Alcohol detox

Alcohol detox is a medically supported process that helps you stop drinking and manage withdrawal safely. The detox programme involves an assessment, appropriate medication where required, and monitoring to help manage withdrawal symptoms safely as your body adjusts to stopping alcohol.

What is alcohol detox?

Alcohol detox (or detoxification) is the process of stopping alcohol use while managing withdrawal symptoms and associated risks safely.

While detox is often the first stage of treatment for alcohol dependence, addressing the immediate physical effects of stopping drinking, recovery usually requires ongoing support including therapy.

The alcohol detox process

Your individual treatment plan depends on your drinking history, health and previous experiences of withdrawal. A medically assisted detox generally involves these steps:

1. Assessment

A clinician will ask how much and how often you drink, as well as when you had your last drink. You will also be asked about any previous withdrawal symptoms you’ve experienced and any other medications or substances you use. Your physical and mental health will also be assessed; this helps the team decide what level of care you need.

2. A treatment plan

If detox is recommended, the team will explain what’s going to happen, how you’ll be supported and which medicines you may need. You can ask questions at any point during your assessment and treatment.

3. Monitoring and symptom management

Staff check how you are and watch for signs that withdrawal is worsening. They can adjust your care and respond if complications develop.

4. Planning the next steps

As you become more physically stable, your care team will discuss therapy, alcohol rehabilitation and support after detox with you.

How long does alcohol detox take?

At Priory, an inpatient alcohol detox programme usually lasts between 7 and 10 days, although this can vary from person to person and depends on several factors, including:

While this is the length of the detox programme, it this doesn’t guarantee that every withdrawal symptom will end on a particular day. For more on symptom duration, see our guide to alcohol withdrawal symptoms and timeline.

Medically assisted detox and medications

During a medically assisted detox, your care team monitors how you are responding to stopping alcohol and will adjust your treatment as required. They’ll assess your withdrawal symptoms and physical health regularly, so they can respond if symptoms worsen or if complications develop.

Medication is often one part of the detox process so depending on your assessment, you may be given:

• Benzodiazepines, such as chlordiazepoxide or diazepam, to manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce the risk of seizures. The dose is monitored and usually reduced over the course of detox

• Thiamine (vitamin B1) helps prevent Wernicke’s encephalopathy. It’s a serious condition linked to thiamine deficiency that can cause confusion, poor coordination and abnormal eye movements and may progress to lasting memory problems known as Korsakoff syndrome, if left untreated. It may be given as tablets or injections, depending on your individual needs

• Medication for other symptoms, such as nausea, where appropriate

The medicines and level of monitoring you need will depend on your health, drinking history and how withdrawal develops. The Priory inpatient alcohol detox programme includes 24-hour care and monitoring so staff are able to support you and respond if your condition changes.

Can you detox safely from alcohol at home?

Detoxing from alcohol at home can be dangerous and is not recommended, especially if you’ve been drinking heavily for a long time. Stopping suddenly, or going ‘cold turkey’, can be life-threatening because withdrawal may cause dangerous complications such as dehydration, seizures or delirium tremens (DTs).

Some people can complete a medically assisted alcohol detox at home, but only after assessment and with an appropriate clinical plan. Other people need inpatient care, particularly if they have severe dependence, a history of withdrawal seizures or DTs, significant health problems, or an unsuitable home environment.

Home treatment may involve prescribed medication, regular contact with a treatment team and someone you trust who is available to support you. Therefore, home detox with medical support is very different from stopping suddenly on your own.

If you’re physically dependent on alcohol, speak to your GP or an alcohol treatment service before stopping or rapidly reducing your drinking. If you’re already experiencing severe shaking, hallucinations or a seizure, call 999.

Why medical supervision is essential?

Withdrawing from alcohol is not only difficult, but also dangerous. Withdrawal can progress quickly and can become very distressing and severe. Therefore, medical supervision is essential because:

The level of supervision you need is decided on a case-by-case basis by clinicians, with some needing more intensive support than others.

Private, urgent and medical alcohol detox at Priory

If you’re ready to stop drinking, you may want to know how quickly you can get help and what treatment may involve.

Priory offers private, medically assisted alcohol detox at hospitals across the UK, including locations in and around London.

Inpatient detox includes an assessment, medication where appropriate, and 24-hour care and monitoring while you withdraw from alcohol safely. You’ll stay in a comfortable en-suite room, and your team will help you plan any treatment you need after detox.

If you need urgent detox, contact Priory to discuss your situation. The team can explain the assessment and admission process and check which locations may be suitable. Admissions will depend on your clinical needs and availability.

Treatment can be self-funded or covered by private medical insurance, depending on your policy. Priory’s 7 to 10 day Reset medically assisted detox programme starts from £6,540.