We're Hiring at Southern Hill Hospital
Exciting new opportunities are available to join our team, including Nurses, Support Workers, Chef and other roles.
Alcohol Detox
Alcohol detox at Southern Hill provides medically supported withdrawal for people with alcohol dependence, with an individual detox plan developed following an initial assessment to ensure a safe and effective withdrawal process.
An effective detox can form the basis of the rest of treatment, giving you a strong foundation to receive further rehabilitation and support relapse-prevention work. You’ll receive treatment in a new ward of the hospital, separate and dedicated to addiction treatment. To find out more about Southern Hill Hospital alcohol detox, call now on 0330 159 6158.
What Is Alcohol Detox
Alcohol detox is the process of going through withdrawal in a medically managed way, dictated by an individual care plan.
Any inpatient alcohol detox plan will be guided by an assessment, with a focus on creating a programme with effective withdrawal management, physical stabilisation and preparing you for further treatment. A wholly personalised plan is necessary because withdrawal symptoms and support needs differ from person to person.
Detox is concerned with addressing the immediate impacts of withdrawal and physically stabilising you. Longer-term treatment will address psychological, behavioural and social factors that may play a role in your addiction.
Why a Hospital Setting Matters for Alcohol Withdrawal
With a hospital setting, you have access to a higher level of medical care more immediately if alcohol withdrawal requires continuous monitoring or more intensive clinical care.
Around-the-clock clinical support is provided throughout detox, with enhanced monitoring available where required. This enables people with more complex needs or higher-risk withdrawal to be safely supported on site.
Who May Need Hospital Alcohol Detox
Completing alcohol detox in a hospital setting may be more appropriate if:
There is a higher risk of withdrawal complications
The person has complex medical needs
Our assessments will consider medical and psychological health, addiction severity and detoxification needs. They will also include considerations about substance use, medication, previous treatment and safeguarding needs.
If the individual consents, their current healthcare professionals may add relevant information. The wants and desires of the individual will be considered alongside clinical safety and whether our services match needs. If a person’s needs exceed Southern Hill’s capabilities, alternative treatment or emergency care is recommended.
Doctor-Led Alcohol Withdrawal Management
At Southern Hill, your individualised withdrawal management and safety plan will be devised and monitored by our skilled Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) that includes:
Consultant Psychiatrist
Doctor
Registered Nurses
Psychology
Therapy Support Workers
Working together, they’ll support you through every stage of your time with us, from assessment, detoxification and therapy to discharge planning.
Doctor-led management allows for fluidity in your plan. Situations can change, so any plan formed will be responsive, as care may be adapted, escalated or transferred if clinical needs alter.
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms and When to Seek Help
Alcohol withdrawal is not the same for everyone. Common symptoms experienced include:
Anxiety
Nausea
Sweating
Shaking
Racing heartbeat
In some cases, symptoms may be more severe, causing you to suffer from confusion, hallucinations or seizures.
Though alcohol is widely consumed and stopping dangerous drinking is important, if you are dependent on it, then stopping suddenly can be dangerous. Medical advice should be sought out before attempting to stop or if you experience withdrawal symptoms.
Alcohol withdrawal can develop into a medical emergency. Call 999 or go to A&E if severe withdrawal symptoms such as confusion, hallucinations or seizures are present.
What Happens During Hospital Alcohol Detox
At Southern Hill, before any detox can begin, you have to make an initial enquiry and complete a pre-admission assessment to determine programme suitability, setting and admission date.
Upon admission, a comprehensive assessment will take place, learning more about your addiction history and physical and mental health needs to help create a personalised withdrawal and safety plan.
During medical detox, nursing observations and medical reviews will take place to keep track of progress and adapt plans if they are needed. Additional wellbeing and nutritional support may be provided during this time. You will also be in contact with your keyworker, who can help in establishing immediate recovery goals.
At Southern Hill, we encourage collaboration with families, knowing they can be a great source of support. With consent, families may support care planning.
How Long Does Alcohol Detox Take
The length of alcohol withdrawal treatment will depend on initial assessment, withdrawal risk, physical and mental health and the person’s progress.
