Alcohol Detox

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, about one-quarter of the American population over 18 years of age drinks alcohol excessively at least once per month. Further, at least 14.5 million Americans meet the diagnostic criteria for alcohol addiction, meaning they compulsively consume alcohol and cannot stop doing so. These figures paint a dire picture of alcohol misuse in the United States. With 5% of American adults addicted to alcohol and 25% at risk for addiction, it’s clear that alcohol addiction is an all-too-common crisis that affects millions of Americans and their families.¹

Alcohol creates a powerful chemical dependence in those who become addicted to it, so powerful that attempting to stop using alcohol without professional help can be dangerous. Self-managed alcohol detox is not only a threat to one’s health but is also incredibly uncomfortable due to withdrawal symptoms. For the safety of the individual and the success of their recovery, they must seek professional alcohol detox.

What Is Alcohol Detox?

Breaking the vicious cycle of alcohol addiction is accomplished with residential treatment beginning with alcohol detox, a highly specialized program in which the individual receives treatment for as many days as needed to properly cleanse their body of the alcohol residue lodged in their system. During this time, the individual will work to overcome their body’s dependence on alcohol and immense cravings for the drug.

To make the process safe for the recovering addict, alcohol detox is designed to treat the numerous withdrawal symptoms that occur. Examples of such symptoms include:

• Fever
• Rapid breathing
• Restlessness
• Disorientation
• Hallucinations
• Nausea
• Anxiety
• Seizures
• Hallucinations
• Cardiovascular complications

The most concerning symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal are called delirium tremens. Delirium tremens or “DTs” are characterized by extreme nervous system hyperactivity, hallucinations, altered blood chemistry, infections, and delirium. When alcohol withdrawal is not monitored by trained professionals in a certified alcohol detox facility, delirium tremens have a 5% risk of being fatal.²

Alcohol detoxes may be constructed in different ways depending on the program. Some programs utilize medical interventions to assist the individual with their withdrawal from alcohol. If the circumstances allow for it, detox professionals might encourage a holistic alcohol detox, in which the recovering addict can experience a drug-free path to freedom from alcohol.

Alcohol detox is best accomplished in an inpatient or residential setting, done immediately before a longer residential period spent in alcohol treatment. When successful, alcohol detox helps the individual overcome chemical dependence on alcohol, cleanse their body of the effects of alcohol, and free their mind to focus on their addiction’s behavioral and personal aspects.

Why Alcohol Detox Is Crucial to Recovery

When a person drinks to excess regularly, the alcohol they consume begins to change their body chemistry so that their body becomes dependent on alcohol. Alcohol detox is crucial to recovery because it is next to impossible for an individual to focus on recovery without first:

• Ceasing all alcohol consumption
• Going through a detox/withdrawal period in which alcohol chemicals are removed from the body
• Overcoming withdrawal symptoms/cravings and experiencing physiological freedom from the effects of alcohol

Effective alcohol detox removes the individual’s dependence on alcohol, allowing them to address the other factors of their addiction with a clear mind and a healed body.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alcohol Detox

Because alcohol is a legal substance and is widely accepted across American society, some alcohol addicts might act alarmed when the idea of alcohol detox is brought before them by concerned family members and loved ones. In contrast to drug addiction, which is very clearly harmful, the lines around alcohol addiction may be blurred to some, considering the widespread nature of alcohol consumption across American society.

Following are frequently asked questions one will have when determining if their loved one needs alcohol detox and what actions to take if they do.

When Is Alcohol Detox Necessary?

Alcohol detox is necessary if a person is drinking alcohol and cannot safely stop doing so on their own.

How Long Does Alcohol Detox Take?

Depending on how much alcohol a person consumes and how long they’ve been consuming it, alcohol detox can take anywhere from one to four weeks.

Can I Detox at Home?

Absolutely not. Due to the physiological nature of alcohol addiction, it is very dangerous to attempt an alcohol detox at home and on one’s own.

What Is Alcohol Detox Like?

No two alcohol detoxes are the same. Different programs will utilize different tools to aid the individual in their recovery. Some will use medical interventions (certain drugs, monitoring, IV solutions), and others will use holistic methods (diet, nutrition, vitamin therapies, massage, exercise, group activities, spiritual counseling).

Alcohol Detox for a Loved One

Alcohol addiction is both physiological and psychological. It’s almost impossible to address the psychological side without first addressing the physical side because one’s body is dependent on alcohol for the duration that the addict has been using the substance. Breaking that dependency, overcoming cravings for alcohol, freeing the body from the chemical effects of the substance, and finally experiencing an alcohol-free life are the crucial first steps the individual must accomplish. After they do, they can address their mental, emotional, spiritual, and behavioral connections to alcohol.

A study published in JAMA Network Open estimated that alcohol hospitalizations had increased by 3.5% since 1998, suggesting alcohol misuse is becoming more widespread and dangerous. Alcohol-related deaths are also rising, with the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reporting at least 95,000 alcohol-related deaths in the United States each year.³

Those struggling with alcohol addiction must seek treatment as soon as possible. If your loved one is addicted to alcohol, please help them enter a qualified alcohol detox program.

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