Methods of Alcohol Detox: What You Should Know

Alcohol detox is the process of ridding the body of alcohol over a period of time to the point where alcohol is no longer present in the system. For a person who is dependent on alcohol this process can be mentally and physically painful and dangerous. It is important for an alcohol dependent person, which is someone who experiences withdrawal symptoms when they stop drinking, to seek appropriate care and supervision during this process. Quitting drinking isn’t easy for anyone and professional supervision greatly increases the chances of success through the first days. For someone who is physically dependent medical detox is the only option for them.

When you are faced with the problem of getting help for alcoholism you may very well have little to no idea about what you need to do. You will certainly find out that you or your loved one may need detox services but there are many choices, some better than others depending on your situation.

Home Detoxification:

This method is one that people often attempt the first time they quit using alcohol. Suffering the social and physical consequences of chronic alcohol abuse a person reaches a point where they want to stop using and attempt to do so. Often the person doesn’t realize their body is actually physically dependant on alcohol and believes by just getting rid of all alcohol in the home and waiting it out will work. Then the detoxification symptoms set in, they get shakes, sweats, nausea, irritability, confusion and obsessive thoughts of drinking. In extreme cases the symptoms can be much more severe and can include hallucinations, nervous system problems and grand mal seizure. Home detox is the most unsuccessful and dangerous method. It can also be a huge strain on an already tense family and job situation. The entire burden is on the shoulders of the alcoholic and his or her family members. For a person who has changed their body’s physiology with alcohol this method almost always fails.

Social Detoxification:

Social detox is just as it sounds, a method where by the alcoholic is placed in a completely sober environment with others who are also attempting to quit drinking and rid their body of alcohol. This method is better than at home detox and usually includes monitoring by professional staff that can recognize the more severe physical symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Followed by an aftercare program of residential rehabilitation this method can be successful. However, if you are not sure of how severe the withdrawal may be, or if the person who needs detox has a history of seizures, delirium tremors, hallucinations or other severe effects , social detox is not a safe method.

Medical Detoxification:

Medical detox is by far the most recommended, safest, and easiest way to handle alcohol withdrawal. In medical detox a person is received into a hospital, medical center or other appropriate facility where doctors, nurses and medical equipment are on hand 24 hours a day. The individual is immediately screened and interviewed and provided a safe area to continue their detox process. Medications are used to ease withdrawal symptoms and help prevent seizures. This process usually lasts 5-7 days and should also be augmented with a comprehensive aftercare program including inpatient or outpatient substance abuse counseling.

Additionally medical detox also provides the added benefit of being able to identify and treat medical problems which may have been overshadowed by chronic drinking. Many alcoholics have underlying health issues which have not been addressed appropriately. Heart disease, diabetes, liver problems and sometimes psychiatric issues are most common and can be at a life threatening stage by the time an individual seeks help for their alcoholism. Social and home detox programs often miss these other chronic problems.

Overall the best method is hospital based detox, this can be unsettling to some because no one wants to be in a hospital bed for 5 days. However many programs have combined the benefits of social detox with the clear advantages of a medical facility into programs which are good for the body and the mind. Programs which combine the social aspects of residential style amenities, with medical staff and medication are the most successful and offer the best foundation for a happy and substance free life.

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