Alcohol Detox Center - The First Step to Overcoming Alcoholism
Whether you've been drinking for a long time or are just beginning to confront addiction, detox may help. It's a first step in getting over alcoholism.
The detox process usually involves medications to ease withdrawal symptoms, like benzodiazepines. These drugs calm the brain's GABA receptors to prevent seizures and calm you.
Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal
If someone suffering from alcohol dependence disorder (AUD), stops drinking, withdrawal symptoms occur. These are distressing and dangerous, and can cause serious health complications. People who have a severe addiction to alcohol must go through detox to rid their bodies of the chemical.
Detoxification is the first step in the recovery process from alcoholism. During this process, your healthcare provider will closely monitor your blood pressure, heart rate, and other symptoms. You'll also be prescribed medication to help reduce withdrawal symptoms and avoid any medical emergency. The majority of the time this medication is a form of benzodiazepine like diazepam or chlordiazepoxide.
After you've finished detoxing, it is important to continue your treatment. The aim of rehab is to determine the root causes of your addiction and to help you deal with your alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Inpatient programs provide an immersive setting in which you can receive assistance from other patients. However, outpatient programs permit you to manage your responsibilities and maintain the balance between work and life.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can manifest within 6-12 hours of your last drink. The symptoms will begin slowly and increase in intensity over the next 24 hour period. In this stage, you'll have increased anxiety nausea, shaking, and trouble sleeping. Some people might even experience a fever which could be life-threatening if not treated with proper care.
On day two, you should be feeling more relaxed. However, in home alcohol detox might feel some of the more intense withdrawal symptoms, including hand shakes and confusion. These symptoms are likely to fade by the end of the week but may reappear at times throughout your recovery.
In this stage, your healthcare provider is likely to prescribe long-acting benzodiazepines that will help manage your withdrawal symptoms and make sure you stay as comfortable as is possible. The medications will help to relax your muscles, lessen the desire to drink, and decrease the symptoms of withdrawal. These drugs are typically prescribed as Valium and Librium, and can be taken up to three days in the event of need. It's essential that you have access to these drugs after quitting drinking.
Medical Care
When a person with alcohol use disorder (AUD) stops drinking and starts to experience withdrawal symptoms, they will feel. These symptoms are uncomfortable and, if they become severe, can be dangerous. It is essential that detox and rehab are done in a safe and controlled environment.
Medications are used to help manage these uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. The most popular medications are benzodiazepines, which affect the brain to mimic the way alcohol affects GABA receptors. This eases the discomfort that comes with withdrawal and increases the possibility of having a seizure. Other medications used during detox include antipsychotics. They help control psychotic symptoms like hearing and seeing things that aren't there. Examples of these medications are olanzapine, Risperdal, and Seroquel.
Medical detox is the first step in addiction recovery. It's important to do it in a monitored medical environment, as it could be life-threatening without medical attention. The process can last up to four days, and it can be a challenge. Patients who suffer from delirium tremens which is the most severe type of withdrawal from alcohol, could require hospitalization.
Inpatient medical detox is the best choice for anyone who wishes to get over addiction to alcohol. Residential treatment facilities are available 24-hour care and can address various addiction-related issues. Inpatient facilities offer support groups and counseling to help clients determine the root of their addiction. This is more effective than treating the symptoms of an addiction and could lead to a lasting recovery.
Medical detox for outpatients is a less intensive option that can be more convenient for people who live at home or work jobs. This kind of detox involves regular visits to a facility for detox sessions, which typically last a couple of hours per day.
Outpatient detox is less effective than detoxing inpatient. This is because it's more common for outpatients to skip detox sessions, or to be relapsed after having completed their detox program. The research conducted hasn't demonstrated that one type of detox is superior to another in terms of long-term outcomes. This means that outpatient detox remains an option for those who are looking to heal from addiction to alcohol.
Counseling
A detox center for alcohol will also offer counseling to help you cope with the physical and emotional symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol. The kind of counseling you receive will be based on your specific requirements. A counselor may ask questions about your relationship with alcohol and what triggers you to drink. This information will be used to develop a treatment plan that will allow you to remain sober after you have finished detoxifying from alcohol.
Many people who struggle with addiction will benefit from a treatment program that incorporate cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which teaches you how to identify and change negative behavior. During CBT, you will learn how to control your urges to drink by replacing them with healthier and more productive habits. CBT also includes mindfulness, a method that helps you concentrate on the present moment and decrease stress levels.
Therapy for families and groups are also forms of therapy that can be included in a plan for detoxification from alcohol. These therapies can help you establish a solid support systems to help you overcome your addiction to alcohol. They will also teach you how to manage withdrawal symptoms and other issues that might arise during your detox.
It is crucial to understand the process of detoxification and rehabilitation if you are suffering from a severe or long-term addiction to alcohol. This will allow you to select the right program for you. It is possible that the most suitable option for you is a residential rehabilitation, which lasts three to six months. You can also choose outpatient treatment which allows you to stay at home and receive treatment.
Outpatient alcohol detox is an effective and safe choice for those suffering from mild or moderate withdrawal symptoms. Inpatient detox is recommended for those who are at risk of suffering life-threatening withdrawal symptoms due to alcohol or have experienced serious medical problems due to long-term drinking.
When you are considering the option of an outpatient or inpatient detoxification from alcohol, it is important to answer all questions asked on your application in a truthful manner. The more details you provide, then the more customized your treatment will be. This will allow you to achieve the most successful outcome possible and keep you from relapsing in the future.
Support
Alcohol addiction is a complicated problem that requires professional help. A detox center can assist you in overcoming your alcohol dependency and the mental and physical problems that come with it. You'll be able to access medical services as well as counseling, life skills training and alumni and family support group.
The staff at an alcohol detox center will be able to give you information about other resources in your region for treatment and recovery from addiction. This is particularly beneficial when you have co-occurring conditions, like mental health issues or an history of depression. The staff will review your drug and alcohol usage history to determine the best way to meet your requirements. This is a crucial aspect of the process and you must answer the question honestly. The more precise your data is, the better treatment you will receive.
After you've completed detox the next step is to sign up in a residential treatment program. It can be completed on-site in a rehab center or in an alternative drug-free setting like a sober-living home. In this type of program, you will live in a clean and sober space for 30 to 90 days or longer. You will receive counselling and be taught about the principles of recovery, including coping with triggers that can lead to relapse.
Some facilities offer group sessions in which you can talk about your addiction with others who are going through similar things. Some facilities provide individual counseling with a therapist or psychiatrist. Still others offer family counseling, in which you and your loved ones can discuss your addiction in a group. Additionally to this, there are online therapy services that can connect you with an therapist from anywhere and at a time that works best for your schedule. This way, you can keep your recovery support long after leaving the detox facility.