Drug and alcohol addiction rehab in Sussex
Welcome to the Rehab Online directory for Sussex. This county stretches from busy coastal cities to quieter rural areas, and that range shapes how people experience alcohol and drug problems. The clinics listed here offer different routes into rehab, depending on location, needs, and access to support.
If you don’t see a suitable service listed in Sussex, you can visit our Local NHS resources guide or explore nearby treatment centres across the South East and surrounding regions.
Substance misuse rehab clinics in the South East
Looking for substance addiction rehab clinics in Sussex often means dealing with very different realities depending on where you live. The county includes lively coastal cities, seaside towns, and rural villages, which can shape how alcohol or drug problems develop and how easy it feels to ask for help.
Rehab services across Sussex include NHS community teams, local charities, and private clinics spread across East and West Sussex. Some people need support that fits around seasonal work or tourism. Others want distance from familiar environments. The right rehab option depends on daily life, not just postcode.
Rehabs that serve Sussex
Free drug and alcohol addiction treatment across Sussex
Across Sussex, many people are affected by alcohol dependence and risky drinking. East Sussex’s strategy estimates there are over 5,000 dependent drinkers in the county, with efforts underway to reduce that number and improve access to support for families and individuals. Almost 2,000 children live with an adult who’s alcohol dependent, highlighting how widespread the impact can be.
Free rehab support in Sussex is delivered through NHS-funded drug and alcohol services that offer confidential assessment, tailored care planning, and ongoing support. These services work with adults and young people and can help with community programmes, counselling, harm-reduction advice, and referrals into more structured treatment where needed.
NHS addiction support in east Sussex
- STAR Drugs and Alcohol Service (East Sussex): Provides one-to-one and group support for drug and alcohol use, recovery planning, counselling, substitute prescribing and help with detox or rehab pathways.
Address: Lift House, 6 St Leonards Road, Eastbourne BN21 3UH.
Phone: Contact via Change Grow Live East Sussex helpline.
How to join: Walk-in or referral through a local GP or self-referral to the service. - CGL – East Sussex Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service: Offers free NHS support across East Sussex, including in Hastings, Lewes and surrounding towns. They provide assessment, recovery planning, advice and links to further treatment.
Address: Thrift House, 13 Wellington Place, Hastings TN34 1NY.
Phone: 0300 303 8160.
How to join: Self-refer online or ask your GP to refer you.
NHS addiction support in west Sussex
- West Sussex Drug and Alcohol Wellbeing Network (DAWN): Offers free, confidential support in West Sussex for people affected by alcohol and drugs, including counselling, harm-reduction advice and recovery planning.
Phone: 0330 128 1113.
How to join: Contact DAWN directly via phone or online referral.
Free and charity routes
- We Are With You: A national charity offering free, confidential online and phone support for people with drug or alcohol concerns across Sussex and the UK.
Website: wearewithyou.org.uk. - FRANK helpline: Confidential advice about drugs and local services if you’re unsure where to start.
Phone: 0300 123 6600.
GP and community rehab access
- GP referral: Your GP anywhere in Sussex can talk with you about substance use, carry out health checks, and refer you into local NHS rehab services.
- Local community groups: In many towns, community centres or voluntary groups host peer support and locally organised counselling, often linked with the NHS services above.
Free rehab support in Sussex is designed so that even an initial call or assessment is about understanding your situation rather than committing to a specific programme. Services work with you to find what level of support feels right and safe.
Residential rehab centres near east or west Sussex
Stepping out of day-to-day life and into a residential rehab centre can create the space and routine needed to begin lasting recovery from alcohol or drug use. Inpatient rehab programmes typically combine therapeutic work, peer support and, where needed, medically assisted detox, all within a safe, structured setting that’s a short journey from East or West Sussex.
Whether you’re based near the South Downs or closer to the coast, residential rehab is usually explored after assessment with local NHS drug and alcohol services or a GP, to decide if a live-in programme matches your needs and risks.
