Asking for help with alcohol or drug dependence is hard enough without having to worry about whether the service you've found is actually any good.

The problem is, quality varies. Some providers are doing excellent, evidence-based work. Others are taking advantage of people at a vulnerable time. From the outside, it's not always obvious which is which.

So how do you tell the difference? There are three things worth checking before you commit to anyone.

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Are they registered with the CQC in their own name?

Any service providing medical treatment in England should be registered with the Care Quality Commission. That's the baseline. But watch out for providers who claim to be "CQC accredited" through a third party—that's not the same thing.

If you're unsure, you can search for any provider directly on the CQC website. If they're not listed under their own name, ask them why.

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Have their outcomes been independently verified?

Anyone can claim a 90% success rate. The question is whether anyone outside the organisation has actually checked.

Look for providers whose results have been evaluated by a university, research body, or other independent organisation. Self-reported statistics and cherry-picked testimonials don't tell you much. Independent verification means the data has been scrutinised by someone who doesn't have a financial stake in it looking good.

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Do they offer proper aftercare?

This one matters more than most people realise.

Detox deals with the physical side of dependence. It gets you through withdrawal safely. But on its own, it doesn't address the reasons you were drinking or using in the first place. Without structured support afterwards, relapse rates are very high.

This isn't a fringe opinion. NICE guidelines are clear that detox should sit within a broader treatment programme. Any provider offering detox as a standalone service—particularly if they're vague about what happens next—is cutting corners. It might be cheaper upfront, but it's not setting you up for lasting recovery.

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Ask difficult questions

If you're weighing up your options, take your time. Speak to a few different providers. Ask them about their registration, their outcomes, their aftercare. A decent service will be happy to answer. If someone gets defensive or evasive, that tells you something.

There are good people doing good work in this space. But you have to be discerning, because not everyone is.

Clean Slate Clinic is registered with the Care Quality Commission (Provider ID: 1-22152371205). If you'd like to talk through whether we might be a good fit, you can book a call with our team.

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