Alcohol and drug withdrawal (detox).

Withdrawal – also known as ‘detox’ – is the process of stopping use of alcohol or other drugs so your body can get used to not having substances in the short term. Once withdrawal has taken place, some people decide to start rehabilitation – also known as rehab – so they can maintain the changes to their alcohol or other drug use. Uniting offers rehabilitation in Victoria and Tasmania

Withdrawal happens when your body and brain have to readjust to alcohol or other drugs being less available, or not available at all. Because your body and brain adapt to the presence of substances over the long term, they eventually become reliant on receiving a regular dose.

Withdrawal is generally both an emotional and physical process, and the effects vary from substance to substance, and person to person. A lot of emotions and feelings that have been suppressed by substances can surface for you while you are withdrawing. Many people find that they use substances to manage complex emotions, so finding a new way to manage when the going gets tough can be a challenge. We encourage you to find support before you decide to withdraw, so you can understand how you might manage without substances and have strategies in place for when emotions become overwhelming.

Overcoming these challenges is a rewarding part of the journey to recovery however. Many people find inner strength and resources they did not know that they had.

In the week before you are due to come to any of our facilities, we encourage you not to increase or binge on substances, because it can make withdrawal a lot harder to get to and harder to stay. There may be times when medications that we give you can’t reduce your symptoms, if your substance use has been heavy in the weeks before. Our Harm Reduction team can help you manage your substance use while you prepare for withdrawal. You can visit their page here.

We encourage you to get supports before you enter a community residential setting so you can predict and prepare for scenarios that may surface while you are with us. We can meet with you in the weeks before admission to plan strategies to help. We encourage you to come and visit the facility while you make the decision about whether or not to attend, so that your anxieties can reduce a little. Many people who come to visit prior to admission tell us they wish they had made the decision to enter a withdrawal program years earlier.

Community residential withdrawal facilities are attended by other people who share common challenges, but also common stories of hope, recovery and inspiration to get through these challenging times. Your commitment to making changes can be part of a positive, shared peer experience for other people in the facility.

Withdrawal is provided in ‘residential’ (a supervised, community-based facility) or ‘non-residential’ (your home or other familiar setting) based on your specific needs. We’ll support you during assessment and treatment planning to determine which setting is best for you, dependent on your substance use and other health matters.

There are other withdrawal services in Victoria and Tasmania that you can access. Call Directline on 1800 888 236 24/7 for services in Victoria, or Alcohol Drug Information Service (ADIS) 1800 250 015 24/7 for services in Tasmania.

It’s often helpful to have your healthcare supports involved in your treatment goals, but you can choose to refer yourself to all our services. You can do this via Directline 1800 888 236 24/7, or our North West Metro Intake on 1800 700 514 during business hours. Once you’ve reached out to us and after you’ve given us your consent, we can communicate with your GP or healthcare supports to ensure you have the best chance of reaching your goals.

We’ll work with you on your self-determined goals, and together we may decide that withdrawal will be the best option to reduce your current substance use. Withdrawal may also help you to maintain a level of use that feels safer and more manageable for you.

However it’s important to be aware that while you are staying in a residential facility, you must stop using all substances.

You can call us on 1800 700 514 to talk about it, or speak to your healthcare worker or GP.

The kind of support you need will depend on your circumstances. You won’t be alone, and will be supported by Uniting staff while you make decisions for your treatment.

Non-residential withdrawal is available in a variety of settings including your home, and may be provided in coordination with medical services such as hospitals, your GP, addiction medicine specialists, and Uniting’s alcohol or other drug nurses.

Residential withdrawal may be recommended, so that you’re provided care in a safe and secure facility with a variety of staff such as registered nurses, GPs and drug and alcohol clinicians available.

Being ‘straight’, ‘clean’, or ‘sober’ may be something you haven’t experienced for years, and it may take a bit of getting used to. Not using alcohol or drugs for a few days is part of your journey and doesn’t mean you’ll now live a drug-free life. People who are dependent on any drug generally require support beyond withdrawal to bring about long-term change. You’ll have support from your counsellor, Uniting staff, and other health workers to plan for the next steps, so you’ll have a greater chance of reaching your goals.