If you are struggling with an addiction to alcohol or another addictive substance, then it is important to understand that taking the first step towards recovery starts by asking for help.
For many people across Birmingham, the first step towards recovery begins with an alcohol detox.
An alcohol detox is a medically supervised process designed to help you safely withdraw from alcohol while managing potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms.
At Rehab 4 Addiction, our team is on hand to help individuals across Birmingham who might be struggling from an addiction to alcohol.
With our help, you will get access to safe and effective alcohol detox treatment.
Whether you are considering an inpatient detox or a home detox, this block will explain the different options available to you and also explain what to expect when it comes to your addiction treatment.
As discussed above, an alcohol detox is the first step of the recovery process. It involves the process of removing alcohol from your body after a period of prolonged and excessive use.
When someone develops an addiction to alcohol or other addictive substances, their body becomes physically reliant and dependent on it.
Stopping suddenly can lead to several different withdrawal symptoms, some of which can be severe or even life-threatening if they are not managed correctly [1].
Likewise, it is important to understand that an alcohol detox is not the same as addiction rehab treatment.
Whilst rehab focuses on therapy and the psychological side of your addiction, the detox is the initial stage of the recovery process that stabilises your physical health, so you can move forward to a full recovery.
It is important to understand that an alcohol detox is a necessary part of the process and will be the first step you take towards recovery, before you undergo any therapy.
Alcohol withdrawal can produce a range of withdrawal symptoms from mild to severe. Withdrawal symptoms may start within just hours of your last drink and can include some of the symptoms listed below for you [1]:
In more serious cases, when an individual suffers from a severe addiction to alcohol, they can develop delirium tremens, which can be a potentially fatal condition.
As you can see, some of these withdrawal symptoms can become rather unpleasant if they are not carefully managed. This is why an alcohol detox should not be attempted alone without the approval of a medical and healthcare professional.
If you require an alcohol detox, then there are two main types of alcohol detox available in Birmingham. This includes inpatient detox and a home detox.
The right option for you depends on the severity of your addiction, your overall physical health and your personal circumstances.
An inpatient detox takes place in a dedicated rehab clinic or detox centre, where you will stay for the duration of your detox, so that your withdrawal symptoms can be carefully managed.
During your stay at a detox centre, you will receive around-the-clock support and medical supervision. Your health and withdrawal symptoms will be monitored, and you will receive medication to help put you at ease.
It is important to understand that this is only an option for those with an addiction to a physically addictive substance and those with a severe addiction and a long history of recovery attempts.
A medical detox typically lasts between just 7 and 10 days, although this can vary depending on the severity of your addiction and the withdrawal symptoms experienced.
By opting for this type of detox, you reduce the risk of a relapse at a later date and gain access to immediate medical intervention should you need it.
In stark contrast, a home detox allows you to withdraw from alcohol in the comfort of your own home whilst receiving medical support remotely via the internet and phone calls.
Before you gain access to a home detox, a medical professional will assess you for home detox. If suitable, then you will be prescribed and sent medication such as Librium, which will be delivered to your home.
You will then follow a structured detox plan, and your healthcare professional will call you daily to check in on your progress and any withdrawal symptoms.
It is also important to understand that a private home detox is expensive, costing you anything between £1,000 and £2,000.
A home detox is only suitable for those who can afford these high costs and who suffer from a mild addiction, with no mental health issues and no history of prior failed detox attempts.
Although highly convenient for the individual, it is important to remember that a home detox is not suitable for everyone.
Without constant medical supervision, withdrawal symptoms will be harder to manage. For this reason, a thorough assessment is always required before anyone is approved for a home detox.
Yes, some people are able to get a home detox via the NHS. This is because alcohol addiction is one of the leading causes for early death in the UK [2].
However, attending a home detox via the NHS is now quite rare due to a lack of funding and resource issues within the NHS.
Most NHS-funded detox programmes are now prioritised for individuals with very severe addiction issues who cannot wait any longer to get professional help.
With NHS-funded rehab and detox programmes, waiting times can also be long, which may delay treatment for weeks or even months.
Likewise, it is important to understand that visiting your local hospital or A&E department for addiction treatment is not feasible. People may only receive emergency treatment via A&E if withdrawal symptoms become life-threatening.
For example, hospitals such as Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham may intervene in difficult situations, although you should always try to gain access to detox via the traditional routes.
For this reason, many people in Birmingham choose private detox services to access faster and more consistent care.
When seeking an alcohol detox, you have the option of choosing between private treatment or NHS-funded treatment. There are a number of advantages and disadvantages to both, which are explained below.
For example, NHS-funded rehab treatment is free or incredibly low-cost.
It does, however, involve long waiting lists, which could see you waiting weeks or months to receive your treatment. This is because there is an incredibly high demand for this type of detox treatment.
Private detox offers you same-day admission, with immediate admission into treatment and a greater choice of detox settings.
You will be gaining access to more consistent, around-the-clock care and support as well as access to some of the best rehab facilities. However, private rehab detox is incredibly expensive, often costing thousands of pounds.
As discussed above, an alcohol detox is the first stage of recovery from an alcohol addiction. While it addresses the physical side of addiction, it does not tackle the underlying causes of addiction, including trauma or mental health issues.
Many people choose to continue into their rehab treatment following their detox, which involves attending rehab therapy. Below is a number of some of the most common therapy options offered in rehab clinics across the UK:
These therapy techniques have been tried and tested throughout the world, and individuals usually spend weeks, months or even sometimes years in rehab therapy.
If you or someone you know and love is struggling with addiction to alcohol, then seeking help from a medical professional is the crucial first step.
With the right support, withdrawal from any addictive substance can be managed safely, giving you the foundation you need to move forward with your recovery journey.
If you need advice and support with your recovery journey, then contact Rehab 4 Addiction today to discuss your alcohol detox options in Birmingham.
Our team of specialists are here to provide you with the right help and support, as well as free and confidential advice.
Remember, you are not alone, and there is help available to you. If you suffer from a mild addiction, then you might be able to undergo a home detox.
However, if your addiction is deemed moderate or severe, then you will likely need to attend an inpatient detox, where you will need to stay for 7 – 10 days.
Start your recovery journey today by calling us on 0800 140 4690 for free or by using our online contact form.
[1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6761814/
[2] https://www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/prevention/alcohol-dependency-programme/
