Photo by Kevin Kelly

Originally Posted On: https://futuresrecoveryhealthcare.com/blog/alcohol-withdrawal-treatment/

Alcohol is consumed regularly by many across the world. However, for many, alcohol consumption at some point crosses the line from moderate drinking to heavy drinking which then often leads to a dependence on alcohol. Whether you call it alcohol addiction, alcoholism, or an alcohol use disorder (AUD), once dependence has begun it’s almost impossible for an individual to stop on their own.

When it comes to stopping drinking alcohol, no one should try to stop on their own. In fact, quitting drinking ‘cold turkey’ can be fatal. This can be true whether you’ve been drinking for weeks, months, or years. If you or someone you love wants to stop drinking, it’s best to get professional help to do so.

THE FIRST STEP: ALCOHOL DETOX TREATMENT

Addiction, to alcohol or another substance, is a chronic brain disease characterized by the inability to stop or cut down on one’s own despite the desire to do so. Stopping drinking is the first step in recovery and often the most challenging. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be not only deadly but also so uncomfortable that the individual who wants to try to stop drinking often picks up again in order to ease the uncomfortable symptoms of withdrawal.

If you or someone you love wants to stop drinking, it’s vital to seek professional alcohol detox treatment first. Your chances of successfully navigating this difficult first stage of recovery from alcohol abuse are increased when it’s done at a treatment center with experienced medical teams offering medication-assisted detox.

There are certain risks associated with detoxing on your own or stopping cold turkey. It’s important to understand what they are. Next find professional alcohol detox treatment to help you through this trying phase of recovery.

• Loss of consciousness
• Delirium tremens (DTs)
• Seizures

While these are acute withdrawal symptoms, you should understand that they are not uncommon during detox from alcohol. Each of these is life-threatening. For this reason, detoxing from alcohol alone should never be attempted. This is the phase of recovery with the greatest chance of relapse. Detoxing from alcohol at an addiction treatment center that understands how to the best treatment for alcohol withdrawal is an essential first step.

TREATMENT OF ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL

The body rids itself of toxins during detox. Depending on how long, how much, and how frequently you or your loved one consumed alcohol, in part helps you to know just what type of treatment for alcohol withdrawal is needed and what alcohol withdrawal symptoms may occur.

At Futures Recovery Healthcare, our full-time medical director and her team oversees all medical decisions and care during this acute phase. Additionally, a resident assistant (RA) closely monitors clients during detox.

Common Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms:

• Anxiety
• Sleep issues
• Irritability
• Cravings
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headaches
• Body aches
• Shaking
• Cramps
• Dizziness
• Memory issues

This acute phase usually lasts between three to seven days. With the right medications treatment of alcohol withdrawal symptoms can make a significant difference in comfort level during withdrawal.

How to Treat Alcohol Withdrawal: Detox and Stabilization

Detox is an essential component of recovery from alcohol dependence.  The next step is a comprehensive treatment program which includes psychotherapeutic programs. Each person’s story with alcohol is different. The treatment plan best for one person may not be the right one for another. Futures provides individualized care tailoring treatment to each client’s unique recovery needs.

Medication-assisted detox may be needed for one person but not the next. If it’s determined that medications would be helpful in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal, the team at Futures is highly skilled and experienced with this. Specific medications are determined on an individual basis by the Futures’ team.

Safely getting through alcohol withdrawal, treatment, and establishing a foundation in recovery is key to long-lasting sobriety. Futures believes that treatment of alcohol withdrawal symptoms and minimizing discomfort are important. This enables clients to gain clarity of mind, participate in treatment, address underlying behavioral health issues, and learn how to manage them. These are all important pillars in recovery from alcohol dependence.

If you or someone you love has a problem with alcohol and needs alcohol detox treatment, Futures is here for you.