• Help, support and treatments are chosen to suit the needs and preferences of the individual. They can take place in a variety of different settings depending on the type of treatment required
• Many support and treatment options can be completed at an individual's home. Treatments can be delivered through the internet, by the phone, or at a person's home but it depends on what the service is able to provide
• Some treatment options need to be completed at local centres. For example, many self-help groups prefer to have meetings in person at a local centre (such as a library or community hall)
• Residential treatments occur at specialised clinics or hospitals. They are usually required for people who need specialist supervision and support, such as managing severe withdrawal symptoms

Generally speaking, treatments and support can be categorised into three different facility groups: at home, at an independent or “outpatient” centre, or at a residential centre.

Alcohol and drug professionals and GPs work hard to support people and want them to achieve their goals. Having a conversation about preferences and how best support would work for them will help the GP, health professionals, as well as the person requiring support or treatment.

For example, if someone would feel more comfortable to be supported at home (e.g., through online or by phone), voicing this when discussing treatment options would be beneficial.

There are a variety of different treatment or support options that can be completed at home.

For example, talking therapies can be completed online or over the phone, which means there are no requirements to meet in person. Additionally, alcohol or drug support professionals may make home visits, instead of their places of work.

These are the steps involved for treatment or support taking place at home:

First step:

Reach out to GP or self-refer directly to services

Second step:

Agree a treatment or support plan that can be completed at home

Third step:

Meet online, over the phone, or at home for treatment or support sessions

Fourth step:

 Discuss progress and success of treatment or support plan and whether additional services are needed (can be completed online, over the phone, or in person)

While there is more flexibility nowadays for online support and treatments, certain support or treatments may not be able to be completed at home. They might require attending meetings in person at local centres, on NHS premises, or at charity centres.

For example, some alcohol and drug self-help groups like to meet in person, and will have scheduled meetings at local venues (for example, a local library or community hall).

These are the steps involved for treatment or support at local centres:

First step:

Reach out to GP or self-refer directly to services

Second step:

 Agree a treatment or support plan that requires attending meetings or sessions at certain local centres

Third step:

   Meet at an arranged time, date and location for treatment or support sessions (using online maps can help to plan the journey beforehand)

Fourth step:

  Discuss progress and success of treatment or support plan and whether additional services are needed

Certain support and treatments require the use of residential centres. These are centres that require the person to stay at the centre for the course of their treatment or support.

They are most commonly used for individuals who wish to detox from alcohol or a particular drug, known as rehabilitation centres (or rehab for short). This kind of support is important for individuals who need professional supervision in order for their support or treatment plan to be successful.

While some detox programmes can be completed at home or under limited supervision, it is dependent on the individual and the drug they are detoxing from.

These are the steps involved in residential treatment or support:

First step:

Reach out to GP, self-refer directly to services, or admitted on an emergency basis (e.g., through A&E)

Second step:

If residential care is needed, a suitable centre is chosen. Admittance could be almost immediate or requiring a wait until the centre has room

Third step:

Treatment and support sessions will take place at the residential centre

Fourth step:

 Discuss progress and success of treatment and whether additional services are needed (including being referred for "outpatient" support)