If you’re looking to start your journey towards detoxing from alcohol, make sure to do so the right way. It takes a certain level of expertise to detox in a way that prevents any serious health risks while you go through the withdrawal process.
Medical supervision is an essential step in the detox process to make sure your recovery is as successful as possible. This blog will provide information on what is involved in alcohol detoxification including what it is, how it works, the risks involved in detoxing on your own, and different methods of completing detoxification.
What Is Involved in Alcohol Detoxification
Detoxing from alcohol can be very dangerous if it is not done the right way. Many factors contribute to the successfulness of detoxification, such as the severity of one’s alcohol addiction, the amount of alcohol consumed per day, and one’s general health. Alcohol detox starts when your body begins to experience the symptoms of withdrawal. If you have been drinking for an extended period and suddenly stop, your body may react in a harmful way. If you or someone you know is looking to detox from alcohol, it’s better to get help from a team of medical professionals.
What to Expect From a Medical Detox
Many people consider the effectiveness of detoxing from alcohol at home, but the truth is that detoxification from alcohol requires medical help. Here’s what to expect when going through a medical detox:
- Intake The medical team at a rehab facility will perform a comprehensive review of your medical, drug, and psychiatric history. This will help them develop a treatment plan tailor-made to meet your needs.
- Medication During a medically assisted detox, you’ll receive medication that works to mitigate your withdrawal symptoms. These medications also help to target co-occurring disorders. FDA-approved benzodiazepines, anticonvulsant medication, and barbiturates are all used to alleviate the symptoms of the detoxification process.
- Stabilization Once you’re enrolled in a medical detox program, clients receive critical psychological and medical therapies to help them balance their body and mind. During these treatment programs, patients learn to develop new coping mechanisms that make it easier to adapt to a life without alcohol.
Finding sobriety after alcohol addiction isn’t easy. Detoxing from a serious alcohol addiction takes an intentional approach with the help of a dedicated medical team. By choosing to undergo medical detox, you’ll get the 24-hour care and support you need to get sober.
Signs It’s Time to Medical Detox
Detoxing from alcohol is a challenge, and it’s much safer when you have the support of others. Trying to wean yourself off alcohol without assistance can lead to cardiac arrest, severe seizures, and death. If you want to achieve long-term sobriety, it’s best to work with a team of professionals. By choosing to seek help instead of quitting on your own, you’ll improve your chances of avoiding relapse.
Though many people consume alcohol recreationally, few know when it’s time to call it quits or that they’re experiencing alcohol addiction. Knowing when it’s time for medical detox can help you avoid long-term effects of alcoholism like anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, sleep problems, and fertility issues.
If you’re wondering if it’s time to detox, consider the following signs of alcohol withdrawal:
- 6 – 8 hours after drinking You’ll experience vomiting, nausea, headaches, anxiety, and agitation.
- 12 – 24 hours after drinking You’ll experience seizures, hand tremors, and disorientation
- 48 hours after drinking You’ll experience high blood pressure, seizures, delirium tremens, excessive sweating, and high fever.
These symptoms make for an incredibly unpleasant experience if you don’t have the right medical care. If you’re serious about detoxing from alcohol, be sure to do so in a professional setting at a rehab facility. While symptoms of withdrawal improve after a few days, professional treatment will equip you with the tools needed to overcome addiction in the long term.
If you have experienced an overdose or know someone that has, it’s time to take action today. If you have any questions about recovering from an overdose, be sure to contact us at 833-846-5669. Our counselors are ready to speak with you and help you get started on your recovery journey.