Women, Addiction and Detox
The issue, plain and simple
Over the last decade the increase in alcohol and drug related deaths among women across the UK has been deeply worrying. Behind those statistics are women who want help but are met with obstacles at every turn, obstacles that differ from those men typically face and, in many cases, hit much harder.
Women who need treatment commonly face:
Stigma and judgement, especially for mothers.
A man with a drinking problem is “struggling.” A mother with a drinking problem is “unfit.” That double standard keeps countless women silent, terrified of losing their children if they reach out.
Caregiving responsibilities that make inpatient treatment seem impossible.
Women are still far more likely to be the primary caregiver for children, partners, parents, or all three. Many simply don’t see how they can disappear for weeks to get the treatment they desperately need.
A limited number of women-only spaces.
The majority of detox and rehab environments are mixed-gender. For many women, especially those with histories of domestic violence, coercive control, or sexual trauma, that isn’t just uncomfortable, it’s unsafe. It can stop them from engaging or attending altogether.
Long waits for medically supported detox.
When a woman is ready for treatment, she often has a very small window of opportunity before fear, circumstances, or withdrawal risks take over. Extended waits for safe detox are not just discouraging; they are dangerous.
A shortage of services built around women’s real needs.
Many settings aren’t trauma-informed or psychologically safe. The environments themselves can feel clinical, dismissive, or alienating, especially for women who have been carrying trauma, shame, or fear for years.
All of this adds up to a brutal truth:
These barriers don’t just delay help; they actively prevent it.
And when women cannot access a safe, confidential, medically supported space to detox and begin recovery, the consequences are life-threatening. That’s why specialist environments matter. That’s why UKAT, alongside organisations like The Elms, needs to continue building services that reflect the reality of women’s lives and remove every barrier standing in their way.
What detox actually is (and isn’t)
Detox is often misunderstood, oversimplified, or romanticised as a “reset button.” In truth, detox is far more specific and far more serious. It’s the medical and practical stabilisation of the body and mind while substances leave the system. For many women, it’s the essential first step, but it is not the same thing as rehab, recovery, or long-term healing.
Here’s what detox actually involves:
Detox is medical.
Withdrawal from alcohol, benzodiazepines, and certain drugs can be dangerous, sometimes life-threatening. Symptoms like seizures, hallucinations, heart complications, and severe psychological distress require proper clinical oversight. This isn’t something a woman should battle alone at home, no matter how resilient she believes she is.
Detox is short-term and focused.
The goal isn’t to unpack trauma or rebuild a life. It’s to stabilise: manage withdrawal, protect physical health, and ensure someone is safe enough to move into the next phase of treatment.
Detox is a delicate, emotionally vulnerable phase.
As substances fade, emotions surface: fear, shame, grief, anger, hopelessness. Women often carry layers of trauma or responsibility that make this stage especially raw. A trauma-informed, gender-sensitive environment isn’t a “nice to have”; it’s essential. Confronting deep therapy too soon can overwhelm someone who’s barely regained their footing.
Detox is not a cure.
Completing detox doesn’t mean someone is “better.” It simply means they’re stable enough to start the real work. Without follow-on treatment, relapse is not just likely, it’s almost expected.
That’s why, at UKAT, detox isn’t treated as a standalone event. It’s a clinical intervention nested inside a compassionate, structured pathway.
Once a woman is medically safe, we guide her directly into what truly sustains recovery:
- evidence-based therapy,
- practical support around housing and family responsibilities,
- planning for childcare and safeguarding where needed,
- access to community groups and women-specific recovery networks,
- and a clear ongoing treatment plan that doesn’t leave her guessing what happens next.
Detox gives women a fighting chance against addiction. The steps that follow give them their future.
The Elms
A major part of the podcast conversation centred around VIA’s new project, The Elms, a women-only detox unit currently in development. It represents something that women across the UK have been asking for: a safe, trauma-informed space where they can begin recovery without fear, judgement or risk.
What The Elms highlights is the gap in women-specific detox provision and why bridging that gap matters.
