Dr Mateen Durrani, MBBS; DPM(Ire); MSc(Lon); BCPsych(Lon)
Dr Mateen Durrani | MBBS, DPM, MSc, BCPsych | Medical Professional
Dr Mateen Durrani is on the specialist register of the GMC (3517617) and is accredited as a general adult psychiatrist by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. After completing his basic training in psychiatry, he has been working as a consultant Psychiatrist since 1995, initially in the NHS and since 2011 in the independent sector. He joined UKAT in 2014 and is now the UKAT Group Medical Advisor and consultant psychiatrist at our Sanctuary Lodge treatment centre. With Masters’ in Clinical and Public Health Aspects of Addiction from the Institute of Psychiatry, University of London, his work and expertise focuses on helping people with various addictions achieve sobriety and a stable recovery through the process of recovery.Dr Durrani’s interest lies deep within field of psychiatry. From his basic and later specialist training in Psychiatry to his work as a consultant and clinical/medical director for the NHS and Independent sector and ultimately, UKAT – he has devoted his entire professional life to improving the services and mental health of patients, help individuals have a better understanding of their addictive behaviour and empower them to achieve an improved quality of social and professional life.
For Dr Durrani, it’s important to help the community overcome the stigmas and accept those with mental health problems and addictive behaviour, while also creating more opportunities for therapeutic experiences.
While working with UKAT since 2014, Dr Durrani has helped Sanctuary Lodge support thousands of people suffering from alcoholism and drug addiction, as well as from behavioural addictions. His leadership and experience in managing individuals with addictive behaviours, both within the NHS and the Independent sector, devotion, concentration and desire to always achieve more and improve, have led us to become one of the top addiction treatment providers in the UK.
- MBBS University of Karachi 1981
- DPM Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Ireland 1992
- Board Certificate in Psychiatry Institute of Psychiatry, University of
London 1994 - MSc Addictive
behaviour Institute of Psychiatry, University of London 1999
- Secretary Diaspora Committee Royal College of Psychiatrists 2014 to 2021
- Chairman British Pakistani Psychiatrists Association 2012 to 2016 and currently its Trustee since 2018.
- Dr. Durrani is on the panel of all major private health insurance companies in the UK
- General Adult Psychiatry , 2007
- Trustee for Indus Health Network (UK) which provides free secondary and tertiary healthcare across Pakistan along with primary care facilities in 52 districts, providing an excellence driven, comprehensive, free of charge healthcare accessible to all.
- Trustee AAS (Alleviation of addiction suffering) Trust, providing treatment and rehabilitation for street children suffering from substance abuse.
- Trustee British Pakistani Psychiatrists Association
- English - Fluent
- Panjabi, Punjabi - Fluent
- Urdu - Fluent
- Sindhi - Conversational
- Common mental health conditions
- Mental health conditions in patients with learning disability
- Psychiatry of Substance misuse
Insomnia affects millions of people in the UK and one of the most commonly prescribed medications for the condition is zopiclone. Commonly sold under the brand names Zimonvane, Imovane and Dopareel, zopiclone can be ...
In the UK, zolpidem is a class C controlled drug, available by prescription only. Intended to help people suffering from insomnia, zolpidem’s pleasurable tranquilising “high” means that alongside its medical us...
Prescription drugs like Xanax, also known as alprazolam, are often mistaken as harmless – after all, you can get them from your doctor. However, benzodiazepine drugs like Xanax are responsible for 16% of drug misus...
Vicodin (a combination of the pain reliever hydrocodone and the anti-inflammatory drug acetaminophen) is a powerful prescription medication used to treat moderate to severe pain. While it can be a highly effective pa...
Valium is a very common medication which is typically prescribed for the treatment of anxiety, muscle spasms, insomnia, restless leg syndrome and seizures. However, even though it can be an effective medicine, Valium...
Tramadol is a powerful synthetic opioid analgesic that is widely prescribed for the relief of moderate to severe pain. However, it is also increasingly abused and misused for its euphoric and sedative effects. Tramad...
When a stone is thrown into a still pond, ripples spread out from the point of impact, distorting the calm water. Alcohol addiction acts in a similar way, affecting people that reach far beyond the person with the ad...
