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Alcohol Detox Centers

Alcoholism is an addiction, and breaking the addiction is not easy to do alone. Alcohol detox centers not only keep you away from alcohol, they provide 24-hour medical treatment that's meant to help you cope with the side effects of alcohol withdrawal. Detox can last anywhere from four to seven days. It is only the first step in a program designed to combat alcoholism. Talk to your doctor if you need help deciding on which treatment center is right for you.

  1. Side Effects of Alcohol Detox

    • Alcohol detox comes with a number of side effects that can be difficult to navigate. The severity of the symptoms will vary depending on your drinking history. According to the U.S. Library of Medicine, moderate symptoms can include sweating, insomnia, elevated heart rate, tremors and headaches. More serious side effects can occur in people who have abused alcohol over a long period of time. These can include convulsions, blackouts and delirium tremens (confusion and hallucinations).

    In-Patient Detox

    • Because the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be so intense, many alcoholics enter an in-patient rehabilitation facility or a hospital to undergo detox. These facilities have medical personnel on staff and provide 24-hour care. They will help you manage your cravings and treat any side effects that the detoxification process causes. According to Detox-Center.com, some severe withdrawal symptoms can be life threatening, and the seriously addicted should enter a detox program that has some sort of supervision.

    Types of Treatment

    • According to Detox-Center.com, successful programs restrict your access to alcohol, offer medications that help control cravings for alcohol, and provide counseling sessions designed to talk you through the feelings that come with your addiction. The combination of these approaches provides the best possibility of success.

    Drugs and Vitamins for Treatment

    • During the detoxification process, drugs and vitamins may be administered to help ease the patient's withdrawal symptoms. According to a study by researchers at the University of Iowa, drugs like chlordiazepoxide and lorazepam are commonly prescribed to patients undergoing detox. These drugs reduce anxiety and tension in the alcoholic patient. Because the patient may also be nutritionally depleted, a multi-vitamin, thiamine and folic acid are also commonly administered.

    Detox is Just the Beginning

    • Alcohol detox is not a cure for alcoholism. The goal of this process is to rid your body of alcohol, but you will need to deal with your addiction in other ways to prevent a relapse. A long-term rehab program will help you avoid alcohol and fight your addiction once you are done with detox. If you complete detoxification in a hospital, ask the staff to refer you to a treatment program.

    Talk To Your Doctor

    • If you are concerned about an alcohol addiction, or need help finding a treatment center, talk to your doctor or a medical professional about the next steps that you should take. He will help you search for the alcohol detox center that fits best with your needs and may provide other suggestions to help you overcome your addiction.

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