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Alcohol Detoxification

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Safe Alcohol Detox Treatment Options

For those who suffer from alcohol addiction, alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence, stopping drinking is not easy – things are entirely far from that.

Alcoholism is a chronic and progressive disease of the brain. It hijacks your thinking and your every waking moment. Most alcoholics feel hopeless, no matter how much they want to stop, and they fail time and time again.

What if we told you that it is possible to stop permanently, that we have helped thousands to recover from active alcohol addiction, and that alcoholism can be prevented and treated?

Alcohol Rehab

Alcohol rehab addiction treatment is something that many people who struggle with excessive alcohol use rarely seek out, until something drastic happens. If you feel yourself slipping and believe therapy is something that can be of benefit to you, then do not hesitate to contact us for some free advice. We will gladly answer any questions or concerns that you might have and guide you through the process.

It’s not just your body that will be affected, but likely your whole life as well. Many people who have an alcohol use disorder don’t realize the full extent of the psychological damage that drinking has had on them until their lives have become unmanageable, or until a loved one has broken contact or they have suffered a mental breakdown. We want to help you prevent that from happening, so the sooner they get treatment, the better.

Do I Need An Alcohol Detox?

Before committing yourself to addiction treatment, it’s important to gauge the extent and severity of your alcohol use. This will help you determine whether moderating your alcohol intake is an option or if a full detox and complete abstinence from drinking is the right path for you.

Of course, if your physical health and mental well-being are being affected by your alcohol-related activities, then exploring an inpatient private detox is highly recommended as your consumption level is likely severe, and stopping or cutting down alone may be impossible.

Moderation and abstinence are both treatments that you should consider if any of the following applies to you:

Your alcohol consumption exceeds 14 units per week.
You are experiencing long-term health issues directly related to your alcohol consumption.
You feel as though you are unable to function without alcohol (you have an alcohol dependency).

Please note that we do not actively promote moderation, as from experience, it rarely lasts. A much safer and more rewarding long-term fix is to cut alcohol out of your life completely, as this will have a far greater and positive impact on your physical and mental health. That being said, if you feel that moderation is a more achievable goal – or at least the first step toward abstinence – then it is certainly better than nothing.

The decision is yours. However, abstinence from alcohol is essential if any of the following circumstances apply to your current situation:

Your alcohol addiction has led to liver damage (e.g., cirrhosisor liver disease).
You have any other underlying long-term medical problems that might be made worse by your alcohol addiction (e.g., heart disease)
You are on medication that does not react well when paired with drinking alcohol (e.g., antipsychotics).
You are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant soon.

Similarly, if you have tried to moderate your drinking or you have tried joining support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and you are still struggling with alcohol addiction, then abstinence is the recommended path forward.

If any of the following applies to you, then read on for more insight into how a tailored alcohol rehab program with treatments for withdrawal symptoms can benefit you:

You have had a number of occasions where you ended up drinking far more or for longer than intended.
You have thought about joining a 12-step program and cutting drinking from your life more than once but have never been able to remain sober for long enough to make it there.
You spend a lot of time drinking and dealing with the complications and after effects of a heavy binge.
You regularly experience cravings and a strong urge to drink.
You have noticed that drinking or feeling sick from drinking has interfered with your ability to function normally.
Your drug and alcohol use is affecting your ability to work and maintain professional relationships.
You continue to drink even though you are aware of the fact that your addiction is negatively impacting your relationships.

You cancel plans with friends and regularly avoid activities that were otherwise important to you due to drinking.
You have found yourself in compromising, high-risk situations on more than one occasion that could have led to you or a loved one being seriously injured while under the influence.
You continue to drink even though the symptoms include complications with your mental health, anxiety, and depression.
In order to experience the effects you desire, you have to consume an excessive amount despite knowing the impacts it has on your body.
When you have been without a drink for more than 24 hours, your withdrawal symptoms include delirium tremens, nausea, anxiety, shakiness, and trouble sleeping.

Some of the above may seem quite extreme to many of you. However, if any of them apply to you then it is a sign that you may have a problem with alcohol and that detox treatment is worth pursuing.

