Lothians and Edinburgh Abstinence Programme (LEAP), NHS Lothian

LEAP is an intensive residential rehabilitation programme for people who are dependent on alcohol and/or drugs who want to achieve a drug- and alcohol-free recovery. The programme was founded in 2007.

LEAP is a therapeutic community model and supports patients for a minimum of three months, with structured therapeutic activities every day.

These include group work, workshops, presentations, education, and training. There are also recreation and relaxation activities. Detoxification can also be provided from drugs or alcohol.

Admission criteria

LEAP is a service for anyone over the age of 18 who are seeking abstinence abstinence-based recovery from alcohol and all chemical addictions.

Persons looking to be admitted to LEAP must be in agreement with the service treatment contract outlining our expectations so as to maximise outcomes in terms of the treatment process.

So as to benefit from all aspects of the treatment programme patients are required to have a reasonable command of the English language. In terms of minimising risk to patients a full assessment of needs will be completed prior to admission which includes review of physical, mental health and medical needs. In some cases where the patients’ needs are too complex to be safely treated at LEAP, other options and settings can be considered.

Referrals are accepted from Edinburgh and Mid/East/West Lothian, including from primary care and across statutory and non-statutory services (addiction services, housing, prisons, mental health, hospital settings and social work services).

Referral criteria are as follows:

• Alcohol use disorders
• Drug use disorders (see prescription medication dose limits below)
• Methadone 60mls or less ( 50mls on admission)
• Suboxone/Subutex 20mg or less
• Espranor 18mg or less
• Buvidal weekly preparation 24mg or less
• Buvidal monthly preparation 96mg or less
• Diazepam 20mg or less

What model(s) of rehabilitation do you practise?

LEAP delivers a service based on a Therapeutic Community model. Whilst in treatment patients are also encouraged to engage with community support e.g. mutual aid meetings (12 step and Self-Management and Recovery Training) and lived-experience recovery organisations.

All aspects of treatment include trauma-informed support and counselling.

Evidence of success

Do you have staff members with lived experience on your team?

At LEAP around 55% of staff have lived experience. This includes team members operating in managerial, paid peer support, therapeutic and medical roles.

What are your considerations around religious beliefs and dietary requirements?

LEAP aim to understand and respond to the religious belief needs of patients insofar as they relate to their use of NHS services.

What funding models are available?

Funding for treatment is through NHS Lothian, via the Alcohol and Drug Partnerships and Scottish Government. Housing benefit is accepted and Prison to Rehab funding is also accessible. There are no private or insurance patients – treatment is provided on NHS principles, based on need and free at the point of delivery.

Disclaimer: The services listed in this directory are regulated by appropriate governing bodies, such as the Care Inspectorate, Healthcare Improvement Scotland or the NHS. The National Directory of Residential Rehab Services in Scotland is not responsible for the quality assurance information listed on these pages.