AN Essex rehab facility has welcomed a multi-million-pound service Essex County Council is hoping to implement to help struggling addicts.

The authority is looking to offer a contract worth £4.6million to help alcoholics recover and heal from their addiction.

Essex County Council has been delivering its Psychosocial Alcohol Intervention and Recovery Service (PAIRS) since 2019.

It aims to provide community-based psychosocial interventions for those individuals with alcohol misuse issues.

The contract would last more than five years and have an option to extend it for an extra two-year period.

Whichever organisation receives the contract will work with service users to help them achieve their personal recovery goals and outcomes.

The service will also provide direct support and expertise within various acute hospital sites, working jointly with alcohol liaison nurses and patients.

The UKAT Group runs Sanctuary Lodge, in Hedingham Road, Halstead.

Signage - Sanctuary LodgeSignage - Sanctuary Lodge (Image: Sanctuary Lodge) Sanctuary Lodge supports people with alcohol and drug addiction issues, eating disorders, and offers many rehabilitation programs.

Sanctuary Lodge clients typically are admitted into the centre for a 28-day period which involved a seven-day detox, and residential therapy programme.

Lee Fernandes, Lead Therapist at The UKAT Group, said: "It goes without saying that we welcome the news of an additional, generous £4.6million in funding to help combat the rising alcohol problem across the Essex area.

“However, we'd be keen to understand more about the interventions and support given to those suffering with an alcohol addiction in a post-hospital environment.

“How will this investment help somebody to be discharged from hospital and go home and prevent them from wanting to drink again? 

"Community treatment is absolutely essential, but we know first-hand that in some cases, especially for long-term alcoholics, simply going in and out of hospital does not work.

“A more robust, intervention-style of treatment like residential rehab is often the right, and most cost-effective and successful course of action."

A spokesperson for Essex County Council, said: “Our continued investment in these services is reflective of just how critical they are.

“There many complex factors that can lead to alcohol misuse and so it’s important there is a range of support available across health and community services to support people on their individual recovery journeys.

“The specification for the new contract and the wider range of support funded by the council includes greater emphasis on this type of support and ensures a broad range of other medical and residential services are available. “

Essex County Council advised anyone who is struggling or worried about someone who is struggling with alcohol misuse is encouraged to call 01376 316 126.