Where to Find NHS Drug Detox in the UK

Although the hardest part of drug recovery is often admitting that the problem exists in the first place, many people with the illness often find the idea of detox to be particularly difficult. An NHS drug detox may be something that many individuals look for in the first instance because the NHS is where they turn whenever they have any health issues – and drug addiction is a health issue. However, there are a number of options when it comes to drug detox.

What is a Drug Detox?

Overcoming a drug addiction will require treatment from professional counsellors and therapists in most cases. But before rehabilitation can begin, the individual must be clean from drugs and have a clear head. This involves the process of detoxification, which involves quitting drugs and waiting until all traces of the toxins have been expelled from the body.

Although drug detox may sound a simple enough process, it can be quite unpleasant for the person involved. The reason for this is that the body almost always reacts to the fact that the supply of drugs it has become dependent on is cut off.

Those who have been abusing drugs for many years are likely to have developed a physical dependence on them, and when he or she suddenly stops taking the drugs the body must compensate and try to get back to normal; this results in a number of withdrawal symptoms.

What to Expect from Drug Detox?

During drug use, the body is subjected to a number of chemical ups and downs. Depending on the actual drug that has been abused, the body has spent a long time fighting the effects. It has either been trying to speed up if the affected individual were addicted to a depressant such as marijuana or heroin, or slow down if the person were abusing a stimulant such as cocaine.

When the supply of drugs is cut off, the body gets out of balance and must compensate more than usual in an effort to return to normal. This often results in a number of withdrawal symptoms including mood swings, hallucinations, headaches, sweating, tremors, and nausea.

Drug detox can be unpleasant, and the affected person is likely to feel unwell, especially in the early days. The length of the detox will depend on the type of drug that was being abused, the general health of the individual in question, and the time the person has been addicted. However, most drug detoxes will last for a few days to a number of weeks. And in most instances, the individual will feel better after a few weeks.

While drug detox is straightforward for most, there is always the risk of complications from severe withdrawal symptoms, so most experts would advise those who want to quit drugs to detox under the careful supervision of a medical professional.

Where to Detox

When it comes to supervised detox facilities, patients usually have the option of a private drug detox or an NHS drug detox. NHS drug detox programmes have the benefit of being free of charge, but the biggest drawback is the waiting times. A GP can refer the patient to his or her nearest NHS drug detox facility, but most will have to wait for weeks before being seen.

For that reason, many people prefer to look for a private drug detox programme instead. The most significant benefit of a private drug detox is the fact that admission can usually take place within twenty-four hours. For families, this can be vital because many fear that if their addicted loved one has to wait weeks for treatment, it will give him or her plenty of time to change their minds.

As well as private and NHS drug detox programmes, there is another option – detoxing at home. This is something that some individuals would prefer to consider, but the reality is that it is not usually a good idea. Detoxing in a supervised facility is the safest and most comfortable way to quit drugs, but that does not mean that everyone is going to want to do it.

What to Consider About a Home Detox?

If you are considering a home detox, there are a number of things to bear in mind. For starters, you MUST have someone with you at all times: day and night. This may mean asking more than one person to take shifts during the process.

A drug detox has the potential to turn into a medical emergency if the individual undergoing the detox suffers seizures, convulsions or paranoid delusions, so he or she must be supervised at all times.

Before you even think about detoxing at home, you should get checked by a doctor or nurse with experience of addiction and detox, and inform them of your plans. The medical professional will give you his or her expert opinion about your health and state of mind as well as whether they believe a home detox to be a safe option.

Private or NHS Drug Detox?

For those who want to detox in a supervised facility, the question of whether to opt for private drug detox or an NHS drug detox is one they may need help with. Here at Recovery.org.uk, we can provide you with information about your options and can offer support when it comes to making up your mind.

We understand that cost may be an issue when it comes to drug treatment, but we also know that the waiting times associated with public care may be counterproductive to some individuals overcoming their addiction.

Whether you are suffering from drug addiction yourself or else you are enquiring on behalf of a loved one, Recovery.org.uk, can help. Our staff have years of experience when it comes to helping people with all types of addiction. Some of our staff have been through their own recovery journeys so are therefore best placed to offer first-hand advice and information on the process of detoxification and rehabilitation.

We will go through the pros and cons of both private and NHS drug detox with you so that you can make an informed decision. Contact us today for more information.