Alcohol Detox Clinics

What Is an Alcohol Detox?

A detox from alcohol is an effective treatment option that slowly reduces toxins that have been intoxicating the body from excessive alcohol consumption, helping your body heal and cope without any substances.

There are two kinds of detox, a medically assisted detox or an ‘at home’ detox and the intensity of both is determined by the severity of the alcohol addiction; here, we’ll let you in about what to expect with an in-patient detoxification.

At a detox clinic, you would go through a medically supervised treatment method, as withdrawal symptoms will be experienced throughout.

Alcoholism Withdrawal Symptoms

The important thing to remember about withdrawal symptoms is that they vary greatly.

While some may experience minor symptoms, some could feel the extremities of withdrawing from alcohol. That being said, it is important that you understand what you could experience and how an alcohol detoxification clinic can help you manage the symptoms.

• Alcohol Cravings: Strong urges or cravings to consume alcohol can be a significant symptom during detox.
• Nausea and / or Vomiting: Some individuals may experience nausea and may even vomit as the body attempts to expel the toxins.
• Sweating: Profuse sweating, especially at night, is common during alcohol detox.
• Shaking and Tremors: Hand tremors, also known as “the shakes,” are common and can be quite pronounced.
• Anxiety: Feelings of anxiety, restlessness, and nervousness are typical during alcohol withdrawal.
• Depression: Many people experience symptoms of depression, including low mood, sadness, and hopelessness.
• Irritability: Mood swings and increased irritability are common emotional symptoms.
• Insomnia: Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep is a frequent symptom of alcohol withdrawal.
• Headaches: Alcohol withdrawal can lead to headaches and, in some cases, migraines.
• Confusion: Some individuals may experience cognitive difficulties and confusion.
• Hallucinations: In severe cases of alcohol withdrawal, auditory or visual hallucinations may occur.
• Seizures: Although less common, seizures can happen during severe alcohol withdrawal, known as delirium tremens (DTs).
• Increased Heart Rate and Blood Pressure: Elevated heart rate and blood pressure are physical symptoms that may occur.
• Sensitivity to Light and Sound: Increased sensitivity to light and sound is possible during alcohol detox.
• Trembling Hands and Sweating: Physical symptoms such as shaky hands and excessive sweating are common.

One of the most serious alcohol withdrawal symptoms is the aforementioned Delirium Tremens (DTs).

Delirium Tremens or withdrawal delirium can range in severity. Some minor side effects can involve shaking, insomnia and general nausea.

However, for some who have been consuming large amounts of alcohol over many years, side effects can include visual and auditory hallucinations and seizures. Although only a small number of people actually experience extreme delirium, other factors, such as related health issues, can increase the potential of this happening.

This is why supervised detoxification is so vital, as every person suffering from alcohol addiction reacts differently, has different tolerance levels and this isn’t taking into consideration any other substances if applicable.

Detoxing from alcohol in a designated clinic is the safest place to do so, as the professionals working there are prepared and ready for any outcome related to detoxing from alcohol.

Timeline of a Medical Alcohol Detox

While exact experiences may differ clinic to clinic, often this is the structure of detox treatment for alcohol.

The first step is when a patient arrives at the detox clinic, they will immediately undergo a thorough assessment by medical professionals to determine their physical and psychological condition, the severity of substance dependence, and any co-occurring medical or mental health issues.

Once this has been finalised, the treatment plan will be organised and detoxification commences.

Days 2-3: Stabilisation

During the first couple of days, the primary goal is to stabilise the patient. Medications may be administered to manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings, making the process much more manageable.

Days 4-7: Acute Detoxification

This phase focuses on managing withdrawal symptoms, the type and duration of which vary depending on the substance.

Medications may at this point be adjusted as needed to address specific symptoms. All the while there will be consistent assistance from addiction physicians.

Days 7-14: Transition and Assessment

As withdrawal symptoms begin to subside, prescription medication that have been managing symptoms will begin to lower in frequency and dosage.

Mental health assessments, counselling and rehab may begin during this phase to address underlying issues related to addiction.

Once you have overcome this stage and completed your alcohol detox program, it is time for rehab to work on the psychological side of your alcohol addiction.

