Detox

Stopping drugs or alcohol abruptly after prolonged use can be dangerous, and sometimes even put your life at risk. Detox is the medical process where doctors watch you whilst clearing substances from your body and manage withdrawal symptoms that emerge when you stop using. Whether you’ve been drinking heavily for years or have lost control of drug or prescription medication use, detoxification programmes can provide medical care and monitoring during this crucial early stage of treatment.

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What is detox?

Detox is the medical management of physical withdrawal from alcohol or drugs. It deals with the immediate physical side of dependency whilst helping your body safely adjust as substances leave your system. Medical detox involves medications to ease symptoms, constant health monitoring to catch complications early, emotional and psychological support, and a controlled setting where you can’t access substances during the difficult early days of sobriety.

The process of detox only deals with the physical aspects of dependency. It doesn’t address the psychological reasons you started using or teach you skills to stay sober long-term. That is what rehab covers later, and the best rehab programmes usually offer both as part of a full treatment plan.

When is detox necessary?

You need detox when stopping substance use can cause you dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Detox is medically necessary for heavy drinkers because alcohol withdrawal can cause seizures or delirium tremens, both of which are potentially fatal. Benzodiazepine detox also requires medical supervision, as stopping suddenly can cause life-threatening seizures.

Other substances cause intensely uncomfortable but not typically dangerous withdrawal. However, the chances of relapse can be very high without professional oversight. For example, heroin detox or cocaine detox won’t usually kill you, but the severe physical symptoms make quitting at home almost impossible without medical support.

Why does detox matter?

Detox matters because you can’t engage meaningfully with psychological treatment whilst physically dependent or suffering severe withdrawal. Medical detox gets you physically stable so you can begin addressing the mental and behavioural parts of addiction. Without proper detox, most people relapse within hours or days simply to stop the unbearable withdrawal symptoms.

What happens during detox?

Detox combines medication, constant monitoring, and a safe environment to manage withdrawal safely.

Detox medications ease withdrawal symptoms and prevent dangerous complications. For alcohol addiction, doctors typically prescribe benzodiazepines, which settle your nervous system and prevent seizures. Opioid detox might use buprenorphine or methadone to make cravings and withdrawal less intense. Other medications target specific symptoms like nausea, insomnia, or unstable blood pressure.

Medical staff check your vital signs regularly – blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and breathing rate. They watch for concerning symptoms and step in straight away if problems develop. Detox takes place in controlled settings where you can’t access alcohol or drugs, removing temptation during those desperate early hours when cravings peak.

What detox programmes are available?

Some of the most important detox programmes available in Britain are:

Alcohol detox

Alcohol withdrawal requires medical supervision because symptoms can be deadly. Treatment typically lasts 5-7 days, with medications controlling symptoms and stopping seizures. Once physically stable, many people transition directly into alcohol rehab for ongoing treatment.

Drug detox

The process for detoxing from drugs varies depending on the substance. Stimulants cause psychological cravings but aren’t typically medically dangerous to stop. Opioids cause intense flu-like symptoms, but if you are in poor health, there are serious risks that can develop. Medications can ease the worst symptoms whilst your body clears the drugs and starts healing.

Prescription drug detox

Detoxing from prescription drugs can create particular problems. Benzodiazepines require extremely slow tapering over weeks or months to prevent seizures. Sleeping pill detox addresses severe rebound insomnia. The tricky part is often withdrawing you from problematic medications whilst still treating underlying medical conditions.

Home detox

A home detox means withdrawing at home with regular nurse visits. This only suits people with milder dependencies, reliable support at home, and no past serious withdrawal problems. It is never appropriate for severe alcohol dependency or high-dose benzodiazepine use due to seizure risk.

For substance-specific information on some of the other common detox programmes not covered above, please see our information pages:

What are the most common withdrawal symptoms of detox?

As explained above, both symptoms and how long they last depend a lot on the substance and your health. Here is some general information on symptoms and timelines to use as a reference:

Alcohol

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms typically start 6-12 hours after your last drink. Early symptoms are trembling hands, sweating, racing heart, anxiety, and nausea. The most dangerous period is 48-72 hours, when seizures or delirium tremens (the most severe symptoms) can occur, which are potentially fatal without medical help.

Drugs

Drug addiction withdrawal varies by substance. Opioid withdrawal feels like severe flu. Stimulant withdrawal causes severe exhaustion and depression. Cannabis withdrawal causes irritability and insomnia. Whilst intensely unpleasant, most drug withdrawal isn’t medically dangerous, but it can be without professional support.

Prescription drugs

Prescription drug addiction withdrawal also depends on the type of medication. Benzodiazepine withdrawal works like alcohol withdrawal and can be equally dangerous. Opioid painkiller withdrawal resembles heroin withdrawal. Antidepressant discontinuation causes brain zaps and dizziness. All need medical planning and supervision.

What are the benefits of detox?

The benefits of detox go beyond just clearing the substances from your system. You can think more clearly once the fog lifts, and your physical health will begin to improve. This means your liver function can recover, blood pressure can normalise, organ damage can begin healing, and sleep patterns start to regulate.

Completing detox also proves you can get through the worst part, building confidence that recovery might actually be possible. Detox then leads on to alcohol or drug rehab and local support like AA meetings or NA meetings.

How long will detox take?

Alcohol detox typically lasts 5-10 days, with acute symptoms peaking around day 2-3. Drug detox duration changes dramatically. For example, short-acting opioids usually cause withdrawal lasting 5-7 days, whilst benzodiazepines can sometimes require months of gradual tapering. Prescription drug detox timelines also depend on the specific medication and how long you have been taking it.

Find the right detox treatment for your needs

Choosing a rehab or detox programme depends on which substances you’re using, how severely dependent you are, your medical history, and what you can afford. Recovery.org can help assess your situation and find the appropriate detox treatment for you. Our advisors understand which substances require what level of medical support, can explain differences between NHS and private options, and give you detox tips on how to get started.

frequently asked questions

Is drug addiction treatment confidential?

Yes, all detox and addiction treatment in the UK is completely confidential. Medical privacy laws protect you, so nobody will be told you’re in treatment without your written agreement. The only exceptions are if there are any serious safety concerns. This confidentiality works the same whether you are in NHS or private recovery treatment.

Is family support available during detox?

Yes, most detox programmes allow family contact and visiting, though different places have different rules. Some also offer family education sessions explaining what you’re experiencing both during detox and later treatment stages. However, detox mainly focuses on keeping you medically safe, so family involvement is typically more limited than during the therapy part. Once you’re medically stable, however, your family will usually be able to get much more involved.

Can I go to work while undergoing detox?

No, you cannot usually work during detox. The withdrawal symptoms and medications used typically make it unsafe and impossible to function normally. Inpatient detox requires staying at the facility full-time. Even home detox requires you to take time off, as you will be too unwell to work safely, and withdrawal symptoms need close monitoring. You should discuss with your detox time how much time to take off, but it will typically be 1-2 weeks minimum.