Alcohol Detox Centres

Detoxification is about getting rid of harmful toxins and waste products in the body. This process eliminates the physical and psychological effects of alcohol in the body. This is the process we specialise in at our alcohol detox centres.

Detoxification is the first step in a well-balanced rehabilitation programme. Once all alcohol is removed from your system, therapy and counselling begin. Alcohol detox is the first major milestone in the journey towards long-term recovery – and we will help you get there.

Rehab 4 Alcoholism refers patients to alcohol detox centres throughout the United Kingdom. We offer a comprehensive alcohol rehabilitation service addressing all aspects of addiction treatment. We treat alcohol addiction, alcohol dependency, and alcoholism.

Prescription medications ease powerful and dangerous withdrawal symptoms during alcohol detox. Symptoms arise in different forms, some more life-threatening than others. The duration of alcohol detox depends heavily on the severity of addicts’ addiction.

What happens before detox?

Before alcohol detox begins you are subject to initial assessment. A medical officer may request your health records. Pre-existing health conditions are considered during this assessment.

Our admissions officer collects relevant information. This information allows us to draw up your personalised alcohol detox plan. You are then able to join a programme within as little as 48 hours following your initial phone call.

Looking for more help?

At Rehab 4 Alcoholism, we offer free advice & guidance on addiction, substance abuse, and recovery. Call us today on 0800 111 41 08.

What can I expect during detox?

Alcohol detox commences as soon as you begin rehabilitation. You receive 24-hour a day supervision from a team of qualified medical professionals if you choose residential rehabilitation.

Life-threatening withdrawal symptoms are monitored and treated. Alcohol addiction carries physical as well as psychological withdrawal symptoms. Physical withdrawal symptoms due to brain chemical alterations pose the greatest danger during detox.

Who is an alcohol detox for?

Put simply, alcohol detox is necessary for people who have become physically addicted to alcohol. You will generally know when you have become physically addicted to alcohol because you will begin to experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking alcohol.
Stopping drinking in a medically controlled manner is crucial. This helps you to avoid experiencing potentially fatal alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as a seizure or cardiac arrest.
To help you determine whether you require an alcohol detox, you will need to be on the lookout for alcohol withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms include:

Insomnia
Nausea
Anxiety
Sweating
Hallucinations
Rapid heartbeat
Delirium
Tremors
Seizures/convulsions

Note, these symptoms typically arise within 8-10 hours after alcohol use ceased. If you begin to experience a rapid heartbeat, you must contact the emergency services without delay.

Delirium Tremens (DTs) could be on the horizon, which is a serious form of alcohol withdrawal.

How we help with alcohol withdrawal

We offer private alcohol detoxification that ensures safety, lowers discomfort, and increases chances of successful recovery. Detox is closely supervised by experienced and understanding medical professionals.

We are also among the few alcohol rehab centres that offer highly customized detoxification based on the specific needs of a patient. We also offer a variety of support services, including therapy, counselling, and lifestyle support.

Our patients get access to information on coping with alcohol addiction to avoid relapsing. They also get nutritious meals, supplement, exercise, and other health and wellness support critical for a better life after recovery.

Get the help you need

Call us today on 0800 111 41 08 for confidential & personalised guidance from one of our admissions team.

Common withdrawal symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms associated with alcohol detox include:

Cravings for alcohol
Agitation
Nausea
Vomiting
Hallucination
Delirium tremens
Sweating

Our medical staff members treat all of the above withdrawal symptoms during treatment. We monitor patient progression several times throughout the day. Tranquilliser dosages are tapered down as withdrawal symptoms decline.

You are required to move into the treatment centre whilst you receive treatment if you select residential rehabilitation. ‘Addiction triggers’ are thus unavailable while you receive treatment. Alcohol detox typically lasts between 9 to 15 days. Chronic alcoholics may take more time for withdrawal symptoms to cease.

How long will I need to undergo an alcohol detox?

