Alcohol Concern is the national agency on alcohol abuse. Their website publishes a number of leaflets and fact sheets and there is a directory of all local drug & alcohol services in the UK searchable by area. The directory also lists residential support providers. Some of the providers in the list are private organisations as opposed to those supported by public funding.
Of particular interest to people with alcohol involved in care proceedings are the rare residential units who will accept parents and children. Phoenix Futures runs two such units in Brighton & Sheffield – you do not have to be drug / alcohol free on admission as they also provide detox. They will accept children up to 10 years’ old. You can refer yourself to their service as well as getting referred through your GP, social services or other drug / alcohol support services. You are likely to need help from your local heath service to get funding organised for this type of placement which can take a long time to organise.
A similar facility available in Wales is Ashcroft House . Their website does not seem to say whether they will only take mothers and children from within Wales but they only take children up to 8.
St Michael’s Fellowship also offers a residential service to support those who wish to become or remain drug or alcohol free and will accept children. Their website does not contain much information about this aspect of their service but there is contact information to find out more. Generally referrals have to be made or supported by social services.
You should be aware that there are often some restrictions on who these sorts of project will accept – for example, they may not accept mother with a mental health problem other than / as well as alcohol or drug issues, or people with convictions for offences against children or with convictions for arson etc. Residential facilities are not generally available for couples and children. As far as I can see all the facilities require that abstinence from alcohol is a goal and, of course, you are not allowed to drink or use drugs whilst in the unit although there are usually detox services offered for those who cannot stop using straight away. Generally, parents will not be able to have their children with them for any detox part of the programme.
Addaction is the largest UK drug / alcohol charity and also has a good website and a directory of UK service providers.
Trevi House is a residential centre in Plymouth which will support mothers to address substance misuse on a residential basis whilst carrying out a parenting assessment (with children resident).
I totally support treatment facilities who accept children while the parent goes through treatment. It’s not an “ideal” environment for the kids to spend time in, but it’s so much better than living with a practicing alcoholic parent.
The decision of the treatment centers to allow the children to stay with their parents is good to hear. It’s because the parents can still perform their duties and responsibilities to their child, even though they are under treatment.