An alcohol use disorder is a disorder that describes the correlation between excessive drinking and the negative consequences excessive drinking may incur. Often, those suffering from this disorder will continue to drink despite the results and is unsuccessful in their attempts to limit their drinking. In these instances, it is important to consider medical detox. However, one might wonder, what is medical detox for alcohol, and what does it look like?
What Is Medical Detox?
When habitual use transitions into addiction, the body and brain become accustomed to receiving the chemicals contained within alcohol and will become dependent on alcohol to produce chemicals that it otherwise would make. Suppose the body is cut off from alcohol after consistent excessive use. In that case, it will likely struggle to maintain physical and emotional regularity, leading to several side effects and symptoms.
This struggle is referred to as withdrawal and is the primary reason for detox. Medical detox is a process where the body rids itself of addictive substances. Because each individual’s relationship with alcohol is different, medical detox can take various forms and will last for however long the body needs to recover from withdrawal symptoms properly.
Alcohol Detox
Although every substance requires a different form of detox, the goal of detox remains consistent across the board. The answer is relatively straightforward for those asking, “what is medical detox for alcohol?”. Detox for alcohol typically consists of three parts:
- Intake exam — upon entering a detox facility or rehabilitation program, staff will conduct an intake exam to get a sense of where patients are with their alcohol use disorder. This can include interviews, blood work, and a physical exam.
- Detox support — once the intake exam is completed, staff will prepare the patient for detox. This preparation is primarily geared towards treating the symptoms of withdrawal. In treating these symptoms, the body is better able to recover both physically and mentally as the addictive substances leave the body.
- Treatment planning — upon entering the other side of detox, where withdrawal symptoms have decreased and the body is stable, patients may have the option of continuing treatment by developing a recovery treatment plan. These plans are designed to guide patients through their recovery and help them stay sober once treatment has been completed.
Patients can begin to go through withdrawal anywhere from 6-24 hours after their last drink. There is no telling exactly how long symptoms will persist, although they typically reach their worst within the 24-72 hour mark. The signs and side effects of withdrawal can be so taxing on the body that those experiencing will seek out alcohol before the process is complete. Medical detox helps the body fully recover from withdrawal symptoms and ensures that patients are in a safe environment where they don’t have access to alcohol.
Find Support at Sante Center for Healing
To fully answer the question “what is medical detox for alcohol” the potentially life-saving benefits should be mentioned. Quitting drinking can be arduous, but it is better than the alternative. Living with an alcohol use disorder means living a life without control. This lack of control can manifest at work, at home, or in social life and will hurt the individual and the ones they love. When looking for a medical detox program, consider Sante Center for Healing.
At the Sante Center for Healing, we know firsthand how difficult it can be to come to terms with issues surrounding alcohol abuse. That is why we have selected staff of experienced, dedicated specialists who want nothing more than to make treatment as painless a process as possible for all patients. For more information on medical detox for alcohol or to schedule an appointment today, contact us 866.238.3154.
