Detoxification (or detox) is the process of eliminating an addictive substance like alcohol from your body. However, it’s not as straightforward as simply stopping drinking alcohol on your own. A sudden detox can cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms like hallucinations and seizures when someone becomes dependent on alcohol. Therefore it’s essential for long-term or heavy alcohol users to detox from alcohol under medical supervision.
What Symptoms Can Detox From Alcohol Cause?
After relying on alcohol for long periods, the brain and body become dependent on the drug to function correctly. Alcohol inhibits certain brain neurotransmitters, and heavy drinking can have extensive and far-reaching effects on the brain.1
Understandably, it takes time for the body to adjust to not having alcohol in its system. During this withdrawal period, several physical and mental symptoms are likely to occur. These withdrawal symptoms are unpleasant and difficult to manage without medical intervention.
Side effects vary for each individual, but the most common withdrawal effects of detox from alcohol include:
- Shaking
- Nausea
- Headache
- Disorientation
- Insomnia
- Hallucinations
- High blood pressure
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Possible seizures
Many of these side effects are debilitating and dangerous, especially seizures and DT (delirium tremens), including hallucinations, disorientation, tachycardia, hypertension, hyperthermia, agitation, and diaphoresis.2 Due to these side effects, it’s crucial to detox under medical supervision.
A Medically Supervised Detox Is Much More Than Having A Doctor On Hand
Detoxing from alcohol under medical supervision doesn’t just mean a doctor is on hand 24/7. Although that is a distinct advantage, there are many other reasons rehab professionals recommend medically supervised detox programs.
Lowers Risk Of Health Complications
Having a team of doctors and nurses around means there’s less risk of something going medically wrong with a detox. As each case is unique, side effects differ from person to person. No detox is the same. But being monitored and supervised by a doctor lessens the chance of health complications from seizures and high blood pressure. Most importantly, medical supervision reduces the risk of death due to complications. Unfortunately, an unsupervised detox from alcohol can result in fatalities like grand mal seizures, heart attack, or stroke.3 Detoxing with medical supervision is the safest way to eliminate alcohol from the body.
Prescribed Medications Ease Withdrawal Symptoms
A medically supervised detox from alcohol enables doctors to monitor a client’s blood and mineral, and nutrient levels. If needed, a doctor can prescribe medication to manage the side effects.
Withdrawal seizures can occur 12-48 hours after the last drink, predominately in those with a long history of alcohol addiction. Doctors may use drugs like benzodiazepines to manage seizures and ease symptoms.4
It Provides A Quiet And Relaxed Environment
Detoxing from alcohol in a clinic like Spring Gardens Recovery helps clients focus entirely on their recovery away from distractions or added responsibilities.
Detoxing under supervision can also include a holistic approach to recovery. Potential triggers or stressors don’t surround clients. There is no access to alcohol and no possibility of friends who still drink popping by to encourage the client to start drinking again. The client receives all the help and support they need to continue along their journey to recovery.
Counseling And Support Are On Hand
During a medically supervised detox from alcohol, the rehab team doesn’t just assist with prescription drugs and health concerns. Clients also benefit from a comprehensive program of counseling, support, and therapy. These programs support the client with the mentally demanding aspects of alcohol detox.
Complementary therapies, such as massage, music therapy, yoga, and meditation, help boost wellness during the complex process of detoxification.
Family And Friends Gain Peace Of Mind
It can be emotionally draining to watch a loved one suffer from alcohol addiction. Still, it can be even more difficult and worrying to witness the side effects that withdrawal causes.
Simply knowing doctors are at hand to treat a loved one during their detox brings family and friends comfort and peace of mind. It’s reassuring to know that their loved one is getting the best treatment possible in helping them overcome their alcohol addiction.
Need A Medically Supervised Alcohol Detox In Florida? Come To Spring Gardens Recovery
Nobody should suffer through alcohol detox alone. At Spring Gardens Recovery, our clients have an extensive support team of doctors, center staff, family, and friends around them through every step of the process.
At Spring Gardens Recovery, we believe in individuality and that no one treatment fits all clients. Our medically supervised alcohol detox in Florida considers every aspect of a client’s medical history before creating a personalized treatment plan.
With a comprehensive range of therapies alongside medical treatment, our clients remain at our center for as long as it takes to recover and rehabilitate to life without alcohol. We are here for however long the journey takes.
Contact us today to find out more about our medically supervised detox programs.
Sources:
[1] https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa63/aa63.htm
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6761824/
[3] https://www.drugfoundation.org.nz/matters-of-substance/archive/november-2011/mythbusters-death-by-withdrawal/
[4] https://www.uptodate.com/contents/management-of-moderate-and-severe-alcohol-withdrawal-syndromes
