Drug Rehab
Abbington House provides private residential drug rehab in Hertfordshire for people struggling with cocaine, ketamine, cannabis, heroin, opioids, prescription medication, benzodiazepines, or more than one drug.
Reviewed by Michael Williams, Treatment Manager, Abbington House on 04/06/2026
Treatment takes place at our residential rehab centre in Hertfordshire, with assessment, detox where clinically required, therapy, family support, relapse prevention planning and one year of aftercare.
Private residential drug rehab at Abbington House
Private residential drug rehab at Abbington House
Drug rehab is structured treatment for people who are finding it difficult to stop using drugs, stay stopped, or manage the consequences of drug use without support.
At Abbington House, drug rehab is residential. That means you stay at the centre while treatment takes place, rather than attending appointments during the day and returning home afterwards. For many people, that space away from usual routines, access to drugs, stress, conflict or secrecy is an important part of beginning recovery.
Residential treatment gives the person time, structure and support while the immediate pressure of drug use is reduced. It also gives the team time to understand what has been happening, what risks are present, and what kind of support is needed next.
Who drug rehab may be suitable for
Drug rehab may be suitable when drug use has become difficult to control, is affecting health, work, relationships, finances, safety, or mental wellbeing, or when attempts to stop have not lasted.
People come to Abbington House for drug rehab for many different reasons. Some have been using every day. Some have periods of stopping and starting again. Some are still functioning outwardly but know things are becoming harder to hide. Others come because family members, partners or employers have become seriously worried.
Drug rehab may be considered when:
- drug use keeps returning despite promises or attempts to stop
- the person is using alone, hiding use, or taking greater risks
- work, study, parenting or relationships are being affected
- mental health has worsened alongside drug use
- there is more than one substance involved
- prescribed medication is being taken in a way that no longer feels controlled
- the home environment makes stopping harder
- family members feel they are constantly monitoring, rescuing or waiting for the next crisis
If you are still trying to understand whether drug use has become a problem, our drug addiction page explains the signs and patterns in more detail.
Does drug rehab involve detox?
Does drug rehab involve detox?
Drug rehab does not always involve medical detox. Whether detox is needed depends on the drug, the pattern of use, physical health, mental health, withdrawal history and whether alcohol or other substances are also involved.
For some substances, such as opioids, benzodiazepines, Z-drugs or some prescription medicines, withdrawal may need careful medical planning. In those situations, detox may form part of the residential stay where clinically required.
For drugs such as cocaine, cannabis or ketamine, treatment may focus less on a formal medical detox and more on withdrawal support, sleep, stabilisation, cravings, emotional regulation, therapy and relapse prevention. The person may still feel physically and psychologically unsettled, but the clinical approach is different.
If alcohol is also being used heavily, that must be assessed carefully, because alcohol withdrawal can carry serious medical risks. Being open about all substances used helps the team plan treatment safely.
Our medically supervised detox page explains how detox works when it is clinically required as part of residential treatment.
What happens during drug rehab?
Drug rehab at Abbington House begins with understanding the person, not just the substance. The team looks at what has been happening, what the person is using, what has helped or failed before, and what needs to change for recovery to become possible outside treatment.
The residential stay may include:
- assessment before admission
- medical detox or withdrawal support where clinically required
- daily structure and routine
- individual therapy
- group therapy
- support for trauma, anxiety, depression or other mental health difficulties
- relapse prevention planning
- family support
- aftercare planning before discharge
The wider residential model is explained on our residential rehab page. This drug rehab page focuses on how that model applies when drugs are the main concern.
Therapy during drug rehab
Therapy during drug rehab
Therapy during drug rehab is not only about the drug itself. It also looks at the patterns around use: secrecy, shame, stress, trauma, relationships, boredom, anger, emotional overwhelm, social pressure, routines, money, work and identity.
