Drug detox is the process where traces of drug toxins and substances leave your body. Your body will crave a top-up of the drug to which it has become accustomed, and this can trigger withdrawal symptoms and urges to take the drug again.

If you’re suffering from drug addiction, the 1st step in getting back to sobriety is by taking a detox before completing a structured rehabilitation programme.

What is Drug Detoxification?

Drug detox is the process of removing toxins from an individual’s body, these commonly include drugs such as:

People who suffer from addiction will need to progress through detox at the 1st main goal in their rehabilitation programme. If you suffer from an opioid addiction, alcohol dependency or addiction to any other drug, detox is always the 1st step.

During this period, you will experience withdrawal symptoms depending on what drug you are addicted to and the length of time you have been dependent.

Not all detoxes are equal in strength and duration. Some people may move comfortably through the detox period, and others may face severe physical withdrawal symptoms.

Opioid withdrawal symptoms, for example, are known to bring physical symptoms, whilst some other drugs, such as cocaine, tend to be more associated with mental health issues in detox.

What to Expect at Drug Detox

Although the detoxification process is one of the most difficult stages in rehabilitation, it is crucial to cut this physical dependence.

The treatment process will vary depending on the severity of your drug addiction. A detoxification program will be created based on your specific circumstances, and you will work through this with our detox specialists.

When you stay at our residential rehab, you will have the opportunity to detox from substance misuse in an environment where you’re surrounded by medical staff and people who are highly knowledgeable in addiction. This is a key benefit of detoxing compared to taking a home drug detox.

We will prescribe medications to ease withdrawal symptoms, and you can focus on nothing but your recovery. You won’t have outside temptations or triggers to use drugs that you may otherwise have in the outside world.

Our treatment centre will cater to your every need while you are detoxing. You will have regular visits from one of our addiction counsellors and have complete privacy and confidentiality.

You will have healthy food prepared by our onsite chef and have your own private bathroom in your bedroom room to wash and shower.

If your symptoms become extremely dangerous a medical professional will put you under one-to-one observation and help see you through the worst physical and mental obstacles you may face.

Detox: Drug Withdrawal Symptoms

Drug withdrawal symptoms are experienced during the initial stage of the drug detox process as the body adjusts to a lack of drugs that it has become dependent on. Both physical and psychological symptoms are experienced during this period. Common withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Nausea
  • Hot flushes and sweating
  • Diarrhoea
  • Headaches and migraines
  • Shivering
  • Muscle aches and pains
  • Intense cravings
  • Anxiety or depression

People who are undertaking an alcohol detox may face different symptoms than a person who is going through a heroin or cocaine detox. Our physicians are aware of the differences and will change medication to suit them.

Prescription medications are provided to help treat uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, and you are monitored throughout the process to ensure you are safe and recovering well from substance abuse.

These medications can include:

  • Zopiclone
  • Chlordiazepoxide
  • Diazepam
  • Librium

The exact withdrawal symptoms that you may experience during the drug detox vary depending on the type of drug addiction you have and the severity of it, so you will be monitored to keep you as safe as possible during your time in the detox clinic.

People with cocaine addiction can often have insomnia and may need medication to help them sleep as part of their detoxification process and access to onsite mental health services. Through experience, we understand some common challenges people will face but can quickly adapt if symptoms change or worsen through the process.

How Long Does A Drug Detox Take?

A drug detox programme lasts for roughly 7-14 days in total, depending on the severity of the drug addiction. Detox plans are catered to individuals and their personal addiction recovery, you will be provided and guided through a plan that is designed to your circumstances to ensure you get the most from your recovery programme.

By completing a medically supervised detox plan, you will benefit from expert care as you recover from your drug abuse. You will receive a personalised treatment programme during this detox period.

Within the first few days of detox, you will experience a variety of drug withdrawal symptoms as your body adjusts to running the body without the help of drugs or other substances.

The most severe withdrawal symptoms are experienced within the first 5 days of drug detox as this is when your body adjusts to life without any substances. Rest assured that the detox clinic will do everything in its power to help you overcome these symptoms in the most comfortable way you can.

After your medical detox plan has finished, it is recommended that you complete further addiction treatments to achieve long-term recovery, this would be the rehab programme, designed to help you move your headspace to one that is not overrun by cravings or dark thoughts.

The length of time spent within a rehab facility is 28-nights, typically; but this isn’t always necessary. You can also stay for a duration of 5, 7, 10, 21 nights or more.

Overall, the option of 28-nights is recommended which includes therapy treatments, but the length of the detox process varies from person to person. To find out more about how long drugs detox last, call us today on 01908 489 421.

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Asana Lodge is a leading UK-based expert in Private Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Treatment. Find out how we can help by contacting our friendly team today.

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Common UK Detox Methods

  • Medically Assisted Detox: Medically assisted detox involves the use of substitute drugs to help patients overcome dependency at a residential treatment centre.
  • Cold Turkey: Cold Turkey detoxification involves abruptly stopping the consumption of an addictive substance without any assistance. Unlike professional drug detox programs, this method is uncontrolled and can pose health risks.
  • Rapid Drug Detox: In this approach, the patient undergoes anaesthesia, and the detox process is expedited, lasting only a couple of hours for substance elimination though this can be dangerous and fatal.
  • At-Home Detox Kits: At-home ‘detox’ kits are primarily designed to cleanse the body and are not recommended for overcoming addiction. Seeking medical advice before using at-home detox methods is strongly advised. They may provide some relief for a hangover, but not for a serious addiction.
  • Drug Detox at Home vs Medically Assisted Detox

    When people try just to stop taking drugs at home, this is commonly referred to as “Cold Turkey”.

