Do I Need Alcohol Detox Support?

After admitting to having a problem with alcohol, the first step in addiction recovery is going through detox. When a person develops a dependency upon alcohol, their body becomes accustomed to increased amounts of alcohol. When the effects of alcohol begin to wear off, withdrawal symptoms begin to occur. The withdrawal of alcohol is often so uncomfortable that even if a person wants to stop drinking, it often proves to be too difficult. Having alcohol detox support during withdrawal however, can help immensely in the recovery process.

What Is an Alcohol Detox?

Alcohol detox happens when a person dependent on alcohol stops drinking. It is the process of alcohol leaving an individual’s body. When a person receives professional alcohol detox support, they are supervised during the detox process. An alcohol detox at a detox or rehab centre ensures patients are supervised while going through detox.

In moderate to severe cases of alcohol addiction, patients receiving alcohol detox support are typically offered medications to help ease withdrawal symptoms and stabilise those experiencing life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.

image showing a man relaxing while getting Alcohol Detox Support
Why choose eata.org.uk?

If someone you care about is exhibiting signs of addiction – whether it’s excessive marijuana use, long-term dependency on pharmaceuticals, binge drinking of alcohol or even financially damaging levels of gambling – contact us for immediate rehabilitation help.

How to Get the Best Alcohol Detox Support in the UK?

The severity of an alcohol detox will depend on how much a person is accustomed to drinking on a regular basis, how long they’ve been drinking, and how often they drink. Typical symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include nausea, vomiting, shakes, fever, headache, anxiety, agitation, and simply feeling terrible. Drinking more relieves these symptoms, keeping many people in a vicious cycle of addiction day after day.

A more severe reaction that occurs in approximately 1 out of 20 people that quit drinking is known as delirium tremens (DTs). This occurs roughly 2-3 days after some people quit drinking and can cause hallucinations, convulsions, and seizures. In some critical cases of addiction, DTs can be fatal. Having alcohol detox support is vital in instances such as these.

Where to Get Support for Medically- Assisted Alcohol Detox?

In situations where alcohol withdrawal puts a person’s life in danger, a medically-assisted detox is required. In a medically-assisted detox, patients are offered medication to help ease withdrawal symptoms.

image showing young people enjoying their sober life after getting Alcohol Detox Support

The most common medication offered for alcohol cessation are benzodiazepines. For serious cases of addiction, a large dose is typically offered the first day of detox. Over the next 5-7 days, doses decrease until a person is tapered off medication completely. Medically-assisted alcohol detox support can stabilise those facing life-threating withdrawal symptoms and ease other uncomfortable symptoms in non-life-threatening situations.

Alcohol Detox: What to Expect

It’s important to understand that alcohol detox and withdrawal can be both physically and emotionally exhausting. For someone accustomed to drinking every day, abruptly ceasing all alcohol use can take a serious toll on the body and mind. Withdrawal typically begins 3-5 hours after a person has had their last drink. Days 2-3 of alcohol detox are typically the worst. This is when symptoms of withdrawal become more severe. This is when critical cases of alcohol withdrawal can become deadly when not properly supervised. Alcohol detox typically lasts 5-10 days, but can be longer depending on the nature of a person’s addiction.

Professional Alcohol Detox Support

While not everyone will need to detox in a professional setting, for many struggling alcoholics it provides the support they desperately need. People with moderate to severe cases of alcohol addiction will typically need to seek professional support. Being dependent on alcohol isn’t something that should be taken lightly. If someone struggling to end an addiction is serious about getting sober, having support through the alcohol detox process can be extremely beneficial.

Detox Centres for Alcoholism: What to Expect

Before a person begins detox, they will go through an initial evaluation that will help staff members develop a detox treatment plan and help anticipate any other problems that might complicate the withdrawal process. A patient’s general health history will be evaluated, as well as any mental health issues that need to be addressed before detox takes place.

Patients will also receive a complete physical examination before beginning detox. This will ensure there aren’t any other physical problems that need to be addressed or that could interfere with the detox process. Dehydration is common in alcoholics and is something that will need to be addressed during detox. During detox, temperature, blood pressure, and pulse will be monitored regularly to ensure a patient’s safety.

Alcohol detox in a professional setting is based upon three different components. These are evaluation, stabilisation, and developing patient’s readiness for and admission into further treatment. Because detox is only the first step of addiction recovery, health professionals involved in alcohol detox support will make the most of opportunities to promote further rehab treatment once patients have successfully completed detox.

Getting Support When Detoxing at Home

Not everyone will need to detox in a medical setting. While it is highly recommended that people facing severe cases of alcoholism do not try to detox alone, people with mild cases of alcohol addiction can typically detox at home without a problem. While the cravings and withdrawal symptoms will prove to be uncomfortable, they don’t require medical assistance to successfully overcome.

For those who choose to withdrawal on their own, having alcohol detox support from friends or family members can be extremely beneficial. Facing detox alone is hard, no matter how mild of an addiction a person is going through. Withdrawal symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable, and the cravings to drink may become uncontrollable. It’s important that a person has encouragement during the hard times they will undoubtedly encounter while experiencing the detox process.

Why choose eata.org.uk?

If someone you care about is exhibiting signs of addiction – whether it’s excessive marijuana use, long-term dependency on pharmaceuticals, binge drinking of alcohol or even financially damaging levels of gambling – contact us for immediate rehabilitation help.

We Can Give You Professional Alcohol Detox Support in the UK

Overcoming an addiction to alcohol can be both exhilarating and terrifying. We understand this and are here to offer all the support you or a loved one needs during this difficult time. While going through detox can be an intimidating process to consider, nothing is as unpleasant as staying slave to an alcohol addiction for the rest of your life. There is hope in overcoming your alcohol addiction. Going through detox is the first step. Once a person has successfully completed detox, there are several options that will help in overcoming an addiction to alcohol for good.

We are here not only to offer alcohol detox support, but any assistance you need concerning alcohol addiction. Our caring and compassionate staff are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer any questions or listen to any concerns you have about alcohol abuse, dependency, or addiction. All calls are confidential, as we truly value the privacy of each person that reaches out for help. Please call us at 0808 278 9885 to see how easy it can be to speak with someone who cares.

We understand that friends and family cannot always offer the alcohol detox support you need. We are here to treat each person that calls with the respect they deserve and offer the unbiased support they desperately need. No one suffering from addiction should be subject to the judgment that often accompanies it. Whether you’re looking for support through detox, or just need someone to talk to, we’re here to help. Not only is our addiction helpline free and always available, but we are here to help you find the best detox or rehab centre to fit your needs when the time comes.

 
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UK Addiction Treatment Group.

We look forward to helping you take your first step.

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