There are many different types of stimulants including prescription medicines like Ritalin and Adderall and illegal drugs like cocaine and ecstasy. No matter their legal status, all stimulants can be potentially ...
Are you struggling with physical dependence on stimulants? If so, you're not alone. Stimulant addiction is very common and can be difficult to overcome on your own. However, there are stimulant detox centres whic...
If you become addicted to Spice, you’ll need to undergo a Spice detox to break free from the physical and mental dependency. In the UK Spice is considered an illegal and dangerous substance often referred to as...
Spice is a substance that is deceptively easy to become addicted to, so many individuals have had to seek out support through spice rehab. In spice addiction treatment, you will be able to regain normalcy in y...
Developing a Spice addiction isn’t uncommon. Spice is essentially a synthetic form of Marijuana that contains artificial cannabinoids and THC- the dominant chemical in Marijuana. Although Spice is not Marijuana...
Sleeping pill rehab may seem like a drastic and unnecessary step for some people, but it is actually one of the most important things you can do if you are struggling with sleeping pill addiction. Sleeping pills ...
Sleeping pills are commonly used to treat insomnia and other sleep disorders. However, many people do not realise that these medications are both physically and psychologically addictive. If you are ready to quit...
Seeking help through shopping addiction treatment may be more common than we realise; around eight million Britons have stated that they have an uncontrollable urge to shop. This makes sense given that we are liv...
Shopping addiction is more common than we may realise. Thanks to the internet, we can essentially buy anything we want from around the world at the click of a button. The ease with which you can purchase an item ...
Sex and love addiction treatment and therapy is rarely talked about and, unfortunately, it is widely misunderstood in comparison to other addictions. Despite often being overlooked, emotional intimacy disorders c...
Addiction to sex and love is a common manifestation of the illness of the mind, and just because this does not involve a substance, this does not mean it is any less harmful to the sufferer, their family, or thei...
Introduced in the 1960s, Ritalin is a stimulant drug prescribed to treat ADHD to increase focus. Despite its benefits, this methylphenidate-based drug can lead to Ritalin addiction which can negatively impact your q...
Whether you are in recovery from alcohol addiction or you are taking part in a global sober challenge, quitting alcohol can have a number of benefits for your health, relationships and general well-being. It is im...
Compulsively engaging in porn is a serious societal issue that often goes untreated or unrecognised. Some people may not realise they need porn rehab or may be too embarrassed to admit themselves into treatment. ...
Porn addiction is a condition that causes individuals to become so dependent on pornographic material that it begins to stand in the way of all aspects of their daily lives. This compulsion will often lead them t...
Oxycodone addiction has long been an issue in the US, but it is also a real threat to public health in the UK. An observational study published by The Lancet found that the UK is the highest per capita consumer of pr...
Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorders (OSFEDs) are food- and weight-related conditions which do not come under the categorisation of common eating disorders. If you are struggling with an OSFED, you should...
An OSFED is a type of eating disorder, which stands for Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders. This diagnosis is given its name because it has different characteristics from those of common and better-under...
As the opioid crisis continues to worsen in the UK, we are often asked the question: what is opiate rehab? Opiate rehab is a specialised treatment programme that aims to help people suffering from opiate addictio...
Opiate detox represents the first stage in recovery from this class of drugs, which includes prescription painkillers like codeine, morphine, and oxycodone, as well as illegal drugs like heroin. Opiate detox refe...
Morphine addiction is a devastating mental health disorder which still impacts public health around the world today. In a report on drug-related deaths in England and Wales, the Office for National Statistics reveale...
Despite the legitimate uses methadone has in both pain relief and drug withdrawal treatment, it is still the second most commonly mentioned opioid reported in 14% of drug misuse deaths in the UK. The potential for ab...
Starting your meth rehab journey may seem like a daunting process, but it could be the start of your transformation into a happy, healthy life. Is your meth use wreaking havoc on your health, relationships, c...
If you have found yourself in the difficult position of needing to read about meth detox for yourself or your loved one, we would like to applaud your courage and encourage you to read on further as you have take...
Addiction to meth can happen extremely fast because of how strong the chemicals in the substance are. Meth addiction can cause serious harm to your body, but despite this, those who suffer often continue to take ...
