The Partnership Development Team

In-patient Detoxification

In-patient detoxification can take place in a special hospital ward. Some residential rehabilitation units now provide in-patient detoxification.

Information about this is available from your GP or through your local drug and alcohol services. It is usually provided after an assessment by a specialist drug worker, and rarely as the first line of treatment.

The reasons for offering in-patient detox are often social rather than medical. It can be helpful if the person would otherwise be in an environment with other users who could hinder their treatment. Hospital admission might be necessary for those who have complex health needs, take large amounts of tranquilisers, have severe alcohol dependency or have a mental health problem.