Drug Detox

We at Detox Plus UK understand the physical and mental battle a person suffers when they try to stop a drug they are addicted to. We can help you to manage drug withdrawal symptoms with the assistance of a medical drug detox, and by undergoing a bespoke addiction treatment programme, you will have the recovery tools that will enable you to stay drug-free.

If you have developed a dependence on drugs or an addiction to drugs, the prospect of stopping can be very daunting. With certain drugs, a physical dependence can occur if you have been taking them frequently and for an extended period of time.

Other drugs can cause psychological dependence, and this can make them even harder to stop. You may well worry about how you will cope without drugs and how you will manage the withdrawal symptoms – These concerns, while very common, can lead you to delay seeking life-saving drug addiction treatment and help.

Perhaps you are always thinking to yourself “Today is the day I stop taking drugs”, only to find yourself using them an hour later and promising yourself you will try again tomorrow.

What Is A Drug Detox?

A drug detox is a process by which the body becomes free of drugs. There are various ways of achieving this, but depending on the drug you are addicted to it may or may not be safe for you to quit drugs on your own. Even if it is safe to stop drugs on your own without help, you may find it mentally and physically too much to bear.

Many individuals who are drug dependent set themselves up for failure by not seeking appropriate help and treatment before attempting detox. This can lead you to end up feeling hopeless and taking more drugs than ever before.

The good news is that a drug detox is not something you have to do alone. There is professional help available to ensure that you succeed in coming off drugs and making the process as painless and as comfortable as possible.

Which Drugs Require A Drug Detox?

If you are addicted to a drug, you may be wondering if it is safe to stop without professional help. There are certain drugs, that once physically dependent, it is not safe to stop alone.

Some drugs cause a psychological dependence these are also not safe to stop without help. The following drugs benefit from the clinical safety of a medical drug detox where there is a dependence present :

Common Illegal drugs that cause dependence

• Heroin
• Opiates
• Valium analogues
• Fake prescription pills
• GHB
• GBL
• Ketamine
• Cocaine
• Crack cocaine
• Skunk
• Crystal Meth
• Cannabis

Common prescription pills that cause dependence 

• Co-Codamol
• Codeine
• Benzodiazepines: Diazepam, Lorazepam, Nitrazepam, Clonazepam etc
• Barbiturates
• Sleeping pills: Zopiclone, Zolpidem
• Opiate painkillers: Morphine, Methadone, Fentanyl, Oxycodone, Oxycontin, Hydrocodone, Subutex, Dihydrocodeine, Tramadol etc
• Pregabalin
• Gabapentin
• Psychiatric drugs
• Anti-anxiety medications
• Ritalin
• Adderall

Common legal drugs that cause dependence 

• Alcohol
• Many over the counter medicines if abused

Types of Drug Detox Available

If you want help to stop taking drugs but don’t know how you may be considering a drug addiction treatment centres in the UK to help you. There are various methods of detoxing from drugs, and it is worth seeking advice from a professional as to which drug rehab is best for you and will likely work in the long term.

It is worth remembering that some drugs should never be stopped suddenly where there is a dependence, this can cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms that if not treated medically can become life-threatening very quickly.

Detox Plus is here to help and advise you in any way that we can. Following a telephone assessment of your drug taking and history, we can recommend a drug rehab centre that is safe, and that will work for you as an individual.

Please call and speak to one of our expert drug treatment advisors

Full Medical Drug Rehab – What is a medical drug detox?

A full medical drug detox is a detox whereby approved medication is administered to minimise or stop drug withdrawal symptoms. The medication replaces the drug or drugs completely following a comprehensive medical assessment by a qualified doctor or psychiatrist experienced in prescribing drug detoxes.

The patient is then continually monitored by qualified nurses and/or a doctor within a residential detox clinic, or rehab setting while the medication is gradually reduced and stopped. Withdrawal symptoms are reviewed regularly, and medication is adjusted where there is a need. Clinically this is proven to be the safest way to detox from drugs.

What is a medically assisted drug detox?

A medically assisted private drug rehab is similar to a full drug detox in that an approved medication is used to replace the drug and is prescribed by a doctor. The main difference being is that an assisted drug detox is not fully controlled and continually monitored.  

Quasi-residential drug rehabs often offer medically assisted detoxification with lower levels of support than a fully residential rehab or detox clinic. Medically assisted drug rehab centres are often successful if the individual is motivated to stop the drugs they are addicted to. Providing the patient completely adheres to the detox regime; this type of detox is safe.