Our current planned programme lengths are:
Restore – A 10-day programme focused on withdrawal management, stabilisation and preparation for ongoing recovery.
Restore Plus – An extended 14-day programme for additional stabilisation, early therapeutic engagement and recovery planning.
These are not guaranteed alcohol withdrawal timelines, and treatment may be extended or adapted as needed.
A Seamless Pathway From Alcohol Detox to Rehab
At Southern Hill, we offer a smooth transition from detox to residential rehabilitation, ensuring continuity in care and bringing a cohesive approach to addiction treatment.
Beyond our Restore and Restore Plus programmes, our residential rehab options include:
Rebuild – 21 days
Resolve – 28 days
Reclaim – up to 12 weeks
Each programme uses a thorough therapeutic approach, giving access to a range of therapies and treatments, including:
Trauma-informed approaches
Occupational Therapy
Coping skills development
Meaningful Daily Activities
Relapse prevention planning
All plans will be guided by regular clinical review and individual recovery goals.
Support After Alcohol Detox and Rehab
The personalised discharge plan will identify ongoing treatment and recovery support that can be used after leaving rehab.
Continued support after residential rehab may include ongoing therapeutic work, recovery coaching, wellbeing reviews and relapse-prevention planning.
Southern Hill’s aftercare support will last for up to 12 months, helping during the early transition period upon completing treatment.
The Southern Hill Treatment Environment
Our Addiction Treatment Service occupies its own dedicated area within the hospital, separate from other patient areas. This ensures residents' privacy whilst getting the benefits of being under the hospital's clinical infrastructure and governance.
Located near the Norfolk coast, this tranquil setting gives people time and space to focus on recovery, away from everyday pressures and triggers.
Our facilities at Southern Hill include:
Private ensuite bedrooms
Communal lounges
Quiet rooms
Therapy rooms
Art Cottage
Maintaining Continuity if Treatment Needs Change
Recovery is not a straight line.
At Southern Hill, we'll consider referrals for those who have lost a placement elsewhere or have been discharged early. We offer crisis intervention for vulnerable individuals who need additional support to access or maintain treatment and provide transport support.
If someone wishes to leave Southern Hill early, you may be able to transfer to another service in our network and have the remaining treatment days credited towards the alternative service so no days of the programme are lost.
Enquire About Alcohol Detox at Southern Hill
Contact Southern Hill today to discuss alcohol detox suitability and further rehabilitation options.
We accept referrals from people paying privately, those covered by private medical insurance, and NHS and local authorities. No matter how you come into contact with us, you’ll receive the same clinical assessment and personalised treatment planning.
For private referrals, contact Southern Hill at 0330 159 6158 and request a written quotation detailing agreed services, funding arrangements and any potential additional charges.
For NHS, Local Authority and professional referrals, contact the team at 0330 236 8231 or referrals@ihcm.co.uk.
Alcohol Detox FAQs
-
Allows you to go through withdrawal with the option of medication to ease symptoms and be under supervised care during this time.
-
For some people, depending on the severity of addiction, withdrawal can be dangerous without medical supervision and continuous monitoring.
-
Doctors lead withdrawal management when completing an inpatient detox programme.
-
Detox length will depend on your individual clinical needs.
-
Yes, you have the option to transition into residential rehabilitation.
-
No, any further treatment must be with your consent.
-
Yes, with the resident’s consent and if it is believed to be clinically appropriate.
-
It depends on your provider. We do accept people covered by private medical insurance.
-
We’ll help create a personalised discharge plan and offer continuing recovery support that may include therapeutic contact, recovery coaching, wellbeing reviews and relapse-prevention planning.
-
Development is at an advanced stage, and the service is expected to open soon. We are currently welcoming early enquiries and referral discussions.
Southern Hill Hospital is a part of IHCM
Integrated Health Care Management Group (IHCM) is a UK-based health and social care management organisation. IHCM operates and manages a network of hospitals, residential and nursing care homes and supported living services, providing governance, clinical oversight and strategic leadership across the Group. Individual services are registered and regulated through their respective provider organisations, with IHCM providing the management infrastructure and support to deliver safe, high-quality and compassionate care. ihcm.co.uk