Clinically Reviewed by
Dr. Olalekan Otulana (Advanced Practitioner)
All information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.
Last Reviewed: 2nd February 2023
At Cassiobury Court, we provide professional alcohol detoxification directly from our rehabilitation centre. Here our inpatients are monitored through the detox period with medical support providing constant supervision throughout the process.
Alcohol detox is the process of eliminating alcohol from the body. If you want to quit drinking, this is typically the first step in treating your alcohol dependence.
When you stop drinking alcohol, depending on the severity of your addiction you will also face some side effects. These can range from mild side effects like nausea and insomnia to more severe side effects such as tremors, palpitations and delirium tremens.
For alcoholics, detoxification is a necessary step if they wish to quit drinking for good. If you want to speak to one of our detox nurses and ask any questions you can call us on 01923 369 161 or text HELP To 83222.
The severity of physical alcohol withdrawal symptoms can vary significantly depending on the person, how deep their addiction is and also their overall health.
Symptoms can range from mild discomfort, such as headaches and nausea, to more severe and life-threatening conditions like fitting and delirium tremens (DTs).
DTs can cause confusion, hallucinations, and even cardiovascular collapse in the most extreme of cases. These symptoms typically peak within a few days after the last drink and will lessen over time. Due to the potential risks, medical supervision during detox is crucial to ensure safety and effective symptom management.
Moderate alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:
Severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:
Alcohol detox isn’t pleasant, we won’t sugarcoat it but – it can certainly be managed much more effectively with our help. So that you know what to expect in some capacity, this is the typical timeline of an alcohol detox and some of the withdrawal symptoms you may experience.
Day 1-2: Withdrawal symptoms typically begin within 6-24 hours after you stop drinking. Early symptoms may include, but aren’t limited to, anxiety, insomnia, nausea, and sweating. In severe cases, individuals may experience hallucinations.
Day 3-5: This is often considered the peak of withdrawal symptoms. During this period, individuals may experience more severe symptoms such as tremors (known as alcohol shakes), increased heart rate, high blood pressure, confusion, irritability, and in some cases, seizures (known as alcohol withdrawal seizures).
Day 6-7: By this point, the acute withdrawal symptoms usually begin to subside. However, some individuals may continue to experience milder symptoms like anxiety, mood swings, and insomnia.
Week 2-4: During this stage, the physical symptoms of alcohol withdrawal tend to improve significantly. However, psychological symptoms such as depression, irritability, and cravings may persist. Sleep disturbances and difficulty concentrating can also continue.
Once the first month is through, recovery from alcohol addiction is an ongoing process. The intensity and frequency of cravings may be reduced further, but some individuals may still experience occasional triggers or cravings. Long-term recovery often involves therapy, support groups, and lifestyle changes to maintain sobriety.
Cassiobury court takes a special place in my heart for all the help I received. All the staff there are impeccable!! I could not fault it in any way. The managers, key workers, therapists, chefs, doctors, support staff and cleaners make you feel at home. They meet every need and want. I wish to return one day to be able to volunteer or go back and share my story. ❤️
Cassiobury Court has given me the hope of another chance to live again a sober life that I once had about two decades ago. I was drinking alcohol heavily in recent years that led to so many problems in my life that I can't state here. I wasn't even aware that it is an illness, rather than a habit that I could get rid of just on my willpower before I walked through the doors here. Realization of how much damage this illness has done to my life and my loved ones wouldn't have come to me without the help I have received here. My initial thoughts were that I am going to prison but the ideology here is completely different. If you are willing to recover from alcoholism or in general, any addiction then this is the place to be. If you want to walk out, become a quitter and continue your same life then no one will stop you. Such a set-up really worked for me, especially because if it was a military-type rehabilitation then I would have walked out. All the key workers, counselors, kitchen staff, cleaners, pharmacists, nurses, and fitness & yoga trainers everyone is so accommodating, warm, and helpful beyond my expectations. If someone is really willing to recover then this is the place. Big big thank you to Cassiobury Court for saving me and I wish myself to be successful on my life-long road of recovery.
