Detox takes place on an inpatient basis at Life Works, which means that you will stay with us for the full duration of your detoxification programme, which is usually 10 days. While in detox, you will be able to start participating in group therapy sessions as soon as you are physically able to do so. The idea behind group therapy is to help you to realise that you are not alone, teach you to better understand your addiction, identify why you turned to drugs in the first place and provide you with healthy coping strategies for when you leave treatment. Group therapy also provides you with the chance to develop a support network which can last well beyond treatment. Alongside group therapy, you will also take part in psycho-education. This consists of various workshops to help teach you about drugs and drug addiction and is based on the premise that people who understand addiction are far better equipped to fight it and recognise their own drug addiction issues.

Throughout the detox process, our clients stay in single, en-suite bedrooms, all of which are welcoming, comfortable and beautifully decorated. In order to ensure that the detox process is as restful and as pleasant as it possibly can be, we provide our clients with a range of entertainment facilities, including books and their own television, to help you to pass the time and distract yourself from your withdrawal symptoms.

Physical symptoms when detoxing from drugs

People detoxing from drugs may feel tired, irritable, have trouble sleeping or experience a number of different withdrawal symptoms. Depending upon the withdrawal symptoms that you experience, you may be given carefully controlled prescription medication to counteract the worst of your symptoms and prevent more severe symptoms such as seizures. While there is no medication that can eradicate all withdrawal symptoms, our specialists at Life Works are committed to doing all they can to alleviate your discomfort.

Our on-site medical and nursing staff are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ensuring that our drug detox clients are observed and monitored at all times. Our detox rooms are situated close to Life Works’ nursing station so that we are able to provide assistance to our clients in a timely manner, as and when this is needed. In addition, all detox rooms come complete with an emergency buzzer for clients to use if they need immediate support.

Upon the conclusion of your detox, you will be removed from medication. Drug-free, you will be re-energised and better able to consider your future. Healthier and with a clear mind, you will be equipped to focus on your recovery and ultimately, achieve a life without drug abuse.

At Life Works, nutrition is a core part of treatment and we plan our meals with the help of our in-house specialists. Each meal that we make is healthy, nutritious and delicious. This does more than improve overall health; it also lifts our clients’ moods and helps them to get back to a regular eating schedule which may have been disrupted by their addiction.

Clients undergoing drug detox at Life Works have the option of eating their meals in their rooms, but when they feel ready, clients are encouraged to join the wider Life Works community for mealtimes. By joining other clients at meals, people can make friends and start to create their own support network.

When the human body becomes used to having a certain substance in its system, the sudden absence of this substance is what causes us to experience withdrawal symptoms. The type and severity of your drug withdrawal symptoms depend upon how much of the drug(s) you have been taking and how frequently, how long your body has been dependent on the drug(s), and your general mental and physical wellbeing.

Psychological symptoms of drug withdrawal may include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Paranoia
• Confusion
• Irritability and agitation
• Mood swings
• Difficulty concentrating
• Intense cravings for drug

Physical symptoms of drug withdrawal may include:

• Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
• Headaches
• Abdominal cramps
• Muscle and bone pain
• Exhaustion
• High temperature and/or chills
• Unpleasant, vivid dreams
• Irregular or increased heart rate
• Excessive sweating
• Tics and tremors (‘the shakes’)
• Shaking and shivering
• Reduced appetite

The most severe drug addiction withdrawal symptoms include:

• Visual and/or auditory hallucinations
• Seizures

At Life Works, we understand that the drug detoxification and withdrawal process can be a daunting and overwhelming prospect. However, our expert detox team are dedicated to minimising the impact of withdrawal and ensuring that this process is as smooth and comfortable as possible for our clients.

There is also a wealth of research evidence indicating that supportive and compassionate care is just as important in drug detox as medication, which is why our team are committed to providing world class, round-the-clock support to our detox clients.