Alcohol detox starts with recognizing that you have an issue with alcohol. For those that suffer from alcohol addiction, alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence, stopping drinking is not easy – far from it. In fact, you should speak to a doctor about whether or not you should undergo alcohol detox. This process typically takes place in a hospital under the supervision of doctors and nurses. It can also be done at home if there are no other health risks, for example, if you don’t have any heart problems or liver disease.
You also have to know that detox does not treat addiction, a disorder marked by obsessive behaviours such as continuous alcohol consumption. For information on how to beat alcohol addiction, please check our dedicated section in the link provided.
Before anything else: know your limits and what triggers your cravings
Alcohol detox can be a changeling process, but with the necessary help, any alcohol-addicted can overcome this problem.
There are several steps to take when trying for alcohol detox. A few things that you should know about this process.
1. Know your limits:
The first thing you need to do is know your limits and set up boundaries for yourself to make the process easier. This includes setting the number of drinks you will allow yourself per day and deciding on what days you will drink or not drink at all.
2. Know what triggers your cravings:
If during the detox process some triggers cause the cravings, figure out what they are and learn how to avoid them during the detoxing process. This could involve avoiding places where alcohol is served.
How long is the duration of the alcohol detox program
The detoxification process might vary in duration depending on the severity of the addiction. This is because when it comes to alcohol addiction, one of the most common reasons for withdrawal symptoms is the sudden lack of alcohol in the system.
If you are suffering from severe alcohol addiction, your detoxification process will last for at least 3 weeks or one month. It’s also important to note that this is only a guideline as some people might need more than 3 weeks while others might need less time.
Alcohol detox at home – is it possible?
You can do alcohol detox at home, if the medical personnel agrees with this option, depending on your health status, medical record and potential risks. It is feasible to safely detox from alcohol at home.
However, if you’re detoxing on your own, you need to exercise particular caution. Withdrawing from alcohol can lead to major health problems that require medical attention. You should slowly stop drinking so that you won’t have severe withdrawal symptoms.
Tapering can be a good strategy while overcoming alcohol dependence. One of the side effects of long-term alcohol consumption is that it creates cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Giving up alcohol at once can create more problems than it solves, that’s why the process needs to be supervised by medical staff.
When alcohol consumers stop drinking quickly, the brain continues to be hyperactive, but the consequences of alcohol are no longer suppressed. Seizures and delirium tremens, a severe form of withdrawal characterized by tremors and hallucinations, can result. Both problems have the potential to be fatal. This is why you should go and see a doctor if you start having the withdrawal symptoms listed above.
How long does it take to detox from alcohol at home?
The average time it takes you to detox from alcohol at home is days or weeks, but this can vary depending on how long and how much alcohol was consumed.
What to expect from alcohol detox at home?
Detoxing from alcohol at home is not the same as going to alcohol rehab. Those who want to start a detox alcohol program on their own have to go through withdrawal, which can be very unpleasant and painful.
The easiest way for someone to detox from alcohol at home is by gradually cutting down their intake of alcoholic beverages over weeks or months. This ensures that the person’s brain doesn’t have as harsh a reaction when it no longer has any alcohol in it and leads to far less discomfort during withdrawal symptoms.
Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a medical condition that occurs when someone who has been drinking alcohol either suddenly or gradually stops drinking. Withdrawal symptoms can include anxiety, tremors, confusion, and hallucinations.
Withdrawal symptoms can range from minor to life-threatening during the alcohol detox phase. The intensity and duration of your alcohol use disorder will frequently influence the withdrawal symptoms you encounter. Individuals who have suffered for years of heavy drinking, for example, are more prone to experience severe withdrawal symptoms such as seizures or delirium tremens. It is better to have medical support when you start alcohol detox.
The most common reason for withdrawal from alcohol is the result of a person’s body developing a tolerance to the effects of alcohol. Therefore you need to adjust to the new levels of consumption. When an individual reduces their intake to attempt to deal with this issue, they may experience unpleasant side effects as their body adjusts to these new levels.
Stages of alcohol withdrawal
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms typically occur in three stages:
• Stage 1: The first symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, which include nausea, anxiety, insomnia, and abdominal pain, tend to begin within 8 hours of the last drink.
• Stage 2: Symptoms can include high blood pressure, increased body temperature, abnormal heart rate, and confusion. These symptoms typically begin 24–72 hours after the last drink.
• Stage 3: Symptoms typically begin about 2–4 days after the final drink and can include fever, seizures, hallucinations, and agitation.
Drugs used for alcohol detox
Here is a list of drugs that we use in the process of alcohol detox:
• Chlordiazepoxide – trade name Librium used for alcohol detox
• Vitamin B Compound Strong – used to give alcoholics vitamins when detoxing
• Diazepam – trade name Valium also called Benzo’s can be used for alcohol detox but it’s very addictive.
Alcohol Detox at Rehab Today by PCP (Perry Clayman Project)
Our primarily alcohol treatment program includes a comprehensive medical alcohol detox with medically confirmed dependence. The first stage in alcohol recovery is to safely stop drinking with the help of medical and therapeutic aid. With a clear head, primary alcohol treatment can be pursued after detox. At our centre, you will receive all the help you need and full support from our therapist.