Stockton Treatment Alcohol
and Recovery Service
Alcohol
detoxification
A guide to alcohol detoxification
for service users and families.
Alcohol dependence
If you are dependent on alcohol then you
will usually be advised to stop drinking.
This guide gives you more information
about what to expect from an alcohol
detox (detoxification). It also offers tips
on ways to help you during and after your
detox.
You might want to share this guide with
family and friends so that they are able to
support you and know what you are going
through. Remember your local alcohol
service is here to help you every step of the
way.
WARNING:
Alcohol withdrawal can
be fatal in some cases.
If you are dependent
on alcohol then you
should not suddenly
stop drinking without
medical advice.
Someone who is alcohol
dependent:
Some people have a more
severe reaction. This includes:
• feels unable to function
without alcohol
• starts to develop withdrawal
symptoms when the alcohol
wears off
• Trembling and shaking
• Agitation, confusion and
hallucinations (seeing and
hearing things that are not
there)
• Convulsions or fits
• Complications such as
dehydration and other
physical problems
Withdrawal symptoms can
be different for different
people. These are the common
symptoms that start 3- 8 hours
after your last drink:
•
•
•
•
Feeling sick
Trembling
Sweating
Alcohol craving and feeling
awful in general
Those people who have a more
severe reaction may cause harm
to themselves and in some case
this can be fatal.
Because you will not know how
severe your reaction will be, you
will need help to withdraw from
alcohol. This is called a detox.
If you are alcohol dependent you should not stop drinking
without medical advice and support – this could be very
harmful.
What is an alcohol
detox?
An alcohol detox involves taking
a short course of medicine
which helps prevent withdrawal
symptoms when you stop
drinking alcohol.
Your detox plan might look
like this:
Medication
The clinical team will prescribe
a high dose of medicine for
the first day that you stop
drinking. This dose will be
gradually reduced over the next
5 – 7 days. This really helps to
reduce unpleasant withdrawal
symptoms.
A commonly prescribed
medicine is called
chlordiazepoxide from a group
of drugs called benzodiazepines.
You must agree to stop
These drugs help to reduce
drinking
anxiety (feeling stressed) and
physical symptoms.
You must agree not to drink
any alcohol when you are going
through detox. A breathalyser
may be used to confirm that
you are not drinking.
Support
The clinical team will see you
regularly during your detox.
Support from family and friends
can really help too.
How will someone feel going
through detox?
Some people find it easier than others. You
can expect to:
• Feel quite nervous or anxious for a few
days after you stop drinking
• Have some difficulty getting to sleep for
a few nights
• Have some mild withdrawal symptoms
but they should not be too bad. The
medicine will really help.
The medicine used for detox will not make
you stop drinking. It just helps you feel
better while the body adjusts to not having
alcohol. You need to be determined to stop
drinking. Willpower and coping strategies
are important to resist the temptation to
drink and here at your local alcohol service
we can help you develop these.
Vitamin supplements
It is common to be prescribed vitamins
during and after a detox. This is because
many people who drink heavily do not eat
properly and so lack certain vitamins. A
lack of vitamin B1 (thiamine) is the most
common. A lack of this vitamin can cause
serious brain conditions.
Specialist help for a detox
Some people are referred to a specialist
drug and alcohol unit for detox. This is
usually for those who have other physical
and mental health problems and who have:
• Little home or social support
• A history of severe withdrawal
symptoms
• A physical illness caused by alcohol
• Previous unsuccessful attempts to stop
People may be admitted to hospital if the
symptoms of withdrawal become severe or
if they have other problems.
After detoxification
Some people say that stopping
drinking is the easy part and it
is the staying stopped (known
as abstinence) that is more
difficult. After a successful
detox some people go back
to drinking heavily again. This
is known as a relapse. To help
prevent a relapse medication
and other help may be offered.
Medication
You may be prescribed
medicine to help you stay off
alcohol, these help in different
ways:
• Acamprosate (brand name
Campral) helps to reduce
cravings for alcohol. It is
usually started in hospital
and continued by your
clinical team.
• Naltrexone also helps reduce
alcohol cravings but is usually
only prescribed by specialist
clinical services.
• Disulfiram (brand name
Antabuse) can be used if you
are worried that you might
start drinking again. It works
by causing very unpleasant
reactions (such as feeling
sick, vomiting, chest pains
and headache) if you do
drink alcohol. So if you are
tempted to have a drink then
the side effects of this can
help people stay off alcohol.
Alcohol Services
The Stockton Treatment and Recovery
Service offers a range of support to people
getting ready for an alcohol detox and
afterward. Many people find that getting
involved with the service makes it more
likely that they will stay off alcohol.
