Everybody has various needs regarding treating alcohol use disorder (AUD), a condition that could be diagnosed when your alcohol use is problematic and brings about significant distress. It could range from mild to serious, depending on the symptoms you have. The care you would need depends on where you categorize in that range.
Some individuals with AUD become alcohol dependent and show withdrawal symptoms when they abruptly stop drinking. The withdrawal effects on your mind and body could be uncomfortable and harmful. That is where alcohol detox comes in.
Put simply, alcoholism detox (detoxification) is the process of cleansing the body after the long-term use of alcohol. Detoxification may be viewed as an important first step.
According to MedicineNet:
"Treatment requires first ending the physical dependence, then making lifestyle changes..."
The duration and intensiveness of the former (that is, ending the physical dependence) depends upon several factors such as the amount of that was being drunk, the length of a patient's drinking history and previous alcohol withdrawal attempts.
Important: If you drink on a regular basis you should consult a medical professional before you begin the Alcoholism Detox process.
Alcohol depresses a person’s central nervous system. This brings about feelings of euphoria and relaxation. Because the body generally works to retain balance, it would signal the brain to create more neurotransmitter receptors which stimulate or excite the central nervous system.
After prolonged use of alcohol, your body becomes highly dependent upon alcohol, especially your brain cells and your kidney and liver.
When you suddenly stop drinking, you remove alcohol from the receptors you originally had and also from the other receptors your body created. As a result, your central nervous system becomes overactive.
Thus, a sudden break in drinking can cause severe symptoms, formally known as alcohol withdrawal symptoms (AWS).
The period of detoxification from alcohol could be dangerous, and withdrawal symptoms could be severe - thus, a medical professional must be consulted before abruptly stopping alcohol use, particularly if one has been a chronic, excessive drinker.
Through an examination of the alcohol abuse history and physical tests (such as: complete blood count, liver function tests, and urine drug screen) a physician can diagnose what kind of withdrawal symptoms to expect.
The decision as to whether inpatient or outpatient treatment is needed will be according to the diagnosis and any alcohol detox information your physician/doctor thinks relevant to your case. (For more on alcohol detox at home, read outpatient alcohol detox)
It is best to be in touch with an addiction specialist (a counselor/therapist) who will monitor your progress and guide you through living a life free of alcohol.
|
Lead Writer/Reviewer : Kayla Loibl
Licensed Medical Health Professional
Hello!
I am a Mental Health Counselor who is licensed in both New York (LMHC) and North Carolina (LCMHC). I have been working in the Mental Health field since 2015. I have worked in a residential setting, an outpatient program and an inpatient addictions program. I began working in Long Island, NY and then in Guelph, Ontario after moving to Canada. Read More
Sources:
WebMD. Alcohol Detox and Rehab Programs: What to Know. https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/alcohol-detox-programs#1
Healthline. How Long Does It Take to Detox from Alcohol?. June 10, 2019. https://www.healthline.com/health/alcoholism/how-long-does-it-take-to-detox-from-alcohol
Mental Health. Alcohol Detox Symptoms, Timeline, Medications and Treatment. https://www.mentalhelp.net/substance-abuse/alcohol/detox/
Cambridge University Press. Management of alcohol detoxification. January 2, 2018. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/advances-in-psychiatric-treatment/article/management-of-alcohol-detoxification/FB62A0720DD8D762D2C40B8DCF975551
Return from Alcoholism Detox to Alcohol Addiction Recovery
Return from Alcoholism Detox to Alcoholism Help Homepage
Alcoholism Help Homepage | What is Alcoholism | Signs of Alcoholism | Alcoholism Tests | Alcohol Abuse Effects | Living with an Addict | Alcoholism Recovery | The AA Way| Alcoholism Cure| Alcoholism Medication | My Story | Alcoholism Guide Blog | Contact Us | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
May 02, 22 07:26 PM
May 02, 22 07:17 PM
Aug 16, 21 01:58 AM
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.