer their clients to have been carefully evaluated, and will not be recommended unless they meet the highest levels of care and clinical expertise. Furthermore, we guarantee that clients will never knowingly pay more, and may possibly pay less, than other private clients receiving the same service/s from the same rehab. Lifelong Recovery will coordinate the process throughout, including the referral to the chosen rehab and liaising with other relevant professionals.
That being said, for many clients, rehab in itself is rarely a 'silver bullet' in the pursuit of sustained recovery, which is why Lifelong Recovery offer therapeutic support and preparation prior to admission, and crucially, relapse prevention, aftercare, and long-term 'recovery coaching' following discharge from rehab.
Specialist Therapists and other Professionals
Whilst Lifelong Recovery are specialists in the filed of addictions therapy, we will often recommend and coordinate the services of carefully selected specialists in other fields of therapy, to help meet client's specific needs. As with residential rehabilitation, these interventions would also feature in the client's Comprehensive Care Plan, and may cover topics such as childhood abuse, sexual abuse and bereavement. We guarantee that clients will never knowingly pay more, and may possibly pay less, than other private clients receiving the same service from the same therapist.
Furthermore, Lifelong Recovery may also refer clients to other professionals, many of whom do not charge for their services, to address issues such as physical and mental health, employment, financial and legal problems. Lifelong Recovery will coordinate and monitor the use of these resources also, and together with the client, review their effectiveness in achieving the goals set out in their Comprehensive Care Plan.
Families and Friends
Lifelong Recovery are aware that those close to an individual with a substance misuse problem can be profoundly affected by the often related negative attitudes, behaviours and consequences associated with the condition. Unfortunately, within mainstream treatment, it is frequently the individual with the alcohol or drug problem that receives the majority, if not all, of the attention, often leaving those close to them feeling confused, stressed and isolated.
However, at Lifelong Recovery we believe that family members and friends, individually and collectively, also have needs in relation to the alcohol or drug problem which should be attended to. Lifelong Recovery are able to provide therapeutic support, advice and guidance to those affected by someone who has an alcohol or drug misuse problem, and by doing so, enable those individuals to cope more effectively with their current situation, and facilitate a more beneficial environment within which change can occur and recovery flourish.
Just as alcohol and drug problems do not exist in isolation, neither does sustained recovery, which is why Lifelong Recovery encourage family and friends involvement in treatment planning and the recovery process.
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