Alcohol Detox Treatment

Alcohol, though a legal substance, is a highly addictive substance that causes serious side-effects for the user. When an individual becomes addicted, he or she cannot easily quit drinking and may find that the withdrawal symptoms which present when alcohol consumption stops are simply too much to cope with. Alcohol detox treatment may be necessary in order to help an individual overcome the physical elements of the addiction and prepare for psychological healing in recovery.

According to the Mayo Clinic, various signs of alcoholism may be present when a user is addicted to this dangerous substance. Some of the most common signs that alcoholism is developing or has already developed include:

• inability to control alcohol consumption
• drinking more than you want to or more than you intended to
• hiding alcohol consumption from others or covering up the amount of alcohol you drink
• blacking out when under the influence of alcohol
• inability to remember what took place while drunk
• irritability or anxiousness when you feel like drinking and cannot drink
• feeling emotionally upset about drinking but continuing to drink anyway
• feeling physically dependent on alcohol
• family or friends become concerned with your drinking
• you drink more and more to feel the same effects
• you drink despite the known problems that the drinking is causing

Developing a dependency on alcohol can make your decision to quit very challenging. You may notice that others are concerned with your drinking and yet you downplay the alcohol consumption in an effort to cover up the signs that you are addicted. It’s very common for your family or friends to be the first to spot a problem, but only you can take the steps to correct the problem.

Alcohol Withdrawal

Finding an alcohol detox treatment can help you overcome the challenges of your alcohol addiction.

Alcohol detox treatment focuses on stabilizing the patient while he or she is feeling the wide range of adverse symptoms known as alcohol withdrawal. When a heavy drinker quits drinking or abruptly reduces the level of alcohol consumption, he or she will feel a wide range of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Many of these symptoms will require professional treatment and will not simply go away on their own. In fact, alcohol detox treatment is a necessity for safe, controlled alcohol withdrawal.

The most common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include:

• anxiety or nervousness
• confusion
• hallucinations
• irritability or hostility
• mood swings
• fatigue or exhaustion
• shakes or tremors
• seizures
• headaches or muscle aches
• nausea, vomiting and diarrhea

Finding Alcohol Detox

The first step to getting sober is to find alcohol detox treatment that can help you to overcome the physical dependence and prepare for the psychological elements of recovery. Reaching out for help can be scary but it’s the most important decision that you will ever make for yourself. If you’ve tried to detox before, you’ve attempted to quit or you’ve made a commitment to sobriety and then relapsed then you know already how difficult quitting can be.

Withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable or even dangerous in some cases. Seeking alcohol detox treatment can help ensure both your comfort and your safety during this difficult time. Research suggests that certain types of medications and therapies can help to alleviate alcohol withdrawal symptoms and prepare you for a more successful and effective recovery. Finding the right alcohol detox for you will depend on various factors including:

• location
• level of treatment or monitoring provided
• severity of your addiction
• length of time you’ve been addicted
• your commitment to sobriety
• underlying mental illness or co-occurring health conditions

You’ll have to consider all of your options and take a close look at your own individual situation when you decide to find effective alcohol detox. What works for you may not necessarily work for others so you’ll want to make sure that you take the time to address each of your concerns, including budget, location of the treatment, ease of access, level of care and every other important factor seriously.

What to Expect in Alcohol Detox

According to the National Library of Medicine, you can expect alcohol detox treatment to provide the following services:

• vitals monitoring including monitoring of heart rates and temperature
• medication administration to reduce withdrawal symptoms
• administration of IV fluids to ensure hydration
• counseling to ensure continued appreciation of the recovery process
• supervision to reduce the chances of relapse

Some alcohol detox programs will only provide limited monitoring and support. This will all depend on whether the patient is in a residential detox or an outpatient detox. Individual factors surrounding the addiction such as the presence of co-occurring health disorders or the presence of serious side effects will also play a key role in the type of treatment that is received while in alcohol detox.

Delirium Tremens Treatment

Alcohol detox programs are prepared always for the worst symptoms that could arise during alcohol withdrawal. Delirium Tremens is the worst case scenario when alcohol withdrawal is taking place. Symptoms of Delirium Tremens include:

• Fever
• Agitation
• severe confusion
• seizures
• hallucinations

While most people who go through alcohol withdrawal will not suffer from the serious side effects of Delirium Tremens, about 5 percent of those who try to quit drinking will suffer these symptoms and require professional help. Alcohol detox, in a professional setting, can actually reduce the risk of Delirium Tremens, and in the event that such symptoms do occur, the treatment professionals in the detox center can help to ensure safety during the most challenging or difficult times of the detox.

It’s important to never detox alone! Alcohol detox can be dangerous and the symptoms or serious side-effects may not be easy to spot until there are already major dangers. Instead of risking potentially fatal side effects, alcohol detox should take place in a controlled environment where you can be safely monitored around-the-clock. If serious symptoms arise, the treatment professionals will work their best to provide immediate intervention and to help alleviate the symptoms as soon as possible.