I came into Cassiobury Court after years of trying to stop on my own, after years of abusing myself physically and mentally i finally came in with the willingness to ask for help and that is what i recieved. Although nervous when I first came in i was greeted with an incredibly friendly and supportive team, I was made to feel at ease and given privacy but i also knew help was ready and available when i needed it The workshops, counselling and advice all felt they were tailored to me rather then just being another client and i was encouraged to start seeing the postives of life rather then the negatives, I enjoyed every workshop and the social aspect that came with meeting a group of like minded people and felt that i was being heard and understood. Since leaving i have re started my life and had support from everyone along the way I would highly recommend them. To anyone who feels they may be struggling.
I spent 2 weeks at Cassiobury, really think it might have saved my life, Jane walked me in on the first day and told me I wouldn't want to leave by the end of it, she wasn't wrong. Every member of staff were amazing and so supportive. Having had two not so good experiences at other rehabs I was very nervous and in a really bad way, at my worst point in drinking ever and thinking there was no way out, but now I feel better than I have in 4 years 🙂 so apprecitive to literally everyone there, so welcoming and understanding. The food is amazing too, and will cater to your needs, felt so looked after and genuinely cared for, will forever be grateful for this experience x
I benefitted greatly at cassiobury court. I came in willing to work hard and overcome my mental blockages which kept me relapsing. The one to one's with the therapist and going through the steps really humbled me. I know now how my head works and will never take my sobriety for granted ever again. I have a structure back in my life I.e food, sleep, exercise and have the tools I need to push on and lead a good and spiritual life. Thank you to all the Cassiobury team. From the housekeeping staff to management has been excellent. I would strongly recommend to anyone to stay for 28 days like I did as its turned my life around. From a massively heavy drinker and cocaine user to give me the chance for a good life here on end. Brenden
Had the most amazing experience at Cassiobury Court, guided me through my issues and left me full of knowledge, positivity and hope. The amazing staff are always smiling, always offering sound advice when needed, and always there if you just need a chat, they treat you as their peers and make you feel instantly relaxed. Couldn't recommend the place more - go in with an open mind, be honest about everything and be willing to recover! (P.s. also great food ?)
Alcohol detox, as you’ll now be aware can be intimidating and to stop drinking, it is simply something that must be done. But, we are here to put your mind at ease and to show you why you have the capability to overcome the withdrawal symptoms of alcohol and live a sober life.
We help you do this by administering prescription medication during your alcohol detox to ease withdrawal symptoms and help you through the most significant stage of addiction treatment. These will help suppress the overwhelming alcohol cravings and put severe reactions at bay as much as possible.
Some medications include, but aren’t limited to:
These can help you to detox from alcohol in a way that won’t feel as overwhelming. Don’t forget that during your addiction treatment you’ll always be assisted by a medical professional whose expertise lie in treating alcoholism and substance misuse.
Most alcoholics will experience ‘withdrawal symptoms’ when quitting alcohol, whether it be mild symptoms or severe withdrawal symptoms, which is why being within the care of medical professionals is the safest place to be.
Due to the effects of severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms being potentially life-threatening, it is strongly advised that medical supervision is given throughout the duration of alcohol withdrawal.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms vary, particularly if the alcohol addiction is alongside a drug addiction too. For this reason, during admission into Cassiobury Court, you receive a psychiatric examination to determine whether you are in the correct mental state to undertake detoxification as the process can be quite distressing to some individuals.
Prescription medications can be provided during alcohol detox, this is dependent on the severity of your physical or physiological state during the withdrawal phase. We will talk some more about how we administer medication to ease these withdrawal symptoms next.
Attempting an alcohol detox at home can be tough, the lack of professional support can make it difficult to manage your cravings and the psychological stress of detox, increases the likelihood of relapse. Medical supervision provides a safer environment, with access to medications and support to ease the process and address any complications that arise.
If you do choose to detox at home, you should consult your GP beforehand and have a support system in place. This can include close monitoring by a family member or friend and access to emergency medical care. The home environment should be safe, quiet, and free of any form of alcohol. You also need to identify triggers that could make the process more challenging. If you drink after a stressful day at work, when attempting your home detox you should book some time off so you do not have any environmental issues causing you stress at this time.
