Alcohol Detoxification & Treatments
While alcohol detox should occur as part of a planned programme of detoxification and rehabilitation, we recognise that often access to alcohol detox facilities is very time sensitive. It is the nature of the disorder that there is often a small window of opportunity once a patient has agreed to accept help and therefore we can offer a swift access service for these individual cases.
In addition to the usual criteria for admission to a Cygnet acute unit, special attention to the physical state of this vulnerable group of patients is needed and they should be assessed as medically fit for detox before referral. On admission, their physical status will be checked again and any patients not physically fit for detox will be managed appropriately by being referred back to their PCT or Trust or taken to A & E before continuing. Alcohol detox will be carried out using the standard benzodiazepine reducing regimen.
On day five of the patient's stay, an assessment will be carried out and a key worker from the respective CDAT will be invited to attend. The focus will be on planning discharge between days seven and ten. If concurrent mental health problems arise during the patient's stay, then plans will be put in place to transfer the patient back on day ten to the referring CDAT. If a local NHS bed cannot be located then transfer can be arranged to a Cygnet acute unit where possible.
Referrals can be made to the nurse in charge at any of the clinic listed below. Once details of the patient have been received we aim to respond to referrals within two hours. This referral service is available 24 hours a day.