As a synthetic “designer” drug, addiction to mephedrone is possible but detox can be unpredictable. Formulated in illegal labs, the potency and ingredients used in mephedrone vary greatly, and this poses a ch...
Mephedrone has affected households since 1929 when the drug was initially made - fortunately since then, many have recovered from the use of the drug, going back to living clean, healthy lives following their mep...
Mephedrone is a synthetic stimulant that has the potential to be very addictive. Recognised within the group of drugs known as ‘legal highs’, mephedrone was designed to imitate the effects of illicit substanc...
Lorazepam (also known by Ativan) is a powerful medication prescribed to treat anxiety or seizure disorders. While it is a legal drug on prescription, some people develop an lorazepam addiction which can be very destr...
Living with a functioning alcoholic can be a confusing and emotionally taxing experience. Functioning alcoholics maintain a facade of stability and success, while secretly battling an addiction that remains hidden fr...
Librium, also known as 'chlordiazepoxide', is a benzodiazepine drug usually prescribed to treat anxiety, insomnia, and muscle pains. Librium addiction can develop in anyone who takes the drug for an extended period o...
Long-term use of ketamine comes with a whole host of problems, seeping through to your relationships, career, and finances and causing devastating health issues, including kidney damage and severe abdominal pain....
Ketamine, otherwise known as ‘ket’, ‘kitkat’ and ‘Special K’, is a brain-altering drug that can have serious psychological effects when abused. Coming off ketamine addiction and reversing these effect...
Ketamine addiction is a serious problem in the UK. While ketamine is sometimes prescribed as an anaesthetic or to help with depression, it is sometimes abused for its dissociative and hallucinogenic effects. Keta...
Going to an internet addiction rehab for an addiction to online platforms may seem excessive, given that many of us probably think we spend too much time on the internet and engaging in social media. But it becom...
Recently, more and more people across the world are developing internet addiction. Over the last decade, the world has seen a sharp rise in technological breakthroughs, and the internet is arguably one of the mos...
Many people outside of the world of addiction may not have that understanding of alcoholism. People may make comments that make it seem as though the process of how to stop drinking is a sudden flick of a switch. Quitt...
If you were asked to spot an alcoholic in a crowd of people, what characteristics would you look out for? You might look for “classic” giveaways such as difficulty standing, dishevelled appearance, or perhaps eve...
Whether you're a young child, teenager or adult, living with an alcoholic parent is something that no person should have to endure. The constant worry, fear and stress can be overwhelming, leaving an emotional toll t...
Life's journey sometimes takes us to places we never envisaged where we feel lost or out of our depths. One such place is when you find yourself supporting a loved one struggling with alcohol addiction. Unfamiliar...
Ketamine has a half-life of around 2.5 hours, which means it takes 4–5 times that amount – around 10 hours – for the substance to pass out of the body completely. However, it is important to understand that tes...
Heroin is notorious for being one of the most dangerous and addictive drugs on the market. If heroin addiction has you within its grips, is taking over your life, or is destroying your health, relationships, care...
Heroin detox is the first step toward regaining your life from the clutches of heroin dependence. An essential first step in the recovery process, heroin detox allows you to work toward a stronger and more positi...
Are you enslaved to a heroin addiction? You can break free. Heroin addiction can severely threaten a person's life, so it's imperative to spot the signs as soon as possible. Heroin is a powerful drug known for...
If you find yourself consistently gaming to the point in which reality and fiction are blurred, please know that you are not alone. There are many different avenues for gaming treatment available in the UK, one o...
With between 700,000 and 1 million UK gamers struggling with dependency, could you be suffering from gaming addiction without realising? Since the early 2000s, gaming has fast become the latest trend, constant...
Of all addictions, gambling is potentially the most expensive in terms of money. It is possible for you to lose everything you have with one unlucky hand or spin of the roulette wheel, leaving yourself and your f...
Gambling addiction – also known as “problem” or “compulsive” gambling – is recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a mental health disorder that compels sufferers to gamble excessive amou...
Food addiction is one of the most challenging to conquer, as eating is essential to our survival. It can seem hopeless trying to stay away from certain foods, and whatever the setting, whether that be work, schoo...
Food addiction may seem like a paradoxical statement given that food is something that none of us can live without. Hunger can make us feel mentally exhausted, emotionally irritable and physically uncomfortable. ...
