If you're a heavy drinker, you may need to be supervised by health professionals while you give up. This is because the physical withdrawal symptoms associated with stopping drinking can carry risks. Detoxification or 'detox' is a planned withdrawal from drinking alcohol and may involve taking a short course of medicine to help prevent withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor may take these at home or need to stay in a specialist treatment centre during detoxification. Medicines are only available as a short-term treatment to help you gain control and not a long-term solution.
Attribution: BUPA