Last Updated:

July 28th, 2025

The Detox Process | How Detoxing Works

Addiction’s physical hold, particularly with substances like drugs and alcohol, can turn quitting into an overwhelming battle. Quitting “cold turkey” on your own without support is not only difficult but also very risky. Professional assistance is crucial, with a medically guided detox offering expert support and guidance. There are many detox centres across the UK, and both NHS and private services are available. Understanding what addiction detox involves and how to detox your body safely can give you the courage and confidence needed to take this first critical recovery step.

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What is detox?

The purpose of detox (short for detoxification) is to allow your body to remove any traces of alcohol or drugs in your system. Stopping suddenly without professional support often leads to relapse and, in some cases, can even put your life in danger. A medically planned and supported detox is designed to prevent relapse and any health risks.

You will usually be admitted as an inpatient into an NHS or private detox facility, where you will stay under observation until detox is complete. Detox can be a very difficult process, and the experience can be quite different from person to person. This is why you will usually receive a medical assessment first so that an individual detox plan can be made for you to follow.

What is withdrawal?

Our bodies are very adaptable, and while this has many benefits, it can also cause problems for people with substance use disorders. With repeated and regular drinking or drug use, you receive artificial stimulation, which the brain starts believing is “normal”. For example, alcohol and many drugs cause a dopamine spike, an unnatural surge of the “feel good” chemical that is responsible for pleasure and happiness.

Over time, the brain adjusts to these high dopamine levels, expecting them to stay the same from now on. When the substance is no longer supplied, however, the levels drop, the brain experiences a deficit, and you experience a range of physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. These continue until all of the drugs and alcohol have left your body, and your brain starts working again like it’s supposed to do.

Recovery starts when you choose to take the first step

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Withdrawal symptoms from detox

If you have ever tried to stop taking drugs or alcohol on your own, you may have already experienced withdrawal symptoms. The exact symptoms you will face in detox depend on what type of substance you are addicted to, how healthy you are, how much you have been taking, the duration of your dependency and the support you get.

Physically, you may endure headaches, nausea, extreme shaking, sleep issues and diarrhoea, while severe cases can cause seizures, heart palpitations and dangerous blood pressure changes.

Mentally and emotionally, you can often expect heightened anxiety, irritability and feelings of depression alongside cognitive hurdles like confusion, difficulty focusing and even memory loss.

While these withdrawal symptoms can be scary, a professional detox medical team knows how to minimise the distress and danger they cause.

Common forms of addiction detox

It is possible to detox from any substance you put in your body, but in terms of addiction, the most common programmes include:

Alcohol detox

Alcohol detox can be very dangerous, particularly for people with a long-lasting addiction or poor health. This group may experience Delirium Tremens, the most severe form of alcohol withdrawal, which can be life-threatening.

Learn more About Alcohol detox

Drug detox

This includes detox for heroin, cocaine, meth, ecstasy and a wide range of other illegal drugs. Each produces its own list of unpleasant and dangerous withdrawal symptoms, which requires professional management.

Learn more About Drug detox

Prescription drug detox

This is a detox for prescription medicines like sleeping pills and opioids. Some people may think that prescription drugs are safer and less addictive but withdrawal from these substances can be intense, long-lasting and very dangerous.

Learn more About Prescription drug detox

Legal high detox

Spice, benzo-fury, mephedrone and various other “legal highs” all require carefully managed detoxes to break physical dependence. These drugs are often a cocktail of different substances, and this can make withdrawal unpredictable and particularly dangerous.

Learn more About Legal high detox

Detox and withdrawal timeline

As with the symptoms of withdrawal, timelines can also vary a lot from person to person. For example, a healthy individual who has only been dependent on cannabis for a few months may have a shorter, easier withdrawal than someone with a long-term heroin addiction who is also in poor health. However, here are some typical timelines for some of the most commonly undertaken detoxes:

Alcohol withdrawal
It begins 6-12 hours after the last intake, peaks around 24-72 hours and can extend up to a week. Severe alcohol withdrawal can be lethal, with Delirium Tremens requiring immediate emergency medical care.
Opioid withdrawal
Withdrawal symptoms typically onset within 12-30 hours, peak by day three, and usually abate within a week. However, some people may experience prolonged effects known as PAWS (Post-Acute Withdrawal Symptoms).
Benzodiazepine withdrawal
It starts 1-4 days post-last use and can last several weeks to months, with severe symptoms requiring a gradual reduction plan under medical guidance. For many people, benzo withdrawal has the longest of all detox timelines, with PAWS requiring ongoing professional support.
Stimulant withdrawal
Withdrawal from stimulants like cocaine can start within hours, with physical symptoms peaking within a few more days and then generally subsiding within a week. However, psychological effects can potentially last longer, requiring an extended detox stay.

The benefits of detox

It can be tempting to attempt detox at home because it is less disruptive, free of charge and because checking into a recovery clinic can be scary. However, there are many benefits of professionally monitored detox vs home detox which need to be taken into account. These include:

Medical assessment and detox planning

The best way to ensure safety and success in detox is to plan accordingly. Professional detox centres will assess you when you arrive so any potential issues can be identified before they arise. This will allow your team to create a personal detox plan for you to prevent any surprises during withdrawal.

On-hand medical support

Having a professional medical team on hand means that if any severe withdrawal symptoms do emerge, they can be promptly and effectively managed. They will keep you hydrated and emotionally stable and may also give you medicine to replace drugs or reduce symptom intensity. This level of care will keep you comfortable but, more importantly, will also keep you safe.

Minimised relapse risk

Professional detox centres are designed to minimise the risk of relapse by providing a safe and controlled environment where substances are strictly prohibited. Many people who detox at home alone give in to cravings and withdrawal symptoms, even though they genuinely want to quit. By removing the immediate possibility of relapse and supporting you through the challenges of withdrawal, professional detox programmes help you stay strong and on the path to recovery.

Access to comprehensive support

Professional recovery centres usually provide detox as the first stage of a comprehensive treatment plan. Once you are past withdrawal, you will then go straight on to rehab, where the other non-physical aspects of addiction are treated. This seamless transition is important as it allows you to continue your recovery journey without interruptions, maintaining the momentum and focusing on healing.

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Contact us today for detox advice

Britain has some of the best addiction detox services in the world, but with so many options, it can be hard to know where to start. Addiction Helper has vast experience in detox and can help match you with the right programme. Contact us today to discuss your needs and allow our expert team to help you get started on the road to recovery.

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Our compassionate team are ready and available to take your call, and guide you towards lasting the lasting addiction recovery you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can withdrawal symptoms last longer than expected?
Yes, withdrawal symptoms can sometimes last longer than initially expected. The timeline can vary a lot depending on the substance from which you are detoxing, your level of dependency, overall health and how long you have been using the substance. Some people may experience what is known as Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS), where withdrawal symptoms, usually psychological ones, persist for months or even longer.
Do withdrawal symptoms vary with age?
Yes, withdrawal symptoms can vary with age. Older people often metabolise drugs slower than younger ones and may have more pronounced and prolonged withdrawal symptoms. Older people are more likely to have concurrent health issues that can complicate the withdrawal process, potentially making symptoms worse or more difficult to manage.
Why do emotions feel extreme during detox?
Emotions often feel extreme during detox because your body is adjusting to the absence of substances that it has come to rely on to control mood and stress levels. This can cause intense feelings of sadness, anger or anxiety until your brain’s chemistry stabilises. Detox itself can also be stressful and scary, and this can also make you more emotional until you get used to being in treatment.

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