Generally, the body requires around 7-10 days to safely detox from alcohol. Upon admission into an alcohol detox clinic, you will be given around a week’s worth of medication designed to treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Many rehab clinics will encourage you to spend a month in an alcohol rehab clinic. Why? Because alcoholism is a psychological disorder. Merely treating the physical symptoms of alcoholism is not enough to assist you in your long-term recovery efforts.

When you attend a month’s long rehab programme, you will attend daily therapy sessions. During these therapy sessions, you will obtain the ‘toolkit’ to prepare you for a lifetime’s worth of recovery.

Alcohol detox timeline

There are two main phases of alcohol detox, namely; acute withdrawal and early abstinence.

Acute withdrawal

This phase is triggered a few days after a person who is dependent on alcohol stops consuming alcohol. This phase comes with side effects like anxiety, convulsions, hallucinations, vomiting, nausea, shakiness, insomnia, heart failure, and hypertension.

Early abstinence

This phase starts months after the brain is able to function normally without alcohol. After detoxification, the body can get back to normal. Post-acute withdrawal symptoms include insomnia, restlessness, anxiety, mood swings, depression, and diminished appetite

Which medications can be administered during alcohol detox?

Physical withdrawal symptoms due to brain chemical alterations pose the greatest danger during detox. To combat symptoms, our specialists can prescribe a number of medications which include the following:

1. Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines, commonly known as benzos, are among the most popular medication for treating alcohol withdrawal symptoms during detox. Benzos calm the CNS (central nervous system) addressing most alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

The medication may also be prescribed to deal with muscle spasms, anxiety, and insomnia. Diazepam (Valium) and Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) are the most common benzodiazepines prescribed in inpatient alcohol detox centres.

2. Naltrexone

Naltrexone is another common alcohol detox medication prescribed to reduce alcohol cravings. Medication itself can induce withdrawal symptoms, so Naltrexone should be taken a week to 10 days after being prescribed. Naltrexone is sold as tablets (Depade & ReVia) and Vivitrol (the injectable form).

3. Disulfiram

This medication has severe reactions like nausea, headaches, facial flushing, low blood pressure, and weakness when consumed alongside alcohol. These effects should deter individuals recovering from alcoholism from continuing with their drinking patterns. Besides reducing alcohol cravings, Disulfiram also restores brain function.

Why does alcohol withdrawal get worse after every time?

Quitting alcohol without medical help can cause kindling, a condition that worsens alcohol withdrawal symptoms every time a person attempts to quit drinking in vain.

Kindling makes the body increasingly sensitive to neurotransmitter changes that happen every time a heavy drinker stops drinking. A few cycles of quitting and drinking can cause seizures, delirium tremens, among other health issues common with unsupervised alcohol detox.

Heavy drinking changes how the central nervous system functions. The brain develops problems balancing its own chemistry when chemical changes from high volumes of alcohol seize to exist.

This can trigger panic, insomnia, restlessness, convulsions, or seizures, among other symptoms that worsen with time. However, kindling isn’t universal. Some people who relapse don’t develop kindling.

Ready to safely detox?

Withdrawing from alcohol alone can be fatal. Let us help you on your road to recovery and ensure your health & well-being. Call us today on 0800 111 41 08.

Is an alcohol detox potentially fatal?

The answer to this question is yes. Each year, thousands of people die because they choose to undergo alcohol detox without medical assistance. Alcohol addiction means the chemicals within the brain is altered.

When alcohol is abruptly stopped, the brain will begin to readjust to an alcohol-free environment. These changes are dangerous to your health.

Medication that allows you to detox without exposing yourself to these risks will be prescribed when you choose to undergo an alcohol detox from the safety of a residential rehab clinic.

This is because medication which allows these brain changes to occur slowly over the course of a week. Slowing down these brain changes all but eliminates the risk of suffering from advanced alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

How do you overcome the fear of alcohol withdrawal?

The fear of alcohol withdrawal can keep many people from seeking treatment. This is common with heavy drinkers who have attempted to quit alcohol.

