Private Alcohol Detox

Alcoholism is a dangerous addiction. An alcohol detox means cutting off all alcohol intake and setting abstinence habits for the future. During a detox one can feel tremendous physical stress as withdrawal symptoms emerge. However, the recovery process is bearable with enough support and medical attention.

During alcohol detox, withdrawal symptoms are likely to surface. They can be very harsh so it is crucial that you are supervised by medical professionals during alcohol detox. At a rehab centre, you will be given vitamins and minerals and placed in a safe environment.

Withdrawal symptoms begin hours after the last drink and can peak up to three days later before getting weaker. Patients are monitored for health complications the entire time. An alcohol detox is usually complete after a week to ten days.

What is alcohol withdrawal?

Withdrawal is the process where the body begins to normalize after alcohol abuse. The brain eventually becomes dependent on alcohol to function. When someone who has excessively abused alcohol for a prolonged period suddenly stops drinking, the brain tries to restore equilibrium naturally.

However, the central nervous system (CNS) gets overexcited due to alcohol abuse. During this process, the person experiences alcohol withdrawal symptoms which can be dangerous.

Excessive drinking causes complications in the brain stem that can cause seizures, as well as many other serious withdrawal symptoms, during recovery. Read on to understand what these symptoms are, and how you can deal with them.

As the brain develops a dependency on alcohol, nerves in the gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, receptors are shut down. The brain relies on alcohol to relax the CNS. Dopamine receptors are also affected. When a person binge drinks, dopamine releases to give a feeling of pleasure.

For the first few hours after the last drink, the brain begins dealing with the erratic CNS. Many symptoms of alcohol withdrawal occur, including headaches, nausea, or seizures. During alcohol detox, dopamine levels lower before adjusting. This leads to depression and feeling down.

Signs & symptoms of alcohol withdrawal

About eight hours after your last drink, you may start showing symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Your body begins removing all toxins while it repairs its neural networks. Some mild symptoms are:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Uncontrollable sweating
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Shaking
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue
• Brain fog

Symptoms can become serious. More severe signs of alcohol withdrawal consist of:

• Hallucinations and confusion
• Seizures
• Fever
• High blood pressure
• Delirium tremens (DT)

Why are alcohol withdrawal symptoms dangerous?

Although the symptoms themselves are not lethal, the complications they provoke can lead to disaster. A medical supervisor will monitor the health of a patient to check what can be done. Some complications that can arise from withdrawal symptoms include:

Spotting and treating delirium tremens

Delirium tremens (DT) is one of the most severe cases of alcohol detox. As the days go by, alcohol withdrawal gets increasingly more intense. Heavy alcohol abusers are more likely to experience DT.

At first people on an alcohol detox will experience mild symptoms. Headaches, nausea and irritability are expected within 8 to 12 hours after the last drink. Over the next few days, the patient may experience anxiety, vomiting, restlessness, fatigue, and sweating. Two days after the last drink, symptoms like hallucinations and seizures begin to occur.

Around two to four days is when DT symptoms appear. It can be delayed up to 10 days after the last drink. During this time, you can expect:

• Tremors
• Disorientation
• Changes in heart rate
• Rapid mood changes
• Fatigue
• Sensitivity to smell, taste and sight

DT is taxing on a person’s mental and physical health, and the individual can experience extreme ups and downs. Their physiological disruptions, like changes in heart rate or breathing, can be fatal.

If you are concerned that yourself or a loved one is exhibiting signs of these severe withdrawal symptoms, it is vital that you seek immediate medical help.

Factors that affect the duration of alcohol detox

Many factors can influence the length of alcohol detox. Your doctor or medical supervisor during an alcohol detox will take into account a variety of factors before determining your treatment plan, it’s length, and which medications you may be prescribed.

People will experience different symptoms depending on:

• Sex
• Age
• Weight
• Frequency of drinks
• How long the person has been drinking
• Other underlying health conditions
• Other drug use

Alcohol detox and withdrawal timeline

The effects of alcohol withdrawal get worse over time as the body regulates itself. People tend to experience certain symptoms at given times after the last drink. The following timeline illustrates when withdrawal symptoms begin to arise:

The more one drinks, the harder his symptoms will be. Those who suffer from a milder alcohol dependence will start experiencing alcohol withdrawal signs about eight or so hours after the last drink. They can expect symptoms to continue to peak and get weaker over five to seven days before the alcohol detox is over.

