What is a detox centre?

Detox or Detoxification refers to the process involved in helping a person to become completely substance-free. A detox center aims to minimise the danger and alleviate the unpleasantness by carefully managing the withdrawal symptoms.

Sudden withdrawal from alcohol can be fatal. It is important that alcohol detox medication is available to make the process as safe as possible whilst in the drug detox center. The drug of choice for the control of alcohol withdrawal is chlordiazepoxide (Librium) (Trathen, 2008). In cases of liver damage, or other less usual situations, some detoxification centers may use other combinations of drugs.

Whilst withdrawal from heroin is rarely life-threatening, it can be extremely uncomfortable, and may take a substantial amount of will-power. The medications detox centers typically use to detox someone with a heroin addiction would be methadone, or Subutex (buprehorphine).

There is no formal detox programme for cannabis or cocaine due to the withdrawals largely being regarded as psychological. However, detox centres can provide the person with medication to help them sleep, or to reduce their anxiety levels.

When should someone go to a detox centre?

Anyone who is physically addicted to a substance can benefit from admission to a detox center. Physical addiction occurs when the person experiences withdrawal symptoms when the substance is not present. This can be physical symptoms such as sweating, shaking, and vomiting, or psychological symptoms such as intensely obsessing about a substance, depression or anxiety. Detox clinics support the individual in dealing with all symptoms.

Why professionally detox?

Sudden withdrawal from certain substances can be life-threatening in some circumstances, and so detox centres would aim to remove the substance in the safest way possible. For other substances, sudden withdrawal can be extremely unpleasant, and will-power alone may not be enough to remove the substance. A medically supervised detox in a detox clinic is the safest and most effective way to become substance-free, whilst increasing the chances of recovery and reducing the likelihood of relapse.

Where to detox

Detox centres UK treatment are usually accessed in a residential treatment centre or hospital. In some cases a person may request a detox at home, although a residential drug detox centre would be advised primarily for medical reasons. The best outcome of success will be when a detox centre is accessed as part of a complete addiction programme that offers psychological treatment as well. This is offered at most detox centers.

If someone cannot or will not access inpatient detox centres then we can discuss the alternative treatment options available. If they do wish to go, we can advise all concerned on the safest and most comfortable private detox clinics UK wide. We also have an extensive knowledge of private facilities overseas.

Where private treatment is not affordable you may wish to consider a detox centre that is provided by local NHS and voluntary organisations. Typically, access to these detox centres can involve long waiting lists but is better than seeking no help at all.

How long could treatment at a detox center take?

The length of time spent at the detox center UK will depend both on the severity of the situation, and the substance being taken. An alcohol detox can take between 7 and 10 days. Opiate detox or heroin detox will often require a minimum of 14 days in a residential drug detox center in order to safely detox. A rapid or accelerated opiate detox is usually not advisable for safety reasons.

How much does a private detox centre cost?

Triage Healthcare recognises that there is a deficit in the provision of affordable private treatment for a detox centre UK treatment. High quality free advice and information is provided to all, regarding detox clinic treatment to individuals with a limited budget. If you arrange a detox clinic through Triage Healthcare you will never pay more and in some cases you will pay less for detox centers UK than by booking direct with a treatment centre.

Call Triage Healthcare to discuss the treatment most likely to result in success for you or your loved one. All of our advisors are bound by strict rules of confidentiality and medical ethics.

Where to find Detox Centers in the UK

There are a number of different detox clinic UK options available. It is important that the treatment is tailored to the individual - addiction is different for each person; there is no “one-size-fits-all solution”. In order to find out the treatment that represents the best chance of success for all concerned, call one of our experienced advisors on 0800 246 5293. Our advice is all completely free and confidential.

We are staffed by highly experienced and expert professionals in addiction medicine and counselling, who are ethically bound to give you advice according to the latest evidence of what works, and who are not allowed to advise you according to a profit motive. Rather we will find you the best value treatment given your particular circumstances and wishes.