Kent rehab centre launches support service for ex-residents

There was a sharp rise in alcohol addiction following the pandemic

A Kent-based drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre has launched a service to prevent people from relapsing into addiction.

The Kenward Trust in Yalding, near Maidstone, is offering a programme called Recovery Plus to people who move on from living at the centre.

Recovery Plus was set up after residents reported a lack of ongoing support services for substance misuse.

The government said it was investing £532m for addiction support.

In 2022/23, 5000 people in Kent were treated for drug and alcohol addiction according to a report presented to Kent County Council.

'Safe, nurturing and trusted space'

Penny Williams, Chief Executive of the Kenward Trust, said there weren't enough resources for community-based therapeutic and peer-led support.

She said Recovery Plus would provide a "safe, nurturing and trusted space" co-created by former residents.

"Long-term recovery from trauma needs this consistent relationship," Ms Williams added, referring to the ongoing contact between ex-residents and the centre.

As part of the programme, people leaving rehab will be offered regular meet-ups with other former residents and a one-off recovery coaching session.

Toby said addiction caused him to lose "pretty much everything in the space of a month"

Toby, 33, was referred to the treatment service after becoming homeless and addicted to drugs, including crack cocaine and heroin.

He will soon be leaving the Kenward Trust and said he felt scared about relapsing.

"I've met some amazing people and learned a lot about myself, but it's now about putting it into practice," he explained.

Caragh, 26, has struggled with alcohol since she was a teenager.

She spent 15 weeks in residential rehabilitation before moving into a move-on project - a halfway house setting where she currently lives with ten people who are receiving ongoing support.

Caragh said her alcohol addiction was aggravated by the pandemic

Although she said addiction was "a lifelong illness" and "something you have to accept", she hopes the extra support will help prevent relapse.

"Going from having support constantly to then being alone is absolutely terrifying," she said.

Paul, 51, suffered a life changing accident in 2019 and became dependent on alcohol to cope with night tremors.

He spent six months in rehab, but like Caragh is now in a move-on project.

Paul said he formed an alcohol addiction alongside severe depression

Paul is accessing the Recovery Plus programme and said the extra help was crucial, as it would keep recovering addicts connected to the centre.

The addiction had "only got to catch me on the wrong day," Paul said.

A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care said. "We are committed to ensuring that anyone with a drug problem can access the help and support they need."

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