Alcohol Detox is the process of removing all traces of alcohol from your body, leaving you free to begin recovery. Alcohol detox is often the most difficult part of the journey to recovery because of the physical withdrawal symptoms that occur when you stop drinking. It’s important to have medical assistance during alcohol detox to ensure your safety and prevent complications like seizures, delirium, and other serious health issues.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can begin in as little as two hours after you have your last drink, and they typically last a week or longer. While these withdrawal symptoms may be uncomfortable, they are not life-threatening, and most are easy to manage with proper medication.
The first step in alcohol detox is a thorough medical assessment that includes taking your vital signs and analyzing your past substance abuse. This information will help your detox team create a customized treatment plan that is best for you. Depending on your specific situation, you may need to undergo inpatient or outpatient detox. Inpatient detox is best for people with severe withdrawal symptoms, a history of pancreatitis or gastrointestinal bleeding, or who have co-occurring medical conditions that require immediate attention.
Inpatient alcohol detox usually lasts a few days, and patients are expected to check in for treatment daily, except on weekends. During this time, you’ll undergo the initial medical assessment, and your addiction treatment team will provide you with appropriate medications. Benzos are commonly used to ease the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, including hallucinations and tremors, while anticonvulsant drugs can be administered to prevent or treat seizures during detox.
You will also likely need to stay away from any environment that promotes drinking or triggers your cravings. Keeping yourself in a safe, closed environment while you go through alcohol detox will allow you to focus on your recovery and protect yourself from the temptations of relapse.
Outpatient alcohol detox is less restrictive than inpatient detox, and you will be allowed to return home between treatment sessions. However, outpatient alcohol detox is not right for everyone, and many outpatient detox programs find that fewer than 10 percent of their clients need inpatient detox. Those who need inpatient alcohol detox are those with suicidal or homicidal tendencies, individuals with serious medical concerns like heart disease and liver disease, people with family or work commitments that could make it impossible to travel daily, and anyone who has experienced life-threatening withdrawal symptoms such as delirium tremens in the past.
During outpatient alcohol detox, you’ll need to travel to the treatment facility on a daily basis for your treatment sessions. In most cases, these sessions will last about an hour each. Your treatment team will administer any necessary medications, monitor your progress, and answer any questions you might have. Throughout this process, you’ll be provided with a supportive environment and all of the tools you need to successfully complete your alcohol detox.
