Alcoholism is on the rise in Devon, making alcohol detox more essential than ever.
There are several ways to withdraw from alcohol safely, and we’re here to explain each one.
Before we discuss alcohol detox Devon, let’s take a look at the local situation. How is this drug affecting the people of Devon, and is the problem getting worse?
Alcohol-specific mortality in Devon has risen by 18.5% since 2006, whilst alcohol-related hospital admissions have increased by 46% since 2016-17 (1).
When people are entering treatment for alcoholism, they’re much more likely to already have liver disease, making the recovery journey even more challenging (2).
Overall, alcohol addiction is a severe problem in Devon, and statistics show that it’s worsening over the years.
Alcohol withdrawal, or alcohol detox, is a method used to help people recover from alcoholism. It’s often the first treatment they receive, as it targets problematic physical symptoms, ensuring the patient is no longer physically reliant on alcohol.
This treatment takes time. Most often, the main detox phase lasts 3-10 days, but it’s also common for symptoms to continue for weeks. If you imagine how intense cravings can get, it’s no surprise that it takes a while for the body to cope well without alcohol.
Medication is often used in alcohol withdrawal Devon, particularly if moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms are anticipated. In most cases, patients receive Librium, which is a benzodiazepine that reduces anxiety, tremors, and other uncomfortable symptoms.
A common fear relating to medical detoxing is that it could provoke another addiction (e.g., Librium addiction).
Whilst this has been known, rehab staff are intentional about controlling the dose of Librium, supervising the patient, and not prescribing Librium to patients who are more at risk of becoming dependent on it. It’s also a short-term treatment, whereas Librium addiction is closely linked to long-term use.
Typically, there are three main types of detox you can get in Devon. These are: residential alcohol detox, outpatient alcohol detox, and home alcohol detox.
Pros:
Cons:
Pros:
Cons:
Outpatient alcohol detox Devon has very similar benefits to inpatient withdrawal, but without the extra security and stability of a residential setting.
This means the relapse rate is higher, as patients are going home every night, where they aren’t required to follow a strict routine or answer to medical staff.
Yet, it’s generally more effective than home detoxing, where patients aren’t introduced to a group recovery setting in any way.
This is a difficult decision to make, and it requires you to think about:
Practicalities can also play a role, such as having a full-time job or having children. However, it’s strongly recommended to prioritise your health in any way that you can.
Many people fall into the trap of refusing addiction treatment because they don’t have the time. They believe sobriety will always be there, so they can get around to it when it’s more convenient.
Please don’t make this mistake. Living with an addiction is extremely unpredictable. You can’t guarantee that you will end up getting sober safely.
Early intervention is one of the main links to successful recovery, so it’s something you should always pursue if possible.
To help you make the decision, we encourage you to first look into residential rehab, as it’s got the best reputation of the three options.
In an ideal world, you would opt for a 28-day treatment programme, starting with an alcohol detox and finishing with a one-year aftercare plan.
If not, outpatient detox Devon can be a good option for those who can’t stay overnight in rehab, and home detoxing is an alternative that’s highly accessible for many people.
Below, we outline some common misconceptions around the alcohol detox process:
Cold turkey withdrawal is dangerous for absolutely everyone. Even if you think you can physically do it, it’s never advisable.
There are too many risks involved, such as severe withdrawal symptoms, and it can even result in death.
UK hospitals will rarely detox you, unless there’s a serious medical emergency.
It’s always important to go straight to A&E or call an ambulance if you are showing signs of alcohol poisoning, as the situation can escalate very quickly.
Home detoxing is a valid way to recover from the physical side of alcoholism. It has helped many people to withdraw from alcohol safely.
Although it’s not usually as effective as inpatient rehab, every situation is different. Detoxing at home is an ideal option in certain circumstances.
There are many ways to detox in Devon, from residential services to medication delivery.
Need help figuring out your best route? Give us a call on 0800 140 4690 (UK) or +44 345 222 3508 (international).
Below, we outline answers to common questions around this important topic:
When you reach out to Rehab4Addiction, you can always expect a fast referral for a private alcohol detox (one day to one week).
It’s also possible to look for a provider yourself, but keep in mind this tends to be a lengthy process.
No, you don’t have to get an alcohol detox in your hometown in Devon, or even in Devon itself.
Local treatments are best for people who enjoy the familiarity of the area, want to save on travel costs, and want to reduce the stress of the transition as much as possible.
However, there are options to get sober in treatment centres all over the UK or abroad.
This can be beneficial if you’d like to recover in a specific environment (e.g., warm weather), you’re after anonymity, or you would feel more comfortable getting sober away from reminders of your addiction.
If you enrol with an inpatient rehab facility, you can complete a programme that includes detoxing and psychological treatments.
For those who aren’t detoxing in a residential setting, you can incorporate psychological support into your recovery by:
[1] https://www.devonhealthandwellbeing.org.uk/aphr/2024-25/
[2] Ibid.
