How Does Alcohol Drug Detox Work?

Physical Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol drug detox is often a necessary part of the alcohol rehabilitation process. Once an individual has gained a physical addiction to alcohol, symptoms develop as a result of discontinued alcohol intake. Alcohol withdrawal is an extremely dangerous process, and can be potentially fatal if the proper precautions are not taken.

Toxicity – What Is It?

Most of the time, the human body is able to eliminate toxins through the lymph glands, liver urinary system and intestines. However, a body that is inundated with toxins, as seen in chronic and heavy drinkers, will be unable to process the toxins properly. The system becomes backed up, requiring the body to detoxify. Due to the risks associated with alcohol toxicity, California detox patients must be monitored at a California alcohol rehab center to avoid serious complications.

Hospital Treatment And Monitoring

Those who require an alcohol detox will require medical monitoring by a trained addiction specialist. Patients are typically prescribed one of several medications to help the body cope with the withdrawal, as the alcohol slowly drains from the patient’s system. Some of the more common medications used in detox include barbiturates, benzodiazepines, ethanol and others.

Many physicians also recommend various minerals and vitamins as part of the detoxification process. Alcohol works to remove various vitamins from the body, and as such, it’s important to replenish. Some patients risk brain damage and wernick syndrom if particular vitamin supplements are not provided.

Withdrawal Symptoms

The symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal can include hallucinations, seizures, nausea, vomiting, convulsions, disorientation, tremors and death. A number of factors play into the severity of these symptoms, including age, genetics and the abuse history of the patient. The number of times a patients has been through the detoxification process can also play a role in the extent of withdrawal.

Getting Through The Process

Hydration is key in aiding the detoxification process. Add to this a good deal of warm milk to counteract insomnia, herbal teas and cranberry juice to flush out the urinary track, and you’re on the path to a successful detox. Hot baths, a healthy diet and exercise all positively affect patients in emotional and physical ways as well.  

Alcohol Drug Detox – Medication Types

Alcohol drug detox is perhaps the most physically demanding aspect of the withdrawal process. Those going through withdrawal are at risk for experiencing nausea, seizures, vomiting and anxiety. Due to the severity of these side effects, many specialists who oversee medical detox clinics offer prescription medications to minimize the discomfort and risks. In the following entry, we will outline a few of the more common medications used in alcohol detox facilities.

Haldol

An anti-psychotic, Haldol is prescribed to patients suffering from schizophrenia and dementia. Heavey alcohol users going through withdrawal are at risk for experiencing alcohol induced delirium, which can include hallucinations and even death. The drug serves in lowering the death risk in delirium patients while reducing cravings.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are prescribed to some patients as a way to combat seizures and anxiety. Alcoholics who binge multiple times a week are especially prone to seizures, and are more at risk than individuals who have relapsed numerous times. Common Benzodiazepines, including Valium and Xanax work to heighten the seizure threshold, thus minimizing the risk of a medical emergency during medical detox. In addition, these medications work to help patients sleep, combating the insomnia common in many alcohol detox patients.

Beta Blockers

Beta blockers are most commonly used in patients who also suffer from heart disease. Many patients experience an increased heart rate during the detoxification process, leading to potential cardiac arrest. Beta blockers are thus prescribed as a means to slow the heart rate while alleviating the blood pressure increase. Some physicians will combine Beta blockers with additional medications, such as Dilatin to help control various side effects associated with the nervous system.

Considerations

If you’re searching for additional information regarding a California alcohol rehab stay, your best option is to get in touch with a local addiction specialist to determine the best course of action. He or she will be able to assess the situation at hand, while providing insight as to your available options.

Choosing A California Alcohol Rehab Facility

If you’re considering enrollment in a California alcohol rehab facility, you must first determine the best program suits your needs. Locating a quality program may seem daunting to some, but with a little determination and perseverance, many find the process extremely rewarding.

Before you begin searching for a facility, you’ll need to narrow down your options. Below is a list of questions to ask yourself prior to starting your search:

-          How Severe Is Your Condition? Where serious alcohol abuse is apparent, alcoholics may benefit more from a facility that offers a medically monitored detox program.

-          Are Special Needs A Factor? If you have a handicap or strict diet, it may be in your best interest to locate a facility that caters to your needs.

-          What Is Your Financial Situation? Will treatment be covered through your insurance provider? Do you have the means to pay for treatment on your own? Is financing available through the treatment centers you are interested in? These factors can easily narrow your search.

Questions To Ask A Facility:

1 – How long is the average stay for patients enrolled in your facility?

2 – How much does treatment cost?

3 – Have the physicians operating the facility been certified?

