Private Alcohol Home Detox Treatment

Call our local number 01603 513 091
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Call our local number 01603 513 091
Request Call Back
Call our local number 01603 513 091
Request Call Back

Important

Please note the Abbeycare Home Detox service is subject to availability. Please contact us for current options personalised to your needs.

Detoxing at home

Alcohol home detox provides a means of semi-supervised addiction treatment in the comfort of your home. It’s often suitable for those with inescapable practical commitments, or where a reduced budget for treatment is available.

An at-home detox is the most basic detox option available from Abbeycare, and assumes you have support available, post-detox, for the other important elements of long-term addiction recovery.

It may not be suitable if you have other physical health issues, more serious symptoms, a history of relapse in addiction recovery, or limited support.  

This is because, the process does not include an in-house medical professional, or healthcare professional, or the benefits of an inpatient treatment option from an addiction treatment centre.

Why detox at home?

Modern life and its commitments mean that not everyone can or is willing to spend the time going into a residential rehab for a period of time.

Work, children and other family and life commitments mean that detox from alcohol at a rehab facility is often out of the question.

This is where an alcohol home detox comes in, where you can complete detoxification in the comfort of your own home with no disruption to normal life (although, depending on your circumstances, it’s advisable to take a short period of time off employment).

In addition, alcohol addiction treatment for at home detox is more cost-effective than inpatient treatment at a residential clinic.

What is a home detox?

An alcohol home detox is a managed treatment for alcohol addiction in the comfort of your home (or any other safe environment), to gradually remove yourself from your alcohol and drug addiction.

The detox process is usually undertaken using sedatives and/or other prescribed medication such as vitamins to alleviate severe withdrawal symptoms and unpleasantness, as well as any medical complications and the dangerous side effects of alcohol withdrawal that will ultimately help you stop drinking.

This is different to a full private rehab treatment, that is normally done at one of our residential clinics.

What is involved in detoxing at home and how does it work?

We will arrange for professional treatment with many treatment options. A specialist addictions nurse will visit you at your home and carry out a full medical examination.

They will do the following:

  • Identifying any mental health issues
  • Your level of alcohol dependence.
  • Your drinking habits
  • Your blood pressure
  • Any blood analysis.
  • Prescribing some prescription drugs, to help with the withdrawal process and to help alleviate the withdrawal symptoms which can sometimes be extremely severe when dealing with alcohol and substance use.
  • The most commonly used drugs for severe symptoms are; Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) and, less often, Diazepam (Valium).
  • Providing medical assistance
  • Advising on a healthy diet.
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All of our nurses are specialist addictions nurses. 

abbeycare Addiction specialists

They have a wealth of experience, and can offer treatment options to make the detox as hassle-free as possible. Abbeycare recognises that not everyone can commit to a in-house, residential detox, and that clients still require professional treatment and would prefer to have this treatment at home, in private, assisted by professionals. 

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How long does treatment at home usually last?

An alcohol home detox usually lasts around 7 days. This can vary slightly depending on the level of alcohol dependence which also gives a clue as to how long you have been consuming alcohol.

Call Abbeycare now and find out more and book an alcohol home detoxification: 01603 513 091

When do I need a detox at home?

A detox is ideal for people who would wish to stop drinking. But often you are too busy or can't afford to visit an alcohol rehab clinic near you in order to detox from alcohol.

One worrying aspect of this treatment is, that your body experiences alcohol withdrawal, which can be pretty severe.

Common alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Shaky hands, arms, legs and feet
  • Hot and cold sweats
  • Agitation, irritability and restlessness
  • Anxiety, irrational fear and/or panic
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Vomiting and nausea

What are the benefits of medically supervised help? 

It is important to first note that - for any detox from alcohol to home, you must be willing to go the distance, and you must also be committed and determined to stop drinking. 

A medically supervised medical detox from home has the following benefits:

  • It is cost-effective
  • It is very fast
  • Your family and friends are able to help with the process
  • There are no rules.
  • It provides a controlled detox with privacy

What are some of the risks for a home-based programme?

It should be made clear that detoxing from alcohol at home, even under controlled supervision, is not a suitable option for everyone. 

Sadly, detoxing from alcohol always involves some associated risks, and there are inevitably some cases our addiction nurses may conclude are not appropriate for treatment.

This could include chronic health concern, severe and acute symptoms, risk of alcohol misuse, risk of alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and other effects of alcohol withdrawal that are in most cases extremely dangerous.


Are you eligible for home detox?

Should you have concerns whether you are suitable for detox from alcohol at home, or your ability to control the alcohol withdrawal, please ask our specialist advisers for personalised medical detox advice. 01603 513 091.

Please note that the "At Home Detox" service is only available to people living in England. We are planning to extend our service to the rest of the UK shortly.  Please call to find out if our service is available in your area. 

Our 'Inpatient' (treatments at our clinics) programmes are available nationwide as usual. 

