Since the introduction of COVID-19 restrictions last March Help Me Stop have been continuously updating our risk assessment processes to ensure the safety of our clients and staff. The procedures we put in place at the beginning of the first lockdown have prepared us for any policy changes, including the tighter rules announced on 4th January 2021.
Outside of the social distancing on site, the provision of face guards for clients and staff and increased infection control all of our frontline staff have been vaccinated and there are also opportunities for our face to face clients to have regular COVID testing.
Face To Face Treatment Under Tier 5
Please note that coming for an assessment and face to face treatment under tier 5 is allowed so please do not let this stop you making changes.
Stopping and staying stopped is a about a psychological shift and lifestyle change which best comes about through psychological therapies and peer support. Peer support like SMART or, AA, MA, CA or NA is great and is highly recommended, but they are not a replacement for psychotherapy or are psychotherapy. Neither are they run by trained addiction psychotherapists and neither will get to the fundamental bottom of your use from a psychological perspective. Getting to the psychological reasons why you misuse drugs and alcohol and doing something about this is fundamental to long term behaviour change and staying stopped.
There is no magic pill or magic wand to stopping and staying stopped. There is no quick fix, it takes the right levels and types of support, time, motivation, and hard work.
Giving up drug and alcohol use after prolonged use can be extremely difficult because the body is so used to functioning with the substance. Dealing with the come down is one thing but learning to stop and stay stopped is another.
If you are concerned about your drug or alcohol use, or someone else’s, and want to know what the options are for stopping and staying stopped then call us now on 0208 191 9191 or jump onto Live Chat/email us directly at https://www.helpmestop.org.uk/contact-us/
Help Me Stop’s intensive non-residential outpatient Dayhab drug and alcohol treatment programme is an effective psychological solution that also offers 3 months of free accessible aftercare and family support options. Treatment is delivered face to face either in the mornings or afternoons over 6 weeks.
For those adults who are working and can’t access services in our London centres we offer a 6-week online outpatient treatment programme, run by the same therapists that provide the face to face programme.
Chris Cordell is Help Me Stop’s Director of Operations and is a senior associate member of the Royal Society of Medicine, Certified International Recovery Specialist, member of the International Society of Addiction Medicine and a member of the Federation of Drug and Alcohol Professionals.
