Frequently Asked Questions
How did you recruit the patients?How can I find out more about the Clinic?
What kind of treatment will the patients receive?
What aftercare will be available to the patients?
How did you recruit the patients?
The Clinic sent a mail shot letter to prospective patients who had enquired about their inpatient alcohol treatment programme the past.
We also sought possible patients through online support networks, street drug agencies, shelters, hostels, drug charities and drug action teams as well as primary care trusts and big issue vendors.
The Clinic sent a mail shot letter to prospective patients who had enquired about their inpatient alcohol treatment programme the past.
We also sought possible patients through online support networks, street drug agencies, shelters, hostels, drug charities and drug action teams as well as primary care trusts and big issue vendors.
How can I find out more about the Clinic?
The Cygnet Hospital Harrogate is a private psychiatric hospital that also offers services in partnership with local NHS Trusts. Amongst other services, they have specialist treatment plans for addictions to which it is possible to be referred by a GP.
The treatment programme running in the televised clinic this week is specially designed by the team at Harrogate for this client group – a detoxification programme for addicts of Class A, prescription and legal drugs (including alcohol).
Find out more about the Clinic at: http://www.cygnethealth.co.uk/psychiatric/
hospitals/harrogate/
The Cygnet Hospital Harrogate is a private psychiatric hospital that also offers services in partnership with local NHS Trusts. Amongst other services, they have specialist treatment plans for addictions to which it is possible to be referred by a GP.
The treatment programme running in the televised clinic this week is specially designed by the team at Harrogate for this client group – a detoxification programme for addicts of Class A, prescription and legal drugs (including alcohol).
Find out more about the Clinic at: http://www.cygnethealth.co.uk/psychiatric/
hospitals/harrogate/
What kind of treatment will the patients receive?
All three patients will receive a full physiological and psychological assessment (to include a full drug use history). Beyond this, each patient will have an individual treatment plan, specially tailored to make physical withdrawal symptoms manageable and also start some of the psychological aspects of their treatment, with the aim of giving them the best start for the rehabilitation process.
Additional treatment details: Alcohol
The patient will undergo an ECG for signs of cardiac disease and cardiomyopathy; in addition, if the liver is clinically enlarged due to chronic alcohol poisoning, they will also receive a liver ultrasound.
Pharmacological treatment and intervention
To prevent fitting and the side-effects of withdrawal the patient may be put on a reduction schedule of sedatives which would be continually reduced zero across 4 – 5 days.
If the patient has a history of fits, an anticonvulsant and mood stabilizing drug may be prescribed.
Vitamin supplements – and if necessary a vitamin injection - will be administered to combat any thiamine deficiency.
In the unexpected event of hallucinations, an anti-psychotic may be administered.
All three patients will receive a full physiological and psychological assessment (to include a full drug use history). Beyond this, each patient will have an individual treatment plan, specially tailored to make physical withdrawal symptoms manageable and also start some of the psychological aspects of their treatment, with the aim of giving them the best start for the rehabilitation process.
Additional treatment details: Alcohol
The patient will undergo an ECG for signs of cardiac disease and cardiomyopathy; in addition, if the liver is clinically enlarged due to chronic alcohol poisoning, they will also receive a liver ultrasound.
Pharmacological treatment and intervention
To prevent fitting and the side-effects of withdrawal the patient may be put on a reduction schedule of sedatives which would be continually reduced zero across 4 – 5 days.
If the patient has a history of fits, an anticonvulsant and mood stabilizing drug may be prescribed.
Vitamin supplements – and if necessary a vitamin injection - will be administered to combat any thiamine deficiency.
In the unexpected event of hallucinations, an anti-psychotic may be administered.
Additional treatment details: Prescription Drugs: Benzodiazepines
Pharmacological treatment and intervention
This treatment programme is a non-medical based programme. The symptoms that may occur will be managed using therapeutic techniques; the treatment programme aims to offer an emotionally supportive environment for the individual to start a slow reduction from the prescription drugs. Where extreme symptoms do occur medical intervention will be made to assist with the symptoms.
Reduction schedule
A slow reduction process will be offered, rather than immediate cold turkey.
In the case of severe symptoms a non benzodiazepine anti anxiety or antidepressants may be used or their dosage of diazepam increased until stabilized and reduced at a lower and slower rate: anxiety; palpitations; panic attacks; nausea.
Additional Treatment Information: Crack cocaine
Pharmacological treatment and intervention
This treatment programme is a non-medical based programme.
Medical intervention will be made should any of the following symptoms occur: Should the patient experience aches and pains an anti-inflammatory will be administered; in the case of headaches the patient will be given non-codeine based painkillers; a very rare case of hallucinations & psychosis are experienced would be treated with an anti anxiety drug or an anti-depressant.
Therapy: all patients (should they be well enough to engage)
Much of the treatment is psychological, with the aim of helping the patient to understand their addiction. Group therapy will cover anxiety, depression and relapse prevention; family therapy also offers the patient the chance to include family members in their treatment.
One-to-one counselling with trained nurses will also be available. All patients will be taught relaxation techniques.
The patients will also receive advice on how to sleep better, and will be encouraged to take regular exercise whilst in the clinic.
Pharmacological treatment and intervention
This treatment programme is a non-medical based programme. The symptoms that may occur will be managed using therapeutic techniques; the treatment programme aims to offer an emotionally supportive environment for the individual to start a slow reduction from the prescription drugs. Where extreme symptoms do occur medical intervention will be made to assist with the symptoms.
Reduction schedule
A slow reduction process will be offered, rather than immediate cold turkey.
In the case of severe symptoms a non benzodiazepine anti anxiety or antidepressants may be used or their dosage of diazepam increased until stabilized and reduced at a lower and slower rate: anxiety; palpitations; panic attacks; nausea.
Additional Treatment Information: Crack cocaine
Pharmacological treatment and intervention
This treatment programme is a non-medical based programme.
Medical intervention will be made should any of the following symptoms occur: Should the patient experience aches and pains an anti-inflammatory will be administered; in the case of headaches the patient will be given non-codeine based painkillers; a very rare case of hallucinations & psychosis are experienced would be treated with an anti anxiety drug or an anti-depressant.
Therapy: all patients (should they be well enough to engage)
Much of the treatment is psychological, with the aim of helping the patient to understand their addiction. Group therapy will cover anxiety, depression and relapse prevention; family therapy also offers the patient the chance to include family members in their treatment.
One-to-one counselling with trained nurses will also be available. All patients will be taught relaxation techniques.
The patients will also receive advice on how to sleep better, and will be encouraged to take regular exercise whilst in the clinic.
What aftercare will be available to the patients?
Aftercare will be tailored to individual needs and may involve transfer back to the referring organisation if aftercare is available or if the patient lived near Harrogate, the possibility of continuing with the Cygnet Hospital team. One to one counselling with an addiction specialist would be offered for a period of up to 12 sessions. Attendance at mutual aid organisations such as AA would be encouraged.
Aftercare will be tailored to individual needs and may involve transfer back to the referring organisation if aftercare is available or if the patient lived near Harrogate, the possibility of continuing with the Cygnet Hospital team. One to one counselling with an addiction specialist would be offered for a period of up to 12 sessions. Attendance at mutual aid organisations such as AA would be encouraged.