    Going ‘cold turkey‘ is not the recommended method of detox for drugs, in fact this is one of the most dangerous. This is due to the fact that a sudden drop in tolerance or complete abstinence with no weaning is incredibly dangerous from the body physically, and psychologically.

    Although some people can complete a successful recovery from outpatient detox at home, it is recommended that you seek professional treatment within an inpatient setting for the most long-lasting results.

    Overcoming a substance use disorder is extremely challenging and can even be dangerous, which is why it is important that you are careful and safe during your recovery and drug detox.

    What Happens After Detox Treatment?

    Once you have completed the drug detox process, most of those who are suffering from addiction continue onto drug rehab.

    This rehab process includes a basis of:

    • Free Initial Assessment
    • Detox under Medical Supervision
    • Personal Counselling and Therapy
    • Group Therapy
    • Family Support
    • Free Aftercare for 1 Year

    Relapse prevention sessions are to prepare you fully post-detox from drugs; these sessions are in place to provide you or your loved one security and stability for any potential future triggers.

    Here at Asana Lodge, we acknowledge that relapses are a constant threat, which is why we treat relapse prevention with the same importance as recovery.

    We understand that temptation can be difficult to avoid once placed back into your old environment and the last thing we want is to see you searching once again for ways how to detox from drugs.

    As well as recovering within a place like Asana Lodge and finding sobriety through your bespoke recovery programme, you will also be able to benefit from our 1 year aftercare that comes with each of our residential stays.

    Upon completing residential rehab treatment, you will receive weekly Zoom meetings with our therapist and follow-up calls to maintain your motivation. We are passionate about each and every person recovering and maintaining a drug-free future, so if you require any form of support, please contact our team for assistance as soon as possible.

    To discuss substance abuse treatment with the team at Asana Lodge, get in touch today by calling us on 01908 489 421.

    Start Your Drug Detox at Asana Lodge

    At Asana Lodge, we understand how daunting visiting a rehab centre to work through your drug addiction or mental health issue can be. We provide a high standard of service to ensure each client feels comfortable and welcomed during and after detox.

    Working through addiction can be challenging, especially in residential programmes as completing a full clinical detox and addiction treatment can be hard work, but, nothing worth having comes easy so don’t be afraid of the challenge, think of the outcome.

    Our team of medical professionals ensures service is high while treating you with their expert knowledge. We understand that the way you are treated will have a significant impact on your recovery chances after completing treatment, so we offer a compassionate approach throughout your rehab and detox programme.

    If you want further details regarding our clinical detox treatments at Asana Lodge, call us today on 01908 489 421. Following a reliable treatment recommendation, we can get to know your drug addiction and history better.

    We will also inform you of the benefits you could experience by completing a residential detox plan. From here, arrangements can be made to begin your journey at Asana Lodge by investing in a medically supervised, industry-leading detox plan.

    Free Transport To & From Rehab

    Best reasons to travel for alcohol and drug rehab:

    • Travelling provides an escape from a potentially toxic environment or people
    • Helps you get away from triggering situations
    • Sobriety can give you a fresh reset in life
    • You may find a new supportive community
    ➜ Call Us Now 01908 489 421

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    John Gillen - Author - Last Updated: 24 April 2019

    John has travelled extensively around the world, culminating in 19 years’ experience looking at different models. He is the European pioneer of Nad+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) treatment to Europe in 2010; and recently back from the USA bringing state of the art Virtual Reality Relapse Prevention and stress reduction therapy. his passion extends to other metabolic disturbances and neurodegenerative diseases.

    The journey continues, in recent times john has travelled to Russia to study and research into a new therapy photobiomudulation or systemic laser therapy working with Nad+ scientists and the very best of the medical profession in the UK and the USA, together with Nadcell, Bionad Clinics own select Doctors, nurses, dieticians and therapists, Johns’ passion continues to endeavour to bring to the UK and Europe new developments with Nad+ therapy in preventive and restorative medicine and Wellness. In 2017 John Gillen was made a visiting Professor at the John Naisbitt university in Belgrade Serbia.

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    Dr. Olalekan Otulana (Advanced Practitioner)

    Dr. Olalekan Otulana (Advanced Practitioner) - Clinical Reviewer - Last Reviewed: 11/12/2023 3:31 pm

    Dr. Otulana is a highly skilled General Practitioner and Addiction Specialist. He possesses extensive expertise in the field of Substance Misuse Management and boasts a diverse background in evaluating, overseeing (including detox procedures), and overseeing the residential recovery of individuals grappling with various drug and substance addiction issues. His primary goal is to conduct thorough assessments of patients dealing with addiction issues and determine their medical detoxification and psychological treatment requirements. Dr. Otulana is well-versed in caring for patients who need dual drug and alcohol detoxification therapies.

    In addition to his medical qualifications, Dr. Otulana is a proficient healthcare professional who holds a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree from the prestigious Cambridge University Judge Business School.