Medically Managed Detox from Drugs and Alcohol

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


The Clinically Managed Detox Abbeycare delivers in either one of their specialised recovery rehabs is a person-centred and uniquely tailored experience.

Prepared by an addiction/recovery specific medical Doctor the Detox will be designed and prescribed with the safety and comfort of patient in mind.

Sudden withdrawal from substances that have created a dependence can create many unpleasant side effects. The Detox at Abbeycare will be prescribed to reduce all these side effects allowing a transfer from problematic alcohol and drug use to seamless recovery.

After the detox has finished the patient will be drug/alcohol free and ready to commence rehab.

The Detox at Abbeycare is a vital part of the three phases a programme participant undertakes and is the first step onto a new life, one free from the harms attached to substance use disorders.

Clinical Managed Detox – An Individualised Approach

Detox is catered to the individual and their presenting condition.

The specialist medical doctor at Abbeycare will review the ‘assessment’ and ‘medical summary notes’ of the potential resident.

Then after the initial conversation between Doctor and Client detox will be agreed.

Detox lasts between 7 to 14 days.

Detox is normally administered 3/4 times per day and is tapered off gradually.

  • Assessment
  • Medical Summary Report
  • Conversation with specialist addiction Doctor
  • Prescription i.e. Detox regime begins
  • Detox finishes

Those attending Abbeycare will each present with differing dependences. There may be those using alcohol problematically or those using drugs or a combination of both.

Regardless how a participant enters Abbeycare the Medical Doctor can create an effective Detox.

When preparing a clinically managed detox the medical team will need certain information before proceeding.

  • A Medical Summary Report
  • A Telephone Assessment

The Medical Summary Report is requested from the Clients own GP and is required before entrance into rehab can occur.

Why is this report so important?

As a residential Rehab Abbeycare’s facilities are governed by appropriate bodies responsible for the care and support of vulnerable adults entering rehab. Such as Scotland’s Care Inspectorate and England and Wales Quality Care Commission.

The above are governing bodies who direct Abbeycare in the safety of all patients accessing the service. The latest Care Commission Report can be found on Abbeycare’s web page.

The welfare of all new patients is considered high priority therefore the accessing the medical summary report will inform the medical team of any underlying mental or physical health conditions their potential patients may have.

This is a vital component in the creation of a Detox.

Areas of high importance such as Liver Damage or affecting mental health conditions are considered to ensure the patient will be able to safety and comfortably complete the detox.

Other areas that will be considered are:

Physical Health Problems

  • Liver damage
  • Heart problems
  • Respiratory Disorders
  • Blood Disorders
  • Stomach problems
  • Bowel disorders
  • Brain damage
  • Seizures and blackouts

Mental Health Problems

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Stress
  • Schizophrenia
  • Borderline Personality Disorder
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

The medical team will consider these as well as medications prescribed by the GP to counteract these conditions when writing the individualised Detox prescription.

A Telephone Assessment

A telephone assessment will be conducted by The Admissions Team on 01603 513 091. The Admissions Team is comprised of specialist telephone advisors with multiple years of delivering recovery programmes and successfully admitting new patients into rehab.

The telephone assessment is undertaken to gain a comprehensive picture of the patient and covers many important areas such as:

  • Personal Details and next of kin
  • GP’s name and address
  • The amount of alcohol being consumed
  • The type of and number of drugs being consumed
  • Prescribed medications by GP
  • Physical Health Problems
  • Mental Health Problems
  • Liver function test results (where applicable)
  • Allergies
  • Children and childcare
  • Motivation to change
  • Employment status
  • Criminal Justice Involvement
  • Travel arrangements
  • COVID-19 Status

All these details in particular the areas already mentioned i.e. physical and mental health, alcohol and drug consumption, liver problems and prescribed medications will be considered before the writing of the Detox prescription is completed.

Types of Medication Prescribed in Clinically Managed Detox

The type of medication prescribed will depend on the type of drug the client has been consuming, the amount, the duration, other prescribed medications being used and any side effects they may be experiencing.