While home detox may seem like a convenient or private option, the potential risks can outweigh the benefits, making a medically supervised detox the safer and more effective choice.
As we offer private alcohol detox and rehab treatment, admissions into our clinic can be fast with no long waiting lists.
We provide rehabilitation over a period of four weeks in a residential environment, although shorter stays can be offered.
Residential treatment is the most widely recommended method for treating alcohol addictions. We strongly believe that treating you away from your home environment helps to fully address any issues that may be contributing to the addiction you are battling. In turn, once you go home you are able to approach life with a new attitude. You are also equipped with the skills needed to remain in recovery for the rest of your life.
Treatment methods such as cognitive behavioural therapy and one to one counselling are utilised as a part of the alcohol rehab process upon successful completion of alcohol detox.
These methods help give you the best possible chance of recovery with no exceptions as they aim to mentally prepare your mind to notice any potential triggers and how best to deal with them to prevent any risk of a relapse. Our trained specialists are available to treat the cause of your addiction as well as the symptoms.
Alongside your alcohol detox and rehab treatment, we also provide an onsite chef who will prepare your food throughout the day and a laundry service. This ensures that everything is taken care of so you are able to focus all efforts on tackling alcohol addiction with complete focus.
Fortunately, Cassiobury Court offers comprehensive alcohol detox as the first stage of an alcohol rehab programme. Before embarking on a range of therapies and a comprehensive rehab programme, a detox from alcohol will be the first step.
Opting for an alcohol detoxification within a rehab is the safest option, it ensures that your symptoms of alcohol withdrawal are managed with the right team around you. This kind of assistance within a rehab like Cassiobury Court is often referred to as a ‘medically assisted alcohol detox’ so what does this actually mean?
To find out more about alcohol detox and withdrawal as well as our full rehabilitation programmes, contact us on 01923 369 161. We will talk you through our different treatment options and make you feel at ease about your alcohol dependency – we have been providing medically assisted detox and withdrawals for substance abuse disorders for almost a decade and know how to make you feel comfortable about them.
If you quit drinking after prolonged alcohol abuse, it will be unlikely that you won't experience any of these withdrawal symptoms as part of detox.
These symptoms can be divided into two different categories:
Physical Withdrawal Symptoms:
Psychological Withdrawal Symptoms:
Delirium Tremens is defined as a psychotic condition typical of withdrawal in chronic alcoholics, involving tremors, hallucinations, anxiety, and disorientation.
Common symptoms which are associated with DTs include:
Yes it is rare, but Delirium Tremens can be fatal.
This is why it is important to undergo detox in a medically supervised environment, as detoxing from alcohol without supervision can be dangerous.
Usually this is not possible. If your body has been dependent on alcohol for a while then you will almost certainly experience withdrawal symptoms when undertaking detox.
Symptoms from a substance abuse detox normally peak by 24 hours to 48 hours – but if you are a heavy drinker – usually, it will take 7 to 10 days to fully detox from alcohol. The detox process usually varies depending on the drinker.
John Gillen is a leading addiction treatment expert with over 15 years of experience providing evidence-based treatment methods for individuals throughout the UK. John also co-authors the book, The Secret Disease of Addiction, which delves into how the addictive mind works and what treatment techniques work best.
Dr. Olalekan Otulana MBChB, DRCOG, MRCGP, DFSRH, FRSPH, MBA (Cantab)
Dr Otulana is a highly experienced GP and Addiction Physician. He has a specialist interest in Substance Misuse Management and he has a wide range of experience in the assessment, management (including detoxification) and residential rehabilitation of clients with various drug and substance addiction problems. His main aim is to comprehensively assess patients with addiction problems and determine their treatment needs for medical detoxification treatments and psychological interventions. He is also experienced in managing patients who require dual drug and alcohol detoxification treatments.
A strong healthcare services professional with a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree from Cambridge University Judge Business School.
