The rehab clinic is collaborating with Manchester Metropolitan University to measure the long-term effectiveness of addiction rehab treatment.
Cheshire-based addiction rehab clinic Delamere will measure the long-term effectiveness of addiction rehab treatment, in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University and funded by Innovate UK.
The collaboration will take place over a two-year period, drawing on expertise from the substance use and associated behaviours and drugs, policy and social change research groups at Manchester Metropolitan to assess and improve the outcomes of the aftercare treatment model at Delamere.
An associate has been hired and will officially start this project from mid-July.
The project comes as addiction rates in the UK continue to rise, with a 7% increase in adults in contact with drug and alcohol treatment services between 2023 and 2024, according to a report by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities.
“Tracking and evaluating outcomes thoroughly, and understanding what levers to pull in order to impact positively on them, calls for academic rigour and dedicated resources. That is why we’re partnering with Manchester Metropolitan University and Innovate UK,” said Delamere chief executive Martin Preston.
The risk of relapse
Three months after leaving treatment is generally regarded as the peak period for the risk of relapse. Delamere is the first rehab clinic to offer a personalised and structured post-residential support service. The last phase of Delamere’s “Stop, Start, Grow, Bloom” model is a 12-week post-residential intermediate care service designed to combat the risk of relapse and ensure long-term healthy recovery.
According to the clinic, the collaboration will contribute to a better understanding of addiction treatment and, by demonstrating outcomes for treatment, reduce the chance of relapse and help people to live longer, healthier lives. It will also help evolve the clinic’s treatment model and inform longitudinal change in the sector in an under-researched group.
“Throughout this project, we will define “good” outcomes based on individual journeys, as well as determine which treatment triggers to employ to maximise personal outcomes. This will be evidence that Bloom supports effective outcomes, and embed a continuous improvement approach to evaluate and optimise our programmes,” said Preston.
