Information about Alcoholism Detox

One of the first steps in recovering from an alcohol addiction is to go through alcoholism detox. Detox, short for “detoxification,” is the process by which harmful substances are removed from the body while the patient is observed and treated for signs of withdrawal. Since an alcoholic’s body has integrated the presence of alcohol in the bloodstream into its normal state, simply removing the substance will often cause the patient to become ill. At the very least, they will become very uncomfortable as the body becomes re-acclimated to living without alcohol present in the bloodstream.

The detoxification process can be done at home, as inpatient care, or in a hospital. Which method is used is based on the severity of the alcoholism, and dependency on the substance the patient is suffering from. Detox for alcohol based out of the home is suitable for minor to moderate cases of alcohol addiction, and is often conducted in coordination with treatment groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Home based detox requires the alcoholic to be convinced of the need to begin treatment for their condition.

In outpatient treatment and hospitalized procedures, medication is often used to help control some of the side effects of the process. Benzodiazepines are the most commonly used medications during detox, as the effects can replicate the effects on the body that alcohol would if the patient was still drinking. There is a danger to medication, however, as the results can be lethal if they are combined with alcohol. As a result, it is important that the patient be observed during the detox process to ensure that they don’t relapse and start drinking while under the influence of the medication. In some cases, dedicated facilities called “rehab centers” are used which specialize in the treatment of alcoholism. Groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous are often involved with these centers as well.

Alcoholism is a condition that can be tough to beat.  If you think you need help with alcohol detox, call up a local treatment center and start asking questions.  When an alcoholic is properly put through the detox process, however, their chances of recovering are greatly improved.