Alcohol Detoxification
Drugs and alcohol abuse
How Alcohol Works
Alcohol, like other substances, has a profound impact upon the brain and a distinct effect upon the body’s organs and functioning. Alcohol both enhances certain neuroreceptors and decreases other neuroreceptors. This pattern increases along with the tolerance for alcoholic quantities consumed. Alcohol addiction is a chronic, lifelong disease. It is estimated that over 17. 6 million people, or one in twelve adults, have abused alcohol. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health has reviewed the data and found that early alcohol use “independent of other risk factors, may contribute to the risk of developing future alcohol problems.”
Detox From Alcohol
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Alcohol detoxification is only the first step in gaining freedom from alcohol and the consequences of alcohol abuse. Alcohol detox can be scary and can cause people to avoid detoxification and abstinence. The brain receptors have been inhibited with the consistent use of alcohol. Cessation of alcohol after chronic use or a heavy recent bout of drinking leads to a variety of withdrawal symptoms. Physical manifestations of alcohol withdrawal are also dependent upon the patient’s duration and extent of use, along with their psychological history, including other chemical addictions.
Type of Drug |
Withdrawal Symptoms |
Duration of Symptoms During Detox |
Alcohol
|
Minor withdrawal symptoms: insomnia, tremors, mild anxiety, gastrointestinal upset (diarrhea, vomiting, nausea), headache, excessive sweating, palpitations, anorexia
Alcoholic hallucinations: visual, auditory, or tactile hallucinations
Withdrawal symptoms:
generalized seizures to Gran Mal seizures
Alcohol withdrawal delirium and tremors:
Hallucinations (mostly visual), confusion, muscle cramping,
disorientation, cardiac instability, irregular blood pressure, low-grade fever, agitation, excessive sweating |
Symptoms last 6-12
Hours
Symptoms last 12-24 hours
Symptoms lasts 24- 48 hours
Symptoms last 48-72 hours |
Don’t let the fear of withdrawal stop you from seeking help to detox.
An individual’s experience during detox is dependent upon the quantities of alcohol and other drugs recently consumed, and the number of previous detoxes experienced. “Kindling,” a combination of cravings for alcohol and physical withdrawal symptoms, is directly related to the long-term changes that occur within the brain’s neurons. Kindling also correlates to the number of detoxifications previously experienced, thus leading to a worsening of withdrawal symptoms with time. For this reason, it is important to be carefully assessed by a medical doctor and have a comprehensive detoxification plan implemented that includes, but is not limited to, medication.
Alcohol Detox Programs
It should be understood that alcohol detoxification may take weeks. Sometimes, delirium tremens can begin as late as two weeks after the last drink.
Abnormalities in bodily fluid levels occur, as will the loss of appetite and the intake of nutrition. These and other manifestations of alcohol withdrawal require constant attention from trained medical professionals. Alcohol detoxification can be a serious physical and emotional challenge; it is recommended that you seek help from a licensed detox clinic. The goal of a detox program is to closely monitor a person withdrawing from alcohol while maintaining the patient’s dignity, and ensuring humane treatment that prepares the patient for alcohol treatment and abstinence.
Lakeview Health Systems’ alcohol detoxification program is defined by our commitment to provide the best around-the-clock detox therapy possible. Our specialized, licensed, and state-of-the-art medical facility provides you with the most secure, private, and safe environment to rid your body of the alcohol poison and set you on the road to recovery.
To ease the pain of withdrawal and prepare you for the second step toward overcoming alcohol abuse and addiction, our addiction trained medical staff of doctors and nurses are present to monitor every aspect of your detox. With the proper administrations of medications such as Librium, diazepam, Ativan, and lorazepam (four of hundreds of possible medications administered), you are guaranteed to move through detox more comfortably. A leading problem with outpatient detoxification is the under-treatment of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. This reality leaves users abandoning the detox treatment plan and returning to abusive behavior.
Beyond Alcohol Detoxification
The ramifications of alcohol abuse go beyond the patient’s continued use. Often times family members have unwittingly participated in the pattern of addictive behavior. The family members are also put at risk, especially children, for future addiction. For an alcoholic and his or her family members, addressing the family dynamic is crucial once alcoholic detoxification has occurred. The underlying disease of addiction must be addressed, and the family dynamic altered if the patient is to maintain long-term abstinence.
Lakeview Health Systems offers a multidisciplinary approach to alcohol addiction and treatment, offering patients and their families a place to safely address issues surrounding addiction. Furthermore, Lakeview Health Systems is dedicated to complete confidentiality, safety, and security, thereby enabling the patient and family members to freely address their emotional and physical problems and start down the road of recovery feeling strong and supported.
Using a medical model including cognitive and behavioral therapies, medication management and education, individual and group therapy, 12-step workshops, optional spiritual workshops, recreational activities, aftercare plans, and more, our patients are given the tools to reflect upon their past behavior, alter their thinking process, and strengthen their commitment to life, to sobriety, and to positive decision making.
Other Detoxification Programs that Lakeview Offers:
Longing to lead a healthy, productive life in your family unit and in the community at large? Don’t let alcohol lead you to death’s door. You can leave the shame and pain of alcohol abuse behind. Don’t wait another minute! Call now to speak with one of our trained, sympathetic admissions coordinators about alcohol detox programs at 1-800-884-1727. You can also reach our Helpline by using Live Chat or through our Contact Us form.