  • Type of alcohol or drug/s
  • Amount of alcohol or drug/s
  • Duration of usage
  • Prescribed medications
  • Any side effects from substance/s

Here are two examples:

Those dependant on alcohol may receive:

  • Chlordiazepoxide
  • Thiamine or Pabrinex

Chlordiazepoxide more commonly known as Librium is given to reduce the uncomfortable effects of withdrawal.

Thiamine is given to assist in memory and brain functioning as alcoholics may be at risk of B1 Thiamine deficiency.

Pabrinex can also be delivered to those at risk of Wernicke’s Encephalopathy.

Those dependant on heroin may receive:

  • Buprenorphine

An example may be Suboxone which combines Buprenorphine and Subutex and works to reduce pain from opiate withdrawal as well as blocking the cravings for the further use of opiates.

The medical team may also Detox an individual by reducing the amount of substance they are already on, take Diazepam for example. The amount can be slowly decreased in a Clinically Supervised Detox setting.

The detox at Abbeycare is generally on a sliding scale up to four times per day and individuals are tapered off to ensure the Detox medication is gradually reduced to ensure there are no adverse withdrawal symptoms.

Patients are monitored by the team of specialists delivering the detox medication and alterations are made as and when required. With the ultimate goal of a successful, comfortable Detox at the forefront.

Types of drug consumption prior to Detox

Those accessing the Clinically Managed Detox at Abbeycare may be on one particular form of alcohol or drugs. They may also be on a combination of alcohol and drugs or multiple types of drugs.

Abbeycare can detox patients on:

This list is not exhaustive but has been written for illustrative purposes to capture the scale of alcohol and drug use that can be catered for within Abbeycare’s specialised recovery based rehabs.

Cocaine typically does not require physical detox but there are ways that encourage a safe withdrawal.

What else happens in Abbeycare during Detox?

Week 1 in Abbeycare 

During Covid-19 the programme on offer at Abbeycare is slightly different for residents as the first week of treatment (inclusive of detox) is spent in isolation.

However, therapy still occurs and the resident in Phase 1 will work through the Week 1 Programme in their room.

In Week 1 the ‘isolation phase’ the resident meets with their allocated Case Manager 3-4 times per week for a one to one session. The Case Manager will set specific tasks to be undertaken to ensure focus is kept on the recovery from alcohol and drugs use.

In the morning session via ZOOM two groups will be delivered. Group one is a ‘feelings check’ group to identify how the participant is feeling and help them connect with the rest of the group.

Group 2 is the meditation group designed to quiet the mind and eliminate any racing or negative thoughts. Creating a feeling of calm and peacefulness within.

In week one an allocated team member will support residents on walks appropriate to their wellbeing throughout the lush grounds attached to the rehab.

In the evening Abbeycare will link into recovery meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous AA, Narcotics Anonymous NA and Cocaine Anonymous CA via Zoom to empower the resident by motivating them to keep on going. By the inspirational stories of others who have been in similar circumstances.

Even though a patient is Detoxing they are still actively working on their own recovery journeys and beginning to implement the life changing benefits on offer within Abbeycare.

This may seem unexpected to clients or those considering rehab as most connect a Detox with pain and discomfort and not self-learning, self-discovery and self-change.

However all of this is possible for the patient In an environment conducive to long-term recovery from alcohol and/or drugs such as Abbeycare.

Clinically Managed Detox versus Home Detox

There are pros and cons to both Clinically Managed Detox and Home Detox.

Clinically Managed Detox Pro’s:

  • Client is removed from home environment
  • The ability to purchase alcohol and or/drugs is removed
  • Every area of Abbeycare’s programme is designed to promote long-term recovery
  • Detox is delivered in a safe professional environment
  • Rehab programme includes intensive Individual Counselling and Group Counselling (See Individual Counselling and Group Counselling Articles)
  • Clients can attend professionally delivered Aftercare Post Rehab (See Aftercare Article)
  • Holistic Therapies are delivered supporting physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing
  • Clients develop a peer group and supportive friendship that can transfer from rehab living into community living
  • Skills and techniques to promote long-term recovery are learned and can be self- delivered post-rehab
  • Relapse Prevention strategy created for client
  • Private healthcare can be accessed to pay for treatment


