NHS OR Private Alcohol Detox

The detox process is very simply the process that allows your body to safely be weaned off from alcohol.

This is done typically in the safe and controlled environment of an alcohol rehab centre, where the fully trained staff are able to keep an eye on you and your progress.

The average detox process can take anywhere from seven days to 28 days to complete. During that time, you may experience any of the following withdrawal symptoms:

• Migraine
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Chills
• Hot flashes
• Goosebumps
• Light sensitivity
• Hives
• Diarrhoea
• Hallucinations
• Delirium
• Fever

Because of these symptoms, it is recommended that you never attempt to detox alone. In some cases, you can experience a seizure thanks to your body’s reaction to the lack of alcohol.

You experience these symptoms because your body believes that it needs alcohol in order to produce any dopamine. As dopamine is the feel-good chemical that allows you to experience pleasure, it is not uncommon for you to also experience psychological withdrawal symptoms such as:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Mood swings
• Irritability

The monitoring staff will also keep track of your mental state to ensure you do no harm to yourself or others during this time. More often than not, you will also move on to therapy once you have completed your detox process.

NHS or Private Detox

As with many elements of the recovery process, you have options available to you.

It is important to remember that so long as your detox process is supervised by fully trained and licenced medical professionals in a safe environment, then many aspects are there to fit around your lifestyle and budget.

Whether you decide upon an NHS or privately run detox process, you will still achieve your goal of weaning off alcohol and taking a big step towards dealing with your drinking problem.

It is important for you to fully understand what the benefits and the downsides of each option are so that you are able to make the best decision for your needs and lifestyle.

The Benefits of an NHS Detox

As with any other NHS provided service, it is available for free to everyone in the UK.

This means that this can be a very good option for anyone coming from a low-income background and are therefore unable to afford private rehab.

NHS detox treatments are available across the country and to anyone who needs them. You would have the option to either detox in an NHS an alcohol rehab facility or in the comfort of your own home.

Some people prefer the at-home detox as it allows them to remain in a more familiar area during the work through a very difficult process. This can be a very good option for those with a stable home environment and support system to help them. During the home detox, you will be monitored remotely by the medical staff to ensure that you are not overwhelmed by the withdrawal symptoms.

The residential NHS rehab options would see you placed on a ward that specialises in the detox process and would provide you with the same medical care and attention you would find in any other hospital. It is a safe and professional environment that will enable you to wean off alcohol and to make progress in your journey to long term recovery.

The Drawbacks of an NHS Detox

While the detox process itself does not change too much between options, many people find accessing rehabilitation services from the NHS to be quite difficult.

To begin, in recent years, the mental health sector, which alcohol rehab falls under, has had its budget heavily cut, leading to fewer facilities and treatment options being available to people who need them.

This, unfortunately, has resulted in a long screening process where you will have to attend many appointments for an addiction diagnosis before you are even able to receive the treatment you need.

If you are found eligible for NHS rehab services, including an NHS detox process, then you will be placed on a waitlist. You could spend anywhere from a few weeks to many months on this waitlist as the NHS has no choice but to prioritise the most severe cases due to their lack of resources.

The Benefits of a Private Detox

With a private detox process in a privately run alcohol rehab centre, you will have the benefits of the centre’s wide variety of resources and well-staffed facilities.

With a private detox, you will be prioritised and given a personalised treatment plan that serves you and your needs. You will have access to 24-hour care from fully trained staff who have years of experience helping people through their detox process.

With a private detox process, you will be able to avoid long waitlists and receive care as soon as possible in a convenient location for you. Cassiobury Court private rehab facilities are located across the UK. They are able to accommodate any needs and put to rest any fears.

With a private detox, you will also have the option to have an at-home detox or an inpatient one like the NHS detox process. However, with the private treatment option, you will be given the option to have a private room during your stay or to share if you prefer.

A private detox gives you the power to make decisions for your journey to long term recovery.

The Drawbacks of a Private Detox

A private detox can be expensive and therefore inaccessible to those from a lower-income background.

While there are treatment options available that are cheaper, as much of the cost of a private detox comes from the amount of time you stay there, it can add up quickly. A detox process with Cassiobury Court can range from a week to almost a month of a residential stay, something that, while ultimately beneficial for your journey to long term recovery, maybe be an option for some people.

More information

For more information on the detox process, please call 01923 369 161 or email info@cassioburycourt.com.

A member of our team will be able to answer any questions you may have and put your fears to rest.