If you are unconvinced that you need help and feel as though you can kick the addiction without detoxing, then at the very least read up about alcohol misuse on the NHS website – there you will find more information on alternative methods to rehab.

Additionally, you should try and speak to someone. You can call us for free advice from one of our professionals but we advise that you share your fears about your addiction with a friend or family member too, or even your local GP. It’s no instant fix, but just by acknowledging it and saying it out loud, you may feel less alone—and that recovery is a possibility.

Alcohol Withdrawal

Should you decide to proceed with alcohol addiction treatment and detoxification at one of our rehabilitation centers, rest assured that your alcohol withdrawal will be medically assisted. We understand that one of the most daunting aspects of seeking alcohol-related therapies is having your last drink and then dealing with the alcohol withdrawal symptoms that follow, such as delirium tremens.

We want to remind you that our range of services includes expert medical advice and the full support of an experienced team of alcohol rehabilitation experts, many of whom have been through it themselves.

Alcohol withdrawal is the easy part. Making the decision to try and kick the addiction and take back your life is the biggest challenge.

Alcoholism is a serious disease that will take its toll on you one way or another. It will affect your relationship with your family. It can turn you from a loved one to a stranger, and it can have a devastating impact on your physical health—not to mention the fact that it can and will render your mental health in tatters.

Rest assured that the long-term effects of alcohol abuse and the ramifications that it can have on your life are far more painful than alcohol withdrawal. Just as the medical conditions that come from years of alcohol abuse would make withdrawal seem like a walk in the park.

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

When you check into one of our private alcohol rehab centers, detoxification will be a necessary option for you. Again, this detox process will be medically assisted and you will be guided through your therapy with the utmost care and consideration.

We can and will help you through it. However, the road to recovery won’t be easy. Here is a list of the most common alcohol withdrawal symptoms:

Delirium tremens
Hand tremors
Sweating
Pulse rate above 100 beats per minute
Nausea & vomiting
Headaches
Loss of appetite
Depression
Anxiety
Irritability
Restlessness
Insomnia

You may experience some or all of the alcohol withdrawal symptoms listed above within 48 hours of your last drink, depending on the severity of your addiction. In any case, flushing out your system will affect your psychological, behavioral, and physical well-being.

Here’s the good news: within three to five days of detox, your body will adjust and the alcohol withdrawal symptoms will improve greatly.

Sobriety isn’t off the table for you. It can be achieved. If you want to make your friends, family, and yourself proud, then all you need to do is to take the first step toward your rehabilitation. As an inpatient on detox with us, you will have the best medical support, access to the appropriate medication, and state-of-the-art therapies that have proven to work time and time again.

What Does Alcohol Do to Your Brain?

Another huge incentive for seeking out private alcohol detox is the effects that it can have on your brain. Over the years, the brain can endure some serious damage from excessive alcohol abuse, leading to memory loss, a reduced attention span, and even reaction time issues. However, the risk is reduced as you begin the detox process and start clearing the alcohol out of your system.

If you remain dedicated to sobriety and receive the appropriate treatment, your brain will begin to heal. Certain parts of your brain may take longer to recover, but the cerebellum will be the first to heal. Within a few weeks, you should notice some positive changes in your motor skills. Following that, as the months go by with sustained sobriety, your self-confidence, mental health, and cognitive sharpness will improve significantly.

Guiding You Through Your Alcohol Detox Withdrawal Symptoms

If dealing with the withdrawal symptoms during alcohol detox is something that you are afraid of, or feel as though you will be unable to get through, then we want to remind you that you are not alone. As part of our treatment program, you will have 24/7 care and we will provide medical support as necessary.

A major element you will experience is that your sleep will be disturbed. Without a drink, you may wake up several times throughout the night and struggle to get back to sleep. This is a natural part of your recovery and it will likely continue throughout your therapy.

However, it won’t be forever. Before long, if you continue on the road to recovery and commit yourself to detox and rehab, the sober you should be able to get back to sleeping peacefully once more.