Alcohol withdrawal shouldn’t be an issue if a person seeks treatment in a good alcohol detox centre with medical professionals who will monitor you closely and give you medication when necessary.

Will I need to make my own food at a detox clinic?

Some rehabs will require you to prepare your own food during your rehab programme. Others will employ professional chefs to undertake this task on your behalf. Self-catering rehabs cost less compared to rehabs that offer catering options.

Many rehabs offering catering services will incorporate nutrition into your treatment programme. Malnutrition is a serious and common problem related to alcoholism. Many rehabs also offer you vitamin B supplements and foods that are rich in protein.

We serve a variety of foods rich in nutrients that recovering patients need the most. The foods include we serve you are rich in the following nutrients:

Calcium: milk and leafy greens (spinach, kale, and chard) to boost muscle, heart, nerve, and bone health.

iron: tofu, beans, and lentils to help the body transport oxygen throughout the body and boost recovery.

Magnesium: whole bread and cereals to provide energy and boost muscle and nervous system health.

Potassium: sweet potatoes, bananas, seafood, dried fruits & greens to boost muscle and heart health.

Zinc: nuts, beans, and beef to boost immune system function, which is critical for detoxification.

How do you prepare for alcohol detox?

Since most alcohol rehab centres won’t let you bring a smartphone among other internet-enabled devices, it’s advisable to have an mp3 player to make your stay bearable. However, the best rehabs have enough in-house entertainment.

You’ll also need comfortable clothing and shoes. Tight-fitting clothes are advised against for your safety and comfort.

You also need some alcohol-free toiletries. There have been cases of individuals consuming toiletries with alcohol. Alcohol-free toiletries avoid such problems.

List your important contacts as the facility may need to contact someone in case of an emergency. You should also carry other necessities like an appropriate swimming costume and slippers.

What happens after alcohol detox?

As soon as withdrawal symptoms stabilise you are able to commence counselling and therapy sessions.

Typical treatments after a medical detox

Detoxification: Individual addicted to alcohol need detoxification to remove the effects of alcohol and manage withdrawal symptoms. Detoxification is the first step to alcohol addiction recovery.

Individual or one-to-one counselling: After detoxification, patients go through counselling to learn how to cope with alcohol cravings and triggers. Counselling also provides a basis for living an alcohol-free life. Individual counselling provides a safe environment for understanding the cause of your addiction and finding viable solutions.

Group therapy: Group therapy gives recovering individuals an opportunity to learn from other people’s experiences, form new relationships and accountability mechanisms. Group therapy also has other benefits like teaching interpersonal and communication skills.

Alternative therapies: Effective alcohol detox also incorporates alternative therapies like meditation, mindfulness, acupuncture, and reiki, which tackle a person’s beliefs in conquering addiction.

Family therapies: Family therapies address other victims of addiction like families. Addiction is a destructive disease that affects families, friends, and other loved ones. By incorporating them in treatment, recovery becomes easier.

Is it possible to pay for an alcohol detox with an insurance policy?

It is true that many rehabs accept payment through a policy of medical insurance. When you contact Rehab 4 Alcoholism, we are able to advise you on which particular rehabs accept payment through a policy of medical insurance.

Is it possible to undergo an alcohol detox from home?

The answer to this question is yes. Some companies do offer home detox treatment. You should expect to pay £1000 for a home detox. When you contact Rehab 4 Alcoholism, we are able to put you in touch with a home detox provider in your area.

Generally, we do not recommend a home detox programme for people suffering from severe alcoholism.

When you attend a residential detox clinic, the risk of suffering from a seizure is minimal because the clinical team will increase anti-withdrawal medications when it is necessary to do so.

When you undergo a home detox programme, it is unlikely you will know when it is necessary to increase your dose of anti-withdrawal medication because you are not medically qualified.

Start your new life now

Rehab 4 Alcoholism offers safe and secure alcohol detox treatment throughout the United Kingdom. Call us today on 0800 111 41 08 to begin your journey.