Alcohol Detox
Alcohol Withdrawal
Withdrawal occurs when long-term heavy alcohol users abruptly stop taking alcohol. The longer the duration of alcohol use or the higher dose, the more intense the withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal can occur during detox, as your body and brain are dependent on alcohol.
Some withdrawal effects are severe and need immediate medical attention, such as seizures.
Alcohol detox (detoxification) is a medical procedure that helps people overcome physical and psychological dependence on alcohol.
It combines medicines to counseling, and other supportive measures, such as nutrition. Detoxing from alcohol helps a person achieve an alcohol-free state and manage immediate withdrawal symptoms. Besides, any coexisting medical condition or mental illness is also treated during detox. Addiction professionals typically perform alcohol detox in an inpatient facility.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Shaking
Anxiety
Nausea
Vomiting
Headache
Rapid Heart Rate
Sweating
Increased Irritability
Confusion
Nightmares
Insomnia
High Blood Pressure
Withdrawal Symptoms
Extreme Confusion
Profound Restlessness
Visual or auditory hallucinations
Rapid changes in heart rate
Seizures
tremors
Sensations of itching and burning
Fever
Stages and Timeline
6–12 hours after the last intake
A person typically experiences mild anxiety, insomnia, mild tremors, and digestive issues.
24 hours after the last intake
Most users will develop full-blown withdrawal during this period, including physical, neurological, and psychological symptoms.
Within 24–72 hours
Most symptoms reach their peak and begin to subside. That said, some symptoms may persist for several weeks or months. Seizures are most likely to occur during this period, requiring close monitoring and medicines to prevent them.
How to Detox From Alcohol
Inpatient Services
Inpatient Services are ideal for people with moderate-to-severe withdrawal symptoms. A medical team will watch you closely for hallucinations and signs of DT. Treatments can include:
- Monitoring your blood pressure, body temperature, heart rate, and blood levels of alcohol and other substances.
- Medicines to keep you calm (sedatives) until complete withdrawal is achieved.
Outpatient Services
People with mild-to-moderate alcohol withdrawal symptoms may consider these services. Getting treated at an outpatient facility involves being monitored until you become stable. However, you do not need to stay at the facility. Treatment can include:
- Patient and family counseling to identify the cause of alcoholism and possible long-term solutions.
- Diagnosing and treating different medical conditions related to alcohol use.
Is Self-Detox for Alcohol Safe?
Probably, but most experts do not recommend detoxing on your own.
Many people erroneously believe that alcohol is not as dangerous as other drugs, such as opioids. Thus, they prefer detoxing from alcohol at home. However, this is not true. What they do not understand is alcohol detox, if done incorrectly, can be life-threatening. Many medical studies have consistently found that alcohol withdrawal can lead to death. Delirium tremens (DT), which occurs in about 4% of people during detox, is a medical emergency and needs immediate medical care.
Call 911 immediately if you have any of the following signs and symptoms while detoxing at home:
- Extreme confusion
- Profound restlessness
- Fever
- Seizures
- Sensations of itching and burning (tactile hallucinations)
- Rapid changes in heart rate
- Experiencing (seeing or hearing) things that do not exist (visual or auditory hallucinations)
Also, make sure your relative or friend accompanies you during detox at home. Tell them to call your doctor immediately if your symptoms become worse.
Alcohol Detox Medications
Benzodiazepines
- Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
- Clorazepate (Tranxene)
- Diazepam (Valium)
- Oxazepam (Serax)
Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) and diazepam (Valium) are the two most commonly used benzodiazepines during detox. They help alleviate anxiety and reduce the risk of seizures.
Barbiturates
Barbiturates may be used if withdrawal symptoms do not improve with benzodiazepines.
Anti-Seizure Drugs
Doctors may use specific drugs to prevent seizures, such as:
- Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
- Gabapentin (Neurontin)
- Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)
- Valproic Acid (Depakene)
Detox Advantages
Because self-detoxing from alcohol on your own can cause potentially fatal complications, it is best to seek professional help at a detox center. These centers provide both inpatient and outpatient services customized to meet your needs.
Some of the advantages of an alcohol detox center under medical supervision at Silicon Valley Recovery:
- Medical stabilization
- Healthy diet
- Peer and family support
- 24-hour monitoring for high-risk people
- A safe, supportive, and quiet environment
- Availability of medical and other services
- Family counseling
- Emergency care
- Long-term addiction treatment
