Choosing an Alcohol Detox Centre

Another advantage of an inpatient detox facility is having medical services available 24 hours a day, if the need should arise. Alcohol withdrawal can threaten the wellbeing of the person going through detox. Having the option for emergency medical services, as well as medical assistance through detox is important for people facing the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.

An inpatient alcohol detox centre is best suited for people with moderate to severe cases of alcohol addiction. When a person is accustomed to drinking day in and day out, overcoming alcohol addiction can be next to impossible. In extreme cases of addiction where abruptly quitting drinking threatens a person’s life, inpatient detox can be literally life-saving.

Outpatient Alcoholism Detox

Not everyone wants to (or needs) to stay at a detox centre while going through alcohol withdrawal. An outpatient alcohol detox centre provides support through the withdrawal period and allows patients to return home each night. Outpatient detox is best suited for those with milder cases of addiction, and for those who have a strong support system.

For people who do not need 24-hour supervision and support, an outpatient detox can be a tremendous support. It is also a good choice for those who have responsibilities they need to take care of while going through the withdrawal period. Professionals, students, and people with family obligations can all benefit from an outpatient detox setting.

Because a person going to an outpatient alcohol detox centre is not removed from the environment they are accustomed to drinking in, it can be difficult to overcome the temptation to give in when cravings hit. This is why outpatient detox is best suited for those with less severe addictions, and those without any other underlying psychological issues. Relapse is something that unfortunately happens to even the most determined individuals seeking to end their addiction to alcohol.

How Does an Alcohol Detox Centre Handle Treatments?

Before a person can begin the detox process at an alcohol detox centre, they must go through the intake process. Intake is essentially an interview that allows detox professionals to better understand each patient’s individual needs. Questions asked during intake will include how long a person has been drinking, how much they drink, and how often. They will be asked if there is any other drug use, as well as any other psychological issues that could interfere with withdrawal. The questions asked during intake are what will help detox staff members put together a proper treatment plan. It is extremely important a person answers all questions as honestly as possible so they can get the help they need.

During an alcohol detox, a person will be carefully monitored to ensure their safety. Vital signs including blood pressure, respiration, and heart rate are all watched carefully as a person begins the process of alcohol withdrawal.

Can a Detox Centre Help Me Get through the Stages of Alcohol Withdrawal?

Withdrawing from alcohol typically takes place in three separate stages. The first stage begins approximately 8-10 hours after a person has had their last drink. Symptoms include anxiety, vomiting, nausea, insomnia, and irritability. Stage two occurs 24-72 hours after a person’s last drink and is when a person will experience the peak of their symptoms. Increased body temperature, confusion, and heightened agitation are common symptoms of alcohol withdrawal at this time. For critical cases of alcohol addiction, stage three is when hallucinations, seizures, and high fever occur.

What Is a Medically-Assisted Alcohol Detox?

For critical cases of alcohol withdrawal, a medically-assisted detox will usually be administered in an alcohol detox centre. There are various medications approved to help people through the most difficult symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Receiving medical assistance during alcohol detox helps to reduce the emergence of potentially life-threatening symptoms. There are also medications to help with the anxiety and troubling psychological symptoms associated with alcohol detox.

Is Further Treatment Necessary after Successfully Completing Detox?

There is nothing like the feeling a person gets when they successfully make it through an alcohol detox. Getting through the physical withdrawals of alcohol addiction can prove to be extremely difficult. Once it’s accomplished, recovering alcoholics often feel as if they are on top of the world. These feelings can quickly dissipate in the days and weeks following detox treatment.

Going to an alcohol detox centre is excellent assistance in helping a person through the physical withdrawals of alcohol, but does little to address the psychological components that make up the addiction. In order to successfully overcome an addiction to alcohol for good and sustain sobriety, further treatment is highly recommended. Therapy and various addiction treatments will all help on the road to lasting recovery.

Choosing an Alcohol Detox Centre in the UK

A professional alcohol detox programme offers the most supportive and comprehensive environment a person can find when looking to end their addiction to alcohol. Admitting to a problem with alcohol is no doubt difficult, but nothing is as hard as remaining an addict for the rest of your life. And while detoxing from alcohol can feel impossible, getting professional help through the detox process can help immensely.

We’re here to help you through the cessation of your addiction to alcohol. Please call us with any questions you have about alcohol addiction, withdrawal, and the detox process. We can help you choose an alcohol detox centre that best fits your needs, as well as find options for additional treatment when detox is over. Please call us today so we can help you end your addiction to alcohol for good.