Alcohol Detox
What is alcohol detox?
Alcohol detox is the process of helping an individual end their dependence on alcohol. Alcohol detox is overseen by medical professional and has the sole objective of getting the individual to move forward into a life without alcohol.
Alcohol detox and withdrawal
Alcohol detox helps the individual through alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include: psychological symptoms such as "the shakes", nervousness, general irritability, mood swings, depression and nightmares as well as physical symptoms such as sweating, vomiting nausea and loss of appetite.
One of the biggest hurdles recovering alcoholics face is withdrawal. The length, type and severity of withdrawal symptoms from giving up alcohol consumption can run the gamut from mild to intense – it all depends on the make-up of the individual and how long/how much they have been drinking. Many individuals are advised to contact a doctor or recovery professional before they give up alcohol "cold turkey" so that they may be educated about withdrawal and the symptoms associated with it.
How a person feels as they go through alcohol detox depends upon the individual. Some individuals experience intense versions of the symptoms above, while other make it through with little or no problem. It is really a matter of the physiological make up of the individual and how long they have been drinking alcohol excessively.
The importance of alcohol detox
The process of alcohol detox is crucial for a couple of key reasons. First, as long as alcohol toxins remain in an individual's body, he or she will continue to crave alcohol (which is obviously a large roadblock on the road to recovery). Second, if a person is still under the influence of alcohol, he or she will be unable to take part fully in future treatment or after-care. Alcohol detox gets an individual prepared for alcohol recovery.
Some individuals are really best served by entering an alcohol detox facility. The individuals are those who really require additional medical care while going through detox. Reasons for this include, severe withdrawal symptoms, an existing illness causes by alcohol abuse and previous failed attempts at going through alcohol detox. Although the medication that these individuals receive will be the same as though given by a general practitioner, the extra care they receive from professionals who known alcohol detox well is invaluable.
Many individuals going through alcohol detox will be prescribed vitamin treatment such as B1 to help enhance good health during the process. The reason for this is that many individuals with an alcohol problem are lacking certain vitamins due to a poor diet. Most commonly, the vitamin they are lacking is B1 which can lead to long term problems with the human brain.
Treatment at Michael's House helps the patient get through alcohol detox. Through our alcohol and drug rehab and mental health facilities, we incorporate best practices in addictions and behavioral health treatments and are highly individualized and client directed.
