About the alcohol detox process
In most addiction treatment and recovery programs, detoxification or detox is usually the first stage of a three-step process. The ensuing stages are group and individual counseling followed by aftercare programs and local support groups. Not only is detox from alcohol the most difficult and unpleasant stage of the three, it is also the most necessary if the person has any plans of entering the ensuing stages and fully recovering. Typically, the most effective detox is the in-patient, short-term format.
Detox from alcohol withdrawal symptoms
The withdrawal symptoms encountered in the detox from alcohol process can range from mild or slight to extremely unpleasant or severe. Some of the current facts and statistics regarding alcohol detox indicate that, even under medical care, monitoring, and supervision, withdrawal can be fatal in 5% to 15% of the cases associated with detox from alcohol. When that professional care, monitoring, and supervision is not present, that fatality rate can be as high as 35% or more.
Some of the more common withdrawal symptoms and side effects include:
- anxiety
- convulsions
- disorientation
- hallucination
- nausea and vomiting
- seizures
- tremors
Additionally, there are a number of elements or factors that determine the severity of these withdrawal symptoms and side effects. These include:
- age and gender
- genetics and heredity
- how long the addiction or dependency has been going on
- how much the individual has been drinking
Finally, the severity of the withdrawal symptoms and side effects typically determine how long the detox from alcohol stage will last or how many times the individual will have to undergo detox from alcohol. Detox can last from 10 to 14 days, but the withdrawal symptoms and side effects typically peak within the first three to five days of the entire detox process.
Enhancing the detox process
Since there is a certain degree of unpleasantries that are going to occur when undergoing the detox from alcohol process, there are things that you can do in order to enhance this stage and make it a little more comfortable. In order to help the process along you should:
- drink a lot of water
- drink cranberry juice to enable thorough flushing of the urinary system and tract
- drink soothing herbal teas
- drink warm milk if you have problems with insomnia
Additionally, you can benefit emotionally as well as physically by exercising, sticking to a low-fat diet, and taking hot baths.
If you would like more information on the more effective and successful detox from alcohol programs that our referral site lists, please contact Treatment 4 Alcohol today at the toll-free phone number that is listed above.