Clinically Managed Detox Con’s

  • Time spent away from life responsibilities including employment and childcare can be difficult to organise
  • The cost of a stay in private rehab
  • Transition from rehab to home living
  • Sharing the recovery environment with different types of people
  • May need to travel out with home area to access rehab


Home Detox Pro’s

  • Those unable to attend residential rehab can still access therapy in the community
  • Patients can continue employment
  • Childcare can continue in the family home
  • Outpatient Treatment Programmes cost less than Private Inpatient Treatment Programmes
  • With Home Detox patients do not need to leave the comfort of their own homes
  • Participants can attend daily 12 Step groups
  • There is no transition from residential to home living


Home Detox Con’s

  • Stresses involved with home living
  • No access to a therapeutic environment designed for long-term recovery
  • Client may be unsuitable for home detox
  • Not accessing a peer group to offer support
  • Increased risk of relapse due to lack of Aftercare attendance



Clinically Managed Detox is a safe, professional and monitored way to withdraw substances from the body.

The benefit of detoxing in a clinic is vast as the prescription can be increased or decreased to meet the need of the client.

The clinic can deliver the meds at set times throughout the day in an environment created for the care and attention of the client.

Success rates for completing the Clinically Managed Detox are high as the patient is removed from the home environment and the ability to purchase and use alcohol or drugs.

Whilst undertaking therapy conducive to achieving and maintaining long-term sobriety.

Frequently Asked Questions

“I am using Cocaine I have heard Doctors will not prescribe Detox meds for this drug is that true?”

There is no one approved Detox drug for Cocaine, but meds can be prescribed to reduce any feelings of anxiety, paranoia or depression to help with the mental withdrawals.

As the chemicals withdraw and the body competes to return to a place of homeostasis and abstinence from the substance.

Also, Psychotherapists are on hand to talk through any difficult feelings and emotions that the client may be feeling regardless of the substance that was taken prior to detox and rehab.

“I’ve not had a liver test can I still get detoxed?”

All detox prescriptions are written on an individualised basis. Patients will be monitored during the time of detox. The medical doctor will make detox decisions based on the medical history of the patient.

If you are worried about liver damage contact your GP for a discussion they may refer you for a liver scan.

It is important to tell a medical professional if you start to display symptoms of liver disease.

“Does Abbeycare deliver a Home Detox?”

Home Detox is available on request as part of the Outpatient Treatment Programme Abbeycare has to offer.

This is the only part of outpatient recovery that is delivered without previous attendance on one of Abbeycare’s residential Rehab Programmes. 

An addiction nurse specialist will review potential patients suitability for home detox. Considering areas such as physical and mental health problems to ensure the participant will be safe to detox at home.

“Can I leave Abbeycare as soon as I am Detoxed?”

Currently government restrictions from Health England, Wales and Scotland have advised Abbeycare that a minimum of 14 Days stay within the rehab facility is advised.

To read more about Abbeycare’s response to Covid-19 Latest Information from Abbeycare.

However, Abbeycare recommends the 28 Day Programme.

NB: The 28 Day programme has been created to ensure the participant has a full experience of recovery by attendance on the many therapeutic interventions delivered. These tried and tested approaches use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) and the 12 Steps to bring about a full and robust change of thinking and behaviour conducive to long term sobriety and freedom from active addiction.

Following detox, it's essential to undertake a rehabilitation programme for alcohol or drugs that addresses the underlying psycho-social issues underpinning the addictive patterns.

Addiction to alcohol and drugs can affect every area of life from health, finances, relationships, jobs, children and peace of mind. Addiction is all consuming.

Therefore, recovery needs to be progressive and positive in its attempt to eliminate the desire to use substances harmful to health. Recovery involves freedom.

Recovery is available for anyone regardless of background, drug they choose to use or length of time they have used substances for. The cycle can be broken.

If you visualise yourself free from alcohol and drugs living a happy and productive life?

And wish to learn more about our Addiction Treatment or Clinically Managed Detox call our free 24/7 Helpline on 01603 513 091 or fill out the form below to speak to a trained addiction counsellor.


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