For some people, drug use has become a way to manage feelings they do not know how to sit with. For others, it has become part of social life, work pressure, confidence, sleep, pain relief or escape. Treatment gives space to understand those patterns without reducing the person to the drug they have been using.
Group work can also be important because many people arrive feeling isolated or ashamed. Hearing others speak honestly can make it easier to stop hiding and begin taking responsibility without feeling alone.
Prescription drug dependence
Drug rehab is not only for illegal drugs. Some people come to treatment because prescribed medication has become difficult to reduce or stop, or because use has moved beyond the original prescription.
This may include opioid painkillers, codeine, benzodiazepines, sleeping tablets or other medicines associated with dependence. These situations need careful assessment because stopping suddenly can be unsafe for some medications.
At Abbington House, prescription drug dependence is treated seriously and without judgement. Where withdrawal carries risk, medical input helps guide what can be done safely as part of the residential stay.
When more than one drug is involved
Many people do not fit neatly into one substance category. Cocaine may be used with alcohol. Ketamine may be used alongside cannabis. Prescription medication may be mixed with alcohol or other drugs. Some people use different substances at different times depending on mood, availability or withdrawal.
This matters because the risks can change when substances are combined. It can also make it harder for the person or family to understand what is causing what.
Assessment looks at the full picture, including all substances being used, rather than focusing only on the one that feels most obvious.
Drug rehab and mental health
Drug rehab and mental health
Drug use and mental health often affect each other. Anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, emotional dysregulation, grief, stress or low self-worth may sit underneath the drug use, or may have become worse because of it.
If mental health difficulties are present, they need to be understood as part of treatment. Ignoring them can leave the person vulnerable when they leave the residential setting and return to ordinary life.
Abbington House supports people where addiction and mental health difficulties overlap. Our dual diagnosis page explains this in more detail.
Family support during drug rehab
Drug use often affects the whole family system. By the time someone enters treatment, family members may feel frightened, exhausted, angry, guilty or unsure what to believe anymore.
Abbington House includes a 16-week online family support programme as part of the residential stay. This gives families space to understand addiction, boundaries, communication, enabling, relapse risk and how to support recovery without losing themselves in the process.
Family involvement is not about blame. It is about helping everyone understand what has been happening and what needs to change next.
Aftercare after drug rehab
Aftercare after drug rehab
Leaving residential rehab is a significant transition. The person is no longer in the same contained environment, so planning for life after treatment matters.
Abbington House includes one year of aftercare following completion of treatment. Aftercare helps people stay connected, review relapse risks, talk through challenges, and continue recovery work after the residential stay has ended.
People also have lifetime access to Abbington Community events throughout the year, giving continued connection beyond the first phase of treatment.
Drug rehab costs
At Abbington House, a 28-day residential stay costs £13,950. The full cost breakdown, what is included, and how private rehab costs compare in the UK are explained on our rehab costs page.
Speak to Our Team
You don't need to know exactly what treatment is needed before calling. Many people call unsure, some for themselves and some for someone close to them.
A confidential conversation can help you understand whether treatment may be appropriate, whether detox may be needed, and what admission would involve.
Common Questions
Will I need a detox during drug rehab?
It depends on the drug and the pattern of use, which the assessment establishes. Some drugs, particularly opioids and benzodiazepines, carry real withdrawal risk and need a medically supervised detox. Where detox is needed, it is provided as part of the stay.
How long does drug rehab last?
Most people stay for around 28 days, though some stay longer where more time is useful or clinically appropriate. The right length depends on the drug, physical health, detox needs and how someone responds to treatment.
Do you treat drug and alcohol addiction together?
Can I come to rehab if I am still using drugs?
Yes. Many people are still using drugs when they first make contact. Stopping safely is part of what treatment is for, which is why assessment and, where needed, supervised detox come first.
Can I call about someone else?
Yes. Many people make contact for a partner, parent, adult child, friend or colleague. A confidential conversation can help you understand whether treatment may be appropriate and what the next steps would be.