Rehabilitation — often called rehab — is a broad term for treatment, therapy, education, practical support and recovery services that help people regain independence, improve wellbeing, recover from illness or injury, overcome addiction, manage mental health conditions, and rebuild their lives.
Rehabilitation is not only for addiction. People may need rehabilitation after alcohol or drug dependency, gambling problems, mental health difficulties, serious illness, cancer treatment, stroke, brain injury, Long COVID, chronic pain, disability, neurological conditions, eating disorders, trauma, domestic abuse, homelessness or criminal justice involvement.
Recovery looks different for everyone. Some people need short-term support, while others benefit from longer-term rehabilitation and community services.
This guide provides general information and signposting only. Medical detox, withdrawal management, medication changes and rehabilitation following serious illness or injury should be discussed with appropriate healthcare professionals.
Types of Rehabilitation
Addiction Rehabilitation
Support for alcohol, drugs, prescription-medication dependency, gambling and other behavioural addictions. Treatment may include medical assessment, detox, community treatment, counselling, peer support and relapse-prevention work.
Mental Health Rehabilitation
Support for severe or long-term mental illness, psychosis, bipolar disorder, PTSD, complex trauma and other complex mental health needs.
Physical Rehabilitation
Support after surgery, serious injury, stroke, heart problems, cancer treatment or long-term illness. This may include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and mobility support.
Neurological Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation following brain injury, stroke or neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.
Vocational Rehabilitation
Help with returning to work, retraining, employment support and workplace adjustments.
Social Rehabilitation
Support with housing, independent living, education, relationships, community participation and rebuilding everyday life.
Detox & Withdrawal Safety
Detoxification is the process of safely managing withdrawal when reducing or stopping alcohol, drugs or certain medicines.
- Community-based detox
- Outpatient treatment
- Residential detox
- Hospital-based detox
Important
Do not suddenly stop alcohol if you are physically dependent, and do not stop prescribed medicines without medical advice. Withdrawal from alcohol and some medicines can be dangerous. Speak to a GP, pharmacist, addiction service or other appropriate clinician.
Addiction & Recovery Support
NHS Addiction Support
NHS information about alcohol, drugs, gambling and routes into treatment.
NHS Addiction SupportChange Grow Live
Community drug and alcohol services, recovery support and harm-reduction services in many areas.
Change Grow LiveTurning Point
Health and social-care support, including substance-use and mental-health services.
Turning PointAlcoholics Anonymous
Peer-support meetings for people who want help with alcohol recovery.
Alcoholics AnonymousNHS Gambling Support
Information about NHS gambling clinics and support for gambling-related harm.
NHS Gambling SupportFind Addiction Help Across the UK
England
A GP can refer to local services, and many drug and alcohol treatment services accept direct contact or self-referral.
England Drug Treatment GuidanceScotland
NHS inform provides routes to local alcohol and drug services, GP support, pharmacy support and community recovery organisations.
Scotland Drug SupportWales
DAN 24/7 provides a Wales-wide route to drug and alcohol information and support.
DAN 24/7 WalesNorthern Ireland
nidirect provides information on local dedicated drug and alcohol services and self-referral routes.
Northern Ireland Drug & Alcohol HelpResidential Rehab, Community Recovery & Peer Support
Residential Rehabilitation
Residential rehab provides structured live-in treatment. It may include therapy, group work, life skills, relapse prevention and family support. Access and funding arrangements vary by area.
NHS Treatment InformationCommunity Recovery
Many people recover while living at home with support from recovery workers, counselling, groups, harm-reduction services and peer support.
Community Recovery ServicesPeer Support
Peer support can reduce isolation and provide practical encouragement from people with lived experience.
Find Peer SupportLocal Mind Services
Some local Mind organisations offer recovery groups, peer support, wellbeing services and advocacy.
Find Local MindMental Health Recovery
NHS Mental Health Services
Information about community teams, specialist services, crisis care and treatment.
NHS Mental Health ServicesNHS Talking Therapies — England
Support for anxiety, depression and related problems. Adults in England may be able to self-refer.
Find NHS Talking TherapiesBeat Eating Disorders
Support and information for people affected by eating disorders and their families.
BeatPhysical & Neurological Rehabilitation
NHS Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy can help with movement, strength, pain and recovery after illness, injury or surgery.
NHS PhysiotherapyRoyal College of Occupational Therapists
Information about occupational therapy and support for independent living and daily activities.
Occupational TherapyStroke Association
Support and information for people recovering from stroke and their families.
Stroke AssociationMacmillan Cancer Support
Support with cancer treatment, recovery, work, money and wellbeing.
MacmillanNHS Long COVID
Information on long-term symptoms, assessment and recovery support.
NHS Long COVID InformationTrauma & Domestic Abuse Recovery
Recovery after abuse or trauma may involve emotional support, trauma-informed therapy, safe housing, legal advice, safety planning and practical help.
Refuge / National Domestic Abuse Helpline
Specialist support for women experiencing domestic abuse.
Domestic Abuse SupportHousing, Supported Living & Independent Living
Shelter
Housing and homelessness advice for people rebuilding after illness, addiction, abuse or homelessness.
ShelterHomelessness Help
GOV.UK guidance for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
GOV.UK Housing HelpCare Needs Assessment
In England, adults can ask their local council for a needs assessment if they need help with daily living or independence.
Care Needs AssessmentDisability Rights UK
Information relating to independent living, benefits, rights and employment.
Disability Rights UKEmployment & Financial Recovery
Access to Work
Support for disabled people and people with physical or mental health conditions to start or stay in work in Great Britain.
Access to WorkPersonal Independence Payment
Information about PIP for people with long-term health conditions or disabilities.
PIPAttendance Allowance
Information for people over State Pension age who need help because of disability or health needs.
Attendance AllowanceFamily & Carer Support During Recovery
Families may also need support with relationship strain, carer stress, financial pressure, parenting difficulties and trauma recovery.
Finding Local Rehabilitation Services
Find Your Local Council
Local councils can help with adult social care, housing, supported living and community services.
Find Your CouncilAsk Your GP
A GP can help identify appropriate NHS treatment and make referrals where needed.
Mental Health Crisis Support
If someone cannot stay safe
If someone is in immediate danger or there is a life-threatening emergency, call 999 or attend A&E.
For urgent mental health support, use the correct NHS urgent mental-health service for the part of the UK where you live.
Samaritans: 116 123
Contact SamaritansShout also provides crisis text support through its official website.
Shout Crisis SupportKey Message
Recovery is possible. Whether someone is recovering from addiction, mental health difficulties, illness, injury, disability, trauma, homelessness, relationship breakdown, or major life changes, support is available throughout the UK.
Rehabilitation is not simply about treating a condition. It can also be about rebuilding confidence, improving wellbeing, regaining independence, strengthening relationships, accessing education and employment, and creating a healthier future.
The NHS, local authorities, charities, community organisations, peer-support groups, housing services, employment programmes, advocacy organisations and specialist rehabilitation providers can all play a role.
No one should feel they have to face recovery alone.