Our specialised alcohol detox programs are designed to help people stop drinking alcohol safely and comfortably. Our medical and addiction team provide the medication and care needed to help people cease drinking and minimise or eliminate alcohol withdrawals.. We offer a range of detoxification programs and aftercare support, as part of our wider alcohol rehab programs that help people get sober and stay sober.
We specialise in tailored medically supervised detox to help ease the side effects of withdrawals and to prepare you to take the next step towards freedom from addiction.
Medical Alcohol Detox in London
At this stage, the brain stops producing chemicals such as serotonin or dopamine and instead relies on the chemicals in alcohol to do so. Alcohol detox is therefore needed to clear the system of any toxins that have built up over time as a result of heavy drinking.
The Lighthouse clinic is a fully residential addiction treatment facility, situated just over an hour’s drive from central London, providing excellent quality of care to all clients seeking drug detox near London.
Our detox facility is set within a quiet residential street, just a short walk from Shoebury East Beach, and the perfect environment for anyone wishing to begin their journey to recovery.
Alcohol Detox Treatment When You Need It
Our London detox clinic is designed to help give you tailored addiction treatment. By only accommodating 11 people at any time, the staff are able to focus on each person and tailor the care to their specific needs. Fully furnished, spacious rooms provide clients with a safe and relaxing environment to begin their road to recovery.
Where there is an alcohol dependence, a medical alcohol detox is the safest proven way to withdraw from alcohol.
At this stage, the brain stops producing chemicals such as serotonin or dopamine and instead relies on the chemicals in alcohol to do so. Alcohol detox is therefore needed to clear the system of any toxins that have built up over time as a result of heavy drinking.
Our clinic is a fully residential addiction treatment facility, situated just over an hour’s drive from central London, providing excellent quality of care to all clients seeking drug detox near London.
Our detox facility is set within a quiet residential street, just a short walk from Shoebury East Beach, and the perfect environment for anyone wishing to begin their journey to recovery.
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Getting to Step By Step Detox Clinic in London
The Lighthouse clinic is conveniently near London, just over one hour away by train from Central London. Shoeburyness train station is just a short walk from our premises:
1A, The Lighthouse, Southchurch Ave, Shoeburyness, Southend-on-Sea SS3 9BA
We also have two rehab consultation offices based in London:
Step-by-Step Recovery Rehab London, 39 Harley Street, LondonW1G 8QH
Nearest station: Oxford Street
Step-by-Step Drug & Alcohol Rehab, 5-7 Cranwood St, Hoxton, LondonEC1V 9EE
Nearest station: Old Street
We can also provide a transport service which collects clients and escorts them to our treatment centre.
Is Alcohol Detox Necessary?
Long-term alcohol use often results in physical dependence and later addiction. Physical dependence occurs when the body becomes used to the presence of alcohol and needs it in order to function normally.
At this stage, the brain stops producing chemicals such as serotonin or dopamine and instead relies on the chemicals in alcohol to do so. Alcohol detox is therefore needed to clear the system of any toxins that have built up over time as a result of heavy drinking.
The Lighthouse clinic is a fully residential addiction treatment facility, situated just over an hour’s drive from central London, providing excellent quality of care to all clients seeking drug detox near London.
Our detox facility is set within a quiet residential street, just a short walk from Shoebury East Beach, and the perfect environment for anyone wishing to begin their journey to recovery.
In-patient & Out-patient Detox in London
When searching for alcohol detox in London, you must be aware of the various types of detox available to you. There are two main types of rehab facility – inpatient and outpatient – both of which can offer a medical detox. However, you can also opt for an unmedicated detox if a doctor has assessed you and confirmed that it is safe to do so.
Both types of detox facilities are considered effective, however, if your alcohol addiction is especially severe, an inpatient facility is recommended to ensure your safety.
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What is In-patient Detox?
The withdrawal process can be frightening, especially for anyone who has been through it before. Depending on which substance you’re treating, withdrawal symptoms will vary from mild to severe. Fortunately, during an inpatient detox, you will receive around the clock support from staff who are on hand to ensure you are comfortable during this stage of the programme.