Is an Alcohol Detox Safe?

Knowing how to detox from alcohol in the safest way possible is the key to a future free of alcohol abuse, which is why it is much safer to go through this in a clinic designed for that exactly.

Our team will observe the whole process to ensure your well-being is the priority. Under the watchful eye of our trained professionals, we have the experience to help manage you through the detoxification stage.

For some people, the detox will finish relatively quickly, some even within 24 hours.

However, for those with a severe addiction to hard substances or a combination of alcohol and drugs, a full alcohol detoxification programme may be required to reset the body and mind.

For long-term alcohol recovery, a quick fix isn’t realistic and most importantly, they’re not safe; small steps are the best approach to transform your mindset and cravings.

When Is An Alcohol Detox Required?

An alcohol detox is required when you have an alcohol addiction.

If you are experiencing any side effects from regular alcohol consumption, including the need for greater intake, the start of an addiction could be on the cards. If you can’t go 24 hours without craving an alcoholic drink, experience withdrawal symptoms, or have connected mental health issues, visiting a detox clinic should be your next step.

For some individuals, understanding when expert intervention is required can be difficult. Some may believe that their drinking habits are ‘normal’ yet an addiction could be at the core of these habits.

Any level of alcohol addiction can be damaging. Those who consume alcohol regularly are also more likely to develop further addictions and behavioural episodes, including drug abuse, depression and suicidal thoughts.

People often have issues such as depression and believe drinking alcohol eases this depression. But in many cases, drinking can only worsen your symptoms of depression and cause a negative cycle on your mental and physical well-being. Quitting alcohol could actually be solving other mental issues you may be facing that you have not initially attributed to alcohol dependence.

Alcohol abuse can really damage your quality of life. If you believe that your life is negatively impacted by alcohol consumption, get in touch with our expert team today. We can start your detox programme immediately, helping you beat the negative cycle by breaking free from the grasp of alcohol addiction.

Steps After Alcohol Detox Treatment

Alongside our medically supervised alcohol detox programmes, here at Rehab Clinics Group, we have a number of alternative industry-leading addiction treatments.

Each is designed to work together alongside your detox to promote long-term recovery.

It is highly likely that if you complete a detox, further treatment options will be recommended to ensure your addiction is tackled holistically. We believe in working on both your psychological and physical connection to alcohol, helping reduce future relapses.

Upon arrival at rehab, our team will better understand your alcohol addiction and health history. This will include the initial stimuli causing your consumption, its severity, effects, and any mental health issues influenced by substance abuse. From here, a personalised treatment plan will be created to ensure recovery is probable for you.

• Personalised Plan
• Therapy
• Well Being
• Return To Health

Treatment options you can expect to complete include cognitive behavioural therapy, social sessions, family therapy, counselling and well-being sessions. Each will work on dropping your barriers while turning your negative thoughts into positive feelings.

You will further complete educational sessions to boost your knowledge of alcohol addiction and relapse prevention techniques to work through any future cravings.

We will ensure your family members and support network are also prepared for your return home, ensuring they fully understand your long-term recovery plan.

By completing detox and alternative addiction treatments, you will likely overcome your alcohol addiction. We have a great success rate here at Rehab Clinics Group, as we always go the extra mile to ensure your recovery journey is worthwhile.

Available Support Post-Recovery

Once you’ve returned home, if you have completed a rehab stay, most will be available for you for free up to 1-year post-detox and rehab.

This will ensure you maintain your recovery plan and avoid any surrounding influences. Our partnering rehabs support will include regular support groups, AA meetings, and our expert guidance to ensure you are on track. We are passionate about ensuring your hard work pays off and continues to be put in place once you return home.

Get in touch to discuss our rehab facilities and start your admission to an alcohol detox programme. If you have any concerns about the detox process, we can break this down for you.

Reach out today to begin your time of transformation.

Detox Professionals

Although completing a detox is one of the hardest steps to take when considering rehabilitation, it is one of the most effective. We highly promote our alcohol detoxes at our number of rehab centres, giving our patients a fresh start when beginning their treatment programmes.

Alcohol Detox FAQs

Here is a list of some of the most frequently asked questions we receive about alcohol detox: