Can the patient attend just the first or second part of the programme?

Yes. The START programme is a structured package geared to enabling you to live an alcohol free life. We can offer a simple detox programme for 7 days, followed by a 10 day therapy package. The two stages are available separately or as a complete package.

The patient does not like group work. Can they just have one to one sessions?

No. Again, the START programme is a structured package and the balance between group work and individual work is an integral part of the programme.

Is this the 12 step programme, or in any way similar?

The START programme is in no way related to the 12 steps. The philosophy underlying the programme is one of enabling you to understand your behaviour and to teach new skills enabling you to take responsibility for your own decisions.

The patient is not willing to agree to the contract. Will we still admit them to the programme?

No. Contracted treatment and motivation to succeed is a key component in the treatment .

The patient does not want their GP involved.

Your GP holds your records in confidence. They are not allowed to discuss these with anybody else. We need to have a full referral from your GP in order to know whether there are any medical issues that may impact on your treatment programme.

Will I have a nurse sitting with me 24 hours a day?

Not as a matter of course. The level of observation (the frequency at which you will be checked by nursing staff) will be determined on admission and on assessment thereafter, depending upon nursing assessment of your needs at the time.

Will I be left on my own?

See above. All patients undergoing detox will be checked on a regular basis at a frequency determined by assessment.

I've been through physical detox before and it only took two days. What will happen for the rest of the time, can I not do the programme in a shorter period of time?

The detox period is used to recover from the effects of alcohol use and to build up (physically and mentally) to the next stage of the programme. Physical, emotional and psychological recovery from the effects of alcohol takes longer than just allowing the alcohol to leave the body.

I've had a detox before and had fits.

Your consultant will prescribe medication to minimise the effects of withdrawal. This is exactly the sort of information that will come out the GP referral and your initial assessment, and which will be used to tailor the programme to your needs.

What are the chances of the programme working? What is your success rate?

The success of any detoxification programme depends on the motivation of the patient to succeed. The whole programme is built around your willingness to work with us to help you change your lifestyle.

What medications will I be on?

Your consultant will tailor your medications to suit your needs, based upon the information received from your GP and your initial assessment.

See above. This would be discussed on an individual basis with your consultant .

What about injections?

See above. In some cases, it may be necessary to supply vitamins in the form of injections.

What will my discharge package consist of?

Further details will be decided as the programme progresses as discharge planning is part of the programme.

I don't want any post-discharge follow up.

Post-discharge follow up is there to help you maintain your motivation. However, you do have the right not to take it up.

I've had detox before. What makes your programme any different?

We can send you the brochure which outlines the content of the programme. The success of the programme is built around our therapy work carried out in stage two, but if you wish to discuss this in further detail, the contact names and numbers are in our brochure.

I can't afford the programme.

It might be worth just sitting down with a calculator and working out how much you currently spend on alcoholic beverages in a given week? How much do you spend on alcohol, and what would be the benefits to you of living a life free from alcohol?

It might also be worth exploring other possible sources of funding with your GP.

Will I be able to be visited by friends and family?

We do encourage visitors, but we would emphasise that during the first few days of the detox, you may just want to rest and recover. During the second stage of the programme, supportive involvement of family and friends is actively encouraged, but we would ask that visiting takes place at a time that does not conflict with the therapy programme. Children under the age of 18 years cannot visit the ward but may use specified areas under supervision.

I don't want anyone knowing about this. Will information be sent to me in unidentifiable envelopes?

Information can be sent in various ways, such as plain envelopes, and secure email. We do understand the need for discretion and confidentiality and no information immediately identifiable as being from the clinic will be sent to you. If you have any particular concerns regarding other people having access to your mail, we can make alternative arrangements if you wish.