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Alcohol Detox & Rehab

Alcoholism is a category of drug abuse that is ignored due to its acceptability in common social situations. When the alcohol becomes a part of the drug user's life to where physical and mental dependency forms, detox is the next option for some drug addicts. Alcohol affects chemicals in the brain, creating a feeling of relaxation and sedation. However, abrupt cessation leaves the recovery patient with a sense of anxiety and muscle twitching. Alcohol detox and rehab are an effective combination to begin the road of recovery from addiction.

  1. Affects of Alcohol on the Brain

    • Alcohol works on GABA receptors in the brain. The brain's activity works on concurrent receptors that work together to inhibit and excite brain activity. GABA is an inhibitor, so brain activity is inhibited, giving the alcoholic the sedation and relaxed feeling. However, chronic use of alcohol lowers the amount of GABA neurotransmitter response. This is one of the primary reasons for the twitching and anxiety side effects seen during detox sessions.

    Detox Withdrawal Syndromes

    • Abrupt cessation from alcohol causes sudden anxiety, tremors, or even seizures in the brain. Because the brain's GABA neurotransmitter response is lowered from constant receptor activity, sudden cessation means a loss of inhibitory sensors. For the first 48 hours of alcohol detox, heavy users should have medical attention in case of seizures.

    Delirium

    • Delirium from alcohol is a rare but severe side effect during detox. Delirium is normally formed after several failed detox attempts. Delirium from detox starts as minor hallucinations, but the withdrawal symptom worsens. Delirium has a 5% mortality rate from the hallucinations and depression during detox.

    Rehab Design

    • Rehab consists of detox and group and private therapy. Rehab centers offer detox with medical supervision and followup therapy sessions with a psychiatrist once detox has ended. The goal of rehab centers is to rid the body from the drug and give the patient a way to identify the underlying problem.

    Benzodiazepine Drugs

    • Benzodiazepines are drugs that increase the seizure threshold and limit the amount of anxiety in the patient. These drugs are sometimes used in rehab centers during detox to make the patient more comfortable and to limit the possibility of seizures. However, patients may develop a tolerance and addiction to these drugs, so the duration of the drugs use is limited.

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