During your detox treatment, you will be encouraged to drink plenty of fluids. This is a crucial aspect of your detox and effectively flushing the alcohol out of your system. In addition to that, drinking plenty of water will help alleviate the other symptoms of alcohol use – particularly your trouble with sleeping.

As part of your addiction treatment, we will encourage you to eat regularly, even if you have a loss of appetite. The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include a loss of appetite, but that will return as you progress with your therapy. The whole objective of an alcohol detox is to rid your body of the poison and treat it with some much-needed nutrients.

Alcohol detoxification is a stressful process, and your mental health will be tested. However, as part of our alcohol rehab treatment program, you will take part in group therapies, have one-on-one counseling with professional psychologists, and be allowed plenty of time to unwind and relax.

Is it Safe to Detox from Alcohol at Home?

For anyone who has a serious problem with alcohol, detoxing from home is not advised as there can be potentially dangerous consequences. That said, if you would prefer to try and detox from home before considering rehab, we advise that you consult with your GP or an alcohol rehabilitation professional beforehand. That way, they can advise you on how to proceed safely. Should you decide to proceed and attempt to detox from alcohol at home, then we strongly recommend that you do so with a friend or family member present. The detox process can be tough and incredibly taxing, and having the additional support of a loved one can help you make it through in one piece – whilst keeping a close eye on your physical and mental well-being.

Otherwise, we invite you to use the live chat function to get in touch with a member of our team or contact us via telephone for immediate support and admission. Reach out to us today on 0800 0380 480.

REFERENCES:

The following sources were used when drafting this article to ensure factual accuracy when providing medical information:

(1) Rundio A Jr. Understanding alcoholism. Nurs Clin North Am . 2013;48(3):385-v.

(2) Cirrhosis – NHS

(3) Liver disease – NHS

(4) Coronary heart disease – NHS

(5) Alcohol misuse – Treatment – NHS

(6) Murray TD, Berger A. Alcohol withdrawal. Va Med Q . 1997;124(3):184-189.

(7) Delirium Tremens (DTs): Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology

(8) Alcohol withdrawal symptoms | Drinkaware

(9) Diamond I, Messing RO. Neurologic effects of alcoholism. West J Med . 1994;161(3):279-287.

(10) Hodges CJ, Ogeil RP, Lubman DI. The effects of acute alcohol withdrawal on sleep. Hum Psychopharmacol . 2018;33(3):e2657.

(11) Davis C. Home detox – supporting patients to overcome alcohol addiction. Aust Prescr . 2018;41(6):180-182.

Medically reviewed by

NAHEED ALI, MD, PHD

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Alcohol Detox Treatment FAQ

Browse through some of our most frequently asked questions.

How long does an alcohol detox last?

Typically, our alcohol detox programs last between 10 and 14 days, depending on the amount that someone is drinking. Each client will be assessed on an individual basis by our specialist detox doctor and prescribed accordingly

I struggle with sleeping, is there anything you can do to help?

Poor sleeping patterns are common for people with alcohol problems. All clients entering detox are offered a mild sleeping aid by the doctor for the first 7 days. You do not have to take it, but it is recommended that you do, so that you can get your mind and body into a normal pattern of sleep.

How long will it take for me to start feeling better?

You can normally expect huge changes within as little as 2-3 days of someone being on an alcohol detox. By the end of the detox, unless you have underlying physical health issues or permanent damage caused by alcohol use, you will feel physically remarkable!

Do you have 24 hour staffing?

Yes, the Perry Clayman Project provides 24-hour staff, who are there to support you emotionally, physically, and practically while you are going through your detox program. If you need someone at 3 in the morning, a member of staff will be there for you.

Will I be able to start my rehab while I am having a detox?

Yes. We encourage all clients to participate in the rehab program as soon as they feel physically well enough to do so. The earlier you can start on the rehab program, the more you will get out of it and the better you will start to feel emotionally.

What is the difference between home detox and residential detox?

The medication you receive will usually be the same in a home detox. However, with a home detox, there are no medical staff available if you feel unwell or need more medication, for example. You also receive no therapy in a home detox, so it is just the physical dependency that is being treated. This usually leads to a relapse as the underlying issues that lead to the problem drinking have not been dealt with.

