Most people drink alcohol for enjoyment, to boost sociability, to get drunk, or relieve themselves of stress issues. When taken in moderation, it’s not much of an issue.
But if you drink excessively or can’t control the amount you drink, you may be dealing with something more serious.
Alcoholism is a condition you may be predisposed to due to drinking at an early age, stressful environments, mental health concerns, or family history. It’s an often-overlooked health issue that leads to a wide variety of internal and external problems, many of which are fatal.
Over the years, treatments for alcohol addiction have become much more concrete, providing people interested in overcoming the condition with various tools to work with to reach sobriety.
However, the process entails a series of ‘purges’ that go from the physical to the psychological, requiring professional help to safely and successfully navigate. Alcohol withdrawal is often just as fatal as the other consequences of the addiction without proper support.
That’s where alcohol detox programs come into play. These allow people to access a variety of services that suit their specific alcoholism case. They are an excellent solution for anyone plagued with alcoholism problems, as seen in high-stress environments like the military. For a great example, you can check out this link: https://www.jacksonhouserehab.com/treatment/military-program/
But what exactly is an alcohol detox program, and how does it work? Here’s what you need to know.
What Is Detox?
Alcohol detoxification or ‘detox’ is the first step to recovering from alcoholism. This is the process through which your body purges itself of all alcohol content from your internal systems.
With frequent consumption, it develops a tolerance to the substance, often reaching the point where it can’t function normally without it (a classic sign of addiction). That often results in impaired cognitive function, reduced coordination, memory problems, emotional instability, and an increased susceptibility to health issues like liver failure and heart disease.
When alcohol levels drop after the supply is cut off, the body’s detoxing process kicks in to try and return a semblance of regular, healthy function. Its effects can be mild or severe and can start some hours after you stop drinking. These may include:
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Headache
- Shaky hands
- Fever
- Vomiting
In some cases, the process can become fatal for someone whose overall health has been severely compromised by their condition or who has a long history of drinking. An alcohol detox program can manage and treat these symptoms to reduce the risk as much as possible. For this reason, it should be the primary recourse for anyone seeking to fix their drinking habits.
Getting Started In A Detoxification Program
Every alcoholism case is unique. For this reason, doctors take the following steps to customize treatment:
- Assessment
The first step in an alcohol detox program is evaluating your current condition. The doctor will conduct urine and blood tests to determine the amount of alcohol in your blood. These can help unveil any underlying issues due to the addiction. With this information, your doctor can identify the level of intervention you require.
Your doctor will perform a physical examination and ask about your addiction history. They may want to know your background, if you had previously enrolled in any program, diet, triggers, interpersonal relationships, and so forth. It’s best to be honest about your experience to obtain the ideal options for aid in your case.
- Stabilization
After you stop taking alcohol and begin experiencing withdrawal symptoms, your doctor will use medical and psychological therapy to stabilize your situation. This prevents you from harm and helps you stay safe and comfortable during withdrawal.
Stabilization is unique to every individual, depending on your required treatment levels. Sometimes, it may require intensive care.
- Preparation For Treatment
The last step in the alcohol detox program is preparation for recovery. Your doctor will assist you to familiarize yourself with the treatment process and what you may expect. You may be recommended to work with a new care team that provides the support and accountability you need along your journey.
Importance Of Alcohol Detox Programs
You may be tempted to detox at home. But this is hardly safe for everyone, especially when other aspects of their health have been compromised.
For example, if you have a mental health condition, it may worsen as you detox. Additionally, withdrawal symptoms like diarrhoea and vomiting can lead to adverse dehydration that may require medical attention.
Enrolling in a detox program is your safest option. Its benefits include the following:
- Provides A Strong Base For Recovery
The first few weeks or months of alcohol recovery can be arduous. Therefore, you must set a firm foundation to help you succeed in the treatment process.
Detox programs provide just that, ensuring that you start positively and healthily. Trained experts and peers on the same journey as you can give you the support and strength to survive the early stages.
- Boosts Your Mental Health
Alcohol addiction can negatively impact your mental health, often exacerbating symptoms of anxiety, depression, mania, and psychosis. As you attempt to quit, your mental state may take a turn and leave you with severe cravings for alcohol.
Fortunately, doctors will give you psychological and psychiatric support to help you achieve mental stability while detoxing. They may also refer you to more specific treatments in dual-diagnosis cases.
- Leads To Enhanced Self-Confidence
Completing an alcohol detox program can give you a sense of accomplishment, enhancing your self-confidence. With this, you can be more optimistic about your recovery journey and stay motivated to live sober.
- Lowers Health Risks
Excessive alcohol consumption can interrupt your body’s normal functions and affect your overall health.
Notably, heavy drinking has adverse effects on your liver. This organ is responsible for filtering and eliminating toxins from your body. Alcohol seriously harms its cells, leading to life-threatening health issues like cirrhosis and fatty liver disease.
Other health issues alcoholism can cause include:
- High blood pressure
- Cancer
- Fibrosis
- Stroke
- Digestive issues
- Dementia
- Arrhythmias
- Pancreatitis
By completing an alcohol detox program, you lower your risk of developing such serious health issues. It even minimizes your chances of experiencing adverse withdrawal symptoms.
