Alcohol Detox

For many people, quitting alcohol isn’t as easy as just saying that they are going to stop, especially for those who drink on a regular basis.

At Start Sobriety Now, we know that quitting drinking is a huge commitment and a big lifestyle change. There can be withdrawal symptoms, which can range from mild to severe, and for those who have a high dependency on alcohol, these symptoms can be deadly. These withdrawal symptoms can make achieving sobriety, which is a challenging task as it is, even more difficult to attain.

In cases where withdrawal symptoms arise as a result of trying to quit alcohol, a detoxification program may provide the help that is needed to successfully stop drinking. We are partnered with some of the best alcohol detox facilities in the nation. Call today to speak with a treatment specialist about your options.

What is Alcohol Withdrawal?

Alcohol withdrawal is a syndrome that is potentially life threatening. It is a condition that occurs in people who have been drinking heavily for a prolonged period and either significantly reduces the amount of alcohol they consume or completely stop drinking.

Withdrawal symptoms can start as early as a few hours after having the last drink, or they can start several days later. Often, they persist for weeks and range from mild anxiety, anger, headache and shakiness to severe complications, including seizures and delirium tremens (DTs), which are marked by confusion, increased heart rate and a high fever. Because withdrawal symptoms are potentially fatal and should not be experienced without medical supervision, call us today for the safest possible route to recovery.

The severity of the symptoms that are associated with alcohol withdrawal depend on how dependent an individual was on alcohol. Since symptoms are both physical and psychological, it can be difficult for a person who is trying to achieve sobriety to have success. Often, in order to put an end to the symptoms that they are experiencing, they end up drinking.

What is Alcohol Detoxification?

Alcohol detoxification (detox) refers to the process of stopping using alcohol, going through withdrawal symptoms and bringing the body back to a state where it is no longer dependent on alcohol. During the process of detoxification, an individual can experience various side effects, which can be difficult to manage on their own or can be hard for a loved one to assist with. For that reason, it is highly recommended that people who want to stop using alcohol and may experience withdrawal symptoms go to an inpatient setting with one of our esteemed alcohol detox partners where they can receive the professional assistance that they need.

During alcohol detox, it is often not possible for an individual or even a trusted loved one to provide the proper care and support that is needed. At one of our inpatient rehabilitation centers, a trained professional will provide the necessary support that is needed to ensure the health and safety of the person who is going through detox, including:

• Monitoring vital signs
• Assessing body fluid and electrolyte levels
• Identifying and treating any serious complications that may arise, such as seizures and DTs, which, if left untreated, can be deadly

In addition to getting the necessary care and support that is needed during alcohol detox, another major benefit of being admitted to one of our inpatient rehabilitation centers is that it reduces the risk of relapsing. While a person is going through detox, the withdrawal symptoms can tempt them to drink alcohol in order to ease the effects. In an inpatient setting, the activities and the items that a patient has access to will be strictly monitored, which prevents the ability to give into the temptation to drink.

How Long Does Alcohol Detox Take?

The amount of time it takes to complete alcohol detox depends on each individual’s circumstances; it will likely take longer for those who have been drinking large amounts of alcohol for a long period of time. In general, it takes around a week to 10 days to complete the detox process. Call us today for a free, confidential addiction assessment to determine the best route to recovery for you.

Rehabilitation does not end when a person completes detox. Typically, an inpatient program lasts at least 30 to 45 days. Some patients may benefit from a longer program that lasts 60 to 90 days. The amount of time that a person is recommended to remain in an inpatient rehabilitation program is based on the following factors:

• The history of the addiction
• The severity of the addiction
• Whether or not the person is using other substances, in addition to alcohol
• Whether or not a medical, mental or behavioral health condition exists
• The mental, emotional, physical and social needs of the patient

A rehabilitation program devised by our trusted team of addiction specialists will provide post-detox support based on each individual client’s needs. Patients will receive the necessary support in order to help guide them on the road to recovery. For example, alcohol addiction and dependency is often the result of an underlying issue; alcohol is essentially used as a bandage to cover up a mental, emotional or physical wound. In order for the wound to heal, the bandage needs to be torn off and the wound itself needs to be treated. Post-detox support provides that treatment.

Remaining Sober

It is important to remember that once alcohol detox and a rehabilitation program are completed, a patient has not reached the end of recovery; in fact, detox and rehab are just the first steps in the long road to recovery. By looking at recovery as a process rather than a destination, individuals will see each step as an important investment for a better future. Speak with one of our trained treatment specialists for resources on recovery and after care practices.

When a patient is discharged from an inpatient rehabilitation center, he or she is at risk of relapsing. It is important for a patient to receive the necessary support that is needed to prevent relapse—support that our team at Start Sobriety Now provides.

Patients should be properly educated about their addiction and the triggers that may tempt them to drink. They should be taught how to replace the destructive behavior of drinking with something that will impact the positively. They should receive continued support and care after leaving a rehabilitation center in order to avoid relapse and successfully walk down the road to recovery.

If you or someone you love is being affected by alcohol abuse, call us at (800) 553-6192 for a free and confidential treatment assessment. We offer assisted alcohol detoxification, supported rehabilitation and the continuing care that is needed in order to successfully attain sobriety. We understand individual needs and provide a caring, supportive, welcoming and comfortable environment where recovery from alcohol abuse and dependency can be overcome.