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  • 23 Hitchin Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 3BJ
  • Admissions
01438 583222

Addiction Treatment FAQs

At Abbington House, we believe you deserve clear, honest answers, without the jargon or pressure. Whether you’re thinking about treatment for yourself or someone you love, this page is here to guide you. From how admissions work to what life is like inside the clinic, we’ve answered the questions we hear most often – with compassion, transparency, and respect.
Home/Addiction Treatment/Addiction Treatment FAQ

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for?

You’re always welcome to give us a call. Our team is happy to talk through anything you’re unsure about.

Abbington House is a private, trauma-informed addiction rehab clinic in Hertfordshire, created for people who need a safe, personalised space to recover from drug and alcohol addiction. We’re a small, close-knit team of therapists, support workers and clinical specialists – many of whom have decades of experience working in addiction and mental health treatment.

Our UK centre is deliberately designed to feel homely, not clinical. We work with adults from all walks of life, including professionals, parents, and those who’ve tried other treatments before. Whether this is your first time seeking help or your fifth, we’ll meet you where you are. Our priority is creating a space where you feel safe, seen, and supported from the very first call.

Abbington House is located in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, with easy road access from London, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and the wider South East. We’re about 30 minutes from North London by train and 15 minutes from the A1(M). Most clients arrive by car with a family member. If you’re feeling nervous about getting here, we’ll talk you through all the options and make the process as smooth and supportive as possible.

We believe rehab should be personal, not industrial. Abbington House was founded in response to the growing number of people who feel let down by generic, one-size-fits-all addiction treatment. We don’t do out-of-the-box therapy or impersonal group lectures. Instead, we focus on small group sizes, tailored treatment plans, and deep emotional support that recognises the unique circumstances of each person. We’re also one of the few rehabs in the UK that emphasises a trauma-informed model of care. As a small private clinic, you or a loved one will receive personalised care that you won’t traditionally see in other rehabs.

At Abbington House, we offer a personalised, trauma-informed treatment model that draws from both clinical and peer-based approaches. This includes evidence-based therapies including 12-step, CBT, DBT, and somatic work – delivered alongside structured group sessions, 1:1 counselling, and life skills development.

If there’s a bed available and it’s clinically safe to do so, we can typically admit within 48-72 hours.

Each day at Abbington House is structured yet gentle. We start the morning with a communal breakfast followed by group therapy, guided reflection or psychoeducation. The afternoons usually include one-to-one counselling, creative therapies, or skill-building workshops. There’s time built in for rest, meals, and movement. Evenings are more relaxed -with film nights, informal check-ins, or personal reflection time. No two days are exactly the same, but the rhythm is designed to help your mind and body feel safe, supported, and emotionally regulated.

A therapeutically informed environment that is infused with love, empathy, care and compassion for the journey you are about to embark on.

After 48 hours. However we adopt a person centred approach here therefore we adapt with your needs. After this you have your phone / laptop between 6pm-10pm daily.
You won’t. However, you can come to view our facilities and speak to our therapists. You can talk to the other clients as you are walking around and gain a perspective from their experience. Please see our Doctify reviews on our homepage, or reach out on live chat to speak with our caring and compassionate admissions team who will answer any questions you may have.
At least once a week. However, on a needs basis sometimes you will see your therapist more than once a week.
We have four therapists at Abbington House. If you don’t like the approach of who you are working with, we will support you by changing your therapist quickly and smoothly.
Yes, we offer medically supervised detox for substances such as alcohol, opiates, and other drugs where withdrawal can be dangerous or uncomfortable. Our detox programme is overseen by experienced medical professionals who monitor your physical and emotional wellbeing throughout.
On primary treatment you will be swimming once a week, and to the gym twice a week. There are walks every other day, either to the shop or a mindfulness walk. There are also holistic therapies, such as Yoga, Sound Therapy, Qi Gong and Breathwork. We encourage you to join in each group.

Our Head Chef Marion can cater for any and all dietary requirements. Nothing will surprise her!

No, you don’t need a referral, diagnosis, or GP letter to come to Abbington House. We accept self-referrals and enquiries from family members, friends, or professionals on someone’s behalf. Our admissions team will talk to you in complete confidence and help you decide if we’re the right fit.
Yes, absolutely – but with a focus on dual diagnosis. Many people who come to us are struggling with more than just substance use. Anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, ADHD, or emotional dysregulation often go hand in hand with addiction. At Abbington House, we work with these issues as interconnected, not separate.

We offer transparent pricing for all our programmes, and we’ll walk you through the full breakdown before you make any decisions. The total cost depends on your length of stay and level of support needed, such as detox requirements. View our cost of rehab page for more information.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but we’ll help you figure it out.

Some people benefit from a 10-day stabilisation or detox stay, while others choose 28 days or longer to build deeper recovery foundations. We tailor your length of stay based on your needs, goals, and circumstances – not a rigid timeline.

We’ll talk openly about what’s realistic for you. And if you decide to extend your stay during treatment, we’ll make that process seamless. Recovery isn’t linear, and we’re here to adapt with you.

You won’t be left to figure things out alone.

We offer structured aftercare, including ongoing support and in person meetings. Many clients stay connected to our community long after discharge through Abbington Community events.

We’ll also support you in navigating the outside world: returning to work, rebuilding relationships, managing cravings, or finding new purpose.

It starts with a conversation.

You or a loved one can call, email, or submit an enquiry through our website. From there, one of our experienced admissions team will guide you through everything. We’ll answer your questions, talk about your situation, and see if we’re the right fit.

If we are, we’ll carry out an assessment and agree a start date that works for you.

We understand how important connection with loved ones can be during recovery. Family visits are usually scheduled on Sunday and can be discussed with your therapist as part of your treatment plan. We also offer regular family support calls and sessions to keep your loved ones involved in a healthy, structured way.

We’ll send you a full packing list prior to admission – but here’s a quick guide:

  • Comfortable clothing for day-to-day life and group sessions
  • Toiletries (nothing alcohol-based)
  • Any prescribed medication (in original packaging)
  • A notebook or journal
  • Any special items that make you feel comfortable.

We provide bedding, towels, and home-cooked meals so you don’t need to overthink it. If you forget anything, we’ll help sort it out.

We offer fully-residential accommodation on-site. All clients at Abbington House have their own private room. We believe personal space is essential to feeling safe, grounded, and able to process deep emotions in recovery. Rooms are homely, thoughtfully designed, and comfortable.

Yes. We understand that for many people, giving up smoking at the same time as addressing addiction can feel overwhelming. Smoking is permitted in designated outdoor areas of Abbington House. We ask that clients are respectful of shared spaces and mindful of others who may be trying to reduce or quit. If you’d like support to stop smoking during your stay, we can help with that too – but it’s never forced.

Absolutely. While Abbington House is based in Hertfordshire, we welcome clients from across the UK and even internationally. Many people choose us precisely because they want treatment away from familiar triggers or their local environment. Whether you’re travelling from London, Leeds, or overseas, we can help coordinate your journey and ensure you feel safe and settled from the moment you arrive.

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