4 – How involved are patient families in the recovery process?

5 – Is your facility properly accredited?

6 – Do you offer an alcohol drug detox program?

7 – What types of treatments?

8 – What, if any insurance plans to you accept?

9 – Are there any aftercare programs offered at your facility?

10 – What is the client to staff ratio?

11 – Do you have a waiting list for treatment?

12 – What types of licenses does your facility possess?

13 – What philosophies and goals does your facility adhere to?

14 – What year did your facility open?

15 – Why should I choose your facility for treatment?

Recovery is never an easy process. By taking the time to locate a program that can properly assess and address your individual needs, you are creating a foundation from which to build the happy and fulfilling life you and your loved ones deserve. 

The Best Approach - Alcohol Drug Detox

Alcohol drug detox is a treatment option vital to the success of most every alcohol addiction. As a disease, alcoholism negatively affects the lives of millions of people the world over. Alcoholism can be treated successfully through professional therapy and medication, with new treatments and methods coming to light each year. However, whether or not treatment is successful will ultimately depend on the tools and resources used to address the issue. If someone you know is suffering from an alcohol dependency, the entry below will provide you with a step-by-step guide towards approaching recovery.

Step 1 – Call up close friends and relatives of the individual in question to help stage an intervention. If the alcoholic does not recognize their dependency issues in a negative way, the first step towards recovery is getting them to that point. Once they realize the extent of their problem, they will be much more likely to seek help.

Step 2 – Provide the alcoholic with a list of common alcoholism symptoms. Becoming aware of the symptoms while sober will help convince the alcoholic as to the severity of their situation. The 4 major symptoms include suffering withdrawal when alcohol is denied, a high tolerance, a physical dependency and cravings.

Step 3 – Determine your treatment options and plan accordingly. Affordable alcohol treatment centers are located throughout the country. Do your research and call a few to learn about their philosophies and treatment methods. Different facilities will cater better towards different personality types, and it’s important to locate a program that can properly address the disease in a way that makes sense to the addict.

Step 4 – Prior to entering a rehab facility, most alcoholics will be required to enter an alcohol drug detox. This process works to remove all of the toxins present in the patient’s system while working to address withdrawal symptoms in a safe, comfortable and medically monitored environment. The detoxification process will vary with each patient, with typical programs lasting between 7-10 days.

Step 5 – Once an individual has completed detox, they will be invited to enter alcohol rehab to help address the root of their abuse. Patients will participate in individual and group therapy sessions with additional treatments and activities dependent on the facility guidelines and philosophies.

Getting The Most Out Of Your 12 Step Alcohol Program

The 12-step alcohol program, Alcoholics Anonymous, was initially created to help individuals struggling with alcohol and substance abuse issues. Though there are currently a wide array of groups utilizing similar teachings and formats, AA was the first to offer a safe and non-judgmental environment where addicts could share their pain, stories and successes with others. If you believe the 12 step process might be a good fit for you or a loved one, the entry below will provide you with a guide to getting the most out of the experience.

1 – To rid yourself of any obstacles, be sure to gather meeting information well in advance. Though making the decision to attend an alcohol anonymous 12 step program is a momentous step forward, when it comes to addiction, following through is rarely a strong point. For a list of meetings in your area, simply hop online or consult your local phone book.

2 – Talk to a close friend or relative to help you stay accountable or even attend with you. There are countless excuses to avoid optional and unwanted circumstances, and this is certainly without exception. Once you’ve attending your first meeting, make sure to grab a schedule to help you plan accordingly. If you find that the meeting just isn’t your thing, try again! Most areas have numerous meetings with different participants and locations. Look around and find the one that feels most comfortable to you.

3 – Get yourself a sponsor. Sponsors are individuals of the same sex who have an extended period of sobriety and can relate to your particular story. This individual will be your go-to support source if and when you begin to experience issues in your recovery. Finding a sponsor isn’t difficult, and typically only requires asking around.

4 – In order to realize the full potential of the 12-step program, you must utilize each of the available tools. This includes meetings, phones, sponsors and of course…. The 12 steps. When you begin to attend meetings, you will be provided with a few phone numbers of others to call if needed. These contacts can prove useful not only in a supportive way, but as a means to communicate socially. Addiction in an extremely isolating disease, perhaps best combated through sharing and support. By making the decision to utilize all that AA has to offer, many people are able to achieve the sober, happy and fulfilling lifestyle they’ve always dreamed of.

Though many people come to AA following completion of an alcohol drug detox, there is no typical story or participant. Keep your mind, heart and arms open; a whole new life is waiting just around the corner.