- Tempers Your Appetites
Temptations during the detox process are high. You’ll have an irresistible urge to drink to relieve yourself from the symptoms.
Thankfully, alcohol detox programs can help you manage these cravings in your early stages of recovery. These programs can help you change your environment and overcome other factors that tempt you to drink frequently.
- Fosters Relationships
Alcohol addiction strains your connections with your friends and family members. Going through an alcohol detox program helps you recover these relationships, which will be important in obtaining support and encouragement in your sobriety journey.
Types Of Detox Programs
Today’s detox programs fall under the following categories:
- Inpatient Detox
In an inpatient alcohol detox program, you reside in a particular facility for intervention. You eat here and sleep, but your loved ones can visit you during specified hours of the day or week. Some advantages of inpatient detoxification programs include the following:
- Round-the-clock medical supervision: Serious forms of addiction may lead to fatal withdrawals. Inpatient detox programs offer 24/7 medical support to help reduce the severity of the process, providing immediate medical attention.
- Eliminates common triggers: Alcohol relapse is expected at any point in the recovery process. Some places, feelings, or people can spark intense cravings and desires to return to old habits. Inpatient detox programs help reduce exposure to such things, encouraging continuous recovery and support when a relapse occurs anyway.
- Offers a supportive peer network: Being with peers sharing your struggles can significantly motivate you to recover quickly. It’s the main benefit of receiving group therapy.
- Eliminates excuses for refusing treatment: It’s natural for some to find reasons to evade therapy sessions or support group meetings, especially in outpatient programs. In contrast, inpatient detox programs keep all the treatments within the facility. Thus, finding the motivation to keep showing up is much easier.
- Helps you focus more on recovery: The closed environment of an inpatient detox program allows you to concentrate on each step you must take.
Inpatient detox programs offer an ideal environment for recovery. It’s the better choice for those with severe cases.
- Outpatient Detox
In outpatient detox programs, you attend treatment during the day and spend the rest of the time doing your usual routines. These suit those with only mild or moderate withdrawal effects and a short history of drinking issues. They offer the following benefits:
- Affordability: Inpatient detox programs are more costly as they involve numerous activities. You may have to pay for food and accommodation, as well. Meanwhile, you only pay for your medication and therapy sessions in outpatient programs.
- Closer support from your loved ones: Outpatient detox programs allow you to return to your home after your sessions. That way, you can stay close to your loved ones, who can assist you in conquering cravings and other triggers.
- Offers flexibility: As mentioned, you won’t reside within the facility. That means you have the flexibility to continue with your work or studies. You may plan with your therapist to have your sessions in the evening and choose the days that suit you.
- Offers more privacy: Sometimes, you may not want anyone to know you enrolled in a detox program. In this case, an outpatient detox program offers a more confidential solution. You get to have full control of how people know about your status.
With this program, you can access the same kind of treatment as an inpatient program while having more freedom to keep your other commitments.
Tips For Selecting A Program
Choosing the right program for your condition is essential for effective recovery. Below are some factors to consider before settling on a particular one:
- Get Checked
Examining your condition is crucial to determining the kind of detox program you need. Severe conditions require more intensive programs. Also, if you have mental health issues, it should be able to provide treatment options for them. In this case, an inpatient program would be ideal.
However, the best way to know which program is appropriate for you is to get an official diagnosis from a professional. Default on their advice before taking any action.
- Know The Pros And Cons
Every program has its benefits and drawbacks. Evaluating these gives you an idea of how much a particular one can help. Compare the advantages and disadvantages as you align them with your goals. Then, with a doctor’s confirmation, settle on the one that’ll help you achieve most of them.
- Confirm The Treatment Options Available
There are various treatment options used in alcohol detox programs. Some can be standard in both programs, while some are exclusive to specific cases. Therefore, check the options a particular program offers to find the one that best suits your needs.
- Think About The Location
The accessibility of a program also plays a significant role in how ideal it is. You’d want to work with a provider within your place of residence.
In outpatient programs, nearby facilities offer more convenience. On the other hand, inpatient programs that don’t let loved ones travel long distances to visit you are best.
However, if your environment can trigger a relapse, you may want to go elsewhere to focus on your recovery.
- Ask For Referrals
You may ask your family members, friends, and colleagues who’ve gone through the same thing to refer you to a particular program. Alternatively, ask your therapist to choose one for you.
- Consider Your Budget
The cost of alcohol detox programs varies depending on various factors, like the type of services offered, potential length of sessions, and location. You’d want to select a program within your budget.
Fortunately, some insurance policies offer coverage for rehabilitation services. Check your availed plan and contact your insurance provider for more details.
Consider Enrolling Today
Being sober after struggling with alcohol addiction is one of the best decisions you can make. However, the alcohol recovery process is not as straightforward as that. You’ll face several challenges that may discourage you or even put your life in danger.
It’s a good thing you can receive guidance, support, and security by enrolling in an alcohol detox program. It lays the foundation for a sure recovery, bringing you closer to taking back the life you deserve. Learn more about your options today.