If you or someone that you know is struggling with an addiction to alcohol, or other addictive substances, then it is important to remember that taking the first step towards recovery will naturally feel incredibly scary and daunting.
For many people suffering from an alcohol addiction specifically, that first step towards recovery involves undergoing an alcohol detox. The detox process focuses on managing withdrawal symptoms safely when you stop drinking, which is a necessary part of the process.
Our team at Rehab 4 Addiction are able to help people across Leeds and West Yorkshire access safe and effective alcohol detox treatment.
Whether you are considering detoxing at an inpatient rehab clinic or detoxing in the comfort of your own home, this blog explains everything you need to know about alcohol detox in Leeds.
An alcohol detox is a necessary part of the recovery process. It involves removing alcohol from your body while managing any withdrawal symptoms that might present as a result.
If you suffer from an addiction or moderation issue with alcohol, then stopping drinking alcohol suddenly can cause both physical and psychological symptoms [1].
There are a number of common withdrawal symptoms when it comes to detoxing from alcohol, including some of the withdrawal symptoms listed below.
It is important to understand that not everyone will experience the same withdrawal symptoms, and that some people’s symptoms will be more severe than others [1].
As you can see, some of these withdrawal symptoms can become quite severe, which is why attending a professional detox is necessary to ensure your safety.
The detox is about ridding your body of the addictive substances that have been holding you back, but it is important to understand that a detox is not the same as attending rehab.
The detox stage focuses purely on stabilising your body and helping you safely withdraw from alcohol. Instead, rehab involves attending therapy for weeks or even sometimes months after undergoing your medical detox.
As discussed above, an alcohol detox and withdrawal can be dangerous and, in some cases, your withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening.
Attempting to detox without medical support is not recommended, especially if you have a long history of addiction issues, have previously tried but failed to recover and have co-existing mental health issues.
During your detox, you will be prescribed medication such as Librium (also known as chlordiazepoxide) to reduce the severity of your withdrawal symptoms and prevent complications from occurring.
Without proper detox support or medication, a relapse is far more likely later down the line. A fully managed and professional detox provides a safer and more stable environment.
Across Leeds, there are two main types of alcohol detox available, including inpatient detox treatment and home detox treatment. There are advantages and disadvantages to both options, some of which are explained further below for you.
An inpatient alcohol detox takes place within a rehab clinic, where you stay for the duration of your detox. This is often the safest option for those with a moderate to severe addiction issue, as you will receive around the clock, 24/7 care and attention.
You will also receive medication to manage your withdrawal symptoms as well as a structured and controlled routine and environment.
This type of detox typically lasts between 7 and 10 days, depending on what substance you are addicted to and how severe your addiction issues are.
This option is strongly recommended if you drink on a daily basis, have previously tried but failed to recover or suffer from mental health issues.
In contrast to inpatient care, a home detox allows you to withdraw from alcohol in the comfort and peace of your own home, with medical support provided remotely or through visits and phone call appointments.
You will also be prescribed and sent medication such as Librium in the post. It is important to understand that this detox option is only suitable for people with a mild addiction, as you run the risk of your withdrawal symptoms becoming more severe when you are not managed closely.
You will also need to prove that you will be able to detox in a calm and supportive environment without any triggers or distractions.
Whilst home detoxes are fantastic for people with mild addiction issues, you usually have to pay privately for access to a home detox, which could set you back between £1,000 and £2,000 depending on your rehab clinic and how long you will need to stay.
Yes, a home detox can be safe when it is properly managed, but it is important to remember that it is not suitable for everyone. In order to be approved for a home detox, you must first undergo a full medical assessment [2].
If you are approved for a home detox, then it is important that you follow the medication schedule carefully, that you do not consume alcohol and that you stay in close contact with your recovery team throughout the entire detox [2].
Many people wonder whether they can access free alcohol detox through the NHS. While support is available for those seeking NHS-funded detox and addiction treatment, there are some important limitations.
For example, accessing NHS-funded rehab treatment is offered by just a few NHS trusts, meaning that spaces are very limited and are only ever prioritised for the most severe addiction cases.
Receiving a home detox through your local GP is now very rare. In most cases, you will be referred to a local drug and alcohol service, or it might be recommended that you seek out private rehab treatment.
However, it is important to understand that with this option there might be long waiting lists involved and strict eligibility criteria.
In severe addiction cases, you might be treated at a local hospital, such as Leeds General Infirmary. However, this usually only happens if your addiction or withdrawal symptoms become life-threatening.
A&E is not a suitable place for anyone recovering from an addiction or withdrawing from alcohol, which is why attending A&E should not be seen as a planned route to detox. It is for emergency cases only.
On the other hand, a private detox offers much faster access and greater flexibility compared to NHS-funded rehab services. In fact, when you opt for private detox and rehab support, you will be offered rapid admission within just a day or two as well as a choice of treatment settings.
During your detox, you will be offered consistent medical care and fantastic levels of care and support. You might even get the chance to have your own, private room.
Understanding the detox timeline can help you prepare for the withdrawal process with realistic expectations, as overcoming a physical addiction does not happen overnight [3].
Depending on how severe your addiction to alcohol is, you might start to experience mild withdrawal symptoms after 6–12 hours after your last alcoholic drink.
Within 24 – 48 hours, you will likely start to experience your most moderate withdrawal symptoms, including excessive sweating or tremors.
48-72 hours into your withdrawal, you will be at your peak withdrawal symptoms, and risk experiencing nausea, delirium tremors and stomach issues.
After 5 – 7 days, your withdrawal symptoms should start to settle a little bit, but you will still need to be monitored closely.
It is important to understand that the detox is only the first stage of recovery from alcohol addiction.
While the detox addresses the physical dependence of your addiction, it does not tackle the psychological aspects of addiction, which might have been the root cause of your addiction in the first place.
This could include things such as mental health issues or trauma. Without further therapy support, there is a high risk of relapse.
After the medical detox, many people choose to continue their treatment and recovery journey with outpatient support, support groups or even inpatient rehab therapy treatment.
You will likely need to attend therapy for a number of weeks, months or even years after first starting your detox treatment.
As discussed above, the detox is an essential part of the recovery process for anyone wanting to recover from an alcohol addiction. If you are ready to take control of your alcohol addiction, then it is important to understand that help is available for you.
At Rehab 4 Addiction, our team of specialists are able to provide you with confidential advice and support as well as fast access to detox services in Leeds.
Our team will guide you through the different treatment options and help you to begin your recovery journey safely.
To enquire about a private alcohol detox either taking place at your own home or residential settings, you can contact us on 0800 140 4690. You can also email our team in confidence by using our online form.
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441882/
[2] https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/42473/
[3] https://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/388/bmj-2024-080461.full.pdf
