Why Medically Assisted Alcohol Detox Saves Lives
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), or alcohol dependence, is a medical condition that occurs when someone becomes physically and mentally reliant upon alcohol. It is time to seek help when alcohol use detrimentally impacts your daily life: you neglect your work and family responsibilities, you crave alcohol, it takes more and more to feel the same effects, you experience mood swings, you hide or try to minimize your dependence from others, and/or have repeatedly failed to quit.
Alcohol dependency is a progressive disease – not a matter of weakness, a lack of willpower, or an inability to control impulses. AUD is treatable with the right medical intervention, therapy, long-term support, and a desire to create a more structured environment for yourself.
Medically assisted alcohol detox is an evidence-based treatment protocol that can save your life. During detox, your body will undergo many changes that you or a helpful family member or friend may be unable to manage. Some detox symptoms are mild, like mood swings, sweating, and vomiting. However, more severe symptoms like cardiac distress, dehydration, seizures, and Delirium Tremens (DT) require professional medical care that cannot be provided at home.
Addiction recovery is within reach at an accredited inpatient alcohol detox treatment program in your area. Find one that offers 24/7 monitoring, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), trained and compassionate staff, integrated care options, medical and mental health professionals, and is safe and comfortable. Facilities with residential and extended outpatient treatment programs are the best choice for attaining and maintaining a full recovery.
Understanding Alcohol Withdrawal
Compulsive drinking is a marker of alcohol use disorder. Regardless of where someone is on the alcohol use disorder spectrum, becoming sober is important for health and stability. And the best starting point for sobriety is at a medically managed detox program.
Because those with alcohol use disorder regularly drink alcohol, their bodies and brains have adapted and become dependent on alcohol for physical or mental relief. AUD rewires the brain and causes both short-term (slurred speech, lack of coordination, balance issues, hangovers) and long-term (heart & liver disease, endocrine disorders) physiological changes.
AUD can lead to cognitive decline, inflammation of the gut, high blood pressure, fatigue, and disrupted hormones. Removing alcohol from a dependent user during detox can exacerbate some of these symptoms and cause vomiting, rapid heart rate, insomnia, seizures, and, in some cases, delirium tremens (DT).
Detoxing at a clinic designed explicitly for this type of withdrawal is important because experienced medical professionals and staff can help reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable and can be risky to manage at home.
What Happens to Your Body and Brain with Extended Alcohol Use
Long-term and/or heavy drinking changes the way your brain functions and can “damage brain regions involved in memory, decision-making, impulse control, attention, sleep regulation, and other cognitive functions.” (NIH, Neuroscience: The Brain in Addiction and Recovery)
Alcohol is a neurotoxin – meaning it poisons your brain and, with heavy use, can cause your frontal lobe to atrophy. Alcohol also negatively impacts how your central nervous system communicates by blocking glutamate (used in metabolism and cell messaging) and damaging the myelin coating of your neurons.
Because long-term alcohol use depresses your system, detoxing can cause your brain and body to become hyperexcitable. And if detoxing without the benefits of a medically assisted detox program – you risk experiencing severe to life-threatening symptoms.
Even those with high alcohol tolerance who feel “normal” after excessive drinking are damaging their brains and bodies – putting themselves and others at risk.
Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (AWS)
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms (AWS) can range from mild to severe, and detoxing is different for each patient. Factors that impact withdrawal symptoms include age, health, co-occurring disorders, previous health problems, and frequency of alcohol use. If you have moderate to severe alcohol dependence, it is highly recommended to detox in a detox clinic.
AWS starts 6-12 hours after the last drink and can get progressively worse over the next 2 days. While some of these symptoms are mild, they are uncomfortable, and if you are trying to detox at home without medical support, you risk abandoning the detox.
Mild AWS symptoms start 6-12 hours after the last drink and may include:
- The shakes
- Nausea & vomiting
- Sweating
- Headaches
- Anxiety
Moderate AWS may start 12-48 hours after the last drink and requires medical intervention:
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- High blood pressure
Severe AWS may start 24-48 hours after the last drink and requires medical intervention. Life-threatening symptoms include:
- Delirium Tremens (DT)
Marked by hyperthermia, hallucinations, impaired consciousness, high agitation, confusion, heart palpitations or collapse, and seizures.
The Risks of Unsupervised Alcohol Detox
Detoxing at home without medical support poses serious risks. Unsupervised detox lacks access to medication, professional monitoring, mental health services, and structured post-detox recovery programs. Risks are especially high for individuals in poor health, who have detoxed previously, or who have co-occurring disorders.
Delirium Tremens and Seizures
Severe AWS symptoms like DT and seizures can become life-threatening when left untreated. Without medication, DT carries a mortality rate of 37%, but drops to 5% with medical intervention.
Chronic alcohol users, those with underlying conditions, and those who have detoxed several times are most vulnerable to DT.
