An abstinence-based recovery programme for individuals and families affected by drug and/or alcohol addiction.
Our structured day treatment programme is funded by Essex County Council. It is also available to private paying clients as well as those who have private medical insurance. The programme is for clients aged 18 or over. This is a structured day treatment programme which aims to help people understand their addiction and support them to achieve long-term, stable, abstinence-based recovery. The programme adheres to our Self Help Addiction Recovery Programme (SHARP) model which involves 48 days' attendance at our treatment centres in Braintree and Wickford over eight weeks with an additional week for induction. This is a post-detoxification, abstinence-based programme: clients must be abstinent from alcohol and drugs prior to commencing the programme; the Essex treatment system offers pre-abstinence support for clients who need it and aftercare for those who complete treatment successfully.
SHARP was first piloted in Essex from 2013 to 2016. Independent evaluation showed that 79% of people who completed the programme did not reappear anywhere in the treatment system during that entire period. In addition, statistically significant improvements were recorded in self efficacy and self esteem.
- Assessment (by telephone or face-to-face)
- Prison-based assessments
- Interpersonal group therapy
- Peer-to-peer support
- Individual counselling
- Relapse prevention training
- Workshops and life-skills groups
- Social and educational activities
Clients must be abstinent from both alcohol and drugs, and free from any symptoms of withdrawal, prior to starting the programme. Supervised detoxification is not available at this location, however, clients may be referred to Clouds House, our specialist treatment centre, for medically supervised withdrawal prior to taking up a place on the programme.
Each year, clients who complete the programme and continue to live their lives in stable recovery from addiction are welcomed back to join us for a day of celebration and reconnection with the growing community of recovery within and across Essex.
Nathan, SHARP Essex graduate
Please contact us if you or someone you know needs help with drug and/or alcohol addiction.
Action on Addiction's patron, HRH The Duchess of Cambridge opened our treatment centre in Wickford, Essex, in February 2018.
Life-saving addictions treatment since 1983.
End-to-end support for people who want to make the transition from active addiction to long-term, stable, abstinence-based recovery.
Abstinence-based drug and alcohol treatment funded by Liverpool City Council.