What Is a Medical Detox?
A medically-assisted detox is designed to help individuals withdraw safely and comfortable from substances including alcohol, until the body is completely free from any traces of the substance. Frequent use of a substance over a prolonged period of time will create a physical dependency which can complicate the treatment process. Detoxing at Providence Projects under the care of our professionals will prevent severe withdrawal.
During detox, severe withdrawal symptoms will be managed with medication, and you will receive ongoing support until our team are happy with your progress. Although we cannot alleviate all withdrawal symptoms, we will make the process as comfortable as possible for you or a loved one.
We understand detox can feel daunting, and we’re here to support you through the first step of your recovery journey. We are highly experienced in all kinds of detox for alcohol, opiates (including heroin), and benzodiazepines. Our services received ‘Good’ in all areas from the Care Quality Commission.
Will I Need a Detox?
Detox is a natural phase of removing substances from the body, so everyone who comes for treatment experiences a detox in some form. The difference here, however, is that some individuals may require medical intervention to prevent severe withdrawal syndrome.
As part of the assessment and admission process, our team will assess you to determine if a medical detox is necessary.
Please do not attempt a detox at home until you have spoken with a professional. We offer a free assessment to help you decide on the best course of action. Call 0800 955 0945.
How Long Does a Medical Detox Last?
The length of detox will depend on the type of substance, quantity of use, your weight/height and many other factors including other medications you are taking. Typically a medically-supervised detox lasts around 7 days, until our in-house GP is confident you are safe to continue with primary treatment programme.
Withdrawal symptoms can vary in duration and intensity, but most individuals find the first 3 days to be the most challenging. Some individuals may experience withdrawal symptoms for some time after detox, while others feel a renewed sense of energy and relief.
Medications Used
The type of medication you will receive during detox will depend on the substance you are withdrawing from.
- Alcohol withdrawal is treated with benzodiazepines such as Chlordiazepoxide
- Benzodiazepine withdrawal is treated with benzodiazepines through a tapering programme (tapering is a slow reduction in dosage over a period of time)
- Opiates including Heroin: Treated with Subutex (buprenorphine).
Our team will support you before, during and after the detox phase, so if you have any concerns or feel worried about the process, please reach out to us at any time.
We are here to help
Our Guidelines
NICE guidelines strongly advise against rapid detox for a range of reasons, and we are keen to stick to the well-educated and confirmed guidelines for this type of difficult detoxification. Providence Projects do not test new routines and we will not treat you with untested therapies. The tempered approach is altogether successful. while rapid detoxification is potentially dangerous and life-threatening.
Your safety is our number one priority during the detox phase of treatment, and we want to reassure you that our medical professionals follow the most stringent guidelines.