The service can help you to think and plan
for a life free of alcohol. We can put you in
touch with people who have had the same
problems as you, who understand how you
feel and can support you.
Your Doctor is also a good source of
support and can work with us to help you.
Keeping busy is also important, and we
can also help you to join in fun activities
and possibly education and training
opportunities if that is what you want.
If you do start drinking again
If you have had a problem with alcohol and
you have been through a detox it is best for
you not to drink. Even small amounts might
lead you back into old habits.
Some people make several attempts to
stop drinking before they succeed so if you
do go back to drinking then remember all is
not lost. You can try again.
Heavy drinking also puts you at risk of
Alcohol-Related Liver Disease. If this is
diagnosed early on and you seek help then
you can stop it from getting worse.
Half of all those people diagnosed with
alcohol-related cirrhosis (a type of Alcohol
Related Liver Disease) who continue to
drink will die within 5 years. Stopping
drinking will prevent any further liver
damage and will increase how long you live
and your quality of life.
Tips for staying off
alcohol
resist alcohol or just have
one drink. Try to avoid these
situations.
Whilst staying off alcohol
If you are in company where
requires determination and
willpower there are some things alcohol is available then prepare
yourself to ask for a soft drink.
that may help you.
Learn ways of refusing alcohol
Diet
without upsetting yourself or
Drink plenty of fluids, good
offending others.
choices are water, squash or
Do not go back to your local
fruit juice. Avoid having lots
pub or a place where you
of drinks with caffeine such as
used to drink. Do not go into a
coffee, tea or energy drinks.
drinking environment if you feel
These types of drinks will stop
like a drink.
you sleeping and can lead to
The longer you can manage
anxiety.
to go without a drink then the
Try to eat regular, balanced
easier it will become to cope
meals even if you are not
with pubs, parties and other
feeling hungry. Your appetite
situations where alcohol is
will return gradually.
available.
Drinking environments
A common problem when
people stop drinking is
overconfidence that you can
Other people
Look for ways to repay the help
of true friends and family who
helped you stop drinking. They
deserve it.
things like having a bath can
make you feel good.
Do ask for help if you have any
problems.
Do not try and do it all by
yourself. You will probably know
who you can rely on, this might
be family or friends. They will
want you to succeed so talk to
them about how you are feeling
and things that are particularly
difficult. It will be easier if you
include them.
Try to get out and build up
physical activity in your daily
routine as you are feeling
better, go for a short walk.
Trust and respect
Fill your time that you used
to spend drinking. Keep busy
around the time of day that
you used to drink alcohol. Think
about taking up an interest
when you are ready, even if you
only read about it at first.
Question your friendships built
up during your drinking days.
Some of these friends may have
just been drinking companions. Sort out problems
If you have money problems
Try to develop friendships that
then try to sort them out. Your
are not based just on drinking,
local Citizens Advice Bureau can
maybe someone with a similar
help advise you how to manage
interest to you.
any debts.
Having fun
Learn to relax and have some
time each day to do something
that you enjoy. Even small
Try to deal with any problems
now and do not put them off.
If left to build up they can
cause stress and can affect your
recovery.
Self confidence will grow along
with your own successful
efforts. Be positive about the
future.
Try not to be upset if you are
still being snubbed by people.
You may have to prove yourself
again to all of them and this
may take time.
Do not rush it
You have been through an
enormous amount both
physically and mentally. Do
not plan too much too soon.
Unfulfilled plans can be an
excuse to drink. Although the
body may feel better the mind
will take longer to recover.
Do not make any major
decisions such as changing your
house, job, partner, starting
a family. Wait until you have
some stability in your life.
If over a period of time you feel
unwell then see your Doctor
or call in and see us. Do not
assume that they will think you
have been drinking.
Breaking free from alcohol will
take time but there are many
people who have. Make the
most of the services we offer
and we will work with you to
have a life free from alcohol.
And finally – Good Luck.
A1305
Allison
Street
Taking that first step to
getting help might be
difficult for you.
We understand.
We are here to help you
every step of the way.
Get in touch today.
Stockton
train station
Norton
Road
A1305
Leeds Street
Castlegate
Shopping
Centre
Dovecot Street
River
Tees
Skinner
Street
Yarm Lane
How do I get in touch?
Open 9 – 5 Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri; and 9 – 7 Thurs at:
STARS, 3-9 Skinner Street, Stockton, TS18 1DY
Or you can call us on: 01642 625 980
John Snow
College
Lifeline working in partnership with Fulcrum
'Lifeline: Reducing harm, promoting recovery, challenging inequalities'
www.lifeline.org.uk
Registered Office: 12 Hilton Street, Manchester, M1 1JF
Charity Number: 515691 Company Number: 1842240