ON arrival our medical team examines the client in order to ensure that the most appropriate detoxification regime is prescribed. This covers all mood-altering chemicals including opiates, alcohol, stimulants including crack cocaine and various designer drugs. At the same time general health levels are observed to ensure patients are in no immediate physical danger.

The comfort of the client is paramount and medication to help ease withdrawal during the detox process is normally necessary.

Detoxification

Detoxification usually takes a maximum of two weeks. During the course of this, a focal counsellor will be allocated to the case. Together with the medical team and client, the counsellor will prepare an initial assessment of the client's particular needs, psychological state and circumstances. An on-going care plan is mounted on this basis.

Light involvement in the daily group therapy sessions is initiated and the concept of acceptance is addressed (Step One of the Twelve Step Programme). The Perry Clayman Project philosophy, that

addiction is an illness, is introduced - patients are not bad people trying to be good but sick people trying to get well. Qualified members of our counselling team facilitate these groups. Former patients who have successfully completed the treatment programme also offer support at this time. These former patients, ('buddies') need to have graduated from the Project and maintained sobriety for a minimum of one year before coming back to work as volunteers. They also need to have regularly attended our Aftercare facility during that year.

Buddies

The buddies share their own experience of the process of detoxification and how they completed treatment and remained clean and sober. They also introduce newcomers to the various self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Accompanied attendance to these meetings commences at this stage. The buddy system provides both motivation and hope, helping to instil belief that success is possible and within grasp.

After completing detoxification, the client is presented with a certificate and inducted into the Second Stage of treatment.