Alcohol Detox Protocols

Detox involves ridding the body of alcohol, once the body has become dependent on the substance. Alcoholics become dependent on alcohol due to over-consumption, and their bodies are no longer able to function without it. Thus, in order to rid themselves of their alcohol addiction, they must stop using alcohol entirely in a process called acute detox. The process can be challenging and difficult, so certain protocols have been put in place within the medical community to help patients.

Purpose of Detox

• Detox has two overreaching objectives. The first is to physically cut off the body from alcohol so it can begin to learn to function without it. The second is to prepare the patient for a lifelong recovery from her alcohol addiction. Once a patient undergoes the initial detox period, the patient generally continues to go to classes and therapy for the rest of his live, to ensure he continues to abstain from alcohol.

Specific Guidelines for Detox Protocol

• The American Society of Addiction Medicine has set forth a broad protocol that applies to all detox settings. Three goals are set forth in the protocol. The first is that those who treat addiction should aim to provide a safe withdrawal from the drugs. The second is to provide a humane withdrawal that protects the dignity of the patient. The third is to prepare the addict for continued treatment to manage her alcohol dependency.

Detox Protocol

• The initial detox period, in which the body purges toxins and withdraws from alcohol, usually lasts between three and seven days. This detox period can occur in an inpatient setting, in which the patient specifically comes to an alcohol rehab facility or other hospital, or an outpatient setting in which an addict attempts to detox at home, perhaps with the aid of family or friends. If the patient goes to an inpatient setting, the average length of time the patient remains is six weeks, so he can obtain therapy and take classes on addiction after the initial detox period. The choice of whether the detox should occur on an inpatient basis or at home depends on the severity and the extent of the addiction.

Detox Process

• The first step in the detox process is the addict admitting he needs help. Then, the next decision is whether the detox will be inpatient or outpatient. Generally, doctors will do a psychological evaluation to determine the extent of the addiction and the underlying causes behind it, in order to determine whether inpatient or outpatient is best. Inpatient facilities nearly all administer this psychological evaluation on new patients. Once the patient begins detox, the three- to seven-day acute detox period begins. After the toxins are purged, the patient begins the lifelong process of recovery, attending meetings or otherwise finding support to battle the continuing addiction.

Dealing With Withdrawal Symptoms

• While withdrawal symptoms vary from person to person, common withdrawal symptoms are not pleasant. They include sweating, vomiting, nausea, hyperglycemia, disorientation, fever, tremors, hallucinations or convulsions. Some drugs have been approved to minimize or reduce these symptoms, including phenytonin, carbamazepine, haloperiodl, benzodiazepine and clonidine. These drugs can be administered in an inpatient setting or given to a caregiver who is helping a patient undergo acute withdrawal on an outpatient basis so the caregiver can administer the drugs.