More About Alcohol Detox Treatment
Understanding Alcohol Detox
One of the things that frightens people looking for treatment for alcohol addiction most is the prospect of alcohol detox. They may remember a time they tried cutting down or where unable to get alcohol and experienced withdrawal symptoms. Or they may be concerned about how they will feel afterwards. That they won’t be made comfortable or anxiety will unbearable. We can allay those fears here at Better Tomorrow Treatment Center. The fact is we are well-versed in treating alcohol addiction here.
One thing is for certain, alcohol detox is not something you should attempt without medical supervision. you could have a medical emergency, even a fatal grand mal seizure. We tell you this not to worry you, but because it is our job to equip you with the facts. Whatever amount you may be drinking, please think twice before attempting any type of home alcohol detox scenario. It simply isn’t safe and it’s impossible to predict a particular patient’s risk of complications like seizures which can be deadly, IF they choose to quit alcohol ‘cold turkey’. Not only is it unpleasant, it can be fatal.
NEVER Attempt to Detox from Alcohol or Benzos Without Medical Supervision
This last subject is such an important point that we feel we really need to drive it home. NEVER, EVER try to detox yourself from alcohol or sedatives like benzodiazepines at home. Don’t even consider it. It could be deadly. As a medical organization, it’s our responsibility to reiterate that it is much too dangerous to attempt detoxing yourself off of alcohol or benzos. It requires careful medical supervision to be done safely and even then, you can never eliminate every possible risk. Whether you choose to get your alcohol addiction treatment with Better Tomorrow Treatment Center or not, it’s absolutely essential that you receive proper medical support for this process.
How Long Are Alcohol Detox Programs?
When a person finally decides they are ready for help with alcohol detox and treatment, inevitably the first questions are ‘how long is alcohol treatment’? So, how long are alcohol detox programs and what happens after an alcohol detox is completed? Many alcohol detox and treatment programs won’t have a set-in stone length of time that’s decided in advance. And they shouldn’t because different people have different needs. In most cases, if you are getting a medication supported alcohol detox and no other treatment, the stay will range from 4-6 days to as long as two weeks or more in extreme cases. Most people come in for right around a week or a little less though. The length of stay in an alcohol detox program has a number of variables to consider.
The answers to these questions will play a major role in how long a person would need to be in an alcohol detox program:
- How often do you consume alcohol (i.e. days per week)?
- When you consume alcohol, how much do you drink in a 24 hour period?
- What’s your current height and weight?
- At what age did you begin and how old are you now?
- What is the total number of years you have been drinking alcohol?
- Do you have a history of seizures or delirium tremens in withdrawal?
- Are you using any drugs in addition to alcohol?
- Do you have a diagnosis of alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis or other liver disease?
Always Be Honest and Thorough in Explaining Your Drinking Behavior
As you may have gathered by now, the amount you drink and how long you’ve been doing it play a major role in the detox process. So does your general health and any predisposition to seizures or illnesses or conditions which impact your body’s ability to process alcohol. All of these factors are taken into account for your safety. The whole reason to go to alcohol detox is to come off of alcohol as safely and comfortably as possible. Bear that in mind when doing your clinical intake interview or relaying information about your drinking or drug use history.
It’s important not to downplay or leave anything out. Whether because of shame or poor memory or any other reason, anyone who doesn’t give as complete an account as possible of their drinking is doing themselves a disservice when going to treatment for alcohol addiction or alcohol detox. You should never feel shame about the amount or frequency you drank alcohol. Least of all when you’re talking to medical professionals who treat people for alcohol addiction for a living. You’re not going to shock anyone or tell them anything they haven’t heard before. We just want to help and the best way that we and the alcohol detox clinicians can do that, is if we have all the facts. The full story. So, remember, this is a no judgement zone. A safe place to be honest about the help you need.
How Does Treatment Work After Alcohol Detox?
Often times a person going to alcohol addiction treatment for the first time may be a little worried about how long they will be in treatment for. This is usually for one of two reasons. They are anxious about being away from familiar surroundings of home and family for more than a week. The sense of a lack of control for that time may worry them. Alternately they may worry that they won’t get enough treatment. Worried they may be discharged before they are ready and find themselves defenseless against picking up the bottle again.
Both are valid concerns. If you are trying to help or convince someone you love to go to alcohol detox and treatmentl though, it can be frustrating. If you find yourself in a similar situation, try to be as understanding as possible. Worries about the length of alcohol detox or alcohol rehab programs are very common. In most cases the concerns will fade or pass with time. The most important thing is that you keep moving forward, even if the pace isn’t always as fast as you hoped.
Progress Takes Time
It won’t always happen in the timeframe we might like, but progress is progress. Try and take the focus off the length of time and on to the positives. That this person is finally getting the help they need. How much better they are going to feel after they’ve been sober for 30 days. Their health will return. They will be able to sleep soundly without a drink again, perhaps for the first time in many years. Going to treatment for alcohol addiction can be scary, but it’s absolutely a positive development, so do the best you can to encourage a hopeful attitude in your loved one.
Alcohol detox and treatment usually consists of at least 30-90 days for the partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs and perhaps a week for the alcohol detox portion beforehand. Alcohol detox usually consists of an inpatient stay at a medical facility from between 4-7 days. The length of stay will vary depending upon a few factors, including the following:
- How much alcohol the person drinks.
- The number of years they have been drinking.
- Their age and relative physical health.
- Other medical issues, predisposition to seizures etc.
WHY CHOOSE US
WHY BETTER TOMORROW TREATMENT CENTER IS A GREAT CHOICE FOR YOU
Evidence-Based Treatment
Better Tomorrow Treatment Center utilizes a scientific approach to addiction care. We use methods of addiction treatment proven by clinical research. This ensures effective treatment that you can trust to deliver the results you need.
Balanced Holistic Approach
While we rely on scientific evidence to choose treatment methods, we never lose sight of the human element and spiritual needs. We believe holistic treatment is about introducing order and balance where before there was only chaos.
3 Phase Program
Our 3-phase program is designed to give you more support for longer than you might be able to get at some other programs. Our outpatient treatment allows you to resume your daily activities while staying connected to Better Tomorrow Treatment Center.
RECOVERY BEGINS WITH ACTION. TAKE ACTION AND CONTACT US NOW.
A Better Tomorrow is in Reach
The next chapter of your life is not written yet. Better Tomorrow is ready to help you build the future in recovery that you’ve dreamed of. Let us help you heal and become the best version of yourself. A better tomorrow begins with the actions you take today.
