Detoxification of alcohol is the first step involved in an alcohol deaddiction process. Detoxing from alcohol signifies the removal of alcohol from the body thoroughly. It is a preventive step taken with discretion and persistence.
People who consume alcohol daily and suddenly choose to quit drinking may encounter mild or severe withdrawal symptoms depending on the age, gender, quantity, and durability of their alcohol addiction.
Withdrawal Symptoms
It is safe and secure to detox with the help of a medical supervisor to refrain and balance from alcohol consumption. As and when you decide to quit drinking, you may come down with withdrawal symptoms. The withdrawal symptoms can be physical and mental, and the effects may be severe or mild.
Some alcohol withdrawal symptoms include sweating, nervousness, depression, instability, mood swings, headache, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, irritability, fatigue, visual disruptions, blood pressure variations, swinging heart rate, and periodic fever.
Some people may possess Delirium Tremens (DT), an intense and critical syndrome that affects excessively addicted individuals and may require instant medical attention. DT causes agitation, fever, outbreaks, and rapid heart rate from 48 – 72 hours after the last drink.
A high risk of subjective health consequences due to inadequacy of medications leads to minimal relief from the addiction and increases timelines of the deaddiction process.
Alcohol Detox At Home
Detoxification of alcohol at home is a demanding task, and everyone may not complete it independently. You may prefer to detox from alcohol in the convenience of your home. You will require continuous precaution and a schedule for this process, as withdrawal symptoms may instantly occur when you start to reduce the intake of alcohol and only proceed if the withdrawal symptoms are mild and manageable.
If you are an occasional drinker and non-addictive to alcohol, detox from home is possible with assistance from a medical officer. Regular medical assessment and a suitable diet plan are essential parts of the process, and it can last for days to even weeks.
In some cases, therapies and counseling may be necessary to recover completely from the addiction. It also requires support from family members as they will face the consequences of withdrawal symptoms.
Body Preservation
Preserving your body with nutritious food and drinking enough water is significant to sustain a healthy detoxification. Symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and sweating can cause extreme dehydration, and drinking enough water stimulates hydration. Hydration of the body is substantial when detoxing from alcohol.
Consumption of fluids like juice, water, milk, etc will help to rehydrate the body and eliminate toxins effectively. Foods rich in vitamins, proteins, and minerals are essential to boost metabolism, which helps in an expeditious detoxification process.
Timeline
The timeline for the detoxification of alcohol is conditional on each individual. The duration is dependent on the individual’s body and environmental factors. Persisting health, alcoholic habits, and the quantity of alcohol in the body may define the timeline of alcohol detoxification and its withdrawal symptoms.
Alcohol Detox At Rehab
Alcohol detoxification is strenuous and can turn challenging. It is better to get treated with the help of medical professionals from a rehab or detox center. Some benefits of detox at a rehab center include;
- Inpatient detox program
- Outpatient detox program
- Curative interventions
- Preventive medications
- Conservative environment
- Constrain regression
Inpatient treatment is for those people who have been drinking for a long time. They can benefit from a team of medical professionals around the clock.
People who face severe withdrawal symptoms will acquire medications promptly in this process. For individuals who suffer from mental health issues caused by continuous alcohol intake, this process will help to diagnose and treat these complications.
Involving in fitness and wellness activities will enhance overall health and help in speedy recovery. Some practical activities like workouts, meditation, painting, reading, writing, and sleeping will boost your physical, mental, and intellectual health.
Conclusion
Alcohol detox can be combative and needs assistance from a medical officer. If you are a regular drinker and addicted to alcohol, it can be dangerous and even life-threatening if you quit drinking abruptly. Instead, it is safe to reduce the quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption. The withdrawal symptoms while detoxing alcohol differ from one person to the other and need customized treatment strategies, which is possible only with the help of medical professionals.
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