Alcohol Detox: The First Step of Treatment

Movies and television shows often show someone giving up alcohol “cold turkey,” going from heavy drinking to abstinence in a single day. This method can be extremely dangerous with alcohol, particularly for people who have been drinking daily or near daily for prolonged periods. For example, if you have a medical or mental health condition, you’ll want services for that. Or if you’ve struggled for years and don’t have a strong support network, an inpatient program might make sense. Partial hospitalization or day treatment is where you live at home but you go for treatment at a hospital or clinic at least 5 days a week. Recently, with COVID-19 precautions, many programs offer programs via telehealth.

  • Making alcohol difficult to access can help you avoid temptation and increase the chances of a successful detox.
  • Each center is ready to help people learn how to cope with their addiction and uncover the root causes for their substance use disorder.

How To Qualify For Inpatient Physical Rehab?

There are an estimated 12 million alcoholics in the United States, many of whom need help quitting. alcohol detox An important step in getting sober is detoxification, or detox, a period of about a week when your body rids itself of all the alcohol in your system. This difficult process sometimes requires a medical facility, but as long as a doctor deems it safe, you can try to detox at home using these steps. Always consult with a healthcare professional before using any medication during detox, especially those like diazepam that might be prescribed for medical detox or severe side effects.

Q: What does it mean to have a substance abuse problem?

Alcohol Detox

Knowing why you drink is essential, says Cyndi Turner, LCSW, LSATP, MAC, a Virginia therapist specializing in addiction treatment and alcohol moderation. Alcohol is a known depressant, which means that it slows down the function of your brain. Over time, the body compensates by increasing the number of excitatory neurotransmitters in the brain. When alcohol is removed suddenly, this balance can collapse, resulting in withdrawal. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses.

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Alcohol Detox

A nutrient-rich diet can also combat some of the psychological symptoms, such as mood swings and irritability, that often accompany withdrawal. Electrolyte imbalances Twelve-step program can cause additional complications, so maintaining a balance of sodium, potassium, and magnesium is essential. If you’re looking for treatment, please browse the site to reach out to treatment centers directly. Keep your profile updated with photos, videos, services, and contact details to connect with the right people.

Alcohol Detox

There are many other medications that may be recommended during your alcohol detox, depending on your personal situation, overall health, and severity of withdrawal. Many of these medications are prescribed to prevent or treat specific withdrawal symptoms, such as seizures, anxiety, insomnia, and nausea. Examples include gabapentin, ondansetron, clonidine, and hydroxyzine.

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