Detox Center

The following detox center information has been prepared under the supervision of Consultant Addiction Psychiatrist Dr Bruce Trathen MBBS MRCPsych, and Senior Addictions Therapist David Goodlad FRSPH MA Dip. MBACP (Snr. Accred) UKRC NCAC CADC.

Accessing reliable and accurate detox clinic information can be confusing and time consuming. Triage Advisors are here to help you make fully informed and accurate decisions. Call 0117 339 0080.

What is a detox centre?

When considering a detox center for a loved one or yourself, it is important to ask whether they or you require only the medical services offered by a detox clinic, or the additional therapeutic support offered by a detox centre. Both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction need to be dealt with, but some people will choose to access outpatient services for the psychological support rather than consider detox centers.

Detox centres refer to facilities that help a person to become completely substance-free. A detox clinic aims to minimise the danger and where possible alleviate the unpleasantness by carefully managing the withdrawal symptoms.

Detoxification centers cater for a variety of different substances including alcohol, heroin, cocaine, and cannabis amongst others.

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 centres deal with all aspects of addiction.

Why professionally detox?

Sudden withdrawal from certain substances, such as alcohol or benzodiazepines, can be life-threatening in some circumstances, and so detox centers would aim to remove the substance in the safest way possible. For other substances, sudden withdrawal is not normally life-threatening, but 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.

Admission to detox clinics can also increase the chances of recovery and reduce the likelihood of relapse. This is because the detox centres are staffed by professionals who can provide support along every step of the way.

Where to detox

Detox clinics are usually accessed in a residential treatment centre or a short stay in a hospital or specialised ward. In some cases a person may request a detox at home, although inpatient detox centres are advised primarily for medical reasons. The best outcome of success will be when a detox center UK is accessed as part of a complete addiction programme that offers psychological treatment as well. 

If someone cannot or will not access detoxification centers 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 clinic UK based. We also have an extensive knowledge of private detox centers overseas.

Where private treatment is not affordable you may wish to consider a detox centre NHS services and voluntary organisations provide. Typically access to an NHS detox centre UK wide can involve long waiting lists but is better than seeking no help at all.

We can advise further on affordable detox centers and where necessary any free detox centre NHS provided in your area.

How long could treatment at a detox center take?

The length of time spent at the detox centre will depend both on the severity of the situation, and the substance being taken. The duration of time in an alcohol detox center can be between 7 and 10 days. Opiate detox or Heroin detox center treatment will usually require a minimum of 14 days in a drug detox center in order to safely detox. A rapid or accelerated detox is not advisable both for psychological reasons and physical comfort.

How much does a private detox centre cost?

Triage Healthcare recognises that there is a deficit in the provision of affordable private treatment for addictions in the UK. High quality free advice and information is provided to all, as well as best-value private detox centres to individuals with a limited budget. If you arrange treatment through Triage Healthcare you will never pay more and in some cases you will pay less for residential treatment than by booking direct with a detox center.

Where to find Detox Centers in the UK

There are a number of different treatments 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 detox centre that represents the best chance of success for all concerned, call one of our experienced advisors. 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 detox center given your particular circumstances and wishes.