The Importance of a Clinical Detox

What’s included?

1. Introduction
2. What is a clinical detox from alcohol?
3. Why detox should not be done alone
4. How clinical detox fits into the Delamere Treatment Model
5. Prioritising the wellbeing of our colleagues

Today (12th May 2025) marks International Nurses Day, which takes place each year on Florence Nightingale’s birthday to celebrate the incredible skill and dedication of nurses.

An integral part of Delamere is our nursing team, who work hard to provide 24-hour clinical care and treatment to guests, especially those undergoing a clinical detox at the beginning of their recovery journey. 

Not every guest that arrives at Delamere will require a clinical detox, but for those who have been dependent on alcohol or a substance for a sustained period of time, it can be necessary.

What is a clinical detox from alcohol?

If someone has been physically dependent on alcohol for a prolonged period of time, a clinical detox is the safest and most comfortable way to withdraw. 

Our nursing team takes an individualised approach to clinical detox, assessing what each individual requires, building a care plan with the guest and providing 24-hour expertise throughout the process. 

We use evidence-based tools to continuously monitor, titrate, and adapt care, ensuring each guest is safely supported throughout their detox. 

Even as national medication protocols shift, our team leads from the front, sourcing safe alternatives and revising clinical pathways.

Need help?
Call us confidentially at any time to speak to a member of our team.

Call us now: 0330 111 2015

Why detox should not be done alone

Suddenly abstaining from alcohol after sustained use over a period of time can be dangerous. 

One in ten people with alcohol withdrawal syndrome experience seizures, according to a report by Drinkaware.

Benzodiazepines reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms in order to make the detox period more comfortable, as alcohol levels are reduced. Whilst replacing thiamine and vitamin B compounds to replenish these essential components that support brain function and cognition. 

How clinical detox fits into the Delamere Treatment Model

In our Stop, Start, Grow, Bloom model, clinical detox will take place in the ‘Stop’ phase. 

Alongside the detox, during this phase guests can expect:

• Comprehensive physical assessment including diagnostics
• A health screening from a specialist substance misuse doctor
• 24-hour access to Registered Nurses and clinical team
• Regular assessments using nationally recognised withdrawal tools
• Medication to alleviate withdrawal symptoms
• Time to rest, recuperation, and nourishment
• The chance to socialise with other guests in shared spaces
• A deliberately light introduction to therapy
• Access to the gym, gardens and forest surroundings when physically fit

As guests move into the ‘Start’ phase, introduction to holistic therapies will begin to add to the tools that will help to grow beyond addiction, and traditional counselling that will help to uncover the underlying causes of the dependency. 

The ‘Grow’ phase will help guests to put into practice the tools they have learned, to ensure that every individual can grow beyond addiction. 

Prioritising the wellbeing of our colleagues

This year, the central theme for International Nurses Day is about the wellbeing of nursing colleagues.

Nursing colleagues at Delamere have regular one to ones with the Head of Clinical Care. In these meetings the focus is on the colleague’s wellbeing, as well as a discussion about their personal development and growth. Our colleagues are valued and it is important they feel that way. 

Nothing is more frustrating to a Nurse than not having a voice-at Delamere we ensure Nursing teams are represented in important meetings, as an integral part of the multi-disciplinary team at Delamere.

Our leaders recognise the complexity of our profession and as such have invested in the structure of the Nursing team having listened to colleagues. 

Our team work different shift patterns, so it is important we come together once a month, to meet as a team- this helps us build and strengthen our relationships and bonds with one another. 

We recently took time to collaborate and build our team vision and values, sharing what is important to the team from the team. We also had a fabulous ‘Away Day’ taking time away from the working environment, to gain fresh perspective and talk about what matters to the team- our guests!

We invest in training internally and externally for the team to ensure they feel competent and confident in the skilled work they do.

Simple things like free parking is provided on site in a secure car park and nutritious meals are made for team by our Chefs. Refreshments and snacks are on hand 24 hours a day. 

In Delamere, we use recognition media such as appreciation cards, employee of the month, monthly review of guest and team positive feedback in ‘all-colleague meetings’. Team members are also given their birthday off work to allow time with their families to celebrate their special day.  

Wherever possible we strive to support shift requests to enable a healthy work-life balance, as well as reducing the risk of burnout and compassion fatigue that we know are linked to the profession. 

The team are about to embark on a 10K walk/jog/run in Delamere forest, promoting physical activity as well as raising a few quid for charity!

Need help?
Call us confidentially at any time to speak to a member of our team.

Call us now: 0330 111 2015

Summary

Article Name

The Importance of a Clinical Detox

Description

Delamere Health discusses the importance of a clinical detox and why it should not be done alone. See how it fits into our treatment model.

Author

Mandy Donnison

Publisher Name

Delamere Health Ltd

Publisher Logo

About the author: Mandy Donnison

Mandy manages our admin, HR and finance functions here at Delamere. Find out more about Mandy on our team page.