Choosing an inpatient rehab for your detox means you are removed from your environment and unable to access alcohol. This is especially significant because the risk of relapse is incredibly high during withdrawal. If you are not detoxing on an inpatient basis, and you consume alcohol during this stage, the consequences can be fatal.
What is an Outpatient Detox?
Outpatient treatment is an option for people who cannot commit to a residential stay for any reason. This form of detox still presents many benefits and allows individuals the flexibility of treatment without too much disruption to their daily lives.
Due to the severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms, it is recommended that you never go through an alcohol detox alone. This is especially important if you are in the latter stages of alcoholism. Although rare, some of the severe side effects of alcohol detox include seizures, aspiration pneumonia, heart arrhythmia and hallucinations.
How to Choose Which Alcohol Detox
Deciding to get help is the first major step in your journey towards sobriety; however, deciding where you should go to receive treatment may be the most important. When searching for alcohol detox in London, you should first consider your specific needs.
Some people require long-term residential care because their addiction involves complex issues such as co-occurring mental health disorders. You will also need to decide whether you can commit to full-time care or opt for outpatient treatment.
Next, you will need to choose your preferred location. The Lighthouse clinic is situated in an ideal setting for people who want to undergo detox close to London but in a calm and more relaxing environment. It’s not uncommon for people to opt for a detox facility further away from home, and there are several benefits of doing so.
Travelling somewhere new for alcohol detox can reinforce new beginnings and finally detaching from your addiction. Being in a different location also means you are away from triggers, such as people and places. Psychologically, many people find this to help in their recovery.
Free Alcohol detoxes in London
Unfortunately, there are currently no free residential detox clinics in London, although it may be possible to get a referral through the NHS if you’re unable to fund treatment.
However, the waiting lists for referrals can be frustratingly lengthy. Alcoholism is a serious illness, and delaying necessary treatment can be life-threatening.
In addition to NHS referrals, there are many free alcohol and alcohol services provided by London councils that offer detox support for people wishing to get sober. It is important to note that these services are underfunded, which means you will not receive the same level of care as an inpatient facility.
If you require an urgent alcohol detox in London, the only way to do so is by funding the treatment yourself. By doing so, you get to select the rehab you attend, and there are no waiting times for admission.
At Step-by-Step Recovery, we understand that many individuals are not in a position to finance a residential alcohol detox. To ensure our treatment is as accessible as possible, we offer payment plans which allow you to pay for your addiction rehab in instalments.
What To Expect At Our Detox Clinic
Alcohol detox is the first stage of the recovery process and a crucial step towards long-term sobriety. While each client’s treatment programme will differ, you can expect it to follow this basic structure:
Assessment
On arrival, and once you’ve settled in, you will meet with the doctor for a medical assessment. This allows us to ensure that you are prescribed the appropriate medication and gain a clearer understanding of your drinking history and whether you have any additional treatment needs.
Medication - Benzodiazepines
Many detoxification programs include medications that mimic the effects of alcohol to mitigate withdrawal symptoms. Medications may also target co-occurring disorders or general discomfort.
Withdrawal: While many people find the withdrawal process unpleasant, we do our best to ensure your comfort and safety during this time. During alcohol detox, you may experience some of the following physical and psychological symptoms:
Alcohol Withdrawal Help
While many people find the withdrawal process unpleasant, we do our best to ensure your comfort and safety during this time. During alcohol detox, you may experience some of the following physical and psychological symptoms:
Physical symptoms include:
- Mild fever
- Tremors
- Cold sweats
Nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting
Sweating
Increased heart rate
Increased blood pressure
Headaches
Abdominal cramps
Achy muscles and bonesShaking and shivering
Exhaustion
Anxiety
Paranoia
Insomnia
Depression
Agitation
Extreme mood swings
Alcohol cravings
High temperature and/or chill
Runny nose
Therapy During Detox
Once you have begun your detox and are considered fit to participate, you will be able to take part in a range of traditional and holistic therapies that we offer. These are designed to treat the psychological aspects of addiction, while detox focuses on getting you physically well again.
It is important to understand that each person uniquely experiences detox, and each new detox is entirely different, regardless of whether someone has gone through detox previously.