What is your success rate for alcohol detox? Is there any guarantee that detox works?

The purpose of our alcohol detox program is to enable someone to completely detox from their alcohol dependency. Therefore, as long as the patient follows the treatment plan, takes the medication as prescribed, and stays for the entire duration of the detox course, we can guarantee you will be completely alcohol free once you have completed the program.

What medication will I receive on an alcohol detox?

Our doctor prescribes according to the NICE guidelines, which provide nationally recognised medication protocols. The main medications used are chlordiazepoxide (Librium) or, in some cases, diazepam (Valium). You will receive vitamin B strong compounds and thiamine as well as other medications to manage specific symptoms for you. Our nurse has access to a stock of medication on site, which means that we can respond to your needs very quickly.

I have really bad withdrawal symptoms. Will I feel comfortable during detox?

Absolutely. It is our first priority to ensure a patient’s physical safety and wellbeing, which is why we employ nurses, so that we can have peace of mind that you are being looked after. The medications that we give you will minimize, if not completely eliminate, any withdrawal symptoms that you may suffer from.

Will my craving for alcohol stop?

Yes. Cravings for alcohol are both physical and mental. Physically, your body, as it becomes free from the dependence on alcohol, will no longer crave it. The alcohol detox medication does the same job in your body as the alcohol did, so it replaces it. With regards to the mental cravings, these are managed in the rehab program and, as long as you have no desire to drink, the cravings will cease.

Do you have medically trained staff?

The doctor who completes the initial medical assessment is a specialist in alcohol detox, as are our nurses who oversee the detox package of care. All of our staff have been trained to oversee and manage symptoms of withdrawal, including clinical observations, taking blood pressure, etc. All of our staff are highly experienced in care settings, so you will be well looked after.

Are there any side effects to the treatment?

The medications that are used in alcohol detox treatment are administered in such a planned way that side effects are very rare. Most patients are able to go about their normal daily routines within a couple of days of treatment. If patients experience any physical deterioration or conditions, All PCP rehab centre locations a Home Office stock medication license, so we have a full array of medications on site which the nurse can administer in a very responsive way.

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What We Do

The Perry Clayman Project offers all of our clients a safe and confidential alcohol detox across all of our trusted residential centres. Our alcohol detox treatments are thoroughly regulated by the Care Quality Commission and delivered by our experienced in-house doctors and nurses. Using evidence-based research and years of experience, we tailor your alcohol detox treatment personally to you and guide you on your path to sobriety.

How We Can Help

Alcoholics feel hopeless, no matter how much they want to stop. However, it is possible to stop and to stay stopped, and even enjoy the process. Our team of professionals have helped thousands of different people like you, who are struggling to recover from active alcohol addiction.

We are ready to help you overcome this deadly disease; are you ready to begin the recovery process and reconnect with your life and the old “you”?

We have a number of programs for people with alcohol use disorder and will do everything in our power to guide you through the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and help you take back control of your life.

Why Choose Us?

We operate some of the UK’s leading drug and alcohol rehab centres and have been successfully treating people and their addictions for over 15-years. We treat our clients with the highest level of respect and dignity. At PCP we pride ourselves in providing a safe, comfortable, and judgement-free environment for you to receive your alcohol detox treatment.

That, and few people understand with symptoms of alcohol withdrawal than those who have had an alcohol use disorder themselves. Many of our medically trained staff have been a patient in an alcohol detox program and can speak from personal experience of just how difficult it is – and just how amazing it feels to be free of addiction.

If you decide to tackle your addiction with us you will have access to a wealth of resources. From free advice on how to start on your journey to recovery, to medication, care from medically trained professionals, and support groups with other people who understand exactly what you are going through.

How to Get Help

Are you sick and tired of feeling sick and tired? Ready to tackle your alcohol addiction? If so then getting professional help is the first real step to overcoming your problem and starting your journey to recovery. Please do not hesitate to use the live chat function to get in touch with a member of our team or contact us via telephone for immediate support and admission. Call today on 0800 0380 480. We have a number of friendly and professional staff waiting on standby 24/7

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