Alcohol Detox Treatment
Alcohol Detox Centers & Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Alcohol is infamous for its intense withdrawal process, a process punctuated by uncomfortable and potentially life threatening symptoms when not handled properly. Alcohol detox centers have sprung up left and right to help educate and treat recovering alcoholics, but the infamy and death toll is something that has been only mildly affected by the increase in awareness. In an effort to further educate the public, and to prevent potential health problems due to alcohol withdrawal, we are going to take a look at the effect of alcohol rehab centers and alcohol detox programs.
Alcohol Detox Centers: Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms and Their Effect on Human Health
As we mentioned previously, some of the alcohol withdrawal symptoms experienced during the detox process can be dangerous both for the health of the recovering addicts, and for the their life in a more general sense. There have been huge strides in the treatment during alcohol, withdrawal processes over the years, but there is still much more that can be done to educate potential recovering alcoholics on the options available to them during detox. A great example of this is alcohol rehab centers' use of medications to mitigate the intense withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting drinking. If you are unfamiliar, here is a brief list of common symptoms experienced during alcohol detox:
- Increased Anxiety or Confusion
- Aggressive Behavior or Irritability
- Trouble Sleeping or Insomnia
- Tremors or Shaky Hands
- Irregular or Increased Sweating
- Tension in One's Chest or Chest Pain
- Migraines or Headache
- Nausea & Vomiting
- Irregular Heartbeat or Palpitations
- Increased Risk of Seizures
While some of these symptoms may seem relatively harmless, the risk of seizures and changes in heart functions pose a serious risk to the lives of the recovering alcoholic. Cardiac arrest and seizures are dangerous enough to kill a recovering addict if they are not being treated in the proper environment. To help prevent dangerous situations like the ones listed above, alcohol rehab centers are generally equipped with a medical staff responsible for observing the vital signs, health, and behavior of those admitted to the alcohol detox program. This kind of medical supervision greatly reduces the chances of any catastrophic reactions to quitting drinking. And in the rare case that someone does have a heart attack or seizure while admitted into an alcohol rehab center, the medical staff is ready and equipped with the proper medical expertise to handle the situation with fast and effective care.
Alcohol Detox Centers: Alcohol Rehab Centers' Post-Detox Care
While the efforts exerted during alcohol detox are certainly important for the protection of the recovering alcoholic, the post-detox care performed by alcohol rehab centers is of similar importance. You see, getting the patients to cleanse their body of remaining alcohol is only the first step in recovery. Once alcohol detox is complete and the alcohol withdrawal symptoms are gone, for the most part, the real education begins. In order to prevent relapse in the future, alcohol rehab centers will generally recommend an inpatient or outpatient form of treatment, during which patients will work with psychologists, therapists, and addiction counselors to form a relapse-prevention plan. These type of plans will help recovering alcoholics remain sober after their release from treatment.
Some common forms of treatment during admission into alcohol rehab centers include: group therapy, individual therapy, creative expression, relapse-prevention classes, development of health coping mechanisms, treatment for mental illnesses if necessary, nutritional classes, and education on sober living as a whole. While individually these classes may seem unnecessary or silly to those without experience in treating addiction, these types of treatment methods are paramount to the continued health and sobriety of recovering addicts.
Alcohol Detox & Alcohol Rehab Centers: Get the Help You Need
If you or someone you know is struggling with alcoholism, it's important that you reach out and get the help you need as soon as possible. Addiction may start gradually, but it can spiral out of control very quickly, and once it has an alcoholic trapped in its grasp, the financial, mental, emotional, and physical consequences will start to build up in no time at all. If you're struggling with addiction, and you want to change, but you simply don't know where to begin, don't worry! There are addiction treatment representatives that can assist you with any and all questions you may have. Call us at (877) 804-1531 for help finding alcohol detox centers where you can start working towards your new life of sobriety today!