Quitting Drugs Cold Turkey – What is cold turkey?

Quitting drugs cold turkey where there is a drug dependence is extremely dangerous. Cold turkey is the name given when an individual abruptly stops taking drugs and tries to endure the withdrawal symptoms unassisted by medication or support. Needless to say, this is usually very dangerous and often unsuccessful.

Gradual Drug Withdrawal Detox – What is a gradual drug withdrawal detox?

A gradual drug withdrawal detox is where the patient tries to reduce the drugs they are taking over some time in order to lessen the severity of the withdrawal symptoms. This should only be attempted with the assistance of a doctor who can plan and prescribe a drug withdrawal regime. It is a detox method often used in the community for prescription drug addiction.

The success of the detox depends on how motivated the patient is and the levels of support that they have to help them through the withdrawal period. Attempting to gradually withdraw from a drug alone can often backfire if you attempt to do it too quickly or are unable to control the amount of drugs you take.

Medications used in drug detox

Medications for addiction treatment may be prescribed to ease or counteract drug withdrawal symptoms. This can be conducted in the community or within a drug rehab centre. Certain medications are medically approved by the Department of Health to be used for the purpose of drug or alcohol detoxes.

For example – Diazepam and Chlordiazepoxide are medications approved to be used in alcohol detoxification. Subutex and Methadone are drugs approved to be used in heroin detoxification.

Ideally, any medicine used should be conducted within a professional detox clinic to ensure that the detox is completed safely and correctly.

What is a home drug detox?

A home drug detox is a detox administered by a doctor or nurse prescriber while you stay in the comfort of your own home.

This may sound appealing, but home drug detoxes do have their drawbacks. For a start, you will have to arrange for someone to stay with you for the duration of the home detox as it is unsafe to carry out alone. Also, there will be the temptation to use alcohol or drugs as you will not be in the protected environment of drug rehab or drug detox clinic.

A home drug detox only works for highly motivated individuals who have a very good support network they can rely on 24/7

Detox Plus recommends full medical detoxification and medically assisted drug detox within the safety of one of our CQC registered detox clinics as the safest method of detoxing of stopping drugs.

Do I Need A Drug Detox?

Whether or not you need a drug detox that involves medication should only really be determined by a medical practitioner. However, there are some definite signs and symptoms that indicate you have a drug dependence or drug addiction and would benefit from a medical drug rehab.

Physical signs and symptoms you need a drug detox

Taking any less of the drug than your body has become accustomed to will result in any of the following physical signs and symptoms of drug withdrawal:

• Shaking
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headaches
• Diarrhoea
• Intense drug cravings
• Restless limbs
• Aches and pains in muscles
• Muscle cramps
• Increase in blood pressure
• Rapid heart rate/palpitations
• Increase in body temperature
• Lethargy
• Insomnia
• Extreme fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle rigidity
• Seizures

Psychological signs and symptoms 

• Hallucinations – auditory or visual
• Confusion
• Delirium Tremens – rapid onset of severe confusion that usually occurs through rapid withdrawal from alcohol or benzodiazepines
• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Paranoia
• Thoughts of self-harm
• Intrusive thoughts
• Suicidal ideation
• Depression
• Inability to concentrate
• Memory loss

Drug withdrawal symptoms can vary tremendously in severity. Developing any of the above symptoms to a severe level requires immediate medical attention.

* Withdrawal symptoms highlighted in red require urgent medical attention as are potentially life-threatening.

Drug withdrawal symptoms also vary depending on the drug you are trying to stop:

The easiest way to tell if you are drug dependent is if taking more drugs relieves your symptoms. If this is the case, then it is highly likely you have a drug dependence.

What Happens In a Drug Rehab Centre?

Detox Plus specialises in drug and alcohol detox and rehabilitation. We only work with reputable CQC registered and regulated detox clinics in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Depending on the type of detox clinic you choose will affect the levels support you receive while detoxing. Fully residential clinics offer the highest levels of support available and are therefore considered the safest option.

Drug Detox Admission

On arriving at a drug rehab clinic, you can expect to be welcomed by staff who will show you around the facility, answer any questions you may have and also help you to settle in.

Fully residential clinics are inpatient and all-inclusive. All your meals, therapy, accommodation and medication are included in the one price and take place in the same facility.

As you never leave the facility, unless accompanied by staff, the temptation to drink or drug is removed. Fully residential drug rehab clinics also tend to accept fewer patients at any one time, so there is a higher patient to counsellor ratio and a very high success rate of completing the detox and addiction treatment programme.

