Drug Detox and Alcohol Detox

What is a Detox?

Detox refers to the process of removing the alcohol or drugs from the body. In the case of an alcohol detox, a supervised and medicated detox is essential to relieve the extreme discomfort of alcohol withdrawal. A medical detox will also help to prevent life-threatening problems common with unsupervised 'home' detoxes. These include shakes (Delirium Tremors or DTs), excessive sweating, feeling nauseous, mental confusion and vomiting. If left untreated, an un-medicated withdrawal often leads to serious complications and the patient can have a seizure or fit, and death may occur unless immediate medical assistance is sought. An inpatient medical detox minimises the risks and rarely does the patient have any adverse affects.

The Detox Process

	On admission to a rehab clinic, the patient is medically assessed and given appropriate medication to sedate the patient so that the removal of the drugs or alcohol does not cause the brain to race or produce fits. The medication is reduced gradually so that after 5-10 days the patient is substance free. Different drugs are used according to the patient's needs, medical history and consumption level. Antipsychotic drugs are sometimes prescribed during a detox by well-meaning GPs - this is very dangerous and should be avoided at all costs as it increases the potential to fit.
	If a person can go 5 days without a drink and does not experience any withdrawal symptoms a medical detox is likely to be unnecessary, but do not attempt to try this as it only applies to those who regularly go at least 5 days without alcohol. Most alcoholics can go 2 or 3 days without alcohol but rarely last 5 days on a regular basis. Withdrawal is rare in those who consume less than 10 units per day (equal to one bottle of wine, 2 pints of medium strength beer or 2 large whiskies/vodkas/gins). Few alcohol dependent people drink less than 20 units per day.
	In a rehab or detox clinic the patient is monitored regularly and blood pressure and other readings are taken to ensure you are safe and well throughout. The clinic detox is, therefore, very safe and invariably painless. The detox process can be very boring and patients are encouraged to read, watch TV or DVDs and, when ready, to start the treatment programme with the other patients.

Detox - Home or Rehab?

A detox alone is rarely going to keep you off alcohol or drugs. Unfortunately, addicts and alcoholics think they can manage on their own - they cannot. You will need at least 3 weeks of rehab immediately after a detox so that you can learn how to stay off the alcohol or drugs, discover what 'triggers' make you drink or take drugs, and also how to avoid a relapse. The NHS can sometimes give you a detox but rarely do they provide the seamless transition to a rehab clinic. Your GP may also offer a 'home' detox but these are rightly becoming far less available due to the severe medical complications that often occur at home. For this reason, we always advise that the detox is undertaken in the private rehab clinic that is going to treat you or that you go directly from the NHS detox into a private rehab. We do not recommend unsupervised home detoxes.

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