ALCOHOL DETOX

If you drink alcohol heavily for weeks, months, or years, you may have both mental and physical problems when you stop or seriously cut back on how much you drink. This is called alcohol withdrawal. Symptoms can range from mild to serious. It is not something that should be risked without advice from a rehabilitation service as it can prove fatal through alcoholic seizures.

It is a process by which alcohol is safely removed from the body by a qualified medical professional and carried out within a place where the individual cannot succumb to any temptation or harm, such as an alcohol rehab or alcohol detox clinic. We specialise in finding the best detox facility for your needs and location.

Alcohol detox can be extremely dangerous if not done correctly that is why it is paramount for you or your loved one to seek professional assistance when attempting it. A medical detox either at home or in a detox facility is by far the safest way to do this, with round the clock care and support, it gives the individual the greatest chance to finish the detox safely and move forward into sustained recovery.

There are numerous alcohol detox clinics and home detox services in the UK and overseas. The one that will best suit you will be dependent on your individual treatment criteria. Alcohol detox is not something you want to take risks with, as this can prove fatal.

What is an alcohol detox?

An alcohol detox is a medical process by which alcohol is safely removed from the body where a physical dependence is present. Alcohol detoxes should only be conducted by qualified medical professionals and carried out within a place where the individual cannot succumb to any temptation or harm, such as an alcohol rehab or alcohol detox clinic. Alcohol detoxes are notoriously risky and can be life threatening if attempted alone and without medical support. By enlisting the help of a professional, you will be prescribed an approved medication that will reduce and manage the alcohol withdrawal symptoms to comfortable levels.

How long does an alcohol detox take?

The duration of an alcohol detox will vary depending on your individual treatment needs. Many factors are taken into consideration by the prescriber, including the amount you drink, the levels of alcohol dependence present, your physical and mental health, your age and gender, your medical history.
In the majority of cases, alcohol detoxes take between 5 and 10 days to complete.

Are there side effects to alcohol detox medication?

Common side effects include drowsiness, slowed reactions, forgetfulness and unsteadiness. This is why it is important that you are monitored throughout your detox. There are various medications available that can manage an alcohol detox, your prescriber or doctor will select the most suitable for you.
It is medically proven that the safest place to complete and alcohol detox is within an alcohol rehab clinic, under the supervision of a team of addiction specialists.

What are the withdrawal effects of alcohol detox?

If you are undergoing a medical alcohol detox, withdrawal symptoms will be greatly reduced. If you attempt a non-medical alcohol detox, you are at risk of developing the following symptoms, some of which can be life-threatening:

• Uncontrollable shaking
• Cravings for alcohol
• Sweating
• Insomnia
• Panic attacks
• Heightened anxiety
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations (auditory and visual)
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Delirium tremens
• Palpitations
• Restlessness
• Agitation
• Alcoholic seizures
• Loss of appetite

We do not recommend that you attempt an alcohol detox without professional intervention; it could cost you your life, as could continuing to drink. Please call us for help now if you need an alcohol detox.

What happens after alcohol detox?

If you are only undergoing an alcohol detox only, you will feel weak and anxious in the following days, sometimes even weeks. You may also crave alcohol very badly. It may be sometime before your sleep pattern reaches any kind of normality. Your thinking with regards to alcohol and your addictive behaviours are likely to remain unless addressed professionally. Failing to address the psychological aspect of alcohol addiction often results in relapse. This is why we encourage all detoxing individuals to seek further treatment through residential rehabilitation to ensure the best chance at long-term recovery.

Alcohol detox rehab

Following an alcohol detox, it is strongly recommended that you undergo an intensive alcohol rehabilitation programme. This helps to safeguard against relapse and provides you with the recovery tools needed to sustain a sober and happy life.