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Alcoholism Detoxification

The article "Drugs and Alcohol Detoxification" states, "The body's reaction to the removal of a substance it has become dependent on is called withdrawal. The period of time when the body is trying to overcome its addiction is called detoxification." It is the initial step in ending addition to alcohol. Alcohol detoxification takes a few forms. It is often done at a drug rehabilitation center, but many people also detoxify at home.

  1. Go to a Treatment Center

    • Alcohol treatment centers provide round-the-clock care from professionals experienced with alcoholism. Detoxification can result in cravings for the alcohol and strong withdrawal symptoms from mild to severe such as headache and nausea to blackouts and convulsions. At a clinic a doctor can prescribe medication to alleviate the symptoms and make detoxification easier. According to the article "Drug and Alcohol Detoxification," a person can detoxify from alcohol in 3 to 14 days, depending on body weight, years of alcohol use and other factors. Every state has alcohol and drug treatment centers.

    Detoxify at Home

    • Treatments centers are not available or convenient for many people. For them, at-home alcohol detoxification is possible. Kits on the market claim to help a person rid the body of alcohol. Other methods of cleaning out the body include drinking plenty of liquids to flush out toxins. Milk thistle, an herb, also helps clean out the liver, which is damaged by too much alcohol. Cleansing the liver will help to get it functioning more effectively. Eating fiber-rich foods also help relieve constipation and to get the toxins and debris out of the colon. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are good sources of fiber. Exercising also helps get rid of toxins. Ridding the body of all traces of alcohol is the first step toward recovering from alcoholism.

    Use Support Groups

    • Alcoholic Anonymous has helped millions of people over the world stay sober. The 12-step program offers a series of beliefs and actions that help a person to recover from alcohol abuse. Attending meetings regularly is an important part of staying sober. Use AA in conjunction with at-home detoxification and in-patient treatment. According to the website Sober Recovery, these types of support programs build a sense of community and make a person feel he is not alone. This also helps a person stop drinking.

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