Smithfield Detoxification Service

Who We Are

At Smithfield Detoxification (Detox) we support both men and women who have an alcohol and/or drug dependence who require in-patient care and support.

Residential Detox is an opportunity to come to a service in order to physically detoxify your body from a substance and make that important step from being physically dependent on a substance to being abstinent. Typically our Alcohol detoxes are 7 days and our Opiate detoxes 21 days. Detoxes for other substances are also offered as well as respite from regular use of non-addictive substances. All detoxes will be discussed and arranged with the individual prior to coming in to the service in order to ensure they are as person centred as possible

Where to Find Us

Find the locations and opening hours of our services available in your area.

Our person-centred approach to supporting you

Service Information

About Smithfield

Smithfield is a purpose built 22 bed specialist in-patient detoxification unit located in Manchester City Centre for adults of 18 years and over who wish to address their substance use and recovery within a specialist safe and supportive environment.

Our Detox units are staffed by Mental Health Nurses and Support Workers 24 hours a day and support also includes input from Volunteers and Peer Mentors (fully trained individuals who have a background in active addiction but who are now long term abstinent who volunteer their time to help support and advise clients and offer hope and encouragement) who are on shift every day.

As well as a physical detoxification program, clients can expect regular groupwork (2 hour long groups per day), 1:1 keyworking sessions and evening activities such as access to Mutual Aid groups either on site or in the local community, Acupuncture and leisure groups such as Music, Film and Quiz nights. There are 2 cooked meals a day with access to breakfast items, bread, tea and coffee throughout the day.

A great emphasis on community is placed in our detox services with communal areas both inside and out and, of course, we maintain a strong focus on ensuring our clients have robust support networks and structure and plans they are confident in in place when they move on to the next step in their recovery.

What we offer

The service provides Psychosocial Interventions (PSI) alongside a range of medically managed drug and alcohol detoxifications in a clinically safe and supportive environment. All treatment programmes are flexible and tailored to individual needs and outcomes to support a person's sustained recovery from addiction. Our services include:

• Alcohol kick-start detoxification 3-4 nights to continue in the community (where appropriate)
• Alcohol detoxification 7-14 nights
• Methadone or Buprenorphine detoxification 14-21 nights
• Heroin or other opiate detoxification 14-21 nights
• Cannabis/Synthetic cannabinoid withdrawals management and psychological support 14 nights
• Cocaine/Amphetamine withdrawals management and psychological support 14 nights
• Benzodiazepine detoxification 14-28 nights
• Prescribed medication detoxification e.g. hypnotics/sedatives, pregablin/gabapentin  14-28 nights
• Combined detoxification from multiple substances 14-28 nights
• Initiation of relapse prevention medication e.g. Acamprosate/Disulfiram/Naltrexone

The focus of our group programme and key working sessions at Smithfield is preparation for discharge. Additional activities include acupuncture, smoking cessation support, art group, film and quiz nights. Mutual aid groups meet in Smithfield and we are able to accompany service users to external mutual aid groups.

Referral and Assessment Process

Once a completed referral form is sent to us, we can begin the assessment process. We work with the individual to find out which services are appropriate and they are contacted directly by our local team. We welcome referrals from community drug and alcohol services and private referrals. 

Our approach is to ensure that referrers and potential service users are involved in pre-admission assessments, continuing assessment and discharge planning. 

Smithfield has a dedicated Care Path Co-ordinator (CPC) who offers a clear point of contact for all admissions from receipt of referral through to a customer's detox start date.