Alcohol detox is the process of removing alcohol from your system in a gradual and carefully managed way. This is best done under medical supervision and sometimes with the use of controlled prescription medication to help lessen your withdrawal symptoms and make them easier to cope with.
At Priory, our comprehensive, medically assisted detox programme takes place on an inpatient basis and can be part of your alcohol addiction treatment programme. This means that you’ll stay at one of our specialist centres on a residential basis for the duration of your treatment. While you’re with us, you’ll receive:
We advise everyone going through our detox process to start on our intensive alcohol addiction treatment programme as soon as they’re physically able to. You can even start addiction therapy while you’re still going through detox.
When you’re addicted to alcohol, you may experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking. These can be intense and unpleasant, and can be hard to manage on your own. This is especially the case if you’ve been dependent on alcohol for a long time.
That’s why it’s important to go through alcohol detox in a controlled and medically assisted environment. We offer round-the-clock support, helping you to manage your withdrawal symptoms and alleviate any discomfort you’re experiencing.
It’s also important that you don’t stop drinking all of a sudden. If someone with an alcohol addiction stops drinking suddenly, whether by choice or not, this is known as going ‘cold turkey’.
If this is done without any support, it can lead to uncomfortable and even dangerous alcohol withdrawal symptoms. These can include things like high blood pressure, a high fever, severe disorientation, hallucinations, and seizures. In some cases, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be fatal. These more severe withdrawal symptoms are known as delirium tremens (DTs).
It’s important to understand that many people who try to go cold turkey experience such extreme and distressing withdrawal symptoms that they end up resorting to drinking again just to get rid of their symptoms. This can therefore turn into an ongoing cycle of alcohol abuse that can continue to have a destructive impact on all areas of your life.
The alcohol detox process usually lasts between 7 and 10 days. However, this can vary from person to person and can also depend on a number of other factors, including:
Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal may include:
During addiction treatment, you’ll benefit from a wide variety of therapeutic techniques, including exercise programmes, yoga and relaxation methods. We also offer equine therapy at some of our addiction treatment centres. Ultimately, these therapies will help you to overcome your addiction and get back on track.
Our group therapy programme, delivered by experienced therapists, allows you to learn from the experiences of others who are in a similar stage of their recovery. You’ll have the opportunity to share your thoughts and insights, and form healthy, productive and sober relationships.
Once you've completed your alcohol detox and our alcohol addiction treatment programme, we also offer free aftercare for 12 months, helping you to maintain your abstinence and continue along your road to recovery.
At Priory, we have detox clinics located all over the country, meaning you can access the support you need in a location that’s convenient for you. We understand that alcohol detox and withdrawal can feel very daunting. However, our expert detox teams are dedicated to minimising your alcohol withdrawal symptoms and supporting you every step of the way towards overcoming your addiction.
