SHARP London

It was with great reluctance that we announced the closure of this service in July 2011 due to insufficient funded referrals from across London. This was particularly to be regretted given the Government's stated ambition to see increasing opportunities for abstinence-based recovery.

We nonetheless celebrate the fact that for nearly 20 years a great many people from all walks of life from across London, and sometimes from further afield, began their personal recovery journeys at SHARP and we thank all those involved in what became a highly regarded service that led to the replication of the model elsewhere in the country. We have not ruled out re-establishing SHARP in London should circumstances change.

 

A history of SHARP London

SHARP London was established in 1992 as a unique pan-London service offering high quality structured 12 Step treatment; the longest-established structured day treatment of its kind in London. In September 2010 the service moved to Hopkinson House in Vauxhall Bridge Road, Victoria. Prior to this many ex-clients and staff gathered together with the current clients at Redcliffe Gardens, Earls Court to celebrate 18 years of treatment and recovery in that location.

SHARP LONDON provided a safe, caring environment in which to accept and begin to overcome drug and alcohol addiction, offering a structured day treatment programme with 22 places for men and women.

The programme offered 48 days of treatment (over a period of 9 weeks full time and 3 weeks part time), provided by qualified counsellors and therapists with expertise in addictions counselling and treatment.

Our treatment programme

Many different elements of our structured day treatment programme contributed to helping understand addiction, and providing support on the journey of recovery.

One to one counselling

Work with one counsellor in a confidential setting to talk through the issues that cause vulnerability to addiction.

Group work

Shared experiences of recovery with other people in a similar situation; develop communication skills in a safe environment which can then be applied to everyday relationships at home and at work.

Relapse prevention

Guidance on the best ways to prevent relapse.

Workshops and life skills groups

Attendance at training sessions, whether on basic life skills coaching or more specific IT development courses.

Social activities

Social activities organised for members of the treatment programme which allow strengthened relationships to develop.

Our team

Our team of qualified and experienced addictions counsellors, Families' Counsellor, Referrals Worker and an Admissions/Receptionist worker all help on the path to recovery.

Life Skills facilitator and regular visiting speakers provide assistance.

Support network

You can benefit greatly from

Sharing recovery skills with a close group of peers whilst in treatment can benefit greatly. This group can form the basis of a network of drug and alcohol-free support on leaving the programme.

We encourage the use of self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous to support ongoing, long term recovery. We also offer advice and onward referral to those needing continuing professional help.

After care and family programmes

Family programmes and aftercare are available to you as part of our treatment programme.

Referrals and eligibility

Detoxification is not provided. You must be at least 24 hours drug and alcohol free, have a desire to remain abstinent in the long term and be 18 years or over.

Some understanding of the 12-step abstinence based approach to recovery is helpful in order to know what to expect and readiness to participate in the programme. Clients are usually expected to attend for an assessment visit but telephone assessments or prison visits may be carried out by prior arrangement. Reports from other agencies may be required - for example, discharge summaries, social enquiry or psychiatric reports. Referrals are accepted from all sources including self-referrals.

We continue to provide two other SHARP services, in Bournemouth and Liverpool. For further information about these or any of our other addiction services, please call us on 0300 330 0659 or email us on admin@actiononaddiction.org.uk