Alcohol Detox is a process that helps people get rid of their dependence on alcohol. The withdrawal symptoms that are experienced when people stop drinking can be difficult to cope with.

Alcohol detox should be done under the guidance of medical professionals. This is especially important for people with pre-existing medical conditions.

Symptoms

Detox can be challenging, especially if you’re a heavy drinker. You may experience a range of symptoms, from mild to severe. It is important to clear your schedule and focus on the detox process. This can include putting your work aside, spending time with supportive friends and family members, and finding a treatment centre near you.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms may begin within a few hours of your last drink. The severity of these symptoms depends on your level of alcohol abuse and how long you have been drinking. The most dangerous symptom is delirium tremens, which has a 5-15% chance of causing fatality.

During this phase, you will experience a high fever, confusion, shaking, shivering, and slowed breathing. Medications, like benzodiazepines, are commonly used to treat the symptoms. These medications may include chlordiazepoxide (Librium) and diazepam (Valium). Eating a healthy diet during the detox is important. It is recommended to eat foods that contain protein, vitamin C, and calcium.

Treatments

A medical detox program can help people through withdrawal symptoms and can be safer than doing it at home. Medical professionals will monitor your vital signs during detox and can use medications to prevent or alleviate withdrawal symptoms as they arise.

It’s important to drink lots of water and non-caffeinated fluids during detox to keep your body hydrated. This will also help to flush out chemicals related to alcohol abuse from the body.

Withdrawal symptoms will begin to appear within the first 6-12 hours of your last alcoholic beverage and will peak at around 24 to 72 hours in most people. Symptoms include cravings, agitation and tremors.

There are a range of pharmacological treatments that can be used to assist with alcohol detox, including benzodiazepines (e.g. chlordiazepoxide and diazepam) for their sedative properties and to prevent withdrawal seizures. Other pharmacological treatments that are commonly used during alcohol detox include naltrexone (an antagonist that causes an unpleasant reaction to the consumption of alcohol) and acamprosate which helps reduce cravings.

Preparation

Although it is possible to detox from alcohol at home, it is generally recommended that you seek professional treatment. This is the safest and most effective way to go through the process. At a medical detox program, you will have the assistance of doctors, nurses, therapists, and counselors to help you through the process.

You should avoid any drinks containing alcohol or anything that will make you ingest it, such as coffee and cold showers, before starting your detox. These things may not help you sober up and they will not lower your BAC level.

It is also important to know that there are no fast and easy ways to detox from alcohol. Every person’s DNA is different and therefore, biological processes are performed at their own rate. This is why it’s impossible to put a time frame on any detox, including alcohol. The key to success is to prepare yourself mentally and physically for the detox process.

Monitoring

Alcohol withdrawal is a potentially dangerous process for some people, particularly in the first 48 hours following cessation or reduction of drinking. It is especially important that this process be carefully monitored and that any symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, such as delirium tremens or seizures, are recognized and treated promptly.

Your health care provider may ask you questions about your drinking habits and how it has affected your life, including relationships with family and friends, work and school. They will also do a physical exam and take your medical history.

The treatment plan will probably include a program of MAW, whether it be in an outpatient clinic, day hospital or residential setting depending on your needs and the severity of your AUD and its impact on your health. It is important that healthcare professionals are skilled in the assessment and monitoring of signs and symptoms during MAW and follow local protocols [25]. Recent research has shown community MAW is safe and effective when supported by well-defined eligibility criteria, a clear medication regimen based on objective measurement of symptoms, daily structured monitoring and linkage with continuing psychosocial support (e.g. a rehab service) [26].