Location & environment
Set on the Gloucestershire/Worcestershire border, The Elms sits in peaceful countryside with extensive gardens and quiet outdoor spaces. The aim is to create an environment where women feel protected rather than “medicalised,” drawing on the principle of bringing the outside in, natural light, calming colours, comfortable furnishings and a gentle atmosphere that reduces anxiety during withdrawal.
Size & purpose
The project is designed as a 16-bedded detox and stabilisation unit, not a rehab. Its sole focus is the safe medical management of withdrawal, delivered in a setting built with women’s experiences in mind.
A trauma-informed approach
Women using the service will be met with a psychologically informed, trauma-aware model of care, with staffing designed, wherever possible, to be predominantly women. This is not about exclusion; it’s about acknowledging what women have said helps them feel safe enough to focus on their health.
Daily structure for stability
During the podcast, Jane Simons described days that are structured but deliberately gentle. Mornings begin with breakfast and a grounding circle, followed by low-intensity workshops on topics like sleep, emotional regulation and self-soothing, the kind of early recovery work that supports detox without overwhelming women who are physically and mentally fragile. Evenings end with a debrief rather than enforced lights-out, allowing adults to be treated like adults.
Wellness and grounding activities
Feedback from women shaped the activities planned for the unit: yoga, massage, mindfulness, art sessions, quiet puzzles, and an allotment space for hands-on grounding with nature. These are not “extras”; they are proven ways to regulate the nervous system during withdrawal and early stabilisation.
Support for mothers and families
One of the most difficult realities for women entering detox is childcare and contact with children. The Elms has built realistic pathways:
- optional FaceTime for contact that feels safe
- cautious visiting options through partner organisations, such as the Nelson Trust
- support in pre-admission planning so mothers aren’t put in triggering or emotionally unsafe situations during detox
It recognises that women often carry the emotional weight of entire households, and detox can only work when those pressures are acknowledged rather than ignored.
Timeline and fundraising
- Building has been purchased.
- Renovation scheduled to begin early 2026.
- Expected opening: early to mid-autumn 2026.
- Crowdfunding launch: 1 December.
- Donations can be made via: viaorg.uk/theelms.
Why this matters for the sector and where UKAT stands
The Elms is an exciting development for women across the country, but it represents just one piece of a much wider ecosystem of support. At UKAT, we welcome any project that expands safe detox options, because the need is far larger than any single provider can meet.
While The Elms develops, UKAT continues to provide:
- clinically led, medical detox across our national network
- specialist support for those with complex needs
- trauma-informed therapy within our rehabs
- structured pathways that turn detox into long-term recovery
In other words, initiatives like The Elms help raise the bar, and UKAT remains firmly committed to delivering the same level of safety, compassion and clinical excellence to every individual who walks through our doors.
How UKAT supports women at every stage
UKAT provides medically monitored detox and rehabilitation across our CQC-regulated services. Our approach is built around clinical safety, trauma-informed practice and practical life logistics.
Here’s how we help:
1. Quick, confidential admissions
Our admissions teams work sensitively to get women into safe care. They understand the fears around custody, children and confidentiality and will guide you through the process without judgement.
2. Medical detox with nursing support
Detox at UKAT is clinical, safe and monitored. We deliver personalised medication plans, nursing oversight, and immediate access to medical care if needed.
3. Trauma-informed psychological support
From the first assessment, our clinicians use trauma-aware approaches. We do not rush heavy therapy during detox. Instead, clinical teams focus on stabilisation and emotional safety, then move into appropriate therapeutic work.
4. Structured move-on and aftercare
Detox is the start, not the finish. UKAT ensures move-on plans are ready before discharge, whether that’s residential rehab, community programmes, or continued clinical care. We deliver aftercare, alumni programmes and peer support to sustain recovery.
Practical help right now: what to do if you need detox
If you or someone you care about needs medically supported detox, contact UKAT today. We can help you figure out the next steps and help you on your way towards a healthy recovery from addiction.
