Our free addiction assessment explained

Addictions are treatable, and the most important first step is to get help. Here at Priory, we understand this can be an extremely daunting and difficult time, so we do all we can to make this as easy and as stress-free as possible.

Assessment overview

The initial discussion about your addiction will take place with an addiction therapist, although if you're struggling with prescription drug addiction, we advise you to see a consultant first. Your therapist will ask you questions about your addiction and assess your current situation.

When you're having your initial discussion, your Priory expert will give you information about our admissions process as well as explain the confidentiality and safeguarding act we uphold. You will be able to discuss our therapy and detox programmes, as well as take a tour of the hospital to gain an idea of what a typical day might involve. 

We can also discuss the involvement of your family and friends in the recovery process, if that's what you want. 

We'll also provide information about our free aftercare services and any details you need about costs and our payment process. 

What will you need for the assessment?

Before your assessment, you'll need to confirm your GP's contact details and agree to your information being shared with your GP.

While we would prefer to receive a GP referral when a patient enters our services, this isn’t always essential. We're also an approved provider for all of the UK’s leading private medical insurers. If you have private medical insurance, a GP referral may be required by your insurer before treatment can commence. Please liaise directly with your insurer to confirm this.

Please allow yourself around 1 to 1.5 hours for the whole assessment to take place.

What happens after the assessment?

During the assessment, our specialist will have taken the time to understand you and your circumstances, in order to recommend the best treatment path for your needs. If an inpatient stay on our 28-day addiction programme is deemed suitable and accepted, you would:

• Meet with your consultant on admission (or up to 48 hours after admission, dependent on presentation)
• Meet with your nursing team, who will show you your room and go through admissions procedures
• Meet with our admissions manager to discuss payment
• Be assessed for a medically managed detox
• Receive a physical assessment by a medical doctor

Admissions can happen immediately if availability of beds allows.

The benefits of having an initial assessment

If you're choosing to start your journey to recovery with us, you might want to learn how it all works first, and develop an understanding of what will be involved in treatment at Priory. Our free addiction assessment offers a discreet and comfortable space for you to do just that, before deciding whether to commit to our full programme.

The assessment will allow you to speak openly and in confidence, possibly for the first time, about current circumstances and for you to have a discussion about what help you can get. This will all be done with a Priory specialist but without any obligation or financial commitments.

This is a safe space to talk honestly and confidentially, or to begin recognising the impact an addiction can have on loved ones or people close to you. This time is also an opportunity for our experts to assess your suitability for the full addiction treatment programme which would allow them to begin tailoring your journey, offering personalised care.

The ultimate goal is to prepare you to take that next step towards a healthier and happier life.

A brief overview of our addiction treatment programme

Addiction treatment at Priory is underpinned by the renowned 12-step model, which is an abstinence-based approach first popularised by the organisation Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).The 12-step model provides a set of guiding principles for ongoing recovery from addiction, and focuses on your motivation to change, whilst also drawing upon elements of spirituality within the treatment and recovery process.

We provide an evidence-based programme that's tailored to individual needs, all structured within National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. Our addiction treatment programmes consist of:

• Medically assisted detoxification for drug and alcohol addictions, if this is required
• Individual 1:1 therapy/keyworking sessions and structured group therapy programmes
• Family and couples programmes at selected sites
• Access to both on and off-site 12-step support groups, recovery meetings or family support meetings, dependent on site offering
• Free aftercare for 12 months following treatment
• Free family support for 12 months following treatment