The OAD Clinic
Drug Treatments
We offer addiction treatment in London for patients dependent on:
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Opioids (heroin, morphine, codeine, oxycontin, oxycodone, tramadol, others)
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Stimulants (cocaine, amphetamine, others)
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Benzodiazepines (diazepam, temazepam, clonazepam, alprazolam, midazolam, others)
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Sleeping tablets
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Cannabis
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Skunk
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Ketamine
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Mephedrone
Our approach to drug addiction treatment
Our rehabilitation approach is focused on confronting substance dependence and start solving the physical, psychological, financial, legal, social and working consequences of it. Our initial priority is stabilisation. We will work with you, relatives or friends towards abstinence, but we will draw together the road map of your recovery journey.
We are very pragmatic, and though abstinence is the final goal, we will not rush or pressure you to achieve a recovery stage that perhaps you are not prepared for yet. In our view, abstinence is not a goal itself but a natural consequence or a rehabilitation process.
Therefore, we offer programmes for short term stabilization and detoxification, and also for long term stabilisation (maintenance). Most common drugs prescribed are: buprenorphine (Subutex, Suboxone) and methadone.
We also offer Relapse Prevention interventions with Naltrexone and a monthly prolonged-release buprenorphine injection (Buvidal) that removes the need for weekly pick up or supervised consumption at the pharmacy.
Buprenorphine Subcutaneous Injection (Buvidal)
Our clinic in central London offers Buvidal, a small (1ml) subcutaneous injection that effectively blocks the feel-good effects of opiates removing your cravings and the risk of relapse. This new buprenorphine prolonged-release injection is supplied in a pre-filled syringe to be administered under the skin weekly or monthly.
No need for frequent visits to your chemist nor supervised consumption.
Maintenance: Short and Long Term Stabilisation
Maintenance or long term stabilisation are strategies to manage opioid dependence and achieve clinical stability during the recovery process. It is achieved by substituting the opioid on which the patient has been dependent with medication, usually buprenorphine or methadone, prescribed by a specialist doctor. This strategy is called Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) and has many benefits.
Learn more about Opioid Substitution Therapy
Opiates Detoxification
Methadone and buprenorphine (Subutex) are used as substitution therapy to avoid withdrawals and achieve stabilisation in opiate dependence treatment. A withdrawal regimen after stabilisation with methadone or buprenorphine should be attempted only after careful consideration. Complete detoxification from opioids usually takes between 4 and 12 weeks in a community setting. Our detoxification treatments are designed to eliminate the symptoms of opiate withdrawal and decrease your chances of relapse.
Painkiller Dependence
Codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, pethidine, tramadol and other opioid analgesic painkillers can help manage pain when prescribed for the right condition and used properly. But when misused, they can cause serious harm, including addiction, overdose and death.
The OAD Clinic pain management programmes are led by two of the most senior specialists in the field. Dr Arun Bhaskar, MBBS MSc FRCA FFPMRCA FFICM FIPP President of the British Pain Society and Dr Oscar D’Agnone, MD, MRCPsych one of the best regarded addiction psychiatrists in the UK with more than 30 years of experience as academic and clinician.
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