How to deal with alcohol withdrawal symptoms while detoxing at home

When detoxing from home, one of the main concerns will be how to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and treating alcohol withdrawals. Here are some tips that can help deal with this;

Look for drinks that contain electrolytes

This helps with nausea and dehydration.

Do not do it alone

You need as much support as possible during this time.

Try to ride out the cravings

Just try to get through it. It will pass.

Take a cold shower

This helps you physically reset your body, when experiencing strong urges.

Exercise

This is one of the best tools when experiencing these symptoms.

Meditate

Deep breathing helps you stay relaxed and balanced during withdrawal.

Always remember that when you stop drinking, the withdrawal symptoms can drain your body, so, when in pain lean in, do not allow yourself to numb this pain by drinking alcohol. Once the withdrawal symptoms subside, you will be proud that you did it. 

The home support you’ll receive from Abbeycare professionals

Following initial assessment by our nurse, and acceptance for treatment, your detox will usually begin promptly. For now, we only serve England - please call to find out if our service has extended to the rest of the UK. 

The necessary arrangements are made for medically assisted detox at home, that includes medication, which is administered by our nurse.

You will receive supervised visits several times per day for the first few days, to oversee symptoms, gauge your healing response, and ensure your safety and that you are not drinking alcohol at home.

Whilst alcohol home detox is the most basic treatment option available, in some cases our specialists may be able to advise on local support groups and other alcohol service options available, post-detox.

Detox at home vs. Inpatient option

Home detox options typically rely on the individual having access to professional medical detox for long term recovery support in order to stop drinking alcohol safely.

This means, having the motivation, and follow through, to access and consistently follow up on supports that will aid your addiction recovery in the long term, such as counselling, working with a sponsor, and attending mutual aid meetings.

An inpatient detox at a residential clinic or treatment facility, provides a full treatment regimen and programme is usually provided. See the Abbeycare detox options here.

This means, structured daily treatment elements that include detox, therapeutic intervention to help with underlying issues, and tailored aftercare support options that meet your needs for the future.

Our main residential clinics are Gloucestershire & Abbeycare Scotland.

Inpatient (residential) treatment

In many cases a full residential rehab treatment in a clinic, can be a more suitable option as it provides:

  • 24/7 supervision
  • Greater aftercare and long-term support options
  • Therapeutic help for underlying issues
  • Isolation from triggers during treatment
  • A network of suitable social peers to reinforce the changes you make

However, not everyone can commit to alcohol addiction treatment like Abbeycare's, often due to practicalities in life, or budget availability. Our inpatient service is available nationwide. 

What happens after I've completed my detox?

In the days following detox any questions or concerns can be raised by telephone with our addictions nurse specialist who can advise accordingly.

However, by definition, home detox options mean that the elements of further aftercare, normally taken care of by addiction staff in a residential setting, must be set up and maintained by you.

Where options are limited, in many cases Abbeycare can offer aftercare packages, tailored to your needs, at additional cost.

Be prepared to commit to long term recovery following a detox at home

The detox is the first stage to a life of abstinence. Once the detox is complete, clients should embark on a post-detox strategy to remain abstinent. Attending therapy can help you cope with the reasons for drinking excessively as well as providing tools and strategies to cope with cravings.

We would strongly advise undertaking an aftercare therapy package as it is a proven route to overcoming alcoholism.

As different people respond to different therapies and aftercare treatments, our team can provide information and arrange a suitable therapist local to you.

Many people also find attending an abstinence-based support network also extremely helpful in remaining sober such as Alcoholics Anonymous and the SMART recovery network.


FAQ –  for before treatment starts: 

Is at-home detox offered in my area of the country?

We have specialists travelling all over England providing the home detox service, please ring direct on 01603 513 091 to find out if we are in your area.

At the time of writing this - we are not yet serving Wales or Scotland, but please call to find out if our at home detox service has already extended to your area. 

How quickly can I begin?

Timescales can vary, simply due to the availability of our nurses’ diaries, however, detox can usually begin around 48-72 hrs. after your initial enquiry by phone.

Will I be assessed before treatment?

Yes. Our specialist advisers can complete a brief initial eligibility check with you over the phone, whilst the final decision on your suitability lies with our addiction specialist nurses.

I’ve had multiple previous detoxes, or I have a history of relapse, am I eligible for your home detox package?

It depends. We do try to work flexibly wherever possible, however, each individual is assessed on their unique position and circumstances, including health, medication, pre-existing issues, how much alcohol remains in your central nervous system, alcohol usage patterns, and a host of other factors.

For specific advice tailored to your needs, our advisers are available on 01603 513 091.

I’ve been to residential rehab before, I feel like I know what addiction recovery is about, is detoxing at home a good option for me?

It can be. In many cases, where you have enough post-detox support available, home detox can be a viable option for getting your recovery back on track, assuming you have supports in place and motivation to follow through on this.

However in some cases, rehab facilities are a better option.

