What Happens in Alcohol Detox Centers?

Withdrawal syndromes caused by alcohol dependence can be unpredictable and uncomfortable. Detoxing on your own can be dangerous to your health. This is why it’s always best to go through this step at a dedicated detox facility. What happens in an alcohol detox center? Let’s take a look.

Tests and Diagnosis

One of the first things that will occur in alcohol detox is that the individual will go through a series of tests. These tests will assess factors like:

• The individual’s current level and degree of intoxication
• The type of withdrawal syndrome the individual is currently undergoing. This can include alcohol withdrawal, delirium tremens (a serious case of withdrawal that can be deadly), or withdrawal from multiple drugs.
• The severity of the individual’s symptoms
• Whether or not the individual has undergone withdrawal and/or detox in the past
• The presence of any co-occurring psychiatric, medical, or surgical conditions that require specialized care

These assessments give the medical team caring for the individual a better idea of their specific needs as well as which treatment methods they should use.

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Alcohol Detox Withdrawal Management

Next, the team will start managing and supervising the individual’s symptoms of withdrawal. This may include administering medication to alleviate physical pain and reduce cravings. Depending on the severity of their condition, the detox process may include several different steps:

Inpatient Alcohol Detox

• Using medication to alleviate severe symptoms such as hallucinations, delirium, or seizures
• Monitoring vital signs
• Giving fluids and medication by IV

Outpatient Alcohol Detox

• Giving sedative drugs, but not complete sedation
• Blood testing
• Treating any other physical or psychological problems associated with alcohol abuse

Individuals will usually be monitored regardless of their current condition for any signs of a dangerous turn in their symptoms. Alcohol withdrawal can become severe very quickly, and clinicians must be able to catch it if it does.

Behavioral Treatment

Therapy is often a part of alcohol detox as well. Those who experience withdrawal from alcohol are dependent on the substance, so they must stop drinking or face even worse consequences. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most commonly used behavioral treatments for alcohol dependence.

This approach helps individuals change the way they view their drinking as well as learn ways to cope with their cravings and the triggers associated with their excessive alcohol use.

In addition, family counseling is often a part of detox. These sessions allow both the individual and their loved ones to hear each other’s feelings on the subject of alcohol abuse. This can strengthen the individual’s social support system, which will make recovery much easier in the long run.

Alcohol detox centers provide clients with the medication, therapy, and guidance they need to get through the initial withdrawal phase of recovery. They also protect clients from the dangerous consequences that could result from this condition without the proper treatment.

We can help you find alcohol detox centers. Call 800-996-6135(Sponsored) today!