Focalin (a common brand name for Dexmethylphenidate) is a prescription medication used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. When taken as prescribed by a doctor, Focalin is usually...
The worrying growth of fentanyl use in the UK has recently been highlighted by The National Crime Agency and Office for National Statistics, both issuing warnings about the drug’s deadly effects. Sadly, fentanyl ad...
Are you contemplating MDMA or ecstasy rehab, or would you like to learn more about it? In recent years we have seen a 3.8% increase in drug-related deaths recorded in England and Wales, with 4,561 deaths register...
Ecstasy detox can be strenuous on both your mind and body, and this is often the catalyst for the relapsing or can prevent you from quitting entirely. However, this should not stop you from pursuing a healthy, cl...
Despite being known by many people as a "party drug", ecstasy addiction and abuse is a serious problem that can have devastating consequences for both you and your loved ones. When you are caught up in a cycle of...
Alone, tramadol abuse can present serious health risks in users, which is heightened even further when it is mixed with alcohol. Both tramadol addiction and alcohol addiction are conditions which are closely linke...
If you are concerned about yourself or a loved one mixing Ritalin and alcohol, this article may help you. When alcohol is mixed with any substance, it can increase the health risks to your body. This is no differe...
Pregabalin should never be taken with alcohol but some people are not aware of the risks or choose to disregard warnings and take Pregabalin and alcohol together anyway. This can cause serious issues including depres...
It is known that consuming alcohol can increase the risk of potential side effects when taking many different medications and Nitrofurantoin is no exception. Nitrofurantoin, also known as Macrobid, is a commonly p...
While naproxen on its own is not considered addictive, there is still some debate as to whether it is dangerous to take it alongside other substances like alcohol. As a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or “...
Mirtazapine, commonly sold under the brand name Remeron, is an antidepressant prescribed to treat depression, anxiety and insomnia. While mirtazapine can be an effective medication for these conditions, mixing mirtaz...
While not everyone will have a negative reaction when combining alcohol and Metronidazole, it is best to be cautious and avoid mixing the two. Metronidazole (Flagyl) is an affordable multipurpose medication that i...
Both ketamine and alcohol abuse can be very dangerous but even more so when the two substances are consumed together. The combination of ketamine and alcohol can send you down a path to various social, health and add...
Mixing Ibuprofen and alcohol is often something people question the safety of and what dangers it possesses. Ibuprofen is a pain reliever used to treat a variety of symptoms, from muscle aches to migraines. An ove...
Diazepam and alcohol are both sedative-hypnotic drugs that can be dangerous when taken together. They act on the central nervous system in similar ways, causing relaxation, sleepiness, confusion and slowed reactions....
Mixing alcohol and codeine may seem like a harmless way to relax or have fun, but the truth is that doing so can become severely dangerous very quickly. Codeine is an over-the-counter opioid painkiller widely used...
Cocaine and alcohol abuse can both be severe problems, but when combined, they can be a seriously toxic mix. Combining cocaine and alcohol can lead to numerous health, social and addiction risks that need to be taken...
While amitriptyline is not considered an addictive substance, there is still some debate regarding its safety for those to take it alongside other substances like alcohol. Amitriptyline is a medication commonly pr...
As suggested by the name, the side effects of crack are extremely dangerous, so for your sake and the sake of your loved ones, we highly advise that you carry out a crack cocaine detox as soon as you realise that...
From 2017 to 2018, the number of people checking into crack cocaine rehab in England rose by 44%. This indicates that people are becoming more aware of crack addiction and are actively taking steps to combat it t...
Crack cocaine addiction is a very serious problem in the UK that causes enormous harm to individuals and their families and has blighted entire communities. It is one of the most addictive illicit drugs which can...
Codeine can frequently mislead its users into thinking it is entirely safe, as many people do not consider this legal drug to be addictive or damaging to health. Codeine addiction, however, is an increasingly growing...
The dangers of cocaine are prolific, with the number of recorded cocaine-related deaths increasing five times since the year 2010. Fortunately, cocaine rehab can help you end the destructive effects of cocaine, o...
Beginning your cocaine detox is a pivotal moment in your journey to recovery and marks the start of a fresh, clean life. Whilst the process may be daunting, this vital stage tackles the physical aspects of your c...
