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What is Drug Detox?

Detox or detoxification is the process where you stop taking a drug to eliminate it from your body. This is the first step in getting over drug addiction and starts before we can start to heal the psychological elements of addiction. Healing the physical element of addiction is the first phase of rehab treatment.

Going cold turkey during detoxification can often lead to 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.

As of 2021, there have been 15,000 drug-related hospital admissions each year in Scotland, highlighting the extent of the problem of drug addiction and the need for drug detox and recovery.

To complete detox, you can stop taking the drug altogether or you can have a medically assisted detox. Medically assisted drug detox will be beneficial for people who experience severe side effects due to severe addiction. In private drug rehab, you will be assisted with prescription medication and a detox which is fully managed by a specialist addiction team.

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 individuals 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 the 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.

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.

This approach will ensure that clients can cope with the worst withdrawal symptoms while increasing the chance to prevent relapse opportunities. Additionally, alternative drug addiction treatments can be provided while working through a drug detox programme, helping to increase recovery probabilities.

Drug Detox Programmes We Offer

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.

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Our admissions team can give you expert help and advice on the best options available for Drug Detox, get in touch today to find out more.

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Drug Detox Scotland Facilities

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If you are in need of Drug Detox in Scotland, our rehabilitation centre has extensive experience and the facilities to help you with your recovery.

Once you have decided you need addiction treatment, it is important that you are ready to fully commit to inpatient drug rehab. You will need to be open to the range of addiction treatments, including undergoing a proven drug detox programme.

Although initially difficult to complete, especially as drug consumption decreases, the completion of drug detox is a necessity when looking to rehabilitate.

At Nova Recovery, we offer a 24-hour supervised rehab and detox programme that is fully supervised by trained nurses and medical professionals. This treatment option is invaluable, especially when combined with alternative addiction treatments and therapies.

Are you hoping to recover from a drug use disorder? Through our experience here at Nova Recovery, all individuals will reach a point where addiction recovery is achievable. Change your life and sustain long term addiction recovery at our rehab centre in Scotland.

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Scotland Based Mental Health & Addiction Treatment Providers

Key offerings available include:

  • Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Scotland
  • 1:1 Support from Clinical Nurse Practitioners, Registered Mental Health Nurses and Therapists
  • Access to Trained Psychiatrists
  • 24-Hour Nursing Care
  • Comfortable & Quality Accommodation
  • Clinically Led Recovery Model Underpinned by Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  • 1 Year Aftercare

So what are you waiting for?

Begin your journey

Why Complete a Medically Assisted Drug Detox Programme?

When hoping to recover from drug abuse, you may attempt to complete a detox at home. Although this is a positive step which shows your desire to recover, home based detox programmes will not be recommended by our addiction specialists.

Medical detox programmes should always be completed. When withdrawing from drugs, chronic withdrawal symptoms will likely make an appearance and can be dangerous or hard to manage alone.

They can include:

  • nausea
  • anxiety
  • irritability
  • aching
  • insomnia
  • headaches
  • delirium tremens
  • Seizures

Withdrawal symptoms will vary, depending on the type of drug which has been abused, such as codeine, alcohol, sleeping pills or others. Withdrawal symptoms are commonly the biggest challenge to overcome for clients.

With this in mind, it is imperative to complete a medically assisted detox programme, ensuring that you are safe and healthy while withdrawing from drugs.

Please be mindful that the body and mind will react as drug consumption reduces. Alone, this can be very uncomfortable to complete. However, through our rehab facility in Scotland, you’ll feel comfortable and motivated to continue with additional drug addiction treatments.

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.

The Signs of a Drug Addiction

Are you currently suffering through chronic drug abuse? Are you however questioning the severity of your consumption and whether it reflects an addiction?

It is important to identify when a physical and psychological addiction to drugs is present, so you know if you need to consider starting a rehab programme. It is important to remember that a drug detox is available and helpful no matter the degree of your drug abuse.

Do you currently struggle to reduce or stop your drug consumption? Are you experiencing withdrawal symptoms in between consumption? Are drugs controlling your life, decisions, and behaviour?

If you are experiencing health problems or mental impairment from long-term drug use and any of these questions relate to you, you could be experiencing existing addictive behaviours to drugs.

If you are yet to reach this level of dependence on drugs, it is still important to remember that damage is activated under the surface. Any degree of drug consumption, whether illegal or prescribed will amount to harm, with great potential to develop into an addiction.

As a result of the progression of addiction, we advise that all individuals abusing drugs consider the different drug detox options available to them. If you’re truly ready to recover, our treatment programmes are invaluable here at Nova 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.

Get Help Today

Start your journey to recovery today by completing an initial drug detox programme here at Nova Recovery – call us on 01475 303998.

We will then continue to support you through a wide range of addiction treatments, in place to boost recovery probabilities. Fill out our contact form today to arrange your initial admission date for your drug detox.

FAQ's About Drug Detox At Nova Recovery

How Long Does A Drug Detox Last?
Each Detox plan is different for each individual. Factors including the severity of the Addiction, how long someone has used the substance for and whether there are other health factors involved. However, Detox typically lasts form a few days to several weeks in sever situations.
What is the next step after completing detox?
On completion of the detoxification process, patients will part take in various therapy session as well as a personalised Aftercare Program.
What options are available for detox?
Detox normally takes place within a rehabilitation centre, this way clinical professionals can provide guidance and advise you towards the best recovery path for you. It is advised not to Detox at home as there is no medical staff who can monitor your progress.
John Gillen - Director & Author at Nova Recovery

John Gillen - Author - Last updated: December 19, 2023

John has travelled extensively around the world, culminating in 19 years’ experience looking at different models. He is the European pioneer of NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) treatment to Europe in 2010; and recently back from the USA bringing state of the art Virtual Reality Relapse Prevention and stress reduction therapy. His passion extends to other metabolic disturbances and neurodegenerative diseases. The journey continues. In recent times, John has travelled to Russia to study and research into a new therapy photobiomudulation or systemic laser therapy working with NAD+ scientists and the very best of the medical professionals in the UK and the USA, together with Nadcell, Bionad Hospitals own select Doctors, nurses, dieticians and therapists. Johns’ passion continues to endeavour to bring to the UK and Europe new developments with NAD+ Therapy in preventive and restorative medicine and Wellness. In 2017 John Gillen was made a visiting Professor at the John Naisbitt university in Belgrade Serbia.

Dr Luqman Khan - Doctor at Nova Recovery

Dr Luqman Khan - Clinical Reviewer - Last reviewed: December 18, 2023

Dr Luqman Khan (MBchB, FRCS, MRCPsych) is a highly experienced and well-qualified psychiatrist with over ten years of experience in general psychiatry and addiction services.

He is certified by the MRCPsych and is known for his innovative approach to treating a diverse range of clients with high morbidity related to alcohol, drugs, and mental health problems.

At Nova Recovery, Dr Khan will utilise his extensive knowledge and experience to provide patients with the highest level of care and support in their journey towards recovery. He will work closely with our addiction recovery team to develop individualised treatment plans for each patient, considering their specific needs and circumstances.

He is passionate about supporting individuals in achieving their goals and objectives and is committed to working with patients to help them overcome their addiction dependency and improve their overall well-being. Utilising evidence-based practices and the latest research in addiction treatment, Dr Khan will help ensure that patients receive the most effective care possible.

As an adept communicator with excellent interpersonal skills, Dr Khan can connect with patients from all walks of life. Patients can expect to receive comprehensive and compassionate care from Dr Khan. With his expertise and guidance, they will be given the best chances of achieving long-term recovery.