Alcohol Detox

An Alcohol Detox Can Help With Safe Withdrawal

Not all drug addicts require a medical detox when they stop using. Those addicted to opiates are much more likely to require some kind of detox program.

Alcohol is a different case. With alcohol it all depends on how heavily the person was drinking, and how long they had been drinking as to whether they will help the services of an alcohol detox.

With heavy drinkers the alcohol detox can be the only way to wean the person off alcohol safely. This is because, unlike most drugs, an abrupt cessation of drinking in a heavy, long-time drinker can be very dangerous.

There are different types of alcohol detox programs. The in-patient alcohol detox is appropriate for alcoholics who are at risk of complications when they stop drinking. At an in-patient facility, the patient is closely monitored and given any medical help they might need to cope safely with the withdrawal from their “drug” of choice.

Again, depending on the severity of the symptoms, the person can also be given medication to help them through this period. Typically, benzodiazepines are prescribed for this purpose.

For those who have a less serious case of alcoholism, it is often possible to attend an out-patient alcohol detox. This alcoholics may also be given medication to help them with the withdrawal symptoms as well as with the cravings they may feel to drink.

There are also alcohol detox programs that use the “sauna” approach. This combines an exercise program, a low-heat sauna to “sweat it out” and nutritional supplements to replace lost nutrients.

Once the alcoholic has overcome the immediate challenge of withdrawal, then they are ready to begin a program of addiction treatment. This will usually involve a combination of counselling and addiction education.