Around The Clock Care
The detox process is an intense part of the recovery journey and can lead to a range of psychological challenges in addition to physical symptoms. At The Lighthouse, our priority is your safety and comfort during your detox. You can rest assured knowing that staff are on site 24/7 to support you when needed.
Our brand promise
At Step-by-Step Recovery, we don’t want detoxing from alcohol dependence to be agonising or frightening. Our medical team at The Lighthouse clinic are experts in treating alcohol addiction and facilitate a full medical detox as well as providing a bespoke rehabilitation programme for each client. Our doctors are on hand to increase medication where necessary, meaning you will never be left to deal with the discomfort alone.
How much does alcohol detox cost in London?
The cost of alcohol detox in London will depend on several factors. Treatment for alcohol addiction typically includes medical detox and physiological therapy. If you choose to enter rehab on a detox-only basis, the cost will depend on the length of care needed.
If you would like additional details on the cost of alcohol detox in London, please call our admissions staff for a bespoke treatment quote.
Our brand promise
At Step by Step Recovery, we take a completely holistic approach when it comes to alcohol detox treatment. This means we treat each client as a whole, helping to heal the mind as well as the body. Once you have successfully completed your detox, we work with you to create a bespoke treatment programme which relates to your circumstances and experiences. We never make our clients participate in programmes that are not relevant to their recoveries. Our treatment programs are not written up in advance because we feel it is important to explore certain things that may have come up during that week. This ensures that clients are dealing with issues specific to them.
Why choose Step-By-Step Recovery?
At Step-By-Step Recovery, we know that alcohol withdrawal can be a frightening prospect, which is why we work hard to ensure that our clients are safe, comfortable and well cared for during this part of the process.
The Lighthouse is our fully residential and CQC registered clinic, staffed by qualified addiction specialists who offer evidence-based treatment methods proven to help overcome alcoholism.
Our treatment programme is based on the principle that every person is unique, which is why we tailor every recovery plan to the individual. Our team of addiction counsellors assess each client and create a bespoke programme based on their specific needs. By understanding each person’s circumstances, we are able to deliver an exceptional quality of care, meaning a higher chance of maintaining sobriety once they leave.
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FAQs
What are the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal?
The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can vary depending on several factors such as age, gender, weight, general health and duration of abuse. If you’ve been drinking for prolonged periods, the likelihood is that you will develop both physical and psychological symptoms during your detox. Some of the most common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include hand tremors, nausea, vomiting, sweating, anxiety, depression, restlessness and insomnia.
How long does alcohol withdrawal take?
Withdrawal doesn’t follow a rigid timeline, instead, it depends on how severe addiction is, and which substances are involved. For example, cocaine withdrawal symptoms are generally mild and will usually calm down after 2-3 days. However, opioid withdrawal symptoms can take weeks to subside. While some symptoms may still be present for a few weeks, a detox is technically complete once there is no more alcohol in your system.
Can I detox alone?
While it’s possible to detox alone, it is not recommended due to the increased risk of harm. Detoxing alone is considered dangerous because of the possibility of complications that may arise as a result of intense physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. The risk of relapse is also much higher during this phase.
Can I detox without medication?
Although you can detox without medication – known as going ‘cold turkey’ – an unsupervised alcohol withdrawal can be extremely dangerous. Many people who attempt to detox from alcohol alone end up relapsing because of their inability to cope with the symptoms and become desperate for relief. Turning to alcohol after a period of abstinence can have devastating consequences.
Where can I receive a supervised medical detox?
In addition to residential rehabs, many free alcohol recovery services can provide medical detox. However, the level of supervision will vary depending on which option you choose. Free services do not offer residential treatment, so you will be expected to return home after receiving your medication. Whereas inpatient treatment means you will have medical staff on hand to manage medication and increase doses where necessary. While undergoing an alcohol detox at home is convenient, it is advised never to begin a detox alone due to the risk of adverse withdrawal symptoms.
Page revised in March 2023, by Danielle Byatt, a Level 4 addictions counselling, Level 5 in Leadership & Management, BA applied social work. and Treatment Director at Step by Step Recovery.
Why choose Step by Step?
- Fully Residential
- Around-the-clock care
- Medical detox unit
- Extended family support
- After care support service
- Nutritional food cooked by our chefs
- Outstanding quality of care
- Highly experienced team