Much depends on your unique history with alcohol, motivation and what you hope to achieve. Our specialists have helped 1000’s and can give specific advice: 01603 513 091.

Does home detox offer the possibility of viable long-term recovery?

Again, this depends on how much effort you put in.

Any detox program should only be considered to be the first stage, of a much longer addiction recovery process, and there is no detox program which will do the underlying work for you.

Like most things in life, your success in long term recovery, is up to you!

Do you need to access my medical records, to begin?

The decision re medical suitability lies of course with our medical specialists, and if they feel it necessary or appropriate, they may request access to medical details.

Should you have concerns re this from the outset, please speak direct with our advisers on your unique situation.

How do I book detox at home?

We can arrange a home detox for you when you ring us direct on 01603 513 091.

What does home detox cost?

Alcohol home detoxing is our entry level treatment and offers a budget friendly option for most.

Please see our pricing page for more information for current pricing and availability, specific to your needs, timescales, and location.

How does payment work?

Payment is accepted by most debit and credit cards, or BACS or direct transfer via internet banking. Payment for home detox is required in full prior to treatment commencing.

Do you offer payment plans for home detox?

Abbeycare do not currently offer finance arrangements, although this is subject to change. Please ring direct on 01603 513 091 for more information.

What to eat during your detox (diet)?

For most, alcohol acts as an appetite suppressant, and the excesses of previous alcohol consumption have led to reduced weight or desire for food.

Once detox begins in earnest, and any initial symptoms have resolved, appetite usually returns, allowing a complete physical recovery, over time.

Our addictions nurse can advise on elements of health and wellbeing during detox, including appropriate dietary options. These are usually on a case-by-case basis.

Typically, this will focus on initial rehydration, drinking water, and rebuilding strength lost during alcohol abuse and last consuming alcohol.

In some cases, additional vitamins or minerals may be prescribed or advised, depending on specifics.

FAQ – During your treatment:

After I book, what happens next?

Our nurse specialist will ring you direct to complete an initial assessment and eligibility check.

If suitable, they will arrange to accept payment and arrange a suitable date and time for treatment to begin.

Am I expected to stay at home for the duration of the treatment?

Your safety, and that of others, must be prioritised when undertaking detox.

Since you will be on medication during detox, the safest option will be to remain at home.

Will I feel withdrawal symptoms, cravings, or side-effects during treatment?

This will vary from individual to individual, depending on a number of factors, such as past alcohol intake, liver function, etc.

Our medical specialists personalize detox medication, and levels, to your needs; and side-effects or reactions are usually minimized in this way.

What medication is prescribed during home detox?

The specific medication prescribed is of course decided by the medical specialist working with you, however detox is usually undertaken using a medication from the diazepine family, such as diazepam or chlordiazepoxide, to minimize risks of withdrawal and/or alcoholic seizure.

I have specific psychological issues, such as trauma, PTSD, or a complex psychiatric diagnosis – will home detox help address these?

No. Unfortunately detoxing addresses only the elements of physical and chemical withdrawal from alcohol, the attending specialist will not be able to help with the underlying beliefs, psychological patterns, or diagnoses that may lie behind your alcohol use – this is where therapeutic work and aftercare come in.

What support do I get during whilst detoxing?

The alcohol home detox package is a semi-supervised option.

This means, our specialists will visit you, several times per day, during the first few days of detox, to monitor your symptoms, reactions, administer medication, and answer any questions you may have.

FAQ – for after your treatment finishes:

What happens after home detox?

The home detox package is our entry level treatment, and any aftercare or follow up treatment, must be arranged by you.

Additional support may be available from local mutual aid meetings, such as Alcoholics Anonymous or SMART recovery.

One option is to seek out a sponsor, who may be able to work with you, over the long term.

Meditation, private group, or one-to-one therapy and counselling can also assist in maintaining abstinence from alcohol over time, following detox.

Abbeycare can also often arrange therapeutic help follow-up sessions, where appropriate, at additional cost – ring direct on 01603 513 091 for the options available.

For more answers to frequently asked questions about alcohol rehab, visit our FAQ page.

Why get home alcohol addiction treatment from Abbeycare?

Abbeycare is the UK’s leading residential alcohol treatment and detox centre.

We recognize that many people are often unable to commit to residential rehab but still require treatment and would prefer this at home.

Abbeycare have been successfully delivering alcohol home detoxification via trusted third party nurse specialists, for 10 years.

We’ve helped hundreds (if not thousands) – and sometimes even more serious cases. We can probably help you too.

You can rest assured that Abbeycare always have the client’s needs, thoughts and requirements at the very top of our priorities.


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About the author

Laura Morris

Laura Morris is an experienced clinical practitioner and CQC Registered Manager with over twenty years experience, over ten of which have been as an Independent Nurse Prescriber.

She has held a number of senior leadership roles in the substance use and mental health sector in the NHS, the prison service and in leading social enterprises in the field.

Last Updated: October 31, 2023