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Alcohol Detox Recovery

Detox is the first step in the recovery program for those trying to overcome an addiction or dependence on alcohol. The word detox refers to the process of the body detoxifying or ridding itself of the toxins from the alcohol. When alcohol leaves the body, people suffer withdrawal--since it has become dependent on the alcohol. Detox is a part of recovery, but recovery is a much longer process which can last a lifetime.

  1. Objectives

    • The objectives of detox and recovery are twofold. First, the purpose of detox is to break the body's initial dependence on alcohol. This involves a period of withdrawal in which alcohol is no longer consumed. Recovery continues after this detox period, and focuses on learning how to manage and cope with the addiction, and understanding the reasons for the addiction in order to prevent further alcohol problems. Recovery can be an in-patient or out-patient process for the initial recovery period. Recovery is said to last a lifetime for most alcoholics, as they need to refrain from drinking any quantity in order to avoid becoming addicted once more.

    In-patient Detox

    • In-patient detox allows the detox to occur in a safe, controlled environment where medical issues that arise can be treated. The initial detox period in which the body purges the alcohol lasts between three and seven days. In-patient recovery programs, in which the patient remains in a clinical setting until they are ready to cope without drinking, generally last an average of six weeks, although this recovery period varies depending on the extent of the addiction. Once a patient leaves an in-patient facility, he or she must still attend meetings and/or have therapy on an out-patient basis as a part of recovery.

    The Detox Process

    • The detox and recovery process usually begins when the alcoholic identifies that he or she has a problem and seeks help. Often, in in-patient settings, a psychological evaluation is administered when an alcoholic first asks for help in order to determine the extent of the addiction and the psychological reasons for the addiction. The three-to-seven day detox period occurs next, followed by classes or therapy sessions designed to encourage and teach lifelong abstinence from alcohol.

    Withdrawal Symptoms

    • Physical withdrawal symptoms tend to occur during the detox period. The symptoms are different for everyone, but common symptoms include nausea, sweating, vomiting, anxiety, tremors, seizures, convulsions, hallucinations, high blood pressure, disorientation or fever.

    Drug Therapies to Aid Detox Symptoms

    • There are certain drugs available which can potentially lessen or eliminate the physical symptoms that are associated with alcohol detox and withdrawal. These drugs include beta blockers, haloperiodl, phenytoin, carbamazepine, benzodiazepine or clonidine. Generally, these drug therapies are only administered if the detox is occurring under the supervision of a doctor and/or in an in-patient setting.

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