People suffering from alcoholism often find that the first step on their path to recovery is detoxification or detoxification. Detoxification is the removal of alcohol from the body after the body has chemically adjusted to have the substance on a regular basis. It can be performed in an outpatient or inpatient medical detoxification setting and is done to help the body overcome withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to severe depending on several factors, such as how much the person drank, how often, and if they have any co-occurring disorders.
While this alone does not guarantee lifelong abstinence, alcohol detoxification may be the first step to living cleanly when following up with rehabilitation or therapy. Alcohol detoxification is a process that helps people overcome their physical dependence on alcohol. It is important to understand that detox alone is not a treatment for alcoholism, but it is the first step to getting better for people who depend on alcohol. Detoxification is done to help the body overcome withdrawal symptoms and can be performed in an outpatient or inpatient medical detoxification setting.
The level of withdrawal management and the intensity of attention needed to detoxify from alcohol vary depending on the magnitude of physical dependence and other individual addiction problems. Inpatient detoxification centers help guide people through the process and customize a treatment plan, from detoxification to follow-up support, that will give the person the best chance of achieving recovery and avoiding relapses in the future. Minor withdrawal symptoms usually start about six hours after your last drink. A person who has a long history of heavy drinking could have seizures six hours after stopping drinking.
The Effects of Withdrawal on Body and Mind Can Be Uncomfortable and Dangerous. When you enter an alcoholism treatment program, you will benefit from medical care that addresses alcohol withdrawal and any underlying co-occurring disorders you have. It also works to reduce cravings for alcohol; however, it will not produce an unwanted effect if alcohol is consumed. Detoxification is often accompanied by medication, medical observation and counseling.
Phase 1 occurs within hours after an alcoholic stops using alcohol and continues for days or weeks. During this time, it is important to stay hydrated and get plenty of rest as well as eat healthy meals. It is also important to avoid triggers such as people, places, or things that may cause cravings for alcohol. It is always recommended to seek medical attention for an alcohol detox to mitigate these side effects. For those who have a more severe addiction, it is recommended to enter an inpatient program for 24-hour observation and help to succeed in alcohol detoxification efficiently. Keep reading to learn more about how long it takes to detox from alcohol.
We also discuss the signs of addiction, some withdrawal symptoms that a person can expect when detoxifying, and how to treat these symptoms.