A serious problem in the UK, cocaine addiction can have a devastating impact on both the user and their families. Cocaine addiction is one of the most common conditions we treat at Primrose Lodge because the subs...
Clonazepam (also known by the common brand name Klonopin) is commonly prescribed to treat various anxiety disorders and certain conditions which produce frequent seizures such as epilepsy. Despite its medical benefit...
Chest pains and shortness of breath after drinking alcohol can be caused by a variety of factors. This chest pain can be very scary and often causes people to think they are having a heart attack or other medical ...
Even though recreational cannabis is primarily accepted in many societies as a legal substance, numerous people are still seeking cannabis addiction treatment. As with alcohol, occasional and modest amounts of ma...
If you want to remove cannabis addiction from your life so you can nurse your body and mind back to health, you need to start with a cannabis detox. This page will answer questions surrounding the cannabis detox ...
Cannabis addiction spans across all ages and social classes, with 7.8% of people aged between sixteen to fifty-nine having used the drug. Being the most commonly used drug in the UK, and with ever-increasing soci...
Every day more and more people are receiving treatment for bulimia nervosa. Bulimia is one of the most common eating disorders in the country, with almost half a million Britons suffering from food-related disord...
Bulimia nervosa is a condition characterised by an individual's obsession with weight and body shape and a general fear of being perceived as "fat". However, bulimia is much more than a concern about gaining weig...
Benzodiazepines refer to a type of prescription drug used to treat anxiety and panic disorders, as well as insomnia. If you have found yourself unable to stop taking these drugs, benzodiazepine rehab is an essent...
Benzodiazepines are a class of prescription sedatives, also known as ‘anxiolytics’, used to treat anxiety, panic disorders and insomnia. While they are effective in treating these conditions, misuse can very ...
When it comes to Benzo Fury detox, it can be a difficult obstacle to endure at first, but there is a way to get you through to the other side. Many people may find the prospect of detoxing from benzo fury a sc...
Rehabilitation is a step that is vital to ridding yourself of Benzo Fury addiction. Physical restoration is achieved through a detox of Benzo Fury, a healthy diet and sound sleep. While focusing on underlying con...
Benzo Fury addiction is a very real and dangerous risk, especially when taken more than one time. Benzofuran, also known as Benzo Fury, 6-APB, 5-APB and White Pearl, is a relatively new drug that has been rapi...
ARFID treatment at rehab is highly recommended for those suffering from ARFID (avoidant restrictive food intake disorder). Since ARFID essentially means you have an unsafe aversion to some foods or, in rare cas...
ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) is an eating disorder which is less commonly talked about than conditions such as anorexia or bulimia. Nevertheless, like all eating disorders, ARFID is a severe ...
Each year, we meet people from various walks of life who undergo treatment for anorexia, and then we help them restore their physical and mental health. Primrose Lodge provides an inpatient rehab treatment progra...
Anorexia nervosa is one of the most dangerous eating disorders which can affect anyone irrespective of their gender, age and background. If left untreated, anorexia can drastically harm a person's body, mind and ...
Amphetamine rehab can be a scary prospect. Some people are worried about the treatment process, while others are nervous about telling their families they are seeking treatment. However, the reality is that there...
Due to the unpredictable nature of amphetamine addiction, withdrawal and detox from amphetamines can be both physically and mentally taxing. The compulsion to consume amphetamines may take hold of you quickly and...
If you are struggling with an addiction to amphetamine, the toughest step towards a drug-free life is often just acknowledging that you need help. Amphetamine addiction can isolate you from friends and family and...
Alcohol has been a part of our society for centuries, used as a mark of celebration for different occasions. However, that very same substance that induces joy can also drive people into alcohol rehab as it takes...
Detoxing from alcohol is often considered one of the most testing processes, as it has the potential to significantly impact your mental and physical health. On the other hand, once you have completed your alcoho...
Did you know that alcohol addiction is one of the most common addictions in the UK? Studies have shown that in England alone, there are more than 600,000 people addicted to alcohol with very few seeking help. Add...
Adderall is a combination prescription drug that contains both amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. It's a central nervous system stimulant that's used to treat narcolepsy and, more commonly, Attention Deficit Hyperact...
