| When someone is with a drug addiction, it becomes a | | | | to the treatment program. Once it is decided that the |
| foregone conclusion that they will have to go through a | | | | person is fit enough to go through the alcohol detox |
| detox treatment. People who are looking at any kind | | | | treatment, he or she is made to abstain completely |
| of drug addiction treatment are resigned to the fact | | | | from the substance. In order to make things simpler, |
| that they will need detox. But this is not the case with | | | | the patient is kept in an isolated treatment center so |
| alcohol addiction treatment. Alcohol detox is simply not | | | | that they are away from familiar circumstances and |
| considered to be as important as drug detox. That is | | | | people, thus making it better to stay away from the |
| the reason people have several questions when they | | | | substance. |
| are counseled that they will have to go through an | | | | Within a few hours or within a day or two, the person |
| alcohol detox program. | | | | will begin feeling the initial pangs of withdrawal, which |
| The following are some questions that people facing | | | | will be characterized by a craving for the substance |
| the prospect of an alcohol detox have, with their | | | | which becomes stronger every hour. A time might |
| answers. | | | | come when the patient will show violent physical |
| Q1. Is alcohol detox really important? | | | | reactions for want of alcohol. This is when a battery |
| Most patients of alcohol addiction ask this, and even | | | | of the right kinds of medicines (depending on the |
| their families do. However, the answer to this question | | | | patient's condition and the program of the treatment |
| is a positive "yes". Alcohol detox is just as important as | | | | center) will be provided so that the person can be |
| a drug detox treatment if not more. The first benefit | | | | brought out of this condition. |
| that this treatment provides is that it completely | | | | The withdrawal pangs are at their strongest on the |
| detoxifies the body. The meaning of detoxification is | | | | second to third day of the detox. Once the person is |
| removal of toxins, which in this case is the alcohol itself. | | | | brought out of this peak period, the withdrawal |
| So, when a person is made to go through an alcohol | | | | gradually goes on diminishing because the medication |
| detox treatment, the alcohol present in the body of the | | | | begins to take effect. After about a week, most |
| person is removed. | | | | patients are completely out of their alcohol withdrawal. |
| This has many positive benefits on the person. One, it | | | | Q3. What about the medicines that are provided during |
| helps the patient to come out of the health problems | | | | alcohol detox? |
| that the alcohol accumulation might cause, such as the | | | | There are two main functions of the medications that |
| cirrhosis of the liver. It helps alcoholics to stay healthier. | | | | are provided during the alcohol detox. The first intention |
| In most people, it has been found that they have | | | | is to help the body come out of the temptation for |
| gotten into a better body shape after an alcohol detox | | | | using the alcohol. Medications such as Antabuse, |
| treatment. Also, it helps people in coming out of their | | | | Campral and Topamax are used for this purpose. |
| urges for the substance. As long as there is presence | | | | Antabuse is quite effective and almost universally |
| of alcohol in the body of the person, there is always a | | | | used. This substance can actually cause an aversion in |
| chance that the person will have a tendency to have | | | | the person for alcohol, which is quite effective in |
| more of it. But with the detox treatment, the alcohol is | | | | helping people come out of their addictions. |
| completely removed from the body. Hence, there is a | | | | There are also medications such as Naltrexone which |
| possibility that the person is completely brought out of | | | | are provided here. These medications are used mostly |
| the temptation of the substance. This is a definite | | | | to stabilize the body after the withdrawal begins to |
| positive benefit of the detox treatment. | | | | appear. The main function of these medications is to |
| For these reasons, alcohol detox is indeed important | | | | bring the body back to a normal state as much as |
| and must not be neglected. | | | | possible. |
| Q2. How is an alcohol detox treatment program | | | | Q4. In what cases will an alcohol detox be waived? |
| implemented? | | | | An alcohol detox will almost always be a part of the |
| First, the person's condition is properly analyzed to | | | | treatment program, but if the patient has been with the |
| make sure that the person does not have any physical | | | | addiction for a very short time, typically under a year, |
| or psychiatric complication that might pose a problem | | | | then the detox program might be waived for them. |