Drug Detox In Scotland

What is Drug Detox?

Detox or detoxification is the process where you stop taking drugs or alcohol so it is no longer in your system. This is the first step in getting over a drug or alcohol addiction and is a step to take before you can start to heal the psychological elements of addiction.

For many people, when they stop consuming drugs or alcohol, they will face some withdrawal symptoms. These side effects happen as your body and brain adjust to living without the drugs it has been used to, after this short period is over your body should be completely flushed of the offending drug.

In 2022/23, there were 9,633 drug-related hospital stays in Scotland. This highlights the extent of the problem of drug addiction and the need for drug detox and recovery.

To complete detox, you have to completely stop your drug and alcohol consumption. This can be achieved at home or assisted in a rehabilitation centre where you will go through a medically assisted detoxification. Medically assisted drug detox is beneficial for people who experience severe side effects due to a longstanding addiction.

The Types of Drug Detox Programmes Available

There are two types of drug detox programmes to consider once you’ve decided to overcome your substance addiction. For people who are experiencing mild side effects from drug abuse, an outpatient detox programme can be completed through an outpatient treatment centre.

Here, a detox programme will be carried out at home, without round-the-clock support or help from medical professionals. This can be a challenging treatment option for some individuals, especially for those with minimal control or for those who reside in a drug-fuelled environment.

It may seem like common sense, but to complete a detox, you are best served not having access to the drug you are addicted to. If you are trying to detox from alcohol, don’t have any alcohol at home or visit the pub with friends. This access to drugs and alcohol is one downside of home detoxification; some people face withdrawals and go back to drugs or drink as a form of what they believe to be self-medication.

For the best possible recovery results, we recommend that the majority of clients, especially those living with a drug addiction for a long period of time, complete an inpatient detox programme at a professional addiction rehab.

This approach will ensure that clients can cope with the worst withdrawal symptoms while eliminating access to drugs or drinks, reducing relapse opportunities. Additionally, alternative drug addiction treatments can be provided while working through a drug detox programme, helping to increase recovery probabilities. A downside of residential rehab is that it is a paid service delivered by private hospitals in Scotland, so not every person, unfortunately, can access the treatment depending on their financial situation.

Drug Detox Programmes We Offer

• Alcohol detox
• Cocaine detox
• Cannabis detox
• Prescription drug detox

To discuss whether outpatient or inpatient detox is best for you, feel free to contact our team today. Please be aware that drug detox timeframes will vary for each client, depending on the severity of their alcohol or drug addiction and the types of substances abused.

The Importance of Drug Withdrawal

Drug withdrawal is when the body slowly learns to cope without the usual quantities of addictive substances. Here is where consumption levels will be reduced with the support of medical professionals, peer support and detox prescription medications.

The step of a drug detox is very important if full recovery is your goal. No matter the number of drugs consumed, the body and mind will build up a tolerance. This is the number of drugs required to function or to experience the high.

This is how the body and mind are both programmed to crave substance abuse. To reach recovery, it is vital that those toxins and tolerances are diminished and removed from the body. This will provide the best chance for the body to cope without drug abuse moving forward and maintaining sobriety and long-term recovery.

Although branded as a challenging addiction treatment to complete, a drug detox is a necessity. It helps to prepare the body and mind for further addiction treatment at our Scottish drug rehab centre.

The detox process is a vital cog in the addiction recovery process, and is recommended here at Nova Recovery. Speak to a member of our team today to discuss the admissions process to rehab – call 01475 303998.

Physical vs. Psychological Withdrawal Symptoms

When you stop using a substance, your body and mind can react in different ways. These withdrawal symptoms usually fall into two main groups: physical and psychological.

Physical Symptoms

• • Sweating, shaking, or feeling cold and clammy
  • Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain
  • Headaches, muscle aches, and overall fatigue
  • Changes in heart rate or blood pressure

These signs happen because your body has become used to the substance. Once it’s gone, your body needs time to adjust

Psychological Symptoms

• • Anxiety, irritability, or depression
  • Mood swings or restlessness
  • Intense cravings for the substance
  • Trouble focusing or sleeping

These symptoms come from the emotional and mental impact of substance use. Your brain has to re-learn how to function without the substance.

Your mental health can be badly damaged due to addiction and therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy have proved to help people, but every person is different and one approach does not work for everybody.

Getting help from our professional team ensures that you have the support you need to manage both physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms safely.

How Long Does Detox Take?

There’s no single answer to how long detox will last because everyone’s situation is different. Here are some factors that can influence detox duration:

• Type of Substance
  Certain drugs stay in your system longer, causing withdrawal symptoms that can last from a few days to a couple of weeks.
• Length and Frequency of Use
  If you’ve been using a substance for a long time or at high doses, it might take longer for your body and mind to adjust.
• Overall Health
  Your general health, including any other medical conditions, can affect how quickly you recover.

In most cases, people start feeling better after the first week or two, but complete detox can sometimes take longer. Staying patient and following medical advice is the key to safe and effective detox.

Combating Cravings and Urges During Detox

Cravings are common during detox, but there are practical ways to handle them and stay on track:

1. Identify Your Triggers
   Notice what situations, people, or feelings spark your cravings. Avoid or manage these triggers when possible.
2. Stay Busy
   Keep yourself occupied with activities like light exercise, reading, or creative hobbies. This helps shift your focus away from urges.
3. Lean on Support
   Talk to a therapist, attend group meetings, or reach out to friends and family. Sharing your thoughts and emotions helps you feel less alone.
4. Practice Relaxation Techniques
   Breathing exercises, mindfulness, or simple meditation can calm your mind when cravings hit.
5. Create a Plan
   Work with a professional to develop a coping strategy. Having a step-by-step plan can make it easier to resist urges.

Remember, cravings don’t last forever. Each time you overcome an urge, you’re building stronger habits and moving one step closer to lasting recovery.

Recovery Options After Detox

Once your drug detox is complete, rehab addiction treatments are then recommended in a private drug rehab centre.

Aftercare sessions and relapse prevention planning are key elements of rehab and provide you with the tools you need to maintain long term recovery.

Narcotics Anonymous group therapy sessions are also great to help you maintain recovery and experience support from others who understand your position.

Detox is the first step in the recovery process – rehabilitation and long term recovery are next.