Long term abusers will see more intense results. They may experience DT within the first three days.

Understanding the CIWA and diagnosing alcohol withdrawal

In addition to the physical symptoms one may exhibit, there is a questionnaire for diagnosing alcohol withdrawal. Referred to as the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol (CIWA), this survey helps to determine the severity of alcohol detox symptoms.

Scoring lower than 20 on the CIWA suggests mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms. Twenty or higher (up to 67) heavily suggests the onset of delirium tremens. Symptoms tested by the CIWA include:

• Shaking
• Nausea and vomiting
• Uncontrollable sweating
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Problems with sense of touch
• Hallucinations
• Headaches
• Disorientation

Is it safe for me to detox from alcohol at home?

Quitting alcohol can be a tough journey. Some people feel confident and decide to detox from home. However, it is highly recommended to admit yourself or a loved one to a detox programme where you can be observed. Detoxing at home isolates you from a supportive medical environment.

Detoxing without medical assistance can especially be risky for long term binge drinkers who are clueless about the effects of alcohol withdrawal. These patients can develop destructive symptoms like seizures and DT which require quick medical attention.

Inpatients are removed from their triggering environments at home. They get to enjoy a moment of peace in a comfortable, secluded setting. In their home, the temptation to fall back to alcohol or use other drugs is still present. Detoxing at home makes it harder to set new habits and intentions for abstaining from alcohol.

Treatment for alcohol withdrawal symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms can be managed in a number of ways. Patients will receive aid depending on personal symptoms. Those suffering from severe signs and delicate senses can undergo inpatient treatment. They can live under medical supervision for the peak of their withdrawal. Inpatient programmes also have professional therapists on hand to assist with mental issues.

Patients who have serious alcohol detox symptoms will receive prescription medications when necessary. Outpatient treatment involves following up on patients after rehab. This typically includes group or family counselling and personal therapy to help them remain abstinent.

Alcoholics Anonymous is another support group for the post-rehab phase. It is a multi-step programme where people recovering from alcohol abuse and addiction find unity. Sober living communities also provide safety and understanding of healing. Frequent meetings and peer support are pivotal during sober living.

How to deal with the fear of alcohol withdrawal

People may be too afraid of alcohol withdrawal symptoms to quit. Daily drinkers or people who binge drink frequently are very likely to experience severe symptoms. When they suddenly cease alcohol intake, they will begin an uncomfortable chain of events in their body.

With enough emotional support from friends and family and assistance from medical personnel, anyone can build up the courage to go through alcohol detox.

If you are currently (or have previously been) in battle with alcoholism, consider talking with family and friends about admitting yourself to a detox centre. You will have dedicated supervisors and medicine available for each step of alcohol withdrawal.

If the price of rehab is concerning, ask family and friends, check your insurance, or inquire about loans you can borrow to pay. Remember: the costs may be initially steep but this is the best way to ensure a life free from alcohol addiction – which means a life of happiness, sobriety and a clear mind to enjoy the things you once loved.

What to expect from our alcohol detox clinics?

Rehab facilities come fully staffed and equipped to deal with alcohol detox patients. At an average alcohol clinic centre you can expect:

• Medical personnel to monitor your health 24/7 and administer medication when needed;
• Supportive therapists who offer individual and group therapy;
• Vitamins and nutritious meals to replenish nutrient deficiency caused by alcohol abuse;
• To work on psychological triggers and prepare for a lifestyle of alcohol abstinence;
• Personal treatment depending on withdrawal symptoms.

You should examine your behaviour first if you feel that you need help with alcohol abuse. If you tend to drink every day, binge drink often or are irritable when you are not drinking, you may need help. Pay attention to your own actions and thoughts about alcohol. Seek out a rehab centre for help with your situation now to avoid hardships in the future.