| The process of detoxifying from alcohol takes from | | | | detox experts being on hand or nearby. That's |
| three to seven days. The length of time to complete | | | | because, up to the point of detox, alcohol has always |
| the detox process varies from one person to another | | | | relieved the withdrawal symptoms, and the patient |
| depending on type of alcoholic beverage typically | | | | now wants the same relief using the same substance. |
| consumed, length of time as an alcoholic, size of the | | | | Instead, the detox process will use prescription drugs. |
| person, and the tolerance level for alcohol. | | | | Some, like Klonepin, are used to reduce the physical |
| Detox should only be undertaken with medical | | | | symptoms. This does not mean that the recovering |
| supervision, preferably a doctor's. One of the safest | | | | alcoholic will not experience any withdrawal symptoms |
| methods for detoxifying the body is at an in-patient | | | | during alcohol detox. Klonepin and similar drugs will, |
| treatment center. Medical personnel who are trained | | | | however, ease the symptoms. The detox process |
| and experienced in alcohol and drug withdrawal are | | | | might involve the shakes (delirium tremens, or DTs) |
| available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a | | | | rather than vomiting, or hyperactivity and sleeplessness |
| week. They can monitor vital signs, administer | | | | rather than convulsions. |
| medications and ensure that adequate food and fluid | | | | Administration of Klonepin and close medical monitoring |
| intake is maintained. | | | | may be all that's needed to get the alcoholic through |
| In many cases the alcoholic isn't 100% committed to | | | | the withdrawal and detox phase. However, in |
| this new way of life at the detox phase. The effects | | | | approximately 1 out of 4 patients, an anticonvulsant like |
| of detox can make even the strongest person pause. | | | | clonazepam or diazepam may be administered. |
| Knowingly subjecting yourself to possible tremors, | | | | Recovery from alcohol addiction can't take place until |
| anxiety, sweating, nausea and vomiting isn't the most | | | | the alcoholic has gone through the detox process. |
| appealing idea. That's why locating support before the | | | | While the drug (alcohol) is still in the body, the body |
| detox process begins is critical. | | | | craves more. It's only after the body has been freed |
| Family members, friends, or co-workers can give | | | | from the grip of the drug that the recovery process |
| advice, encouragement and support. For someone | | | | can begin. |
| who's not comfortable going to people he or she | | | | True freedom from alcohol is a lifelong process. The |
| knows, Alcoholics Anonymous and other similar | | | | alcoholic must first decide to stop drinking. Then he or |
| support groups can provide an anonymous source of | | | | she needs to detox from the alcohol, and once |
| assistance. | | | | through detox move forward into lifelong recovery. It's |
| Once in the detox center, withdrawal symptoms can | | | | not the most pleasant process, but it's definitely worth |
| begin to appear anywhere from 3 hours to two days | | | | it. A support group and a good detox program can |
| after the last drink. When the discomfort of withdrawal | | | | make all the difference between success and failure. |
| begins, the alcoholic is very likely to relapse without | | | | |