Safely Preparing for your Admission into Rehab
Medically Reviewed by:
Last Updated:
November 10th, 2025
We’re looking forward to welcoming you to UK Addiction Treatment Centres (UKAT)
Your decision to seek help is a courageous and life-changing step, and we want your admission to be as safe, calm, and comfortable as possible.
Because alcohol dependence can affect how your body responds when you stop drinking, it’s essential that you arrive in a medically stable condition. This ensures we can begin your treatment promptly and safely, giving you the best possible start to recovery.
Please take a few moments to read this guide carefully. It explains how to prepare for your admission, what to expect when you arrive, and how to travel safely to our rehab centre.
Preparing for your Admission
Before your admission date, it’s important to plan ahead and make sure you’re in a safe and steady condition to travel. Alcohol withdrawal can be unpredictable, and arriving while already in acute withdrawal can be dangerous.
If you begin to feel unwell before travelling, such as experiencing withdrawal symptoms like shaking, sweating, confusion or severe anxiety, please contact a medical professional or our admissions team, and our staff will guide you on the safest next steps.
Avoid suddenly stopping alcohol use on your own before admission unless a medical professional has advised it. If you’re unsure, contact your GP for support on how to taper safely.
Travelling Safely to Rehab
If possible, arrange for someone to accompany you on your journey to the centre. Travelling alone, especially after a period of drinking or early withdrawal, can pose risks to your health.
Before travelling, make sure to:
- Manage your drinking before you travel so that you’re steady, alert, and ready for assessment.
- Eat something light and stay hydrated with water or non-alcoholic fluids.
- Bring any prescribed medication or prescriptions with you.
- Bring rehab allowed items only
Do not:
- Stop drinking suddenly if you are alcohol-dependent, unless a doctor has told you to. Stopping abruptly can cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms.
- Increase your drinking. It will place your detox at risk and can delay your admission. If possible, gradually reduce your intake and only drink enough to stay stable until you can access professional care.
If you feel unwell before travelling, such as shaking, sweating, vomiting, confusion, or faintness, please contact your GP or the NHS (111) for advice before setting off.
Why You Shouldn’t Arrive Heavily Intoxicated
When you arrive at our clinic, our medical team will carry out a full assessment, including a breath-alcohol test (breathalyser). If your alcohol level is too high, it is neither safe nor lawful for our team to start detox medication, such as chlordiazepoxide (Librium), until your blood-alcohol concentration has fallen to a safe level.
Beginning detox medication too early can lead to dangerous interactions, including excessive sedation or breathing difficulties.
If you arrive heavily intoxicated, your admission may need to be paused or delayed for several hours until it is medically safe to proceed.
This protocol follows the NICE Clinical Guideline CG115: Alcohol-use disorders – Diagnosis, assessment and management of harmful drinking and alcohol dependence, which states that detoxification should only begin once an individual is medically stable and fit for assessment.
What to Expect on Arrival
Upon arrival, our friendly team will greet you and help you settle in. You’ll meet with a member of our team who will carry out a comprehensive medical assessment to understand your health history, alcohol use, and current symptoms. This can include checking vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, oxygen) and reviewing your medical history.
We will then arrange a full medical and psychiatric assessment with a specialist trained medic. This helps us create a safe treatment and detox plan suited to your needs.
Once it’s clinically safe, we will begin detox medication (if applicable), and your therapeutic treatment programme can start.
This assessment process ensures we decide on the safest detox approach for you, whether medication is required, and at what level of observation.
Once the medical process is complete, you’ll be shown to your room and introduced to staff and peers. Many people feel anxious during these first few hours, but rest assured, our team is here to support you every step of the way.
Watch our video to find out what to expect when you start rehab.
Arriving calm, stable, and not intoxicated means we can begin detox sooner, keep you safe, and help your recovery begin straight away.
If You Need Help Before Admission
We understand that the hours before admission can feel stressful.
If after following the above advice you’re unsure how to manage your alcohol intake safely, or if you feel unwell or unsafe, please reach out before you travel; we’re here to help.
📞 0203 131 0661
✉️admissions@ukat.co.uk
Important Note
- This information follows NHS and NICE (CG115) guidance.
- It is intended for general safety and does not replace medical advice.
- If you have concerns about your alcohol use or withdrawal symptoms before arriving, please seek medical help immediately.