There are three ways (with regard to accommodation) that a patient/client may attend a drug rehab.

Firstly, there are the in-patient type treatment centres (residential), where the patient/client lives within the confines of the rehab facility.

Secondly, there are rehabs that allow the patient/client to live in the community with other patients/clients, usually in properties owned by the organisation.

Thirdly, rehabs that are attended on an out-patient basis, where the patient/client lives at home or in private accommodation.

Some rehabs offer all three of the above options whereas others are only able to offer one or two of them.

So, let’s look at what’s available in the United Kingdom when it comes to the treatment of chemical dependency (addiction to mind altering substances – drugs - which includes alcohol).

12-Step Programmes

Probably the best known type of rehab is one that is referred to as the 'Minnesota Model’ which employs the fundamentals of Alcoholics Anonymous’ 12-step programme of recovery. Detoxification, if required, is usually achieved via the use of carefully controlled medication (drug) administration. At the very heart of this programme is the belief that an addict (due to suffering from a disease; the disease of addiction), is incapable of regulating the intake of mind altering substances, and that the only way to remain abstinent, is to ‘acquire’ a belief in a higher power (God), and to follow the spiritual (not religious) guidelines (i.e. the 12 steps) of AA, NA, CA etc. Since the mid thirties, millions of people have benefited from this type of drug rehabilitation. However, as with any other form of treatment/therapy, it is not suitable for everyone.

Biophysical Programmes

Another type is the Biophysical drug rehab programme. This method treats the physical as well as the mental/emotional needs of the patient/client which also includes a drug-free detoxification. Another aspect of this treatment is the removal of drug residues from the body which, is claimed, helps to prevent relapse and places the person in a stronger position to deal with the mental/emotional side of recovery via social education methods. This programme does not use drugs or medications to solve the problems caused by drug or alcohol abuse; instead, it uses nutrition and nutritional supplements as an important component of its delivery. This type of treatment considers addiction to be a curable condition, rather than an incurable disease.