A look into detox retreats

Detox retreats are a popular form of wellness tourism, combining scenic destinations with some wellness practice. This can be juice cleansing, organic foods, yoga or complementary therapies – the category of detox retreat is extremely broad.

Some detox retreats focus on a problem in an individual’s life and attempt to change their relationship with it. Digital detox retreats, for example, focus on disconnecting from social media and other digital distractions to reconnect with the real world, reconnect with the present moment and break dependence on digital devices. This is an example of a detox retreat that overlaps with addiction treatment – social media addiction is becoming increasingly common, and Internet Gaming Addiction is a recognised mental health condition in the DSM-V. But is it wise to consider a detox retreat to tackle an addiction?

Detox retreat vs medical detox programmes

Confusion may arise from the use of the word ‘detox’. Detoxing is the process of removing a toxic substance from the body, known as a toxin. The word toxin has a very clear and specific definition – it’s a poisonous substance that is the product of the metabolic activity of a living organism, which is toxic when introduced to living tissue. Toxin, however, has taken on a new meaning colloquially and is understood by many as something that builds up in the body from external sources, like diet or environment, that is bad for you.

Many things that people consider toxins would not be considered toxins by a biologist. Alcohol detox or drug detox are very different propositions for ridding the body of ‘toxins’ as vaguely defined by wellness-based retreats. For this reason and others, it’s important to distinguish between a detox retreat and a medical detox programme.

Medical detox

Medical detox programmes offered by specialist addiction centres are a necessary part of addiction recovery if you are physically dependent on drugs or alcohol. They manage acute intoxication and withdrawal symptoms and focus on keeping you safe and stabilised as the substance is cleared from the body. In extreme cases, medical detox is life-saving. Even if withdrawals are not life-threatening, medical detox makes withdrawal symptoms more manageable, easing the process and minimising the risk of relapse.

Medical detox has a long history and is constantly evolving based on the latest recommendations and scientific research. It is administered by professionals – substance abuse treatment counsellors, physicians, nurses, and psychologists – who will need to undergo years of structured training to obtain their qualifications to treat drug addiction or alcohol addiction. These professionals use evidence-based treatments to ensure you receive the best quality and most appropriate treatment.

Residential rehab centres are considered the gold standard for receiving the highest level of care when undergoing detox.

Detox retreats

Detox retreats on the other hand are a form of leisure, often aimed at people already in good health who are interested in improving it further.

The treatments at detox retreats do not have to be evidence-based. Some wellness practices, such as yoga, have been scientifically researched and found to be beneficial for a whole range of physical and mental health issues. Other treatments you may encounter at detox retreats, like crystal healing or reiki, haven’t been found effective via peer-reviewed research – although the person receiving these therapies can still experience benefits from them. It’s also easy to obtain accreditation for some wellness treatments – short online courses with a certificate awarded at the end are available for many popular wellness treatments and can be bought for very little money.

This isn’t to say that wellness retreats are a scam or you won’t feel any benefits from going on one. One study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine examined the effects of a week-long wellness retreat on wellness tourists, looking at a wide range of health measures, and found significant improvements in mood, insomnia, depression, anxiety and even blood pressure. As the retreat focused on eating whole organic foods, they recorded reductions in waist circumference, weight loss, and reduced pesticide residues in the attendees’ urine. Based on the reasons the attendees embarked on the retreat, it’s fair to say that the retreat worked.

This means detox retreats, for a person otherwise in good health, can be a tranquil way to focus on self-care for a short time, and can be beneficial to their mood and health. The risk arises from considering a wellness retreat when evidence-based treatments are necessary, and when the person attending is suffering from more serious physical or mental health conditions.

What about wellness retreats for addiction detox?

Inpatient rehab centres understand the need for complementary therapies as part of a well-rounded treatment programme. Many will incorporate alternative therapies such as mindfulness and meditation, yoga, music therapy, drumming and art. The difference is that these therapies are meant to be undertaken alongside evidence-based and specialised care for addiction, not to supplant them – and wellness retreats should never be considered an alternative to medical detox for most addictions.

There are exceptions to this when an addiction is not life-threatening or severe. For example, wellness retreats aimed at quitting smoking are popular, and can be safely undertaken – nicotine withdrawal is uncomfortable but harmless. Some behavioural addictions can also be good candidates for wellness retreats, such as digital detox retreats for people struggling to disconnect from the digital world. However, if the addiction is having a large effect on the person’s life, medical treatment options should also be considered.

A wellness retreat might be useful for a person who is having a stressful time at work and has found that they’re drinking a little more than usual. It can allow them to get away from the stresses and strains of the external world and relax in an environment without alcohol. A wellness retreat is not suitable for someone who has been struggling with their relationship with alcohol for a long time, who regularly exceeds safe drinking limits or exhibits any withdrawal symptoms if they try to quit drinking. This situation requires professional support from addiction specialists. Trying to tackle a more severe drinking problem via a wellness retreat would be dangerous at worst and ineffective at best.

Wellness retreats tend to be a similar duration to mini-breaks or holidays, ranging from a few days to a couple of weeks – and a key component of addiction treatment is ongoing care beyond the detoxification period. The length of time taken to detox from drugs or alcohol depends on the severity of the addiction and the substance, but detox is considered to be just the beginning of the process. Addiction rehab is the next step to manage withdrawal symptoms, treat underlying and concurrent mental health problems and reduce the risk of relapse. Detox retreats can’t provide this ongoing care – only specialist addiction services can provide this.

How UKAT can help you detox

Detox is the crucial first step on the path to recovery – and we’re here to help you get through it. The detox process is challenging, but by getting support from us, we can give you the best possible chance of continued recovery and a life free from addiction.

Contact us today to find out how we can help.