Drug & Alcohol Detox in the UK
The short answer
A medically supervised detox in the UK takes 7–21 days depending on the drug, and costs roughly £1,800–£7,000 privately or nothing through an NHS community service with a wait. Alcohol and benzodiazepines are the two where stopping without medical cover can be genuinely dangerous.
Call 0800 000 0000 for a confirmed priceWhat it costs
| Option | Detox | 28 days |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol Detox Medical supervision strongly advised | £2,500–£4,000 | 7–10 days, with sleep and mood settling over 3–4 weeks |
| Heroin & Opiate Detox No reducing prescription required | £3,000–£6,000 | 10–21 days, longer if reducing from methadone |
| Benzo Detox Medical supervision strongly advised | £3,500–£7,000 | 14–28 days inpatient; a full taper often takes 3–12 months |
| Ketamine Detox No reducing prescription required | £2,000–£4,000 | 5–10 days of stabilisation, cravings for several weeks |
| Cocaine Detox No reducing prescription required | £1,800–£3,500 | 5–7 days of crash and sleep recovery; cravings for 4–8 weeks |
| Cannabis Detox No reducing prescription required | £1,500–£3,000 | 1–2 weeks of acute symptoms; sleep normalises over 3–4 weeks |
These are market ranges gathered across CQC-registered UK providers, not quotes. Only the clinic can confirm a final price, and it depends on your assessment. Prices checked July 2026.
Detox by substance
- Alcohol Detox7–10 days, with sleep and mood settling over 3–4 weeks
- Heroin & Opiate Detox10–21 days, longer if reducing from methadone
- Benzo Detox14–28 days inpatient; a full taper often takes 3–12 months
- Ketamine Detox5–10 days of stabilisation, cravings for several weeks
- Cocaine Detox5–7 days of crash and sleep recovery; cravings for 4–8 weeks
- Cannabis Detox1–2 weeks of acute symptoms; sleep normalises over 3–4 weeks
What a supervised detox actually involves
A clinical detox starts with a medical assessment: what you use, how much, how long, any previous withdrawal seizures, and your physical and mental health. From that, a doctor sets a reducing prescription and an observation schedule. Blood pressure, pulse and withdrawal scores are checked several times a day through the risk window, and the dose is adjusted to your symptoms rather than a fixed template.
That medical cover is the whole point of paying for a bed. Where you can reasonably save money is the accommodation tier — a shared room in a mid-market CQC-registered unit gets the same prescribing as an en-suite in a premium one.
Detox is the start, not the treatment
Detox on its own has poor outcomes, and honest clinics say so. Once withdrawal is over, the habit, the triggers and the reasons behind the use are all still in place — while tolerance has dropped, which makes an opiate relapse far more dangerous than it was before. Whatever route you take, plan the four weeks after detox before you start it: a residential programme, structured outpatient therapy, or at minimum a weekly group and a named person to call.
Common questions
How long does detox take?
Alcohol is usually 7–10 days, opiates 10–21 days, benzodiazepines 14–28 days inpatient plus a long taper, and stimulants 5–7 days of crash recovery. Sleep and mood take another three to four weeks to settle in every case.
How much does a detox cost in the UK?
Private inpatient detox runs from about £1,800 for a stimulant stabilisation to £7,000 for a complex benzodiazepine reduction. NHS community detox is free; NHS-funded residential detox exists but is rationed through a local-authority assessment.
Which detoxes are dangerous to do alone?
Alcohol and benzodiazepines. Both can cause withdrawal seizures, and heavy long-term drinking can lead to delirium tremens, which is a medical emergency. Both need a prescribed reducing regime rather than willpower.
Can I detox at home?
Often yes, with a GP or specialist service prescribing and reviewing. Home detox is a poor idea if you drink through the night, have had a withdrawal seizure before, are coming off street benzos, or have nobody sober at home.
Is detox the same as rehab?
No. Detox clears the drug and manages withdrawal, usually in one to three weeks. Rehab is the therapy programme that follows. Detox on its own has high relapse rates because nothing has changed except the chemistry.
Do I need a referral?
Not for a private clinic — an assessment call is enough, and admission is often available within 24–72 hours. NHS routes start with a self-referral to your local drug and alcohol service or a GP appointment.
Next steps
Detox clinic near me
Find local detox and treatment services by postcode.
Withdrawal timeline tool
Hour-by-hour withdrawal map for your substance.
Withdrawal severity self-score
CIWA/COWS-based check on how severe your symptoms are.
Home detox vs clinic detox
When home detox is reasonable and when it isn't.