Physical and Mental Health Complications
Unsupervised detox is hazardous if you have underlying medical or psychiatric conditions. Detoxing is hard on your body – but the reward of sobriety is worth the discomfort.
Medically assisted detox reduces the severity of withdrawal symptoms through individualized medication and care plans. If you have underlying health conditions, the safest way to detox is under the care of medical professionals who can treat complications and observe your reactions.
Increased Risk of a Setback or Relapse
Relapse after detox or rehab is not a failure but is often a natural part of the recovery process. A recovery setback can be a great opportunity to adjust your treatment plan and realign your goals and priorities.
Relapses can spark all sorts of emotional and physical discomfort. The pull of alcohol is strong, and you may feel like you crave the buzz and the comfort of old habits.
Relapse can trigger feelings of guilt, embarrassment, depression, anger, or even self-righteousness. Your body may react poorly to the reintroduction of alcohol with symptoms like gastrointestinal issues, debilitating hangovers, sleep disturbances, and increased anxiety.
Inpatient detox, followed by structured outpatient care, is the best defense against falling into the powerful detox–relapseloop.
Lack of Emergency Support
A detox facility offers a safe and controlled environment where medical staff and clinicians manage AWS with 24/7 monitoring and care. They can quickly evaluate and respond to any changes in your health during detox.
Patients with underlying physical and mental health conditions should not attempt detox at home. Medical teams in detox centers are equipped to stabilize patients in case of sudden health emergencies.
What is Medically Assisted Detox?
Medically assisted detox, or medical detoxification, is a treatment program that uses medication, or a combination of several medications, to wean patients off alcohol (or drugs), reduce the effects of alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and minimize patient discomfort.
As part of a comprehensive recovery program, medications used in the detox process (under supervised care) make withdrawal symptoms more tolerable, make detoxing safer, and are tailored to individual patients.
Individualized Treatment
Every patient is different. Effective detox programs tailor care to individual emotional, physical, and mental needs. Medical professionals design personalized plans based on alcohol use, mental health, physical health, and treatment history.
Comprehensive detox includes 24/7 supervision and follow-up therapy to improve recovery outcomes.
Benefits of Medically Supervised Detox at Buena Vista Recovery
At Buena Vista Recovery, medically supervised detox is part of an integrated health treatment plan that restores balance to the body and mind. However, detox alone is not enough to sustain recovery. Aftercare is essential, and Buena Vista Recovery offers several treatment options:
- Intensive Inpatient Programming (IOP)
- Outpatient Programs
- Medication Assisted Treatment
- Individual Counseling
- Therapy
Buena Vista provides holistic care, focusing on nutrition, comfort, and long-term wellness. After detox, patients can transition into residential treatment or outpatient care.
What to Expect During Medically-Assisted Detox
Buena Vista offers a safe, healing-focused atmosphere with 24/7 care during detox and many continuum of support recovery programs. As an important part of recovery, each patient will be evaluated before treatment and reassessed periodically to ensure proper treatment.
Initial Assessment
When you contact Buena Vista, you will be asked questions to address your immediate needs and speak about your health goals. When you arrive at the facility, you will receive both a medical exam and a psychological evaluation to ensure that your treatment program matches your needs.
You will be asked about your substance use, medications, health conditions, previous treatments, availability of a support system, living conditions, mental health history, and recovery goals. Lab tests may be required.
The more information you give the doctors and medical staff, the better they can personalize your treatment and give you the best chance at sobriety.
Medical Management and Stabilization
Detox begins on Day 1 with withdrawal and medication management. But don’t worry; you’ll receive constant monitoring and be given medication to ease withdrawal symptoms and reduce the risk of serious detox complications. Your safety and comfort are paramount.
Detox can last anywhere from 5-7 days, and symptoms will be monitored, and your CIWA-Ar score will be evaluated regularly to allow doctors to adjust your medications as necessary. Even when you have stabilized, you will still require hydration, rest, healthy food, and therapy.
Discharge and Transition to Long-Term Treatment
Detox is just the first step in a full continuum of recovery. When you have fully detoxed, you will meet with clinical staff to create a personalized inpatient or outpatient aftercare treatment plan that may include:
- Scheduled therapy sessions
- Enrollment in a 12-step program
- Prescriptions
- Family and/or individual counseling
- Residential treatment
Once you are discharged, recovery is still challenging and will require continued medical and professional support.
Conclusion
Detoxing alone is risky.
Detox and recovery with Buena Vista Recovery is a lifesaving and life-changing experience. Medically assisted alcohol detox is a proven and successful method of detoxing. Detox is the beginning of recovery, but continuous care and relapse prevention are key to lasting success.
Recovery from Alcohol Use Disorder is within reach. Consider Buena Vista as your recovery partner and explore what is possible. Contact Buena Vista today to get started.
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