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Oxycontin Withdrawal
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Alcoholism is a debilitating disease that is as powerful as drug addiction. Help is likely needed to stop drinking. Withdrawal symptoms from alcohol can be eased when detox from alcohol occurs in a medically supervised facility. Untreated alcohol withdrawal syndrome can be life threatening. It is best to transition into an alcohol treatment facility directly after an alcohol detox program.
Drinking more than you should? Drinking when you have promised not to? Getting angry when others comment about your drinking? These are signs that you may have an alcohol addiction problem. If you suffer from alcoholism, you can get help now. Recovery Connection can help you or a loved one suffering from alcoholism find the appropriate alcohol detox and alcohol treatment program for your needs.
Alcohol (detox) detoxification is the first step in the recovery process that should be followed by an alcohol addiction treatment program. Medically supervised detox facility, or in a substance abuse rehab that has an alcohol detox unit is strongly recommended rather than attempting to detox at home.
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Alcohol detoxification is the first step in the recovery process that should be followed by an alcohol addiction treatment program. Entering a medically supervised detox facility or a substance abuse treatment center that has an alcohol detox unit is strongly recommended, rather than attempting to detox at home.
Alcohol detox is the first step to living a healthy life devoid of drugs or alcohol. Alcohol detox programs help patients prepare for the hard, but rewarding work of recovering from alcoholism. Research demonstrates that people who do not immediately enter an alcohol treatment program immediately following the detoxification process are at greater risk of returning to a drink. Once that happens, the alcoholic will "pick up" where he or she left off. The negative consequences can rapidly worsen once an alcoholic returns to drinking.
The American Society of Addiction Medicinelists three immediate goals for detoxification from alcohol and other substances: (1) “to provide a safe withdrawal from the drug(s) of dependence and enable the patient to become drug-free”; (2) “to provide a withdrawal that is humane and thus protects the patient’s dignity”; and (3) “to prepare the patient for ongoing treatment of his or her dependence on alcohol or other drugs.” (Source: American Family Physician, "Withdrawal Syndrome", March 15, 2004)
The average alcohol detox process last between 3-7 days. Medically monitored and supervised detox programs which are staffed 24-hours a day, 7 days a week will ensure that a patient's medical condition remains stable. All physiological and psychological changes can be addressed immediately.
There are many different types of detox facilities and units; some are located within a hospital setting, some are housed within an addiction treatment facility, and still others are stand-alone facilities. It is always best to seek alcohol detox in a treatment facility staffed 24-hours a day with addiction trained medical staff. These certified addiction physicians can closely monitor the medical status of the alcoholic and quickly treat any medical or psychiatric distress. Detox within an alcohol rehabilitation center will allow for continuity between detox and early drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
When an alcoholic tries to detox on his or her own, or medical supervision is not round the clock, the alcoholic places him/herself at great physical and emotional risk. Alcohol detox can be dangerous and extraordinarily painful.
Alcohol detox can be life threatening and extremely uncomfortable. A medically monitored inpatient detox center can assist you through your detox, minimize your pain and anxiety, and address your medical needs immediately. Call Recovery Connection now at to find the right alcohol detox and treatment program for your needs.
If you have become dependent upon alcohol, please seek medical attention. It is not advisable to stop drinking on your own. Your body will go through alcohol withdrawal. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be extreme and should be monitored by medical professionals familiar with the signs of alcohol withdrawal. Sedative withdrawal can mimic alcohol detox and must be ruled out or treated. Certified addiction physicians, nurses, psychiatrists, and therapists will be able to distinguish the differences of withdrawal symptoms.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms will begin within 5-10 hours after the last drink, but sometimes withdrawal peaks after several days of abstinence. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are dependent upon one's age, the amount of alcohol consumed, and the length of time a person has been drinking. Also, withdrawal symptoms can intensify if a person has previously gone through multiple detoxifications, especially if the detoxifications were not medically treated.
Detoxification is defined by the elimination of alcohol and its toxins from the body, and nothing beyond that. Issues such as why a person drinks, how to avoid drinking and identification of drinking triggers are not discussed in alcohol detox programs. Medically supervised alcohol detox will handle any medical and psychological complications of alcohol withdrawal. Abrupt cessation of alcohol intake after chronic use can lead to brain hyper excitability, which in turn is experienced by one or more of the following alcohol withdrawal symptoms:
Psychological Symptoms:
Physical Symptoms:
Severe Symptoms:
The most widely used index for determining clinical severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms is called the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol (CIWA). There are nine sections each with a rating system from 1-7 from normal activity to more extreme activity. The categories are:
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms will worsen before the symptoms begin to subside. All persons suffering from alcohol withdrawal will not experience the same symptoms or intensity of symptoms. The severity and duration of the alcohol withdrawal period depends upon many factors such as genetics, the duration of alcohol use, sex of the individual, and the presence or absence of kindling.
Kindling refers to long-term changes in the brain that result from repeated detoxifications. This phenomenon, though debated, is the explanation for why someone's withdrawal symptoms seem to worsen with each additional alcohol detox. Furthermore, withdrawal seizures become more common among those individuals who have experienced multiple detoxifications, especially if the alcohol withdrawal was not medically treated.
Beyond Alcohol Detox and Withdrawal
Detox does not provide the alcoholic with the opportunity to look at the issues connected to drinking. An alcohol rehabilitation facility provides you or the alcoholic with the therapeutic environment necessary to learn the tools and life skills needed to maintain sobriety after treatment. Alcohol treatment programs provide an alcoholic with a solid foundation from which they can personally grow in recovery.
All alcohol detox programs and alcohol treatment programs are not the same. Each alcohol treatment program has its own philosophy that may or may not be based upon medical treatment or scientifically proven best practices. The differences between philosophies and treatment programs can determine whether a patient will have a comfortable detox and receive quality treatment.
If you or someone you love needs a safe and caring alcohol detox program or an alcohol rehab program, then Recovery Connection can help. Our trained coordinators are available to answer your questions about alcoholism, addiction, alcohol detox, or rehabilitation. They understand the difficulties of being an alcoholic or drug addict. Call now and let one of our coordinators help you by:
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