Drug Detox Assessment

Once you are settled into the clinic or drug rehab centre, you will then be assessed by the clinic’s doctor or psychiatrist who will discuss with you your medical detox regime. The doctor or psychiatrist will take into account other medications you may be on, your overall physical and mental health and any previous detoxes you have completed before.

Drug Detox Support

Most individuals arrive at clinics intoxicated; your medical detox will be started once it is safe to administer the medication. You will then be carefully monitored throughout the duration of your detox. Your physical activity will be limited during this time to ensure your safety. You will also receive support and encouragement and light therapy from counsellors and therapists while you detox.

Drug Rehab Programme

Therapeutic treatment programmes are of maximum benefit once the body and mind are cleared from all drugs. Once your detox is complete, it is strongly recommended that you undertake a full drug rehab programme to treat the psychological aspect of drug addiction.

Benefits of A Rehab Centre UK

Benefits of inpatient drug addiction treatment centres include:

• 24/7 support and care from a team of addiction professionals including doctors, nurses, counsellors, psychologists, therapists and support workers.
• A safe and secure environment that is conducive to healing and recovery from drug addiction
• A full medical detox to minimise drug withdrawal symptoms and ensure your safety on stopping drugs
• A bespoke drug addiction treatment programme tailored specifically to your treatment needs as an individual
• The opportunity to address and change behavioural patterns that previously supported your drug addiction
• Undergo evidence-based drug treatments and receive an aftercare package
• You will leave drug free!

Drug Detox Q&A

Will A Drug Rehab Enable Me To Regain Control Over My Drug Taking?

All a drug detox accomplishes is the safe removal of drugs from your system. Drug addiction is an illness that hijacks the brain; taking any alcohol or drugs will trigger a craving for more and the same cycle of compulsively seeking and taking drugs will repeat itself. This is not only medically proven, but it is our experience also.

To stay drug-free, it is necessary to rehabilitate the brain through a comprehensive drug treatment programme. This will also teach you strategies and disciplines that will help you to avoid relapse.

Will Drug Detox Be Painful?

Depending on the type of drug addiction you have, withdrawal symptoms can vary from very mild to severe and life-threatening. Medical drug detoxes are the safest and most comfortable way of stopping drugs. The clinics we work with do all they can to ensure your detox is as painless as possible.

How Long Does Drug Detox Last?

The duration of a drug detox depends on several factors, including – How long you have been taking the drugs and been drug dependent, your general health, your mental health, the type of drug you are stopping and the dosage.

The important thing is that you stop the drugs in the safest way possible for your physical and mental wellbeing. Please call us directly to discuss your specific drug addiction.

What Is The Cost Of Drug Rehab Treatment?

Drug detox costs vary depending on the duration of the drug detox and the particular detox clinic. Detox Plus work with affordable clinics, luxury clinics and everything in between. Please call us to discuss your individual treatment needs and budget.

What Happens After Drug Detox?

After you have completed your drug detox, ideally you will stay in a rehab facility and undergo an intensive and comprehensive bespoke drug treatment programme. This is necessary in order to prevent relapse and stay free from drugs permanently.

On leaving the drug detox clinic, you will be offered aftercare and provided with a discharge plan containing information on local sources of support and tips on staying drug-free.

How Long Does It Take To Feel Normal After A Drug Rehab?

Depending on the drug you have stopped it may take you a while after completing the drug detox to feel like your old self before you started taking drugs. Some individuals bounce back very quickly; others may feel the effects of their drug-taking for longer. It is a very individual thing, but support is available to help you through this.

Opiates detox and benzodiazepines detox tend to take longer than other drugs before you start to feel well again. Medical drug detox can help to reduce the symptoms of opiate withdrawal.

To find inpatient drug rehabilitation facilities near you, contact Detox Plus UK on 02072052734 

How Long Will it Take Before I Can Pass a Drug Test?

Different drugs leave our systems at different rates. Everybody’s metabolism is individual to them, so there are only guidelines available for each drug. There are also different methods of drug testing; some tests can detect a drug in your system from longer than others.

If you have any questions relating to our rehab centres in the UK that is not answered on this page or want more information on our drug addiction treatment centres in the UK, please call us direct. We are waiting for your call so we can assist you.

Sources

https://bnf.nice.org.uk/guidance/controlled-drugs-and-drug-dependence.html