Medical Assessment
Prior to your admission into The Providence Projects, you will undergo a full telephone assessment which will enable our team to gather all the required information to ensure that we are able to treat you effectively. This assessment is processed by the therapy and medical team before arranging admission. Don’t worry; this process is quick and we can generally arrange admission within a matter of days.
On arrival, you will have an initial assessment with one of the Doctors, as part of The Providence Surgery. During your assessment, you will undergo a general medical with particular focus on your alcohol or drug use to ensure an appropriate detox regime is drawn up. Your belongings will be taken to your private room; all clients have their own bedroom throughout their stay at The Providence Projects.
We really do understand just how daunting detox may seem and in fact, many of our team are in recovery and have been through it themselves!
Our Detox Specialists
The treatment team of Doctors at The Providence Surgery led by Dr Niman are highly experienced in all forms of detoxification and in their most recent CQC Report, they were actually rated as Outstanding with special praise for the work they carried out for people with alcohol or drug problems and mental health conditions.
Dr Niman Detox Specialist
Having been assessed by Dr Niman, the detox will commence immediately. For some of our clients, detox will mean a comprehensive medical regime to ensure safe and comfortable withdrawal, whilst other clients have less of a physical dependence and may require little or no medication. Once you have completed your telephone assessment, our team will be able to outline the type of detox you may require.
As part of the detox process, your stats and symptoms are measured throughout the day along with medical reviews with our medical professional. Depending on the nature of dependence, the detox phase may range from 3 days to 14 days. During this time, you will engage in a light therapeutic programme to start building the skills to help you maintain your recovery. The Providence Projects have successfully provided detox regimes for nearly 30 years.
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Detox Types & Lengths
The type of medication you will receive during detox will depend on the substance you are withdrawing from. This will be individualised and may be supplemented with other medications to lower anxiety, assist with sleep or to treat other medical conditions.
Withdrawal symptoms can vary in nature as your body begins to eliminate traces of the substance. Factors to consider include:
- Length of drug abuse or alcohol abuse
- Type of substance abused
- Complexities around your drug addiction, such as poly-substance abuse
- Pre-existing mental health issues
Alcohol Detox Programme
Alcohol is most commonly treated with benzodiazepines such as Chlordiazepoxide. The individual regime will however depend on a range of personal factors and may include other medications including vitamins, medication to assist with sleep, and medication to reduce anxiety. On average, the alcohol detoxification process will last 7-10 days, however alcohol withdrawal symptoms may persist for longer.
For those with severe alcohol dependence, it is important that symptoms are monitored under medical supervision to prevent severe withdrawal symptoms. Medically-assisted alcohol detox within our treatment centre is the safest way to reduce serious complications such as Delirium tremens, which can be life threatening in nature.
Drug Detox Programme
The drug detox process will depend on the type of substance(s) you are struggling with. Drug withdrawal symptoms can vary from mild to severe, so it’s important that you speak to one of our medical professionals before attempting to quit.
Opiate Detox
Heroin or opioid withdrawal symptoms are generally treated with buprenorphine although there are other options available if this is not suitable. On average, heroin detox will last 12-15 days.
Cocaine Detox
Cocaine withdrawal symptoms do not generally need medication but you would still be assessed by a Doctor to ensure a safe detox period. During detox, you may experience fatigue, low moods and an increase in appetite.
Ketamine Detox
Ketamine addiction can be a difficult to break. Not all, but many who become dependent on ketamine find that the addiction is actually perpetuated due to the painful symptoms. If you are someone that uses ketamine to cope with pain, pain management options will be explored. Others fortunately do not suffer these symptoms and may require less or no medication subject to the assessment with the Doctor.
Cannabis Detox
Cannabis addiction is often underestimated. Many long term users find it impossible to stop due to the withdrawal symptoms they experience but at The Providence Projects we understand just how badly the cravings, anxiety and insomnia can affect someone trying to stop. Our doctors will work with you to draw up a personalised regime.
Benzodiazepine Detox
Benzodiazepine addiction can take many forms. Some people have been prescribed for many years and have found it impossible to reduce in the community whilst others have been buying benzos online or from drug dealers. The Providence Projects do not provide any rapid detox for benzodiazepines and the addiction is generally treated with benzodiazepines through a tapering programme (tapering is a slow reduction in dosage over a period of time).
Benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous without the care of medical professionals, so it’s important that you speak to our team first to decide on the best course of action.
If you have any questions regarding addiction , detoxification or would like to set up a free assessment, please call today and speak to one of our team.
Upon Completion of Successful Detox
It’s important to understand that drug detox or alcohol detox is just the beginning of rehab at The Providence Projects. Treating the physical dependence on a substance will not address the psychological nature of addiction. Upon completion of detox, you will begin primary treatment with us which helps to address the reasons for compulsive behaviours.