- Recovery Lighthouse – Worthing, West Sussex: A well-established residential rehab centre near the West Sussex coast, offering tailored alcohol and drug rehab programmes. Treatment includes medically supported detox where appropriate, individual therapy, group work and holistic approaches such as mindfulness and fitness activities. Worthing is about a 1-1.5 hour drive from central East Sussex and easily reached from across Sussex.
- PROMIS Hay Farm – Kent: A private residential rehab in rural Kent, usually around 1.5-2 hours from East Sussex and about 2 hours from West Sussex by car. The programme focuses on personalised recovery work, psychological therapy and relapse prevention in a small residential setting.
Address: Hay Farm, Ham, Sandwich, Kent CT14 0EE.
Phone: 01304 841 700.
Residential rehab programmes vary in length and focus, from shorter intensive stays to longer immersive treatment plans. They’re often suited to people who’ve struggled with outpatient care alone or whose home environments make change harder to sustain.
Alcohol and drug detox Services
Alcohol and drug detox services in Sussex focus on helping people manage withdrawal safely when physical dependence has developed. Detox is often the first step before rehab treatment, especially for substances like alcohol, opioids, or long-term prescription medication, where stopping suddenly can carry health risks.
For people in East and West Sussex, detox is usually arranged through NHS drug and alcohol services after an assessment. Depending on risk and home support, detox may take place at home with monitoring, through community services, or in a residential or hospital setting if closer medical care is needed.
Outpatient drug and alcohol treatment
Outpatient rehab programmes in Sussex allows people to get structured support while staying at home. This option works well if you need help with alcohol or drug use but can manage daily life safely. It’s often used as a first step into rehab, or as ongoing support after detox or residential treatment.
- One-to-one support: Regular sessions with a key worker or therapist, suited to people who prefer private, individual guidance.
- Group recovery programmes: Peer-based sessions that help reduce isolation and build shared coping skills, often helpful for those who benefit from community support.
- Harm reduction services: Practical advice and medical support aimed at reducing risks, suited to people who aren’t ready for full abstinence yet.
- Relapse prevention work: Ongoing sessions focused on managing triggers and high-risk situations, often used after detox or inpatient rehab.
- Family or carers’ support: Involves partners or relatives, which can help when relationships have been affected by substance use.
For many people in East or West Sussex, outpatient rehab offers a flexible way to access help without stepping away from work, family, or home life. It’s often the most sustainable option when long-term, steady support is needed rather than short-term intervention.
Addiction counselling and therapy
Addiction counselling and therapy help people understand why alcohol or drug use has become a problem, not just how to stop. It focuses on thoughts, emotions, habits, and life pressures that sit underneath substance use, giving space to talk things through without judgement or pressure to rush change.
Support is available in different formats, including one-to-one sessions, group therapy, and online rehab in rural or coastal areas like Rye, Midhurst, or Petworth, where getting addiction treatment can otherwise involve long travel or limited local services.
How to access rehab treatment in Sussex
Accessing rehab treatment in Sussex usually starts with an assessment through local NHS services or a GP. East and West Sussex have separate drug and alcohol teams, but both focus on safety, health, and daily circumstances before recommending detox, outpatient support, or residential rehab if needed.
- East Sussex services: You can self-refer to the STAR Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service, which offers free assessments, community rehab treatment, and support with detox or residential pathways.
- West Sussex services: Support is provided through the Drug and Alcohol Wellbeing Network (DAWN), offering free, confidential help, recovery planning, and referrals into specialist treatment.
- GP support across Sussex: A GP can review physical and mental health, discuss substance use, and refer you into the appropriate local service.
- Private rehab options: Some people choose private centres in Sussex or nearby counties for faster access or specific programmes, often alongside NHS advice.
Rehab treatment in Sussex doesn’t require you to know the outcome in advance. It starts with getting the right people involved and letting them help you work out what level of support feels safe, realistic, and sustainable for where you are right now.