Alcohol abuse is highly prevalent in the United States, with every one adult from 12 affected by the addictive substance. Under the process of Alcohol Detox, the body is freed from chemicals causing the condition. This is the first step towards alcohol abuse recovery. The Alcohol detox centers treat the patient under high-end medical supervision to make sure that the detoxification process is safe.
Here are the three major types of detox treatments for alcohol addiction.
- Hospital Detox
- Outpatient Detox Facility
- Inpatient Detox Facility
The hospital detox program is generally conducted from a part of the hospital itself. This program is carried out along with other mental health services that are provided by the hospital. The hospital staff, in general, is liable to look after the patients during the entire process of the detox program, which ensures the safety of the patients. Under the Hospital Detox program, the addict is also required to undergo a 12-step program.
Under the Outpatient Detox Facility, the patient is required to visit the treatment facility during the weekdays. Further the programs/sessions could be conducted during any time of the day as per the rules of the treatment facility. On the first session/visit of the Outpatient Detox Program, the patient will have to undergo physical and mental assessment. Also, the patient is examined for their alcohol history. This whole process takes around one to two hours (during the first session). And, the whole process of Outpatient Detox program gets completed within three to fourteen days.
Under the Inpatient Detox Program, the patient is required to be present 24/7 at the Treatment Facility or rehab clinic during the entire process of recovery. The patient is under round-the-clock supervision. These detox centers provide a safe environment for patients where they can reach medical professionals immediately, in case of an emergency. It’s a safe option for those who have reached a high level of drug addiction.
There are a number of factors to consider when you are choosing a Detox program. From staff training to program quality everything is important. This is really an important part of your recovery journey. The type of setting you are choosing can have a tremendous impact on how fast and how smoothly the recovery process is going. Different addicts/patients have different requirements. Therefore, they need a different setting so that they can go through a normal pace of recovery. A medical professional considers the following things before recommending the type of detox setting a person needs.
- Is the patient still addicted or has crossed that level?
- Are there any other medical complications that can cause an obstruction during the process of recovery?
- Is the patient suffering from any emotional or behavioral disorder?
- Is the patient ready to bring in lifestyle changes?
Acute withdrawal symptoms are treated during the detox process. The treatment process depends on the severity of the patient's addiction and the time for which the patient has been suffering. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms start appearing within a few hours of lowering or ending alcohol intake. Some of the common alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:
- Sweating
- Nausea, vomiting
- Anxiety & depression
- Tremors
- Irritability
- Cravings
- Nightmares
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Delirium Tremens (DTs)
For different people, the time that it takes for alcohol detox is different. However, in most of the cases, it takes around five to six days for the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal to fade. In case, the symptoms continue for more than a week, then the patient has to be under the supervision of medical professionals for some more time (unless the symptoms start to fade).
This is the last phase of the detox process. The most intelligent way to avoid recurrence after detox is going through an addiction treatment program (post-detox). This lasts for three months or more. Under the Post-Detox treatment, medical professionals and the addict work together. This helps them find the real reason that has made them an addict and also how they can live happily without alcohol.
The first step towards addiction recovery is Detox. With Detox the body is freed from the effect of drugs in the body due to the continuous intake of alcohol. Withdrawal symptoms depend on many factors and can vary from person to person. It can depend on how frequently you made use of chemicals and also on what type of drug you have been consuming. Detox facilities work very well in most of the cases, but when you are opting for DIY detox, a lot more care needs to be taken. Consider the following things before considering DIY Detox.
- Drug choice is an important consideration.
- Withdrawal symptoms for different drug addictions are different.
- You need to understand your personal recovery history.
However, a patient is recommended help from a doctor or treatment facility. They can help the addict understand the pros and cons of DIY detoxing. Also, they can make one understand why going to a detox facility is important for the patient. In most cases, detoxing at home can be risky and can result in recurrence and improper medication. In the worst cases, it may also result in the death of the patient.
- You’ll get round the clock consultation in case of any mental or physical health issues.
- You can get immediate help in case of any medical emergency.
- Professional centers provide comprehensive emotional support to ensure there is no recurrence of the condition.
- Seeking help is the foundation of recovery. With medical detox, you’ll design a strong foundation to help yourself in the journey of recovery. Because you can reach out to professionals for help whenever in need.
- Benzodiazepines: Reduces the risk of severe alcohol withdrawals.
- Anticonvulsants: Used in the treatment of mild withdrawal states.
- Lorazepam: Meant for addicts with breakdowns in the withdrawal period.
- Chlorpromazine or risperidone: Cures severe anxiety because of hallucination.
- Multivitamin supplements: In the initial days of detox patient may also be recommended vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, and C.